ADT charges an early termination fee (ETF) equal to 75% of your total remaining monthly contract charges if you cancel before your initial 24-month (California) or 36-month (most other states) commitment ends. Once your initial agreement is fulfilled, the service rolls over to a month-to-month basis with no cancellation fee.
Yes, ADT generally charges an Early Termination Fee (ETF) if you cancel your monitoring service before your contract ends.
ADT charges up to 75% of your remaining monthly contract charges as an early termination fee (ETF). ADT's standard contract is 36 months in most states, and 24 months in California. If you cancel before the contract ends, the fee applies to the remaining balance.
ADT’s early termination fee is 75% of your total remaining monthly charges for the balance of your initial contract term. For example, if you have 10 months left on a $50/month plan, your fee would be roughly $375. The fee is payable in full immediately upon cancellation.
Information
In order to cancel your ADT contract, you must call ADT customer service at 800-238-2727. Security system customers pay up to 75% of the remaining monthly charges when they cancel early (see breakdown in the table above). ADT's professional monitoring service has a 36-month contract (24 months in California).
While ADT does not have a general senior citizen discount, they offer specific deals through AARP Membership Benefits.
The standard ADT contract is 36 months, unless you live in California, where it's only 24 months. Once the initial contract period is up, you will automatically roll over into a month-to-month contract that you can end at any time without penalties provided you give the company at least 30 days' notice.
ADT packages start at $199, after discounts. Monthly professional monitoring starts at $24.99, while the top-tier plan starts at $39.99. If you opt for professional installation, you'll need to pay a $100 fee and expect a three-year contract.
Yes, ADT is currently facing multiple class action lawsuits, most notably a large-scale data breach lawsuit filed in April 2026 alleging that a cyberattack exposed the private information of millions of customers.
What you should do with your ADT equipment depends on whether you lease the hardware or bought it outright. Failing to return leased equipment can result in hefty non-returned fees (up to $500 per item).
Whether you own your ADT equipment depends entirely on your specific contract and how you acquired the system.
6-Month Service Guarantee - Refunds the installation price and pays all monitoring fees if, after we have attempted to resolve your concerns, you are not satisfied within six months of installation.
Professional Monitoring Costs
Monthly monitoring fees include 24/7 emergency response and will assist in the case of burglary, fire, flood, carbon monoxide, and more. Prices can range from $29 to $60 per month.
For cheaper home security, top DIY and contract-free brands like SimpliSafe, Ring, and Cove offer better affordability than ADT. You'll save heavily on both upfront equipment and monthly professional monitoring, avoiding the long-term contracts and steep installation fees that come with ADT.
ADT generally makes their best deals publicly available, but it never hurts to ask for a better deal. We still recommend trying to negotiate especially if you're willing to sign their long-term 36 month contract.
To cancel your ADT service, call 1-800-238-2727 (Account Management). If you bought your system online, you can also fill out the cancellation form directly online:
Extra fees, taxes, and surcharges
Fees and taxes are the most common hidden fees in your ADT bill. Every month there are mandatory taxes and fees based on federal law, the state in which you live, and any local ordinance. The amount will depend on your service location.
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To cancel your ADT service without paying an early termination fee, you must either qualify for a specific penalty-free window, leverage contract protections, or reach the end of your initial term.
Canceling ADT is notoriously difficult because the company enforces strict, multi-year contracts, charges steep early termination fees, and requires you to navigate a persistent customer retention team by phone.
ADT charges an early termination fee (ETF) equal to 75% of your total remaining monthly contract charges if you cancel before your initial 24-month (California) or 36-month (most other states) commitment ends. Once your initial agreement is fulfilled, the service rolls over to a month-to-month basis with no cancellation fee.
AARP members get 5% off monthly home security monitoring with ADT. You can also combine this discount with other active ADT promotional sales, such as free equipment (like a Google Nest Doorbell) or free professional installation on qualifying systems.
ADT’s primary loyalty and customer advocacy offering is their Refer-a-Friend Program. As an active subscriber, you earn a $200 Visa® Reward Card for every friend, family member, or neighbor who signs up for and installs a new ADT system.
The cheapest ADT plan combines the ADT Self Setup system (starting at $269 for a base and 1 sensor) with Pro Monitoring (starting around $24.99/mo). You get professional monitoring without locking into expensive professional installation fees or multi-year contracts.