Vivint Smart Home Security Review
- Pro monitoring starts at $29.99/mo.
- Advanced smart home tech
- Customized security solutions
With Vivint home security, your imagination sets the limits. Vivint security systems offer killer customization, high-end smart home integrations, and professional installation.
Vivint can come at a high price, but impressive new security cameras and one app for everything are just two reasons that Vivint’s smarter home security systems are worth the price of admission. We believe in this brand so much that it's our number one pick for best security system.
Up to 2 months of free monitoring ($60 value) with a system purchase. Call with Code: CYBERWEEK21
Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Total customization Pro install, maintenance, repairs Portable, wireless equipment Month-to-month contract option Mobile app with every plan $0 down with consumer financing Quality equipment, advanced security features
Higher overall costs Lingering customer service woes Limited third-party smart home integrationHere's everything you need to know about Vivint home security
Compare Vivint monitoring plan costs
All of Vivint’s professional monitoring plans come with a $49 installation fee and the option to get started for $0 down with third-party consumer financing. The contract length for all plans is 42 to 60 months, or if you pay up front, there's no contract at all. You can learn more in our Vivint costs guide.
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Package
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Photo
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Monthly fee
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Smart security features
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Learn more
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Security Monitoring |  |
$29.99 | Vivint app | View Packages |
| Smart Home Monitoring |  |
$39.99 | Vivint app Voice commands Smart thermostat Smart lighting Smart door lock |
View Packages |
| Smart Home Video Monitoring |  |
Starts at $44.99 | All Smart Home plan features plus: Smart Deter Package protection Live video streaming |
View Packages |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Are Vivint security systems right for you?
When we call Vivint a high-end, full-service home security system, we’re not kidding around. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll get from a Vivint home security system:
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Professional installation
- Total customization to fit your home
- Personal introduction to the system and the Vivint app
- Vivint smart home app to control everything
- Smart security cameras, including a doorbell camera, with advanced safety features
- Professional maintenance and repairs
- Lifetime equipment warranty
- Multiple contract options
Even though Vivint systems have made big improvements to its customer policies, including a $0 down financing option and the chance to go contract-free with an outright equipment purchase, it’s still a pricier security system.
To take full advantage of Vivint home security systems' advanced tech and high-end security features, you’ll pay upwards of $40 a month, compared to the average $31 monthly pro monitoring cost among the security systems we’ve tested and reviewed.
That said, we think this is a case of “you get what you pay for”—and with Vivint, you get a whole lot of security innovation and quality service for your monthly fee.
If you’ve got room in your security budget and want the reassurance that comes with professional installation and cutting-edge home security equipment, Vivint should top your list.
How Vivint stacks up
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Brand
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Best for
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Lowest monitoring price
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Starter equipment price
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Contract required
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Installation
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Smart home compatibility
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Learn more
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Read review
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Best overall | $29.99/mo. | $599.00 |
 No * |
Pro | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
View Packages | Read review |
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High-end DIY pick | $34.99/mo. | $99.00 |
No |
DIY | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
View Packages | Read review |
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Reader favorite | $14.99/mo. | $229.00 |
No |
DIY | Amazon, Google | View Packages | Read review |
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Best customer experience | $14.99/mo. | Quote required |
No * |
DIY | Amazon, |
View Packages | Read review |
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Most experienced | $27.99/mo. | $0.00 |
 Yes |
Pro | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
View Packages | Read review |
Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer
Vivint’s going to cost you more overall. But you get what you pay for, and Vivint is one of the only home security companies that’s constantly innovating and adding new bells and whistles to its equipment and app offerings.
Instead of delivering the same white-label equipment and cookie-cutter app that many other companies do, Vivint made its own—a big reason why the company’s higher prices are worth it.
And the addition of a no-contract option for professional monitoring shows that Vivint’s listening—and responding—to the demands of home security customers, unlike some of its competitors. (We're looking at you, ADT).
Vivint pricing and contracts
Vivint offers a few payment options. You can choose Vivint Flex Pay and finance the cost of equipment (which will be on top of your monthly monitoring fee), or you can pay for your equipment up front and pick up monitoring on a month-to-month basis. If you go the contract route, you’re looking at a commitment of 42 or 60 months. (That’s five years!)
But Vivint recently told us that you can put $0 down when you choose to finance so that long-term contract might be worth it for little to nothing due up front. (We've got the scoop on how to get out of your Vivint contract too.)
