Vivint Home Security System Cost and Pricing

Key Features

What We Like About Vivint

As for our opinion, we wouldn’t be talking about Vivint at all if the company didn’t provide solid home security. The truth is, Vivint is a lot better than just solid. We’ve consistently found Vivint equipment to be among the most reliable on the market, and every system comes with industry-leading 24/7 professional monitoring.

Vivint’s real selling point, though? In a word – technology.

Take Vivint cameras, for example. We could talk all day about video resolution numbers and field-of-view, and yeah, Vivint’s got some great numbers when it comes to image quality. Cameras include features like night vision and two-way talk. A lot of cameras from a lot of companies can say the same. Not all of them come packed with the latest artificial intelligence, though.

Vivint’s Smart Deter system is smart enough to know exactly how long someone’s been standing on your lawn. What difference does it make? Well, you don’t want a security alert every time the mailman stops by. Smart Deter focuses on the real threats. Oh, and it can let those threats know you’re paying attention, too. Depending on how you set up your system, it can play a gentle chime to let them know it’s time to move on, or it can bust out a full-on alarm and flashing LED lights to let them know it’s time to flee.

Vivint equipment doesn’t just make you more secure, though. It also makes life more convenient, with full smart home integration and a host of home automation features. In addition to smart security sensors and cameras, Vivint offers a range of smart home security devices, including smart locks, smart lighting, and even smart temperature control. You can combine these in sophisticated ways to create a security net over your home, but the system’s AI is sophisticated enough to learn your routines and make its own adjustments. That means even if you never experience a home emergency, you’re getting something for your money. Note that Vivint is completely compatible with both Alexa and Google Home, but you don’t need either. Vivint’s own home hub controls the entire system, from cameras to garage door openers.

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 – that elephant in the room we mentioned before. What does a Vivint system cost? Well, it depends on what equipment you need, but if you’re looking for a ballpark figure, we can help. We’ve tested Vivint ourselves after all.

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

As with any home security system, the biggest cost when you sign up with Vivint is the equipment. Obviously, what you’ll pay is dependent on your specific security needs. If you live in a sprawling compound, you’re going to pay a lot more than someone living in a modest apartment. At a minimum, though, you should expect to pay upwards of $1,000 for Vivint devices.

Any way you slice it, $1,000+ is a chunk of change. Vivint’s outdoor camera costs $399 by itself. You can get an entire SimpliSafe package for around $250. Of course, A SimpliSafe system isn’t a Vivint system. It’s an excellent system, but it doesn’t include the same equipment and features. We’ve already talked about just what you get with Viving, but if you truly want to understand the difference, you might want to check out our Vivint vs SimpliSafe comparison that will answer all your questions.

No question – Vivint is worth the money. If you have the money.

To that end, we should also point out that Vivint offers financing options, and that can make it more affordable, at least in the short term. If the company required true up-front pricing, its equipment costs would make it prohibitive for all but the wealthiest families. With the Vivint Flex Pay plan, though, you can spread payments out over 60 months. Of course, financing can have its own downsides. You have to be sure, for instance, that you want five years of Vivint since it’s virtually impossible to get out of contracts. Still, you can get a Vivint system for between $10 and $30 a month, and most homeowners can afford that.

Monthly Monitoring Fees

In fact, once you’ve purchased equipment, Vivint’s prices start to look more competitive. The company’s base option for professional monitoring costs $29.99 a month. That’s actually comparable to ADT and SimpliSafe.

You should keep in mind that monthly prices depend on how much equipment you have installed. Again, you’re going to pay significantly more than $29.99 a month if you’ve got a sensor on every window and a camera in every hallway. It’s also true, though, that a monitoring plan isn’t just about monitoring. Yes, you’re protected by one of the safest 24/7 monitoring plans in the country, but your monthly fees also go towards providing you with state-of-the-art smart home capabilities.

Professional Installation Fee

There’s one more Vivint fee we need to talk about: Vivint’s professional installation fee. That fee starts at $99 no matter which package you decide on, but – and maybe you’re sensing a pattern here – costs increase depending on the size and complexity of your equipment package.

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.

As a starting point, keep in mind that Vivint systems are incredibly sophisticated. If you want it to work correctly and at peak efficiency, you want someone who knows what they’re doing to install it. It’s also useful to have someone who can explain all the bells and whistles to you so you can make use of your system’s full potential. There’s something to be said for kicking back and letting someone else do the heavy lifting. After all, you can probably find more important things to do with your time than figuring out where to place security cameras and making sure your smoke detector is communicating properly with your thermostat.

Pricing Summary

When all is said and done, you’ll pay anywhere between $40 per month and $75 per month over the course of a four- or five-year contract for home security and automation with Vivint. If you purchase the equipment upfront, you pay as little as $29.99 per month for professional monitoring, as Vivint doesn’t offer a free self-monitoring option.

