ADT Camera System Price: What You Really Pay in 2025

When you hear ADT camera system, a professional-grade home security system with 24/7 monitoring and smart camera integration. Also known as ADT Pulse, it’s one of the most trusted names in U.S. and UK home security. But the big question isn’t just whether it works—it’s how much it actually costs. Many people assume ADT is expensive because of its name, but the real price depends on what you choose: just cameras? Full system? Professional installation? Monthly monitoring? Let’s cut through the noise.

ADT doesn’t sell cameras like a retail store. You don’t just buy a camera and plug it in. You’re buying a professional monitoring service, a subscription-based system where trained agents respond to alerts, call police, and manage your system remotely. That’s why the upfront cost is often lower than you think—sometimes $0 down—but the monthly fee is the real factor. Most ADT camera packages start at $36/month for basic monitoring with one or two cameras, and climb to $52/month for full coverage with AI motion detection, cloud storage, and mobile alerts. Add more cameras, and you’re looking at $5–$10 extra per camera each month. Compare that to Ring or Arlo, where you pay for storage but not monitoring—ADT’s price includes someone watching your feed 24/7, not just recording it.

What you get for that price matters. ADT’s cameras are usually HD, weather-resistant, and work with their own app and hub. They’re not just standalone devices—they’re part of a system that includes door sensors, motion detectors, and panic buttons. If your alarm goes off, ADT doesn’t just send you a notification—they call you, then call the police if needed. That’s the difference between a smart home security, a DIY system you manage yourself, often with app-only alerts and a professional monitoring, a service that takes action on your behalf. And if your WiFi goes out? ADT systems often have cellular backup, so your cameras and alarms still work. Most cheaper systems don’t.

Installation is another hidden cost. ADT sends a pro to your home—you don’t need to drill holes or figure out Wi-Fi settings. That’s worth $200–$500 if you were to hire someone yourself. Some deals include free installation, but check the fine print: is that tied to a 36-month contract? Are there early termination fees? You’ll see these details in the fine print, but they’re part of the real ADT camera system price.

And yes, ADT works with Google Nest. If you already have Nest thermostats or doorbells, you can link them into your ADT system. That’s not something every company offers. It’s not just about cameras—it’s about how everything connects.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real answers: how ADT compares to Ring, what happens when your internet dies, whether pet-friendly settings work with their cameras, and why some people regret signing up for long contracts. No marketing fluff. Just what users actually experience—and what you need to know before you pay anything.