Vivint Home Security System Cost and Pricing

Key Features

What We Like About Vivint

As for our opinion, no system is perfect, but we’ve consistently found Vivint equipment to be among the most reliable on the market. Every system also comes with industry-leading 24/7 professional monitoring. But after living with a Vivint system, we feel that technology is its biggest asset.

Take Vivint cameras, for example. They offer 1080p HD video resolution and 140-degree field of view. The cameras also include infrared night vision and two-way audio communication. While many security camera brands offer similar features, few use advanced artificial intelligence like Vivint devices.

Vivint’s Smart Deter technology uses AI-powered person detection to distinguish between actual threats and routine activity. The system can tell how long someone lingers on your property. It won’t alert you when the delivery driver drops off a package, but it springs into action if someone is acting suspicious. You can configure the camera to respond with either a friendly reminder tone or a piercing siren and strobe lights.

Vivint goes beyond security, though. It doubles as an advanced home automation system that learns your routines to actively make your life more convenient. You can even use the automation features to make your home safer. For instance, when our Vivint Outdoor Camera detects a threat, the living room lights turn on, making the threat think someone’s home.

The bottom line is that Vivint’s is the most responsive, high-tech system we’ve tested, including our top-pick security system, ADT.

Our Vivint Equipment Selection

Vivint’s Pricing

Now for the tricky bit. What does a Vivint system cost? Well, it depends on what equipment you need. The company likes to custom-design packages to suit individual customers, and almost every situation is unique. What we can give you are ballpark figures based on our tests.

As with most systems, there are three main costs to worry about with Vivint: equipment, monitoring, and installation. Let’s take them one at a time.

Equipment Fees

Your equipment costs depend on your home’s size and layout. With Vivint, budget for at least $600 to $800 for a basic setup. For an average-sized home, prices typically start around $1,200.

Spending more than $1,200 is a significant investment when you consider that SimpliSafe packages cost less than a single Vivint outdoor camera. That said, SimpliSafe doesn’t match Vivint’s sophisticated home automation capabilities. The main similarity is that they both offer active deterrence features through their monitoring plans. We break down the differences in our Vivint vs SimpliSafe comparison.

The bottom line is that Vivint equipment is worth the money. If you have the money.

Vivint’s high prices are easier to accept thanks to its financing options that last up to five years. Instead of spending over $1,000 upfront, you can pay $10 to $30 in monthly installments. Just make sure you’re ready to commit to Vivint long-term as its contracts are nearly impossible to get out of.

Monthly Monitoring Fees

Once you’ve purchased equipment, Vivint’s prices start to look more competitive. Vivint’s professional monitoring prices start at $29.99 per month for basic coverage, which is comparable to ADT and SimpliSafe.

Unlike ADT and SimpliSafe, though, Vivint adjusts their monitoring fee based on the amount of equipment in your system. If you have several cameras and sensors on every window, expect a higher fee than $29.99 per month. But, with that fee, you also get all of Vivint’s state-of-the-art smart home capabilities.

Professional Installation Fee

You will need to budget for Vivint’s professional installation fee. Prices start at $199 for standard installation. We have seen Vivint offer promotions that reduce or waive this cost entirely. Keep in mind that the installation fees may increase based on your system’s complexity and the number of devices being installed.

Obviously, required professional installation is going to add to your total overall costs. And there’s no doubt that you can save a little money with DIY-installed systems like SimpliSafe and Frontpoint. That said, there are definite advantages to professional installation.

For one, our technician had to fish wires through our walls for our outdoor cameras. They do that to establish a stronger Wi-Fi connection. Still, definitely not something we want to do ourselves. They also showed us how to use all of Vivint’s features and set up a few automated rules.

Pricing Summary

Adding it all up, most Vivint systems cost between $40 and $75 per month after considering financing and professional monitoring. While that places Vivint in the premium tier of the market, it’s on par with SimpliSafe’s most comprehensive plan at $79.99 per month plus equipment costs. The key difference is that Vivint includes professional installation and advanced automation features that cost extra with other providers. As you’ll see in our Vivint review, we think it’s worth the money.

Vivint Equipment Packages

As we mentioned, we can’t tell you to the penny what you’ll pay for your system. We can talk generally, though, about what you should expect in terms of Vivint costs. Below, we offer some ballpark figures about Vivint’s equipment packages. But first, a quick rundown of Vivint’s features in all of its packages.

