How to Lower Your ADT Costs
2026 Cost Reduction Guide
Current Pricing
ADT costs $49.99 per month as of February 2026.
ADT has 3-year contracts with early termination fees (75% of remaining balance). Call to negotiate: ADT retention will often offer discounted monitoring rates ($10-15/mo off) or equipment upgrades to prevent cancellation. Moving exemption available.
Before you pay — do you already have ADT?
ADT is included free (or heavily discounted) with these plans. Check if you're double-paying:
ADT — includes Complete $49.99/mo
Sold directly by ADT, typically with a 36 month monitoring contract
Homeowners insurance credit — includes Any monitored plan
A professionally monitored ADT system can earn a homeowners insurance discount
What Happens When You Cancel ADT
How to cancel
Call ADT at 1-800-238-2727
Steps (0 screens)
- 1Call ADT at 1-800-238-2727
- 2Navigate IVR to cancellation department
- 3State you want to cancel
- 4IMPORTANT: Retention agent will offer discounts. Use this as leverage.
- 5If on contract, ask about early termination fee (75% of remaining balance)
- 6Request written confirmation of cancellation
What they'll try to keep you
In-flow discount offer?
❌ No
Win-back email after?
❌ No
Access after cancel
Monitoring stops. Equipment may be leased (return required) or owned (keep it).
Your data
Account preserved
3-year contracts have early termination fees of 75% of remaining balance. If moving, ADT offers free relocation of your system, which may be cheaper than the termination fee.
ADT professional monitoring starts at $24.99/mo (self-setup) or $49.99+/mo (professional installation). 3-year contracts are standard with early termination fees of 75% of remaining balance. ADT retention will negotiate if you call to cancel. If your contract is ending, shop SimpliSafe or Ring before auto-renewing.
Quick Wins
ADT Subscription
Professional home security. Plans from $24.99-39.99/mo (self-setup) or $49.99+/mo (pro install). 3-year contracts typical. Equipment from $349.
ADT Price History
Tracking: Complete Monitoring
| Date | Price |
|---|---|
| 2021-01 | $45.99 |
| 2023-01 | $47.99 |
| 2024-01 | $48.99 |
| 2026-06 | $49.99 |
Price forecast
ADT reserves the right to raise rates mid contract, so expect periodic increases of a few dollars on the Complete tier.
Best time to subscribe
Negotiate the monthly rate and free equipment at sign up, and consider ADT Self Setup to avoid the higher professionally installed pricing.
How to Pay Less for ADT
Save up to $20.00/month with these proven strategies
Retention Offers (2)
ADT retention agents commonly offer monthly credits, free equipment upgrades, or a temporary rate reduction when you threaten to cancel.
Save $5 to $15 per month or get free equipment
Show Script →
Call retention, cite a competitor quote like SimpliSafe or Ring, and ask them to match the lower monthly rate or you will switch.
Most ADT plans involve 36 month contracts, so early cancellation can trigger termination fees.
Moving from Complete to Smart or Secure removes video monitoring features you may not use while keeping core alarm dispatch.
Save $10 to $25 per month
Show Script →
Ask to change your monitoring plan to Secure or Smart if you do not need 24/7 video verification.
Plan changes mid contract may be limited by your agreement terms.
Hidden Discounts (2)
ADT Self Setup DIY plans run cheaper than professionally installed equivalents, with the camera tier near $39.99 instead of $49.99.
See current terms
Homeowners insurers often give a discount for a monitored alarm, which can offset part of the monthly fee.
See current terms
Plan Downgrade Opportunity
If you do not need live video monitoring, Smart at $29.99 keeps automation and dispatch and saves $20 per month over Complete. Check your contract before changing plans to avoid fees.
- 24/7 sensor monitoring
- Professional dispatch
- Adds home automation
- Smart home control
Free Alternatives (1)
Self monitored DIY systems
A SimpliSafe or Ring system on self monitoring avoids the contract and the higher ADT monthly fee entirely.
Best Strategy:
Most homes do not need the Complete video tier. Drop to Smart at $29.99 or use ADT Self Setup to cut the monthly bill, but check your contract for fees first.
ADT vs Alternatives — Feature Comparison
Home Security and Camera Monitoring
| Feature | simplisafe | adt | ring_protect | nest_aware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Monitoring Price | $22.99/mo Standard | $24.99/mo Secure | $5/mo Basic | $10/mo Standard |
| Top Tier Price | $79.99/mo Pro Plus | $49.99/mo Complete | $20/mo Pro | $20/mo Advanced |
| Professional Monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes on Pro | No, video only |
| Contract Required | No | Yes, often 36 months | No | No |
| Self Install | Yes | DIY or pro install | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Recording | Yes on Core or self monitoring | Yes on Complete | Yes | Yes, up to 60 days |
| Live Guard or 24/7 Video | Active Guard and Pro Plus | 24/7 live video on Complete | Limited | No live guard |
| Best For | No contract pro monitoring | Full service pro install | Ring camera owners | Google Nest camera owners |
Verdict: ADT delivers full service professional install and 24/7 video monitoring but locks you into a multi year contract at the highest monthly price. SimpliSafe matches most needs without a contract, so ADT mainly suits homes wanting hands off pro installation.
Related Guides
How Much Are You Overpaying?
ADT is just one piece. Take the free 30-second quiz to see your total savings across all your subscriptions.
About ADT: Professional home security. Plans from $24.99-39.99/mo (self-setup) or $49.99+/mo (pro install). 3-year contracts typical. Equipment from $349.