My experience, new home in 2010, went with ADT. BAD DECISION !!!!!!!!!!!!
First off, the install and this is most common, is done third party.
So you are getting maybe a deal up front but you are also getting older equipment.
Older equipment locked to an older system where grades are impossible.
So years went by, my 3-year ADT contract expired, and I wanted an updated system with remote access via an app, cameras, etc etc.
Well.... you would think as a then current customer of ADT that ADT would cooperate? NOPE!!!!
ADT wanted $1000 up front for their latest system and that system required a ethernet connection wire to my home router.
And that $1000 was a fairly basic ADT system. A few sensors, motion sensor, no cameras.
Cameras were even more $$$. And the monthly monitoring fee jumped a lot for a camera.
ADT? Also not doable since my home router is far away from the ADT control panel.
So I got pissed at ADT and since my ADT contract had completed, I canceled ADT and went with a do-it-yourself home security system that was very basic and not reliable at all.
Then one day out of the blue, a sales rep from VIVINT knocked on the door.
I had never heard of VIVNT and told the sales guy I was not interested.
Then, later, I googled VIVINT and seen they had expanded into my area. vivint had been around for sometime, but never in my neck of the woods so to speak.
So, I called VIVINT directly and here is what happened.
I told the VIVINT rep on the phone what I needed, hardware, features, etc.
Four-camera(s), 8-door sensors, window sensors, two thermostat controls vivint compatible, a second mini control panel downstairs.
For a 5-year contract, vivint gave me everything I wanted, all of it, for no up-front hardware charge other than the $99 install fee.
And.... I now had full remote access, because the VIVINT control panel has a built-in cell device.
No home router needed unless you add cameras.
The VIVINT control panel was stand-alone using its own internal cell service.
Cameras are linked to the security system however cameras use home router WiFi due to bandwidth requirements.
So basically I got over $3000 of hardware for no charge, all hardware installed for $99, and the monthly monitoring fee is exactly what I was paying for ADT, about $70 a month with a VIVINT 5-year contract agreement.
I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HAPPY and satisfied with VIVINT.
100% reliable, full and total remote access via their app, I can monitor all cameras, monitor and control both thermostats, remotely check status of all sensors, and naturally arm and disarm the system, all remotely.
Never had a problem. The remote access always works.
As I already said, the cameras do however use my wireless router but only the cameras rely on my wireless router. I would expect this is because the band width is better using my router WiFi instead of relying on the cell service built-in to the vivint control panel.
And the vivint system is highly customizable packed with features, most of which I still have no idea how to use. I only use what I need to use.
Thermostat remote control, remote camera viewing, arming and disarming, and checking which doors have been open and closed so I know when family has let the dog out, went into the garage, or opened any of the other outside doors.
The system can email or text an alert if a door has been left open exceeding a user-customized time limit.
Or, text and email if a thermostat detecting room temperature falling below or rising above a set level.
My only issue was with that 5-year contract. But realizing I was getting everything I asked for hardware wise, over $3000 of hardware for free, I can't really complain.
Especially compared to ADT which wanted me to pay up front for everything I wanted. And even with that ADT still insisted on a new 3-year contract.
All I can say is, that for me VIVINT had everything I needed in a security system.
I especially like the hardware access remotely via the vivint app, and the $70 monthly monitoring fee is more than reasonable when compared to what ADT charged for their basic monitoring package.
I have noticed several orange vivint signs around town since I had my system installed.
So apparently vivint is giving ADT a run for their money.
Service worked exactly like it was supposed to...alarm triggered, ADT called me on my cell phone, when I told them I wasn't home, they sent the police. I got home while the cops were there, and when there was no apparent break-in, the cops and I entered...and found the malfunctioning door sensor. I was a bit 
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