ADT Home Security: Cost, Plans & Is It Worth It? (2026)

Updated on September 28, 2026

8 min read

ADT home security costs from $9.99/month for self-monitored ADT Blu up to about $59.99/month and up for a professionally installed, professionally monitored system, plus $349–$1,594 for equipment and roughly $100–$200 for professional installation. For most homes wanting 24/7 professional monitoring, expect $24.99–$34.99/month on ADT Blu or $59.99+/month on a Pro Install package. Whether ADT is worth it comes down to one trade-off: a longtime, professionally monitored brand versus cheaper DIY systems you self-monitor.

What is ADT?

ADT is the largest and oldest professionally monitored home-security company in the United States, with more than 150 years of operating history and six redundant monitoring centers across North America. In 2026 ADT sells two paths: ADT Blu, a DIY line you can self-install and self-monitor or add professional monitoring to; and ADT Pro Install, a professionally designed and installed system. Both tie into the ADT+ app and integrate with Google Nest cameras and doorbells.

How much is ADT per month? (2026 pricing)

ADT home security pricing depends on which line you choose and whether you self-monitor or pay for professional monitoring. Here is the monthly monitoring breakdown, verified on adt.com September 4, 2026:

On ADT Blu, cameras raise Pro-Protect from $24.99 to $34.99/month — ADT’s own FAQ confirms cameras add $10/month — and a life-safety monitoring add-on runs $3–$5/month with a device purchase. Blu plans verified at adt.com/blu/monitoring, September 4, 2026.

Current promos (verified September 4, 2026): ADT’s headline offer is a $99 professionally installed security system that includes a Google Nest Cam — tied to a 36-month monitoring contract and subject to credit approval — and select ADT Blu DIY kits and cameras are 50% off with 30-day returns.

On top of monitoring, you buy equipment. ADT Pro Install starter packages run from a $349 Security Starter to a $1,594 Total Safety bundle, with mid-tier video packages around $529–$739. Qualifying systems can be financed over up to 60 months at 0% APR, and professional installation typically adds $100–$200.

ADT monitoring and installation

ADT’s core strength is its monitoring network: six professional centers provide backup for one another, so an alarm still reaches a live operator if one center goes down. ADT Blu can be self-installed in an afternoon, while Pro Install sends a technician to design, mount, and test the system. If you want a hands-off setup and a name that police departments recognize, ADT home security is built for that; if you are comfortable mounting a few sensors yourself, ADT Blu keeps the cost far lower.

ADT contract, cancellation, and guarantee

ADT Pro Install plans generally run on a 36-month agreement (24 months in California), while ADT Blu is month-to-month with no contract. ADT backs new systems with a 6-month money-back guarantee — the longest trial window among the major national brands, and a meaningful hedge if you are unsure the system fits your home. Cancelling a Pro Install contract early can trigger remaining-balance fees, so match the commitment to how long you expect to stay in the home.

ADT pros and cons

Is ADT worth it?

ADT is worth it if you want established, professionally monitored security with a real service network and don’t mind paying a premium for it. Independent reviewers rate ADT among the top national systems — Security.org scores it 9.8/10 — largely on monitoring reliability and smart-home breadth. It is not the right pick if your only goal is the lowest monthly bill: DIY-first brands like SimpliSafe undercut ADT Pro Install on price. The middle path many buyers land on is ADT Blu with professional monitoring at $24.99–$34.99/month, which keeps the ADT monitoring network without the long Pro Install contract.

How ADT compares to Vivint, Brinks, and SimpliSafe

For head-to-head detail, see our Vivint vs ADT comparison and our full home security systems compared guide.

ADT equipment and smart-home features

ADT systems build around a touchscreen panel with door/window sensors, motion detectors, key fobs, and optional smoke, CO, water, and glass-break sensors. Video options include indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras, and ADT’s Google partnership means Nest cameras and displays work inside the ADT+ app. That smart-home breadth — cameras, locks, thermostats, and voice control in one app — is a big reason ADT home security still commands a premium over strip-down DIY kits.

