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Complete home security comes with a price tag. Here’s what to expect and how you can save on your ADT camera bill.
Updated December 3, 2025
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Editor's Note: ADT now only offers the Google Nest Cams with their residential security systems. Also, pricing can be a bit nuanced. To get the most straightforward information about plans and costs, check out our ADT Home Security Cost page.
If you’re going to spend the money on home security cameras, you likely expect a lot out of them. Motion detection, real time alerts, color night vision, and maybe even professional monitoring. And for good reason — you rely on these pieces of equipment to keep your family safe.
And trust us, top alarm companies know this. Providers like ADT.
One of the top names in the home security industry, ADT has a reputation for reliable, durable, time-tested home security systems and equipment. While it’s not necessarily the most affordable option, we’d still argue it’s well worth the money if you’re looking to invest in a multi-year contract and are looking for a solution you’re not going to have to do much fiddling with. ADT handles everything from the professional monitoring to the installation of your new system, all you have to do is sign on the dotted line.
But are they the right option for you?
We’ve spent over a hundred hours testing ADT equipment, which you can read all about in our hands-on ADT security review, but today we’re going to take a closer look at one element of these systems — ADT’s security cameras. We’ll explore their latest features, curent pricing, and a few insider tips to maximize the value of your investment. We’ll even let you in on the pricing for ADT’s new DIY-friendly systems.
Did You Know? ADT has been transitioning to offer both hardwired professional systems and DIY wireless options through their ADT Self Setup line. This gives customers more flexibility than ever before.
The ADT decal makes a would-be intruder think twice about approaching your home.
Getting straight to the point: ADT offers six distinct equipment packages, each designed for different security needs and budgets. If you’re shopping for cameras, you’ll want to focus on the Video Essentials, Front Door Protection, Outdoor Video, or Total Safety package. Alternatively, you can build out your own package including security cameras to fit your exact needs.
| Package | Cost | Monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|
| Video Essentials | Starting at $528.99 | $8.82 |
| Front Door Protection | Starting at $738.98 | $12.32 |
| Outdoor Video | Starting at $648.98 | $10.82 |
| Total Safety | Starting at $1,593.95 | $26.57 |
*With a 60-month contract.
Let’s put this in perspective. Remember, each ADT package includes multiple security components working together as a complete system. In our roundtop of this year’s best home security cameras we’ve seen that just two components of these packages could easily set you back $500.
Second, when you purchase an ADT video package, smart home automation is bundled in. That means you can outfit your home with green add-ons like smart thermostats, LED lights, and even plugs. LED lights alone consume 75 percent less energy than their incandescent counterparts.1
Finally, you don’t have to pay your whole bill upfront. You can pay off your ADT equipment in installments, over 12, 36, or 60 months — like you do with your iPhone. So when you’re figuring out your budget, it’s better to look at that third column (monthly payments). In ADT’s case, we’re talking about $10 per month for the most basic system.
This monthly fee isn’t peanuts, and we haven’t even gotten to monitoring fees yet. If you’re just looking for one or two motion and safety sensors on the cheap with a camera that you can set down next to the TV and plug into the wall, check out Cove wireless security equipment. In fact, any of the top DIY home security systems will suffice.
With that said, ADT has built a reputation around top-quality equipment and reliable monitoring. So let’s take a look at the ADT camera lineup.
FYI: When shopping for security equipment, “wireless” can mean battery-powered or Wi-Fi connected. ADT offers both types now, so clarify which you prefer before making your purchase.
ADT Pro HDoutdoor video camera mounted.
ADT’s Pro HD Outdoor Camera isn’t going to blow you away with a long list of features. While it does offer crystal-clear resolution and two-way audio, you’re not going to have color night vision, alarms, floodlights, or any of the other bells and whistles that come with similarly priced cameras from Lorex, for example. Depending on the subscription plan you go with, some of those cameras can run as much as $300 a piece or more.
That said, ADT’s new control app is a winner. This easy-to-use smartphone app gives you live feeds from all of your cameras and offers customizable motion alerts so you can keep your eyes on suspicious activity as it’s occurring.
Home Security Tip: ADT doesn’t sell additional cloud storage for its cameras like some competitors. But it does keep footage for up to 30 days — a lot longer than the 24 hours you typically get. If you need to archive footage older than a month, you’ll need to download it to an external device yourself.
