Start with one question: do you want to watch recordings yourself, or pay for professional monitoring? These four providers offer different combinations. Match the service to your home before comparing prices.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe
4.4 / 5 · Editorial rating
For households that want a choice of monitoring levels. Compare the equipment you need with the monthly plan: camera recordings and professional emergency dispatch are different services.
Key features
Choose your equipment
Packages and custom systems are available.
Monthly service
No long-term monitoring contract.
Recording is a separate feature
A live camera feed is not a saved recording.
An outdoor monitoring tier
Pro Plus adds Active Guard Outdoor Protection.
Pros
Monthly monitoring without a long-term contract.
Standard and Core both include 24/7 emergency dispatch.
A separate $9.99 recording plan serves households that manage alerts themselves.
You can select an equipment package or build a system around your needs.
Cons
The monthly service price does not include the equipment purchase.
Standard does not include camera recordings.
The camera-recording plan does not include professional monitoring.
Pro Plus costs $79.99 per month and needs compatible outdoor equipment.
Ring
Ring
4.3 / 5 · Editorial rating
Ring separates camera subscriptions from monitoring for a compatible alarm. Start with the devices and service you need, then compare the recurring charge.
Key features
Video or alarm
Choose the job you need the service to do.
Device or location
Count the equipment you want to cover.
Compatible hardware
Check the exact model before buying.
Full ownership cost
Separate hardware from recurring service.
Pros
Separate video plans for one device or one location.
Monthly and annual billing on Solo, Multi and Pro.
Pro supports monitoring for compatible Ring alarms.
A distinct service option for live video monitoring.
Cons
A video subscription does not replace compatible alarm hardware.
Equipment costs are outside the subscription comparison.
Features depend on compatible devices and service eligibility.
Taxes and applicable local monitoring charges add to the price.
ADT
ADT Pro Install
4.2 / 5 · Editorial rating
ADT Pro Install suits a household that wants professional installation and ongoing monitoring. Choose the devices first, then compare the equipment, installation and monitoring charges in one written quote.
Key features
Professional installation
Choose an installed system.
Sensors and monitoring
Build around the places you need to monitor.
Three monitoring categories
Match the service to the devices.
ADT+ app access
Use the app with compatible equipment.
Pros
A professional installation option for the home security system.
24/7 professional monitoring with the installed offering.
Separate monitoring categories for sensors, smart-home devices and cameras.
Compatible equipment connects with the ADT+ app.
Cons
The complete Pro Install price requires a customized quote.
Equipment and monitoring need to be compared as separate charges.
Camera features depend on the selected equipment and appropriate service.
The Pro Install agreement must be checked separately from ADT Blu DIY terms.
Vivint
Vivint
4.0 / 5 · Editorial rating
Vivint combines installed security equipment with an ongoing service plan. Start with the HomeProtect package, then compare the devices, installation charge and monthly service your home needs.
Key features
A starter security package
HomeProtect starts with a hub and intrusion sensors.
Professional installation
An installer sets up the system.
Smart-home options
The product range includes cameras, locks and thermostats.
Two payment decisions
Equipment and ongoing service have separate terms.
Pros
Professional installation is available as part of the system purchase.
HomeProtect lists a defined starter set of intrusion devices.
Cameras and smart-home controls can extend the system.
Buying equipment upfront can allow month-to-month service.
Cons
The equipment price is separate from installation and monitoring.
Functions, including remote connectivity, are limited without service.
Financing has its own approval process and agreement.
Offers and additional charges depend on the location and purchase route.
Start with the service you need
Watch it yourself
Video and app access
Recordings help you review an event. A video subscription does not automatically include an alarm response service.
Get monitoring support
Professional monitoring
Check which alarms and devices the service monitors, then confirm the requirements for emergency dispatch.
Plan the setup
Equipment and installation
List the cameras, sensors and controls your home needs. Decide whether professional installation belongs in your quote.
Compare the recurring service
These are published service prices, not the complete cost of a working system. Equipment, installation, taxes and local charges are separate.
Monitoring options · Nov 2, 2026
Provider
Service option
Published price
What to check
SimpliSafe
Standard or Core
$22.99 or $32.99/month
Standard has dispatch but no camera recordings. Core adds recordings.
Ring
Ring Pro
$19.99/month or $199.99/year
Alarm monitoring requires compatible Ring Alarm hardware.