Vivint At a Glance

Currently, Vivint offers three equipment packages — the Starter Kit, the Premium, and the Premium Plus. That’s less than half the number SimpliSafe and ADT offer. The thing is, very few customers purchase one of Vivint’s three packages as-is. They’re simply baseline packages that are customized to your needs with the help of a Vivint specialist.

Basic

What’s included:

• Smart Hub
• Flood/ Water Sensor
• 4 Break-in Security Sensors

Monthly Cost: $10.00

Upfront cost: $599.00

Premium

What’s included:

• Doorbell Camera Pro
• Outdoor Camera Pro
• Kwikset Smart Lock
• Key Fob
• Smart Hub
• 4 Break-in Security Sensors
• Flood/ Water Sensor

Monthly Cost: $21.34

Upfront Cost: $1,279.96

Premium Plus

What’s Included:

• Doorbell Camera Pro
• Indoor Camera
• Outdoor Camera Pro
• Smart Thermostat
• Kwikset Smart Lock
• MyQSmart Garage Hub
• Key Fob
• Smart Hub
• 4 Break-in Security Sensors
• Flood/ Water Sensor

Monthly Cost: $37.17

Upfront Cost: $2,229.92

Both packages include 24/7 monthly monitoring for $51.47.

Vivint Package Pricing

Vivint Add-On Equipment Prices

Every Vivint system is customized to your particular home security needs, and the system can grow with it as well. As your needs evolve, it’s simple to add individual devices to your system. Vivint offers a mile-long list of add-ons and upgrades. It helps that Vivint integrates well with so many smart home brands like Kwikset, Phillips, and Nest. That opens up hundreds of options, and Vivint makes it easy to build your smart home one device at a time.

Leaving aside third-party options, Vivint itself offers:

• Element thermostats
• Lighting control modules
• Car Guard GPS trackers & diagnostic tools
• Smart garage controllers
• Video doorbell cameras
• Indoor and outdoor cameras

Need even more smart home devices? Vivint also works with Z-Wave compatible devices. This opens up extensive home automation possibilities with thousands of supported third-party devices like thermostats and smart locks.2

Unless you’re as rich as Bill Gates, we wouldn’t recommend buying all this smart home equipment upfront. Still, it’s nice to know that Vivint works with all of it. That means you can start with a basic Vivint security system with monthly payments you can afford, and then buy additional equipment over time.

Vivint Features and Tech

If you’re a fan of cutting-edge tech, there’s a lot to love about Vivint. This home security system is especially feature-rich when it comes to smart home integration. From voice-activated controls to complex smart device routines, there’s not much Vivint can’t do.

Even with all the advanced features Vivint offers, the system’s easy to use. Of course, the hands-on tutorial from the tech who installed our system helped. Using the touchscreen control panel ended up feeling as intuitive as an iPad. The menus are logical, it’s simple to navigate, and every feature is just a few taps away.

SafeHome.org Editor Andrew Garcia unboxing the Vivint control panel

The other key to Vivint’s simplicity? The Vivint Smart Home app. It offers the control panel’s intuitive interface, except on a phone screen. With it, we could easily respond to alerts, manually control our whole system, and create new automated routines from anywhere.

Other standout features from Vivint include instant mobile alerts, reliable cellular monitoring, keychain remote controls, disaster protection, hands-free voice control, and remote garage control. Overall, Vivint offers plenty of features if you’re willing to make a sizable investment.

Expert Examined

From Rob Gabriele, Managing Editor & Home Security Expert

“One thing to keep in mind with Vivint is that sometimes the latest and greatest technology isn’t for everyone. Features like Geofencing are excellent tools when utilized properly, but they can also be overkill for families looking for more basic features. I’ve spoken with homeowners who turned off their alerts and notifications because they were receiving too many, only to one day come home and find their home broken into.”