Shopping in Canada?
Vivint's Canada pricing is the same as its US pricing, and it's always in USD. The only difference is financing: Canadian customers must finance systems for only 12 months rather than 60.
If you pick the no-contract option, the up-front equipment cost can run you upwards of $1,000 to outfit your home with the basics. That’s a lot of sticker shock, especially when you look at DIY security companies like SimpliSafe that offer basic equipment packages starting under $300.
You can learn more in our Canadian Security Systems guide.
Video: Vivint review
Find us on YouTube for more about Vivint and other home security systems.
Vivint equipment and fees
We’ve said it before (and now we’re going to say it again!)—but you won’t find a security system with more smarts than Vivint. From security cameras and smart thermostats to automatic door locks, Vivint has a variety of home automation devices to choose from.
Vivint tech lineup
- Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro: $249.99
- Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro: $299.99
- Vivint Car Guard: $199.00
- Indoor camera: $199.99
- Key fob: $34.99
- Door/window sensor: $50.00
- Tilt sensor: $34.99
- Glass break detector: $100.00
- Motion sensor: $100.00
- Recessed door sensor: $34.99
- Medical alert pendant: $34.99
- Smart Drive: $249.99
- Carbon monoxide detector: $100.00
- Flood sensor: $69.99
- Freeze sensor: $69.99
- Smoke detector: $100.00
- Smart door lock: $159.99
- Garage door controller: $99.00
- Smart home appliance control module: $49.99
- Lamp module: $50.00
- Element Thermostat: $169.99
- Nest L Thermostat: $249.99
- Nest E Thermostat: $169.99
You can learn more about all the devices offered by Vivint in our Vivint equipment guide.
Vivint smart home keeps households connected
For busy families, Vivint’s smart home capabilities can do everything from increasing face time after school (thanks to Vivint’s interactive smart cameras) to cutting down on wasted electricity with a smart thermostat. These can be programmed to routines or adjusted remotely via the Vivint app.
No matter how busy you are, Vivint smart home technology helps you manage (and protect) your home from anywhere and at any time. Because Vivint Home Security has integrated smart home with home security, all the different pieces work together—without having to buy different devices from a multitude of companies (and crossing your fingers that they’ll work together).
Here’s a rundown of the smart home perks that make Vivint stand out in the field of home security and home automation.
- Watch and listen from anywhere. All of Vivint’s smart security cameras use motion detection, two-way communication, night vision, and instant alerts to keep you in the know both inside and outside your home. Plus, the new Smart Deter feature catches “lurkers” in the act and shoos them away with sound and light.
- Keep things locked up tight. With smart locks, you can control access to your home even if you’re across town (or at the beach). Whether you have kids coming home after school or need to let in the pet sitter, you can skip making copies of keys thanks to easy keyless entry.
- Save money and cut down on waste. Vivint's smart thermostat can help you save money every month. The Element Thermostat learns your habits and adapts to your needs. If you usually turn up the heat before settling in to binge on your latest Netflix obsession, this thermostat might click on before you can grab a blankie.
- Put a lid on oven fires (or any fires). Vivint's smart smoke alarm comes with a built-in transmitter that instantly connects you to the Vivint monitoring center when triggered, but the best part is that the Vivint smoke detector can actually shut down airflow to choke out flames while help is on the way.
- Never leave the garage door open again. Vivint’s Garage Door Controller lets you know if you drove away without putting the door down—and you don’t have to turn around to go home and close it. You can use remote control to close the garage door from the gym, the grocery store, or your office.
If you're worried about video footage being uploaded to the cloud, Vivint has you covered. We asked them how they protect customers' privacy.
Vivint doesn't track data from customer’s video footage. Video footage is encrypted from the Vivint Smart Hub all the way to the cloud and back. Only customers can decide who is allowed to access their Vivint system, including their video feeds.
Vivint smart home compatibility
Surprisingly, Vivint Home Security has limited compatibility with third-party brands, but they make up for it with their full suite of proprietary smart home products.
The downside is if you've already started down the smart home path you might be disappointed to find out you need to buy duplicate items because the Vivint system isn't compatible with what you’ve already got.
On a broad scale, Vivint is currently compatible with only Google Nest and Amazon Echo.
Learn more by checking out our Vivint compatibility page.
