Ring
Cloud video history, up to 180 days, and alerts. Recording needs a plan.
Security cameras with no monthly fee vs Ring and ADT: what you really pay
A system you own is paid once. A subscription keeps billing.
a month for a system you own
ADT plans from $24.99 a month
What the monthly fee buys
It depends which service you want.
ADT
24/7 professional monitoring that can call emergency services.
A system you own
Records at your property, alerts on your phone. You watch, not a call center.
What you pay over 3 years
Fees only, at each company’s listed starting price.
| Option | Monthly | 36 months of fees | Upfront |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vision Kreativa Starter View, 4 cameras installed | $0 | $0 | $799 |
| Vision Kreativa Total Visibility 4K, 4 cameras installed | $0 | $0 | $1,499 |
| Ring Protect, all devices, monthly | $9.99 | $359.64 | From $129.99 a device |
| Ring Protect, all devices, annual | $99.99 a year | $299.97 | From $129.99 a device |
| Ring Protect Pro, monthly | $19.99 | $719.64 | From $129.99 a device |
| ADT Blu Video Connect, cameras only | $9.99 | $359.64 | Cameras |
| ADT Secure Monitoring, from | $24.99 | $899.64 | Min. $269 equipment |
| ADT Complete Monitoring, camera plan, from | $39.99 | $1,439.64 | Min. $369 equipment |
Which one makes sense
A subscription, when
- You want someone to call the police for you.
- You want cloud backup if a recorder is stolen.
- You can’t run cable, like in a rental.
- You only want one DIY doorbell camera.
Owning, when
- You need 4, 8 or 16 cameras.
- You want footage without a bill.
- You want 4K detail with optical zoom.
- You want the app explained in Spanish.
Wi-Fi vs wired PoE cameras
- Wi-Fi cameras
- Easy to place, but a weak signal means missed clips.
- Wired PoE cameras
- One cable for power and video. Our packages include running it.
No-fee systems, installed locally
Same price in Lawrence, Haverhill, Lowell and Methuen, all at $0 a month.
| Package | Cameras | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Starter View, 5MP | 4 | $799 |
| Total Visibility 4K | 4 | $1,499 |
| 8 Cameras, 4K | 8 | $2,799 |
| 16 Cameras, 4K | 16 | $5,399 |
Questions, answered
Same prices in every town:
- Lawrence
- Lowell
- Methuen
- Haverhill
- Andover
- North Andover
- Dracut
- Tewksbury
- Chelmsford
Do security cameras need a monthly subscription?
No. Systems that record to a recorder at your property work without one. Cloud cameras like Ring need a plan to save video.
Can Ring work without a subscription?
Ring says its devices provide certain features without a plan, but video recording needs a Ring Protect plan, from $4.99 a month as of October 27, 2026.
How much is ADT per month?
As of October 27, 2026, ADT’s published plans start at $24.99 a month for Secure Monitoring, and Complete Monitoring, its camera plan, starts at $39.99 a month, plus equipment. ADT Blu’s camera-only plan is $9.99 a month.
What’s the catch with no monthly fee?
There’s no professional monitoring or police dispatch, footage is stored on site, and watching remotely needs internet at the property.
Who owns the footage?
You do. It stays on your recorder.
Do you install in Haverhill, Lowell and Methuen?
Yes, at the same prices as Lawrence.
Book my free walkthrough
No pressure, no monthly fees. We map the camera plan and quote it on the spot.
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