SimpliSafe vs ADT vs Vivint: Which Is Actually Cheapest Long-Term?

Which system is cheapest over 5 years?

SimpliSafe usually has the lowest 5-year ownership cost, especially if you install it yourself or use monitoring only when you need it.

The catch is that advertised starter prices rarely answer this question. A low equipment promotion can sit beside installation charges, a longer monitoring commitment, or financed hardware. Compare the same number of sensors and the same service period rather than comparing homepage prices.

Start by choosing a comparison horizon that matches how long you expect to keep the system. Five years exposes recurring costs without assuming you will remain indefinitely. If a move is likely sooner, run a second total for that date and include any early-exit payment.

Our smart home security sensor coverage can help you decide how many entry, motion, glass-break, and environmental sensors your home actually needs. Matching the hardware first prevents a misleading price comparison.

Sketch each exterior door, accessible window, main hallway, and high-risk room before counting devices. For example, 2 identical homes may need different packages if one has a detached garage or more ground-floor windows. Exclude appealing add-ons unless all 3 quotes include them.

How do SimpliSafe, ADT, and Vivint compare?

The 3 brands use different purchasing models, so the cheapest choice depends on whether you value flexibility or bundled professional service.

Flexibility can be valuable even when it does not appear as a line item. A system you can reinstall, expand gradually, or monitor intermittently may reduce future spending. Professional service can instead save setup time and provide one point of contact for troubleshooting.

How should you calculate the real cost?

Add every required payment across one realistic ownership period, including costs due when you move or cancel.

Use a spreadsheet with one row per charge and separate columns for due-now, monthly, and conditional costs. Save the quote and agreement beside it. This makes omissions easier to spot and prevents a salesperson’s bundled monthly figure from hiding hardware debt.

1. List the same devices for each quote, including the base station, keypad, cameras, sensors, smoke detection, and any smart lock.
2. Add equipment charges and financing interest. Treat a financed device as a purchase rather than part of the monthly monitoring price.
3. Add installation, activation, shipping, permits, and required service visits shown in the written quote.
4. Multiply the monitoring payment by 60 for a 5-year comparison, then include scheduled price changes disclosed in the agreement.
5. Add likely cancellation, removal, or moving costs. Subtract only discounts guaranteed in writing.

The formula is: 5-year cost = equipment + financing interest + installation + 60 months of monitoring + other required fees − guaranteed discounts.

For example, suppose one fictional quote is $400 upfront plus $30 per month. Its 5-year total is $2,200. Another is $200 upfront, $150 for installation, and $50 per month. That total is $3,350 before financing or cancellation charges. Use your actual quotes, not these illustrative figures.

Recalculate whenever a promotion expires or the provider revises a monthly charge.

Where can the contract change the winner?

A service agreement can outweigh an equipment discount if you move, cancel, or replace the system early.

SimpliSafe’s flexible monitoring model reduces that risk. ADT’s agreement length and early-termination terms can vary by package and jurisdiction. Vivint’s service obligation and equipment financing are separate items that may have different payoff rules. Read both documents before signing.

• Ask whether monitoring continues after equipment financing ends.
• Check whether moving starts a new agreement or creates installation charges.
• Confirm what happens to financed equipment if you cancel service.
• Request the full early-termination formula in writing.
• Check whether professional installation places holes where a landlord prohibits them.

Renters should also consult our reversible DIY security ideas and no-drill camera placement guidance. Obtain your landlord’s written approval before any wired installation or permanent mounting.

Which one should you choose?

Choose according to your expected length of stay and your appetite for installation or contract commitments.

Set 3 non-negotiables before comparing brands: maximum total cost, required integrations, and acceptable contract length. Then rank conveniences separately. This keeps a desirable camera or installation offer from overriding a firm budget or moving constraint.

Before accepting any offer, use our smart home hub compatibility coverage to check whether your existing locks, voice assistant, thermostat, or cameras can remain. Replacing compatible equipment can erase a promotional saving.