ADT professionally installed plans require a 36-month monitoring contract with an early termination fee of approximately 75% of your remaining balance — the highest contractual commitment of any brand we track. Before comparing plan prices, understand what it costs to leave. This page covers both contract paths (professional install and self-setup) with full 3-year calculations.
What's on this page: Equipment costs · Monitoring plan table · Contract Risk Index score · 3-year total cost · Hidden costs · Who should buy ADT. Updated April 2026.
Figures sourced from public pricing pages, user-reported data, and direct brand verification. No brand pays to appear. See our methodology →
Affiliate disclosure: SecurityCompassHQ may earn commissions from some links. Commissions do not influence our recommendations or scores. See full disclosure →
ADT offers two paths: ADT+ self-setup ($229+ equipment, no contract) and professionally installed ($299–$599+ equipment, includes installation). Professionally installed equipment is proprietary — it does not work with other monitoring providers.
Key equipment facts
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADT+ Self-Monitoring (no dispatch) | $0/mo | $0/yr | App alerts only — no professional dispatch |
| ADT+ with Monitoring | $24.99/mo | $299/yr | 24/7 professional monitoring. Self-setup equipment. No long-term contract. |
| ADT Professional (Basic) | $44.99/mo | $540/yr | Professional installation, 24/7 monitoring, cellular backup. 36-month contract. |
| ADT Professional (Enhanced) | $52.99/mo | $636/yr | Everything in Basic + video monitoring, smash-and-grab protection. 36-month contract. |
| ADT Professional (Complete) | $60.99/mo | $732/yr | Everything in Enhanced + smart home integration. 36-month contract. |
Contract Risk Index (CRI) — High — Caution
Highest lock-in risk of any brand we track
ADT professionally installed plans require a 36-month monitoring contract. ADT+ self-setup plans have no contract.
ETF: Professional install ETF: approximately 75% of remaining contract balance. Example: cancel at month 12 of 36 at $52.99/mo = ~$809 ETF.
Cancellation
For a full step-by-step guide to canceling ADT without unexpected fees, see our guide: How to Cancel ADT →
Got a quote from a salesperson?
Decode the real contract terms, ETF exposure, and 3-year total before you sign.
Our 2026 Contract Risk Index scores all 9 brands on lock-in risk from 1 (no contract) to 5 (high penalty).
Estimated 3-year total
$1,719 – $2,994
Low: $299 equipment + $99 activation + ($44.99 × 36) = $2,017. High: $599 equipment + $199 activation + ($60.99 × 36) = $2,994. Self-setup: $229 + ($24.99 × 36) = $1,128
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Open Cost Calculator →Ideal for
Homeowners who want professional installation, the most recognized monitoring brand for insurance documentation, and the largest US monitoring network.
Not ideal for
Budget-conscious buyers, renters, or anyone who may need to move or cancel within 36 months — the ETF is significant.
See our full editorial review for the complete scoring breakdown:
See side-by-side pricing, contract terms, and camera quality for the systems buyers most often compare to ADT:
How to pair this with a full alarm system
If you need sensors, keypad coverage, and professional dispatch, these are the best-fitting full-system routes.
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