ADT Security Camera Pricing and Costs
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Security cameras are essential to home security. So when choosing a security system, it pays to take a look at your camera options before making any moves. This page is all about the security cameras offered by one of the most prominent home security brands today: ADT.
ADT has been around for over 100 years, and ever since residential security cameras became common, ADT has included them in its lineups and packages. Currently, it offers its own security cameras as well as smart cameras from its partner, Google Nest. Are they any good?
Overview of ADT Security Cameras
The first thing you should know: You can’t buy only security cameras from ADT. You need to buy an entire security system, have it professionally installed, and get a monitoring subscription for it. The security cameras are part of the security system, not standalone pieces you can just add to your home.
You should also note that ADT seems to be focusing more on the Google Nest Cams these days, and for good reasons. The Nest Cams are some of the most advanced cameras you can buy in the market today.
Lastly, ADT has done away with requiring all systems to be professionally installed. Now, there’s a new ADT system called ADT Self Setup that is available for DIY installation. We’ll also discuss the security camera options for ADT Self Setup. Spoiler: They aren’t different from what the professionally-installed ADT system offers.
>> Related: ADT Self Setup Review
ADT Camera Options
First, let’s discuss ADT options for the ADT Control, the professionally-installed, professionally-monitored security system from the brand.
One of the things we like about ADT is that each customer gets the chance to personalize their package. You don’t have to buy a bundle with equipment you won’t use. Instead, you can choose a starter package and then build that out as you see fit.
That setup, however, makes ADT pricing a little harder to comprehend. Recently, ADT made some of their equipment prices available online so users can canvas and shop around. That’s certainly a welcome change.
Three Cameras
ADT offers three types of security cameras – indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, and video doorbells or doorbell cameras. All those cameras are from Google Nest. Here’s an overview of the Nest Cams you can get with your ADT security system:
Camera Type | Available options |
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Indoor camera |
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Outdoor camera |
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Doorbell camera |
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The Nest Cams are some of the most advanced standalone cameras on the market. These are cameras capable of person detection and facial recognition, features that can add a lot of value to your home security. When we reviewed the Nest Cam (battery), for example, we used facial recognition to monitor the comings and goings of friends and guests.
That said, if you buy Nest Cams from ADT, they’re no longer just standalone devices. They become a full-fledged part of the system. You can even use the ADT Control or ADT+ app for remote viewing and playing back recordings. That’s why they are packaged with ADT systems, which brings us to our next topic: ADT packages.
You’ll Need a Package
You can’t purchase a camera without investing in a package deal. All packages include:
- A digital control panel
- Three-door and window alarms
- A motion detector
There are three packages in total – Build Your Own, Smart Home, and Video and Smart Home. The last one is the only one that includes security cameras, but if you go with the Build Your Own package, you can opt to add security cameras before completing your purchase.
Note that there’s a slight disparity between Google’s actual pricing for its cameras and the prices listed on ADT’s website. We put both below so you can compare.
Nest Cam model | ADT price | Google Store price |
---|---|---|
Nest Cam (indoor, plug-in) | $199.99 | $99.99 |
Nest cam (battery) | $309.99 | $179.99 |
Nest Cam with floodlight | $299.99 | $279.99 |
Nest Doorbell (battery) | $229.99 | $179.99 |
Disappointed? We were, too! ADT’s pricing is almost double Google’s pricing. ADT doesn’t offer any explanation, but if we were to guess, it might have something to do with the installation. ADT requires professional installation, so it’s likely that the overhead charge covers the installation cost.
We should also note that ADT’s pricing for the cameras used to be the same as Google’s listed retail price. That was the case when we bought the ADT system we tested.
Now, if you want to buy Nest Cams at retail price but from ADT, keep reading. ADT Self Setup offers that option.
Pro Tip: Google Nest Cams are more expensive if you buy from ADT, but you can pay in installments up to 60 months. Google’s financing option allows installments up to only 12 months.
The Video and Smart Home Package
If you’re not up for customizing your security system, you can go the easy route and buy a Video and Smart Home package. It comes with an indoor camera and a video doorbell. Plus, thanks to a limited-time deal, another indoor camera or video camera is included.
Prices for this package start at $1,158 for nine pieces of security equipment. You can pay this amount in installments of $19.30 per month for 60 months, $32.17 per month for 36 months, or $48.25 per month for 24 months.
That’s not the end of it, though. First, this ADT system requires professional installation, for which you’ll pay a one-time installation fee of $149. After that, you still have to pay a monthly fee for professional monitoring, which costs $61.99. The good news is, for that price, you’ll also receive a subscription to Nest Aware, Google Nest’s cloud service. And it’s not just for storing videos – it also unlocks facial recognition through the Familiar Face Alerts feature.
FYI: With 24/7 professional monitoring, your home is protected even when you’re too busy to get alerts. If ADT can’t contact you, they’ll call emergency services on your behalf.
For some users, two or three cameras are enough, but if you need more, you can still add more cameras. The prices are the same as with the Build Your Own package.
In summary, if you want cameras from ADT, you’ll purchase the Smart Home and Video package, sign up for three years of professional monitoring, and pay a one-time installation fee. You’ll get an indoor camera and a video doorbell in addition to other security equipment like a motion detector and door and window monitors. Any additional cameras cost extra.
Pricing Breakdown
Costs | Video and Smart Home package |
---|---|
Package | $1,158 |
Package per month (60 months) | $19.30 |
Package per month (36 months) | $32.17 |
Package per month (24 months) | $48.25 |
24/7 professional monitoring per month | $61.99 |
One-time installation fee | $149 |
ADT Self Setup
As we mentioned in the intro, there’s an easier option if you don’t want a professionally-installed ADT system (with a $149 installation fee). That option is the ADT Self Setup, which is a DIY security system. As it turns out, it’s also a more affordable option if you’re looking to buy security cameras from ADT.