Vivint Smart Hub: Vivint smart home system
For years, Vivint was a standout with its innovative Vivint SkyControl Panel that was the first to offer built-in two-way voice communication. And now Vivint is making smart home and security history again with its Smart Hub that acts as a smart home hub and can support up to six security cameras.
The most impressive part is that Vivint has solved the problem of multiple cameras bogging down your home Wi-Fi connection. Because security cameras use Wi-Fi to stream live security video, the more cameras you have, the slower your Wi-Fi gets.
But the Vivint Smart Hub has home video technology that lets you set up all the cameras you need to keep an eye on your home without eating up all your bandwidth.
Vivint mobile app
The Vivint Smart Home app is an easy way to keep tabs on your home 24/7 no matter where you are. You can check the live video feed from your home’s security cameras or remotely arm and disarm the Vivint alarm system from your phone.
The app is comparable to the navigation you’ll find on the control panel, which makes flip-flopping between the two a bit easier. Plus, Vivint told us they have a whole team dedicated to keeping its app user-friendly, easy to use, and packed with features that boost both your home’s security and its smart home automation.
Of all the home security apps we've reviewed, Vivint's is our favorite. See how it stacks up in our full review of home security phone apps and check out our review of the Vivint app.
Vivint has a handy feature for the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro that aims to make your backyard safer. It lets you create an additional detection zone around your pool using the Vivint app. When someone enters the detection area, the camera will automatically record a clip and send a notification to your phone.
How to install Vivint
Professional installation is your only choice with Vivint Smart Home. But we think that’s a good thing, especially when you’re dealing with this level of home security technology and smart home integration.
We like that you get to see exactly what’s happening. Plus, the added perk of a personal training session on how to operate your new Vivint home security system is a valuable bonus.
Timing
The biggest downside of pro installation is the time commitment—and if you work full time, that could mean using up precious PTO hours. Vivint doesn’t have the best track record for quick installs, either.
Depending on where you live, you could wait up to a week to get your system installed. That’s a long time for people who are eager to have their home and property protected after a break-in or buying a new house.
Installation costs
Vivint’s installation fees used to run from $99 up to $199. But Vivint changed its installation pricing to a flat $49 fee no matter which monitoring plan you choose or the amount of equipment installed. We’re not sure if this is a permanent change, so be sure to verify your installation costs when you schedule your installation appointment.
Vivint’s in-home security consultation
As part of its top-tier offerings, Vivint Home Security is one of just a few companies that provides a complementary security consultation. A Vivint security technician conducts an assessment that identifies security risks and offers solutions.
The consultation ensures you have all the equipment you need to protect your home. And it makes sure that equipment (like window, door, and motion sensors) is installed in the right location to maximize your home’s security.
The assessment takes place in tandem with your professional installation. The plus side is that you can add equipment you overlooked or eliminate extras you don’t really need. But the biggest drawback is that this opportunity for positive customer interaction can come across as salesy, which makes it hard for some customers to trust the recommendations.
Vivint customer service and support
This used to be one of Vivint’s weaker points. The company got off to a bumpy start when it first hit the home security scene, but it’s made big strides in this area over the past few years.
Vivint told us that customer feedback is a top priority for Vivint support and the company works hard to implement recommended changes. Those efforts seem to be paying off in accolades and higher ratings from both third-party sources and Vivint customers.
- Trustpilot rating: 4.0 stars out of 5, Great
- Vivint Smart Home app on Google Play: 4.4 stars out of 5
- Vivint Smart Home app on Apple App Store: 4.6 stars out of 5
You can learn more in our Vivint customer service guide.
*Ratings as of December 06, 2021
Final word
Vivint lets you take the wheel when it comes to putting together the right security system for your needs. Everything is 100% customizable, and you won’t find a smarter home security solution. But Vivint’s high-end equipment comes at a price and requires the expertise of professional installers.
Thankfully, the company has brought its monthly monitoring fees in line with industry standards, so you’re not going to pay much more for 24/7 protection from Vivint. Even so, DIYers and budget-constrained folks may want to look elsewhere for the right home security solution.
Vivint FAQ
No—unlike many of its competitors, Vivint does not have a money-back guarantee. To find out more, visit our page devoted to FAQs about Vivint.
Yes. Vivint has a 120-day warranty for its professional installation, but the equipment has a lifetime warranty as long as you're a Vivint customer. Vivint will repair or replace equipment after the warranty period for a service charge (around $45).
