Here's the short answer
ADT charges approximately 75% of your remaining contract balance as an early termination fee (ETF). Calculate yours: (months remaining) × (monthly rate) × 0.75. A 36-month contract at $49.99/mo (Complete Pro Install) with 18 months left = ~$675. Self-setup plans have no ETF.
The ETF is typically larger than buyers expect — because it's a percentage of the full remaining balance, not a flat fee, and ADT's 36-month contracts mean most mid-contract cancellations carry 12–24 months of remaining payments. At $49.99/month (Complete Pro Install), that puts most cancellations in a $450–$900 range — a significant bill that arrives before you've paid a cent toward a replacement system. Calculate yours before you call ADT.
Know your ETF but not sure what to do with it? The ADT recovery guide routes by your contract position — timing, Courtesy Hold, rate leverage, and when switching actually makes sense. ADT recovery guide →
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Use the formula months remaining × monthly rate × 0.75 to estimate your ETF. Common scenarios:
| Scenario | Monthly Rate | Months Left | Estimated ETF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months left | $44.99/mo | 6 months | ~$202 |
| 12 months left | $44.99/mo | 12 months | ~$405 |
| 12 months left | $49.99/mo | 12 months | ~$450 |
| 18 months left | $49.99/mo | 18 months | ~$675 |
| 24 months left | $49.99/mo | 24 months | ~$900 |
| Self-setup (ADT+) | Any | Any | $0 — no ETF |
These are estimates. Your actual ETF is specified in your service agreement. Always confirm with ADT directly before making a switching decision.
Calculate your exact ADT cancellation fee
Enter your monthly rate and months remaining — get your personal ETF, a wait-vs-cancel comparison, and break-even point.
ADT's ETF is not always the final word. These situations have precedent for waiver or reduction:
Federal Cooling-Off Rule
You have 3 business days to cancel any contract signed at your home without penalty. ADT is legally required to notify you of this right in writing.
Military deployment (SCRA)
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act allows active-duty military to cancel service contracts without penalty when deployed. ADT must honor this — provide your orders in writing.
Service quality failure
If ADT fails to meet contractual service standards and cannot resolve the issue after documented attempts, you may have grounds to cancel without ETF. Document all service calls and complaints in writing.
Move outside service area
If you're relocating to an area ADT doesn't service, the ETF may be waived. Request a service area verification in writing before assuming this applies.
The retention team has discretion. Ask directly: "Is there any circumstance under which the ETF can be reduced?" Document the answer. Even a partial reduction is meaningful on a large ETF.
If the ETF is the reason you're leaving, these systems have no ETF and no monitoring contract:
SimpliSafe
9.2/10 · No contract · From $22.99/mo
CSAA Five Diamond monitoring. 60-day money-back. Exit penalty: $0.
Full review →Cove Security
8.0/10 · No contract · From $19.99/mo
CSAA Five Diamond monitoring. Strong monitoring value in the no-contract category. No ETF.
Full review →Ring Alarm
8.8/10 · No contract · From $19.99/mo
Best for Amazon households. No ETF. Professional monitoring from $19.99/mo.
Full review →Need to understand what you signed first? ADT contract length guide → · Trying to avoid the ETF entirely? 6 ways to lower your ADT bill without canceling → · All mid-contract options → · Contract ending soon? ETF drops to $0 — here's what to do → · Haven’t signed yet? Decode the quote first → · After signing? Full after-signing options map — where ETF calculation fits in the complete post-sign workflow →
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