Three Cameras
Unlike ADT Control, ADT Self Setup has access to only three security cameras: The Nest Cam (battery), Nest Cam (indoor), and Google Nest Doorbell (battery). You can add any number of these three cameras to any ADT Self Setup package, and ADT Self Setup is selling them at retail prices.
- Nest Cam (indoor): $99.99
- Nest Cam (battery): $179.99
- Nest Doorbell (battery): $179.99
Another route is to buy a package that includes cameras, and you have two options for that: Starter and Premium.
ADT Self Setup packages | Starter | Premium |
---|---|---|
Price | $479.99 | $579.98 |
ADT Smart Home Hub | 1 | 1 |
Entry sensors | 4 | 4 |
Motion sensors | 2 | 2 |
Google Nest Doorbell (battery) | 1 | 1 |
Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) | 0 | 1 |
ADT yard sign | 1 | 1 |
ADT window decals | 4 | 4 |
The downside of buying a Self Setup system compared to the ADT Control is you can’t apply for financing; you have to pay the full price upfront. However, if it’s within your budget, you can save hundreds of dollars.
Monitoring Options
Now, after buying ADT Self Setup equipment, you can skip the monthly fee and use it without professional monitoring. However, you also won’t be able to enjoy the system’s full features that way, so we recommend paying for professional monitoring.
With cameras, professional monitoring for ADT Self Setup costs $34.99. Of that amount, $24.99 goes to ADT for professional monitoring, while $10 goes to Google Nest for cloud storage via Nest Aware.
There is one feature we really like, though, which is video verification. In the alarm industry, video verification refers to the use of live security camera footage to verify an on-going emergency. With the ADT Self Setup system, that’s exactly what ADT’s trained monitoring professionals would do if they receive an alert from your system. This can speed up police response, as responders in some states prioritize verified alarms.
Price Comparison
Now that you know your options, let’s compare them to other brands on the market, specifically, Ring and Arlo. We’ve tested the Ring cameras and found them to be a solid and affordable option. On the other hand, when we tested the Arlo cameras, they were a bit more expensive but with the right features to make them worth the price.
Compared to those two options, the Nest Cams are somewhere in the middle price-wise. However, in terms of features, the Nest cameras are actually on the same level as Arlo, since they are capable of facial recognition, person detection, and other AI-powered detection modes.
Combine that with ADT’s monitoring service, and you can really get a lot of good value from the ADT Self Setup camera options.
Camera Models | Self Setup | Ring | Arlo |
---|---|---|---|
Indoor cameras | $99.99 | $59.99 | $129.99 |
Doorbell cameras | $179.99 | $99.99 | $179.99 |
Outdoor cameras | $179.99 | $199.99 | $179.99 |
ADT Self Setup Camera Installation
Here’s another thing to consider: As a DIY system, you don’t have to pay an installation fee. You’ll set up the whole system yourself, including the cameras. If that sounds too daunting, let us assure you that Nest Cameras are some of the easiest security cameras we’ve ever had to install.
The Nest Cam (indoor) is a simple plug-in camera, so all you need to do is plug it into an outlet and secure its placement either to a wall or any flat surface. The Nest Cam (battery) and Nest Doorbell (battery) are even easier to deal with. Since they run on batteries, simply charge them overnight before mounting them.
Pro Tip: Consider mounting indoor cameras at choke points like hallways — places intruders must pass to enter different areas of your home.
Customer Support
When it comes to home security technology, we prefer companies that offer immediate customer support. You never know when you’re going to need help installing a new component or updating a piece of software. This is where ADT delivers in a big way, especially with live chat support. This service is available from 7 a.m. to midnight (Eastern Time). Whether you need to make an early call or a late night one, ADT is available to serve you.
Find out how ADT compares to other security cameras
For a closer look at how ADT performs, we compared it with other popular security cameras.
Recap
So which ADT security system is right for you?
The professionally-installed ADT system is a great option if you want to combine ADT’s excellent monitoring service with the power of Google Nest cameras, but note that this is the more expensive route. In return, however, you’ll receive a premium home security experience and a wider range of options for home security.
That said, if you’re on a budget, the ADT Self Setup system is still a viable budget alternative. While you get less choices for equipment, it has access to an indoor camera, outdoor camera, and a video doorbell – all from Google Nest. Its monthly monitoring plan is also cheaper than ADT Control, but again, it’s not as robust as ADT’s full-featured option.
FAQs
Check out our answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about ADT camera pricing.
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How much does ADT charge to add a camera?
The fee depends on the type of camera. Currently, ADT offers Google Nest cameras with prices ranging from $200 to $300 if you add them to a professionally installed ADT system or $100 to $180 if you buy an ADT Self Setup system.
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How much is ADT cloud storage per month?
Cloud storage is included in ADT’s monitoring plans for Video and Smart Home packages, which starts at $61.99 per month. For that price, you get access to professional monitoring, smart home features, video verification, and cloud video storage, among other ADT advanced monitoring features.
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How do you install an ADT camera?
To install an ADT camera, you simply select one of the company’s home security packages and schedule an installation. All ADT packages require professional installation for a one-time fee of $149.
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Do ADT cameras record all the time?
No, ADT cameras don’t record 24/7. Rather, they record on-demand or when there’s movement, allowing users to easily playback important events of the day. However, the cameras are always on, so homeowners can use their smartphones to check on their homes any time of the day.