And you can elect a Premium Service Plan, which extends the warranty for as long as you’re using Vivint to protect your home. If you purchase a third-party device that works with your Vivint system (like a Google Nest thermostat), the brand’s warranty will apply.
There isn’t an activation fee, but you will be charged a $49 installation fee with Vivint home security.
Yes—it’s called Vivint Smart Drive. This convenient service, once known as Space Monkey, provides secure storage much like an external hard drive. It allows you to stream and seamlessly upload all security camera clips with little to no effort. So you can forget about losing any important security recordings or even family photos once a device has kicked the bucket.
Yes. According to customer reviews, the Vivint smart home app is very user-friendly and offers an intuitive feel. Both iOS and Android users rate the app high, which isn’t always the case.
Yes. Vivint is compatible with both Google Nest and Amazon Echo products. When you pair your Vivint security system with one of these smart speakers you can use voice commands to check in on your system and control some features.
Yes. But some customers have reported that the Vivint sign seems smaller than other home security signs. Vivint assures us its signs are the same size as most other home security yard signs, but we recommend using a solar or battery-powered light to keep any home security sign visible at night as well as during the day.
Yes. A Vivint door lock for your garage is another security feature you can tack onto your alarm monitoring plan. Smart garage door openers can increase your home’s value and safeguard your valuables from thieves.
Yes—again, one of the company’s strongest selling points is the home automation capabilities.
If you choose to pay Vivint up front for the entire cost of your equipment, you’re automatically eligible for Vivint’s month-to-month contract and professional alarm monitoring. With this plan, you can cancel at any point in time. But if you don’t buy the equipment outright, you’re locked into a contract that could last up to five years.
Yes and no. Vivint Solar is the second-largest solar installer in the US, but it's a completely separate company from Vivint home security. They may share a name (and their beginnings) but both Vivint entities are independent companies that offer different services to homeowners.
Yes, they were named the TMA Monitoring Center of the Year for 2021.
Yes, it uses a cellular connection, so it will still work if your Wi-Fi is down. You won't be able to check the system or camera footage using the Vivint app until the Wi-Fi is up and running again, though.
Vivint and ADT are our two luxury, full-service home security brands. Here's a snapshot of how they stack up.
Similarities:
- Pro installation
- In-home security consultation
- Long-term contracts
- Extensive smart home integration
- Higher prices
Differences:
- No-contract option with Vivint
- 140+ years of ADT experience
- ADT has more monitoring centers
- Innovative proprietary equipment with Vivint
We can help you dig deeper into how Vivint compares to other top security brands—we already pitted them against one another:
Yes, Vivint is available in Canada. In fact, Vivint has a corporate location in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Vivint security equipment, hardware, and service are the same in Canada and the US.
We spoke with Vivint to confirm. They told us the only difference is in financing: Canadian customers work with Vivint directly instead of a third-party lender, and their financing contracts are limited to just 12 months.
How we reviewed Vivint
For our Vivint review, we got our hands on Vivint equipment, went through demos with Vivint technical experts, visited Vivint's headquarters for a behind-the-scenes look at how Vivint tech is developed, and participated in multiple interviews with Vivint representatives.
We didn't just test it once, though. Our Vivint system is undergoing long-term testing in a real home.
For this Vivint security review, we also dove into dozens of expert reviews and hundreds of customer reviews. Some of the top points of comparison we used to evaluate Vivint are listed below.
- Overall value
- Equipment and monitoring costs
- Smart home features and compatibility
- Mobile app control and functions
- Customer service
- Company reputation
Learn more about how we rate and rank home security services in our full methodology.
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Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
‡ ADT $27.99 Essential package: $99.00 Customer Installation Charge. 36-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $27.99 per month ($1,007.64). 24-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $27.99 per month ($671.76) for California. Form of payment must be by credit card or electronic charge to your checking or savings account. Offer applies to homeowners only. Local permit fees may be required. Satisfactory credit history required. Certain restrictions may apply. Offer valid for new ADT Authorized Dealer customers only and not on purchases from ADT LLC. Other rate plans available. Cannot be combined with any other offer. The $27.99 Offer does not include the 6-month guarantee or the Quality Service Plan (QSP). Quality Service Plan (QSP) is ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty. Landline monitoring only.
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