ADT’s indoor video camera features advanced AI detection.
While the outdoor cameras are a little lacking in the feature department, ADT really steps up to the plate with their indoor counterparts. Here you’re going to find some of those AI enhancements that are lacking outside, but what does that look like, exactly?
Well, the biggest perk is smart alerts. You can program your 1080p HD ADT indoor camera to send you an alert when someone is rifling through your kitchen liquor cabinet, for instance, but not every time someone walks past the fridge. If you’ve rigged your living room with smart LED light bulbs (Google Nest products now work with ADT, by the way), you can program your camera to turn on the lights as soon as it detects a human crossing the threshold.
This list could go on, but you get the idea. You can do a lot with ADT’s indoor cameras. And just like ADT’s outdoor cameras, at $150 a pop ADT’s indoor video equipment is on the cheap side.
Did You Know? If you favor a DIY installation, ADT does have a line of wireless home security products called ADT Self Setup. This security system uses Google Nest Cam indoor and outdoor cameras, but ADT-branded security sensors and peripherals.
ADT’s partnership with Google Nest continues to evolve, offering customers access to some of the market’s most advanced camera technology. You can read more about these cameras in our Google Nest Cam Review, but the long and short of it is this: They’re some of the best cameras on the market. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available:
| Google Nest Camera | Stand Out Features |
|---|---|
| Nest Cam |
|
| Nest Cam Indoor |
|
| Nest Cam Outdoot |
|
| Nest Doorbell |
|
Be sure to check with your ADT representative about what equipment is available with your package, and what savings you might be able to secure when you purchase multiple cameras.
Did You Know? ADT also has doorbell cameras. We’ve taken a look at how this stacks up against other offerings in our ADT doorbell camera review.
So you’ve got your ADT cameras. The ADT technician has been there and gone. Now what?
Whether you chose the Smart & Video package or just the bare-bones Secure plan, now you get to reap the benefits. That includes around-the-clock professional monitoring — which, you guessed it, isn’t free either.
| Monitoring Plan | Monthly Monitoring Cost |
|---|---|
| Secure | $24.99-$34.99 |
| Smart | $29.99-$39.99 |
| Complete | $39.99-$49.99 |
Heads Up: ADT charges $10 more per month for monitoring professionally installed security systems. Make sure to factor in this extra charge when deciding whether you want to install your own system or leave it up to the pros.
With the entry-level package, monthly monitoring starts at $24.99, although it does not support cameras. For comprehensive video monitoring, expect to pay $39.99 monthly. This isn’t exactly cheap, so it should definitely be factored into your total costs when you’re considering a home security system.
While ADT can certainly go toe-to-toe with other high end security systems like Vivint in terms of equipment pricing, their monitoring costs tend to be a little on the high end. But don’t think you’re just shoveling money into the garbage disposal. ADT operates 12 redundant monitoring centers across North America to ensure continuous coverage even during natural disasters or regional power outages And here’s the big one – cellular connectivity.
Unlike Wi-Fi-dependent systems that fail when your internet drops, ADT’s cellular backup ensures your security never goes offline. Using major carrier networks, their systems maintain constant communication with monitoring centers, providing true 24/7 protection.
That said, we’ve seen best-in-class cellular monitoring packages with considerably cheaper subscriptions. Check out our Cove home security review for the full story on one of the most affordable security alarms we’ve tested. Vivint plans are another good option for premium monitoring on a budget, with video camera plans starting at $23 per month.
FYI: ADT’s custom arming zones let you secure specific areas while leaving others accessible. For instance, arm your perimeter doors and windows at night while keeping interior sensors inactive for midnight snack runs.
Modern ADT cameras from Google Nest pack sophisticated technology into user-friendly packages. Here are the features that make the biggest difference in daily use — starting with those nifty updated video specs we were so happy to see when we reviewed ADT.
When home security is at stake, a crisper picture is always better. 1080p HD is the industry standard and all ADT cameras offer at least that. They’re also night vision-ready, so you can see what’s going on in and around your home in low light situations.
