Compare Vector Security vs. ADT Home Security Systems

Home security companies like Vector Security and ADT are industry leaders. Both companies have been providing home security solutions for more than 40 years, and both have received multiple awards for their equipment and service.

In 2018, ADT was named “Installer of the Year” and “Integrated Installation of the Year” and Vector Security was awarded the Central Station Operator of the Year award for 2013.

In our comparison of Vector Security vs. ADT we found that the two offer a comprehensive list of services and features and require a 3-year contract (at least). However, ADT provides more flexibility as their contract allows for relocation, making it ideal for renters and homeowners who may want to sell their home.

Regarding equipment, both companies offer similar intrusion protection, environmental protection, surveillance equipment, and life safety, as well as professional monitoring and home automation.

When considering ADT vs. Vector Security, bear in mind that home security is not only an investment but the best tool to prevent you and your family from going through the horrible experience of a home invasion, a burglary or a life or death emergency.

Beyond the company’s equipment and features, you want a home security service that makes you and your family feel safe.

You want a company that is going to provide “excellent” customer service, and you want a company that not only listens to your demands but is quick at solving any problem that you may have.

The best way to do this is to conduct your research.

Carefully research the best home security companies, watch videos, call the companies, and most importantly—ask questions. Only you will know what type of equipment, monitoring, and contract fits you best.

Call ADT and ask for a free quote and then call Vector and do the same. Even though Vector doesn’t offer a free quote, you can still call them to test the quality of their customer service.

To help customers make an informed decision about which might be more suitable for them, our Vector Security vs. ADT review looked at the following elements: equipment, monitoring, reputation, contract and price, and technology integration.

A residential security system is becoming more and more essential due to the increasing crime and theft. There is no doubt that both Vector Security and ADT have decades of experience in safeguarding homes against burglary.

Both companies offer highly effective home security systems that are fully capable of protecting your home.

Each company works with customers like you to ensure that they have the level of security they need, which includes adding equipment and features and providing 24/7 monitoring.

However, ADT offers service from coast to coast and has more packages to choose from, while Vector has a limited service area.

Also, each package offered by Vector is personalized during an in-home security evaluation, but no prices are released until that time.

All ADT packages begin with a keychain remote, control panel, three entry sensors, motion detector, siren, and backup battery and the number of devices increases with each package.

Other features that come at an additional cost include an event-triggered alarm, live surveillance, video doorbell with 2-way communication, and home automation with voice recognition—which allows you to arm/disarm your house and control lights and thermostats remotely.

Vector, on the other hand, offers a similar first tier system of 24/7 monitoring, indoor/outdoor cameras, entry sensors and environmental sensors.

It also provides a cloud storage option for saving video clips and an energy saving device for controlling lights and temperature.

Both companies require professional installation, and a technician must be called in to move the system.

Sensors are one of the most important things to consider when shopping for a home security system. The type of sensor that a company uses, as well as the number of different placement options, are crucial for when it comes to securing your home.

Surveillance cameras are also an essential part of the home security equipment, as they are not only able to provide us with video footage—whether live or recorded—but they also serve as a powerful deterrent for burglars.

In our comparison of Vector Security vs. ADT, we found that both companies offer door and window sensors, motion sensors, and crash & smash protection.

Nevertheless, ADT offers extra protection against intruders by incorporating garage door sensors, recessed door sensors, and glass break protection.

Also, ADT offers smoke protection on their environmental protection package next to the carbon monoxide, flood, and temperature change sensors offered by Vector as well.

Regarding surveillance and live safety, Vector and ADT offer similar camera equipment including indoor/outdoor cameras, doorbell cameras, tilt & pan cameras, event-triggered protection and live surveillance.

This last one is particularly important in households where there are children, elderly, or disabled people who can benefit from the security of live cameras.

Other important features are the panic button and medical alerts. These “life safety” devices—along with surveillance cameras—allow people who take care of their family members to monitor their loved ones, while still allowing these to have a sense of independence and safety.

Besides comparing equipment and sensors, it’s important to know the different types of monitoring technology available as well as to examine who does the monitoring for your home security company. So, what is monitoring?

In home security terms, the security center monitors your system’s sensors, meaning that they are systematically ensuring no sensors (detectors) have been triggered.

The monitoring center plays a crucial role when it comes to defending your home, providing dispatchers with a way to send emergency help when needed.

Both ADT and Vector Security own and operate CSAA certified award-winning monitoring centers, so there is no intermediary. The two also offer backup cellular, radio or wireless service to ensure continues monitoring of your security system, even when the telephone service is interrupted.

ADT owns and maintains six monitoring stations across the United States, while Vector only has one central monitoring station.

ADT offers four packages: Basic, Basic Wireless, Pulse and Pulse + Video. The Basic packages include monitoring, alarms, and sensors.