ADT
Pro Install monitoring
Personal quote
Choose Secure, Smart or Complete for the equipment in the system.
Vivint
HomeProtect service
$29.99/month, regular rate
Package, selected devices and offer determine the actual service quote.
On a phone, scroll across the table to read every column. Compare the exact service and billing period in your quote.
Video-only options · Nov 2, 2026
Provider
Option
Published price
Scope
SimpliSafe
Camera recordings
$9.99/month
Self-monitoring with recordings for up to 10 cameras. No professional monitoring.
Ring
Solo
$4.99/month or $49.99/year
Video features for one device.
Ring
Multi
$9.99/month or $99.99/year
Video features for devices at one location.
Put setup and terms next to the price
Build around your home
SimpliSafe and Ring
Confirm compatible cameras, sensors and alarm hardware.
Keep the equipment price separate from the subscription.
SimpliSafe monitoring is monthly and can be canceled.
Ring plans renew until canceled.
Professional installation
ADT and Vivint
Get the complete equipment and installation quote.
Read the service agreement for the selected package.
ADT Pro Install terms differ from ADT Blu DIY.
Vivint offers month-to-month service with equipment paid upfront.
Financing equipment and subscribing to monitoring are different obligations. Check both before signing.
Which option belongs on your shortlist?
What do you need the system to do?
You want a monthly monitoring plan
Compare SimpliSafe
Choose Standard for dispatch or Core when you also want camera recordings. Check the equipment cost separately.
You already have compatible Ring devices
Check the matching Ring plan
Solo and Multi serve video needs. For alarm monitoring, check Ring Pro and compatible alarm hardware.
You want an installed system and a tailored quote
Ask ADT about Pro Install
Match Secure, Smart or Complete monitoring to the cameras and smart-home devices in your proposed system.
You want installation plus smart-home options
Compare Vivint’s full quote
Separate HomeProtect equipment, installation and service. Ask how extra cameras or controls affect the bill.
What one year of service adds up to
The figures below isolate recurring service so that the billing basis stays visible. They exclude equipment and installation, and are not complete system quotes.
SimpliSafe Core
$395.88
12 monthly payments at $32.99.
Monitoring and recordings. Hardware, installation and other charges are extra.
Ring Pro · annual billing
$199.99
One annual subscription payment.
Monthly billing totals $239.88. Compatible alarm hardware is extra.
Vivint HomeProtect
$359.88
12 months at the $29.99 regular service rate.
The complete first-year bill also includes equipment and installation. Offers can differ.
Arithmetic assumes unchanged service prices for the stated period. Taxes, permits, false-alarm charges and optional services are excluded. Published inputs checked November 2, 2026.
Check the complete system before buying
How we compare
Service need
Separate self-monitoring, recordings and professional monitoring.
Complete system
Check equipment, compatibility and installation.
Full cost
Compare upfront costs, recurring charges and billing periods.
Agreement
Read renewal, cancellation and financing terms.
We compare information published by the providers. We did not install these systems or test alarm response. Ratings are editorial estimates, not customer averages or measured response scores. We omit unconfirmed prices and do not assume every product from one brand has the same agreement.
Sources and editorial notes
We compared published information. We did not purchase or test this product. Ratings are editorial estimates. Checked November 2, 2026.
Does a video subscription include professional monitoring?
Not automatically. Ring Solo and Multi are video plans, and SimpliSafe’s camera-recording plan is for self-monitoring. Check the monitoring service and compatible alarm equipment separately.
02
Which option needs professional installation?
The ADT review covers Pro Install. Vivint also sells professionally installed systems. Check the installation option for the exact SimpliSafe or Ring equipment you choose.
03
Can I compare the monthly service prices directly?
Only after matching what the plans include. The service prices here do not include all equipment, installation, taxes or local charges. Ring also offers annual billing, which changes the payment schedule.
04
Do all ADT plans have the same contract?
Do not assume that. ADT Pro Install and ADT Blu DIY are separate offerings. Request the agreement for your exact system, including renewal and cancellation terms.
05
Does Vivint always require a long service contract?
The current published terms include month-to-month service when equipment is purchased upfront. Equipment financing uses a separate agreement, and offer conditions can vary.
06
Does monitoring guarantee a response time?
This comparison does not establish a guaranteed emergency response time. Check the provider’s terms, device requirements and local response rules.