Having audio isn’t just good for scaring off prowlers. ADT’s two-way mic will come in handy for communicating with delivery people, keeping tabs on kids, and saying hello to Fido when you’re at the office. (Fido might not get it at first, but eventually he’ll catch on.)
Once we’ve set up and activated our ADT security systems, many of us will say goodbye to our wall panels and reach for our phones. ADT’s new app does it all: alerts, live video feeds, alarm status by zone, and smart home automations.
All Google Nest Cams can distinguish between people, pets, vehicles, and packages. However, they go a step further with facial recognition. With a little time learning faces, each camera can tell you who they see. You can use this to weed out false alerts.
Smart home integration extends beyond basic on/off controls. Your ADT cameras can trigger complex automation sequences — like gradually dimming lights when you leave or adjusting thermostats. According to two different studies, smart thermostats can lower your heating and cooling bill by up to 15 percent.2
Did You Know? Smart plugs integrated with your ADT system can cut standby power consumption—which accounts for five to 10 percent of residential energy use.3 That means a potential savings of $100 to $200 annually on electricity bills.
ADT has successfully modernized their traditional offerings while maintaining their core strengths of reliability and professional support.
Wireless home security systems (i.e., systems that run on batteries or plugs) are generally cheaper than hardwired systems and don’t require professional installations or servicing. For example, SimpliSafe plans start at $21.99 per month with cameras.
Unquestionably, the one thing you’re getting with ADT is quality — quality products, quality installations, and quality service. If their prices are in your budget ballpark — and you’re willing to commit for two years minimum — getting a quote from ADT certainly makes sense.
Home Security Tip: ADT’s SoSecure app provides on-the-go protection with features like location sharing, emergency SOS buttons, and direct access to ADT specialists. This extends your security beyond your home’s walls.
ADT is chock-full of discounts. In fact, there are so many deals on ADT security systems, we’ve devoted a whole page just to keep track! Best of all, most of their deals revolve around their security camera packages thanks to their new partnership with Google. We’ve seen packages with security cameras go on sale for as little as $199.
Right now, though, the biggest deal they have going on is that their customizable security packages are running 20 percent off. Here’s a breakdown of those prices, in case you don’t have a calculator built into your head.
ADT comes with a few preconditions you need to be ok with to even consider installing their systems. If you don’t want to enter into a monitoring agreement, for instance, ADT is probably not a great fit. We’ve looked at numerous home security systems that don’t require contracts. After Cove, SimpliSafe and Ring would be at the top of that list.
Monitoring costs remain a consideration. While ADT’s base plan runs $24.99 monthly, camera-enabled plans start at $39.99. That’s $10 more than you’d pay with budget-friendly alternatives like Cove’s $29.99 premium plan.
On the other hand, ADT does offer a six-month trial period. That’s unheard of in the industry, by the way, where most companies only give you between 30 and 60 days.
The real value proposition with ADT comes from their comprehensive approach: professional-grade equipment, expert installation, round-the-clock cellular monitoring, and streamlined Google Nest integrations.
In other words, choosing ADT means choosing peace of mind backed by 150 years of security expertise. For homeowners who value professional support and proven reliability over DIY savings, that heritage and track record may justify the premium pricing. We did. And we don’t regret it.
ADT components are high quality. All ADT cameras are now 1080p HD with infrared night vision. ADT indoor cameras also feature advanced video analytics.
Yes, you can. ADT offers financing through Affirm on their Self Setup systems and longer-term financing on professionally installed systems.
The price of ADT security cameras range from $99 up to $279, depending on the model and capabilities.
No. Professional installations start at $99. Your final bill will depend on how many components and what kinds of components you end up installing.
Professional monitoring plans that support cameras currently start at $39.99 per month.
ADT’s Video Essentials, Front Door Protection, Outdoor Video, or Total Safety packages all include cameras.
U.S. Department of Energy. (Retrieved 2025). LED Lighting.
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting
Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative. (Retrieved 2025). Is a Smart Thermostat a Worthwhile Investment for Your Home?
https://whatissmartenergy.org/featured-article/is-a-smart-thermostat-a-worthwhile-investment-for-your-home
Engie. (Retrieved 2025). How much is leaving appliances on standby adding to your electricity bill?
https://engie.com.au/blog/how-much-is-leaving-appliances-on-standby-adding-to-your-electricity-bill