The Pulse packages include monitoring, alarms & sensors, and home automation. ADT can send emergency alerts by cell radio, and landlines can also be used as primary or secondary emergency connections.

For those who want DIY monitoring, ADT Canopy is the company’s newest offering that works with Samsung’s SmartThings. Reviewers agree that is great for someone who wants DIY equipment.

Like ADT, Vector Security has an award-winning monitoring center that works 24/7/365 days for your convenience. Its monitoring service includes burglar alarms and fire alarms.

You can also download the Vector Security Mobile app on your smartphone, tablet or smartwatch to get alerts and notifications.

Home monitoring contracts range between 12 to 60 months. Your bill covers two areas: equipment costs and monitoring costs.

These costs vary from home to home and rest on which options you select.

ADT customers must sign a 36-month contract, which is the industry standard. However, they do charge $99 for installation, but you may be able to get the fee waived if you ask a salesman or sign up for a promotion.

You can also subscribe to ADT’s Easy Pay Service to have your monthly payment debited from a chosen account.

Customers who enroll in Easy Pay will automatically receive email notifications when their ADT bill is ready and can get payment reminders.

Also, ADT is one of the few home security companies that provides a free evaluation of your home to see how much your cost and equipment will cost.

The company also offers a 6-month satisfaction guarantee, offering to refund monitoring and installation costs (but not hardware).

Vector Security, on the other hand, is pretty tight-lipped when it comes to providing information about pricing.

Just to see the pricing guide on Vector’s website requires filling the name, email, address, phone number and zip code, which can be annoying for some customers.

We did find that their contracts typically range from 36 to 60 months and their contracts contain an automatic renewal clause. If you wish to cancel your contract, you must provide 30-day written notice.

Vector Security does not require an upfront investment for their basic package, but they do charge at least $39.99 a month for services.

With these, you get one motion detector, wireless control, professional monitoring, and door and window sensors.

Vector also has two additional pricing tiers: home automation, that requires no down payment upfront and includes all the basic plus mobile phone, appliance and lamp modules, and the Connected Home plan that requires $99 down payment and includes all of what is in the Basic and second-tier Home Automation plan as well as indoor camera, door lock and thermostat.

Vector offers a one-year warranty from date of installation.

The list of smart home devices continues to grow.

You might wonder what home automation and home security have in common and why so many alarm companies are selling “smart home” features alongside traditional home security systems.

The thing is that your security system is an excellent hub for connecting home automation devices because it knows your habits.

Currently, home security systems are increasingly able to integrate with our computers and mobile devices, allowing you to control not only your security system but other aspects of our home, remotely.

Not all companies offer smart home technology but in our consideration of Vector Security vs. ADT we found that both companies offer home automation features and smart home solutions.

Home automation refers to anything that you can control indirectly, either by remote control, mobile app or IFTTT automation.

Whether you’re away on a business trip or vacation with the family, you can control about anything remotely with ADT’s Pulse app or the Vector Security Home Automation App.

Home Automation with Vector Security includes surveillance cameras, lights, temperature, unlock and lock doors, and notifications.

Also, you can add the smart doorbell camera and see who’s at your front door, have a two-way conversation with your visit and unlock your door—all from your smartphone.

Vector also offer the “Build your own ecosystem” program in which you integrate your smart home devices to work in harmony, thus enhancing your comfort and convenience.

With ADT’s Pulse app you can also control lights, temperature settings, locks, and video equipment. And you can manage all of that from your iPhone, Android, or major web browsers.

You will save money by reducing energy bills, and you can also use video surveillance if you’re away from home. This is extremely helpful when you can have kids or pets that you want to check in on during the workday.

Most people would agree that both Vector Security and ADT have a strong company reputation. However, the company reputation of ADT expands more than a century.

One of the oldest home security companies in the world, ADT has more than 6 million customers and resolves more than 19 million alarms each year.

ADT provides service from coast to coast and offers several packages to choose from while Vector has a limited service area.

Although it provides relocation options, it is difficult to maintain service if a customer moves out the service area (Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Kentucky, Florida, and Delaware.)

Vector is also well-respected in the home security business for offering state of the art equipment and technology. It’s a great company for homeowners in their service area, as long as they don’t plan on moving.

Both companies have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and although ADT has more negative reviews than Vector, you should take this with a grain of salt because the amount of negative reviews is not necessarily a cause for concern.

Bear in mind that the number of complaints or negative reviews should be compared to the size and age of the company. In this case, ADT has more than 6 million customers.

Vector Security, as well as ADT, is approved by the FM Group and has the UL and CSAA Five Diamond Association certifications. The FM Group tests the facilities of monitoring centers, from code compliance all the way down to the integrity of building materials used.

For their part, the UL certification stands for Underwriter Laboratories, an independent agency that test electronics to make sure they function correctly, and they also test home security monitoring stations reviewing the quality of the monitoring technology, response times, and abilities of the operators and employees.