All things considered, we recommend Vivint over ADT Self Setup for most home security needs. Finally, if you get a ADT Self Setup video storage plan, it will cost anywhere from $2.99 to $12.99 per camera per month. That’s an okay price for video storage, though it could be better. But Vivint devices and its app do have some neat functions, like the Car Guard that tracks your vehicle’s locations and maintenance needs. These smart features make Vivint’s equipment higher in value, which in turn makes the stratospheric prices worth it for some. If you pay off the Vivint devices up front, you’re free to cancel at any time you like. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck paying off your equipment loan over time, and you’ll have to pay cancellation fees too. Vivint also requires installation and moving fees to cover the costs of sending professionals to your home. But ADT Self Setup’s equipment selection is far from innovative, and there are no smart home devices in the lineup. You’ll have to do some piecemeal shopping if you want a complete smart home or security suite. For instance, Vivint’s video doorbell has package, person, vehicle, and lurker detection. It also has a Deter feature to scare off porch pirates and other intruders. On the other hand, Vivint offers more proprietary smart home devices. And it has an in-app function that performs similarly to IFTTT, just with Vivint-compatible products. Luckily, Vivint offers a lot of smart home devices that will sync right up with your system, no extra connectivity required. And Z-Wave devices that are directly compatible with the security system can also be accessed through the Vivint app. Those include Nest thermostats and smart locks. We tried setting up some ADT Self Setup security cameras, and it was a fairly smooth process. If you’re at least somewhat familiar with tech, especially smartphones, then installing a ADT Self Setup system shouldn’t be a problem for you. But if you haven’t spent much time with technology, you might be better off getting a friend or professional to install your system in your stead. There is a catch though. Vivint requires an installation fee of $99. And when we had a Vivint system installed at a test site, the process took about four hours. That’s quite a bit longer than we’ve ever spent setting up a DIY system. You don’t have to follow the Vivint installer around and micromanage them, but you should be at home during the entire installation, just to be safe. So you’ll essentially need to clear an entire morning or afternoon to stick around your house. Its customer service department is completely separate from the normal ADT customer service, and some people have gotten confused and left ADT reviews for ADT Self Setup. But even subtracting negative ADT reviews from the equation, ADT Self Setup’s customer reception is pretty mixed. Things seem to have gotten better over the last few years. But Vivint still has poor ratings on many customer review sites. We suspect the company has a way to go before it’s truly in the public’s good graces. That’s in sharp contrast to Vivint, a company that gives you only three days to cancel without being subject to cancellation fees. Let’s quickly review the comparison points.
Pricing: ADT Self Setup is much less expensive than Vivint. However, the value isn’t as good with ADT Self Setup. Equipment: Both home security companies make their equipment, though Vivint’s is more cutting-edge. Home automation: You’ll get more automation overall with ADT Self Setup, but you’ll get more direct automation with a Vivint system. Installation: You’ll install ADT Self Setup on your own, while professionals install Vivint. Customer experience: Neither of these services has glowing reviews, but ADT Self Setup is still starting off, while Vivint has an established track record of customer dissatisfaction.
ADT Self SetupReview ADT Self Setup Outdoor Camera Review ADT Self SetupDoorbell Review Vivint Home Security Review Vivint Cameras Review Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro Review