MOBILE ALERTS	In the event of a possible security breach or fire emergency, Vivint’s monitoring service immediately sends text alerts to notify alarm owners and their listed contacts, such as neighbors and relatives.
24-7 MONITORING	Vivint provides 24-hour security monitoring using high-quality cell radio networks. Cellular monitoring is more secure than landline monitoring because it eliminates the opportunity for criminals to cut communication wires.
WIRELESS EQUIPMENT	Vivint security equipment is 100% wireless. It won’t cause your home to be cluttered with cords, and installation usually doesn’t require adding holes to walls. You can easily move your equipment to a new residence.
SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS	Vivint's doorbell cameras allow you to view and respond to visitors using a mobile connection from anywhere in the world. Vivint also provides standard indoor and outdoor cameras.
PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION	Professional technicians help ensure that Vivint security equipment is free of defects and set up properly. Installation may be available within a few hours of ordering your security service.
SMART HOME OPTIONS	Vivint streamlines home management with an app for arming your residence, controlling lights, adjusting the thermostat, and more. Voice recognition technology is among the options.
DISASTER PROTECTION	Smoke alarms are most effective when they’re monitored. For comprehensive home protection Vivint provides monitored smoke sensors in addition to home security equipment.
REMOTE CONTROL	Keychain remote controls make it convenient to arm and disarm your system without using the touchscreen control panel. Keychain remotes also have panic buttons that directly connect with emergency dispatchers.
VOICE RESPONSE	Vivint connects to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to offer voice control of your security system. You can manage your thermostat, lights, locks, and security settings hands-free.
REMOTE GARAGE CONTROL	Ever wonder if you forgot to close your garage door? Vivint security can alert you when the garage door is left open. Vivint’s mobile app lets you open or shut the garage door from anywhere.

Additional Pricing Issues

Sometimes there’s more to a system’s costs than just the bottom line. That’s definitely the case with Vivint. Here are a few extra pricing issues you should be aware of before buying a Vivint system:

• Prices require consultation. Vivint customizes every quote based on your home’s specific needs. You’ll need to schedule a consultation with a security specialist for accurate pricing. While you’ll get a tailored system, we prefer to see all prices upfront online.
• All systems require monitoring. Without monitoring, Vivint systems only work as a local alarm. And if you finance your system, you need to sign a Vivint contract that locks you into monitoring for the duration of your financing. That can be as long as five years. There is security in contracts, of course, but it’s a long commitment.
• Contract cancellation comes with significant fees. If you need to cancel your Vivint service, you’ll pay the full remaining balance on any financed equipment plus potential early termination fees. Even relocating doesn’t release you from the contract. However, Vivint does offer a moving service to transfer your system to a new home for a fee.

None of these issues diminishes the value of a Vivint system, which is considerable. Like the high prices of Vivint systems, though, it’s important you know these other costs before you invest.

Saving Money on Vivint

Vivint regularly offers promotions, particularly during major shopping seasons like Black Friday and spring home improvement months. We’ve spotted deals including free professional installation (typically a $199 value) or several months of free professional monitoring.

With Vivint, we usually end up saving more by going into our sales call knowing what we want than we save through their sales. It’s not that their sales agents are particularly pushy, but they definitely make a few upsell attempts. By knowing exactly what you need, you’ll recognize when they’re making a genuine recommendation versus just trying to increase your bill.

Here’s what we’d suggest before you call.

• Conduct a thorough security assessment of your property. Walk the perimeter, check all entry points, and identify vulnerable areas. Consider factors like lighting, landscaping that provides cover, and distance from the street.
• Based on what you discover about your vulnerabilities, decide what kinds of equipment you need. Do you really need a camera for the front of your house, for instance, if you’re already getting a video doorbell? Then, make a list of exactly what you want.
• Consider your budget. Unless you’re independently wealthy, you have an upper limit to how much home security you can afford. What’s that number look like for you? What can you give up if you need to? What are the must-haves?

Vivint’s Overall Value

Vivint is an impressive home security system with lots of bells and whistles when it comes to home protection and home automation. To us, it’s definitely worth its premium price. Be cautious, though. The cost can easily balloon up if you don’t plan your system well. You can easily rack up a $2,000 bill with just security cameras and smart home components.

As Vivint requires professional installation and contracts that typically run 42 to 60 months, we don’t recommend it for renters or anyone planning on moving. Vivint’s contract transfer process only adds complexity and costs.

So, to whom do we recommend Vivint? If you’ve settled down and you’re looking for a highly sophisticated smart security system for your long-term residence, Vivint might be for you.

Vivint FAQs