Is ADT home security right for your home?

Choose ADT Pro Install if you own your home, want a professionally designed system, and value the monitoring network above the monthly price. Choose ADT Blu if you rent or want to avoid a contract but still want ADT’s monitoring center on call. If you are shopping purely on price and are happy to self-monitor, compare ADT against the no-monthly-fee options before committing.

How to lower your ADT home security cost

You have real levers on what ADT home security costs each month. Starting on ADT Blu with self-monitoring ($9.99–$14.99) is the cheapest entry, and you can add professional monitoring later without re-buying equipment. Watch for seasonal promotions that waive or discount installation, ask whether a bundle of sensors lowers the per-device price, and finance qualifying equipment at 0% APR rather than paying upfront. If you move often, the no-contract ADT Blu line avoids early-termination fees entirely. Comparing ADT home security against no-monthly-fee systems first tells you exactly what the monitoring network is costing you — and whether that premium is worth it for your home.

ADT for business: ADT small business security plans and prices

ADT sells a separate small-business line built on intrusion detection with 24/7 monitoring, HD video with cloud or on-site storage, access control (mobile credentials, keypads, card readers), business automation and its AI Deterrence feature. As of September 28, 2026 the published pricing is $299 installation for the Interactive system or $349 for the Complete system, with monitoring starting at $52.99 or $54.99 a month, a $5-a-month monitoring discount with the $349 install offer, and a 36-month monitoring contract with early-cancellation fees. ADT backs it with a six-month money-back guarantee and a theft-protection guarantee that pays up to $500 of your insurance deductible if a burglary occurs while the system is armed. Every quote is customized by phone after a free assessment.

Source: the provider’s own business pages, read September 28, 2026. Business security is quoted by location and configuration; treat these as the published starting points.

What a business security plan adds over the residential one: commercial monitoring with employee access codes and open/close reporting, multi-location management, video verification or virtual guard options, and commercial-use terms. For a home office, the residential plan on this page is usually the right buy; for a storefront, warehouse or office, price the business plan against the systems compared here and the two or three business lines below.

Business shopper? Compare security systems at your address, see business internet providers, or talk to a specialist.

ADT home security FAQ

How much is ADT a month?
ADT costs $9.99–$14.99/month self-monitored, $24.99–$34.99/month for professional monitoring on ADT Blu, and from $59.99/month on a professionally installed Pro system, before equipment.

What is the cheapest ADT monthly cost?
The cheapest ADT home security plan is ADT Blu self-monitoring at $9.99/month for cameras only, or $14.99/month for a full self-monitored system — with no contract.

Does ADT require a contract?
ADT Pro Install typically requires a 36-month agreement (24 months in California). ADT Blu is month-to-month with no contract.

Is ADT worth it in 2026?
ADT is worth it for buyers who want established, professionally monitored security and smart-home integration. Price-first shoppers who are comfortable self-monitoring can save with DIY brands like SimpliSafe.

How much does ADT equipment cost?
ADT starter equipment packages range from about $349 (Security Starter) to $1,594 (Total Safety), with financing available up to 60 months at 0% APR on qualifying systems.

Is ADT better than Vivint?
ADT leads on monitoring history and its 6-month guarantee; Vivint leads on premium smart-home hardware. See our Vivint vs ADT comparison for a full breakdown.

Can I get ADT without professional monitoring?
Yes. ADT Blu supports self-monitoring from $9.99/month, where alerts come to your phone and you decide whether to dispatch help.

Who owns ADT?
ADT Inc. is a publicly traded company (NYSE: ADT) and one of the largest security providers in North America, with a technology partnership with Google.

Does ADT offer business security?
Yes. ADT small business security is priced at $299 installation for the Interactive system or $349 for the Complete system, with monitoring from $52.99 to $54.99 a month on a 36-month contract as of September 28, 2026, plus a six-month money-back guarantee and a $500 theft-protection guarantee. Quotes are customized by phone.

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