Vivint charges a premium compared to the market as a whole. But when measured against similar high-tech systems, Vivint prices are par for the course, especially considering the features and technology. You can read more about Vivint’s features and tech in our full Vivint review here.

Now, we know we said there are only three main pricing factors to consider. And that’s true. But we should also talk about what you pay if you need to purchase Vivint add-ons and upgrades. That can certainly add to your bottom line. We get into Vivint equipment options below. You might want to brace yourself, though. Like Vivint’s package prices and monitoring prices, its a la carte equipment prices can be a bit steep compared to DIY options.

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 Features

Currently, Vivint offers three equipment packages (though again, you won’t find these described on the company’s website): the Starter Kit, the Premium, and the Premium Plus. Very few customers actually wind up with one of these packages. Instead, Vivint uses them as a baseline and then creates customized packages to suit your individual needs.

Here’s what comes in each package, though:

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, and that opens up seemingly endless home automation opportunities.8

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.

We believe the true mark of a technologically advanced system is ease of use. Vivint is sophisticated, but it manages to simplify its tech so you don’t have to be a NASA scientist to use it. One key is professional installation. Sure, it’s not free, but with experts on the job, you can be sure your Vivint system will work as it should – cameras and sensors will be positioned where they can work best and smart devices will be paired to the system properly. More importantly, our Vivint tech gave us a complete tutorial before he left, so we felt 100 percent comfortable using all our system’s bells and whistles.

SafeHome.org Editor Andrew Garcia unboxing the Vivint control panel

The other key to Vivint simplicity? The Vivint Smart Home app. It puts the hub and control panel in the palm of your hand. Again, that’s a lot of control over some pretty high-tech equipment. Standout features of the Vivint system include instant mobile alerts, reliable cellular monitoring, keychain remote controls, disaster protection, hands-free voice control, and remote garage control. And that’s just for starters. Yet, the app’s intuitive user interface ensures you won’t wind up overwhelmed navigating all these features.

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 has partnered with Amazon Echo to offer home automation equipment that responds to voice commands. Get hands-free control of your thermostat, lights, security system and more!
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.

First, as we’ve already mentioned, Vivint doesn’t publish any pricing information online. That makes it difficult to know whether or not a Vivint system will fit in your budget. It also means you’ve got to talk with a customer service agent before you can buy anything. Of course, these are bespoke systems, and there is something to be said for white-glove service. There are plenty of home security companies out there that you can never get to pick up a phone. Still, we’re not all comfortable with this sort of process, and it gives Vivint a chance to try to sell you on equipment and services you may not need.

Second, Vivint requires you to sign a three-year monitoring contract. Systems won’t work without a contract, and you can’t buy individual devices without an entire system (though you can add pieces later if needed). Finance your equipment, and that Vivint contract could balloon to five years. There is security in contracts, of course, but five years is a long time to be locked in.

Finally, it’s virtually impossible to get out of a Vivint contract. Even if you decide to move, you’re still responsible for equipment costs and whatever time remains on your monitoring plan. You can take your Vivint system with you, but there’s an additional moving charge to do that. If you know you’re going to be in the same home for some time to come, none of these issues are problems, but we’re not all so stable.

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

Given just how expensive Vivint security packages can be, it’d be nice if the company offered some discounts and deals. Unfortunately, we’re not aware of any current sales or special offers. We have heard a rumor that the company is sometimes willing to waive its installation fee when customers specifically ask for it. That’s not nothing. And, of course, it always pays to keep an eye on our Vivint pages, since we’re constantly updating to include the very latest information.

No matter where you’re purchasing your home security system, you can always save a little money just by being a savvy buyer. The trick with Vivint in particular is to know exactly what you want and need from your home security system before you call. We took the time to measure our house’s square footage, for instance before we talked to a sales agent. We knew we wanted cameras both inside and outside, and we knew exactly how we wanted our security system to integrate with our existing smart devices. That didn’t entirely stop the agent from trying to upsell us, but it kept the pressure tactics to a minimum.

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

• Check your home, inside and out, for security vulnerabilities. We like to suggest thinking like a criminal. If you were going to break into your house, how would you try to go about it?
• 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

We’ve tested hundreds of home security systems, and we can say without a doubt that Vivint is one of, if not the most, high-tech, sophisticated systems out there. You might find a better system protecting some company headquarters, but if you’re looking for home security, you can’t do better. You’ll be hard-pressed to use all the amazing features. Vivint made a choice when it entered the market to leapfrog the competition and position itself as the tech leader. That kind of investment comes at a price, and Vivint, of course, passes both the technical wizardry and the cost of that wizardry on to its customers.

We believe Vivint’s biggest drawbacks are its prices and contracts. The equipment packages can reach nearly $2,000 or more with add-ons. This cost can be broken into smaller monthly payments, but then you’ll have to sign a 60-month contract to get the goods. That’s five whole years! Some people won’t mind this commitment at all, while others won’t even consider it. All in all, if you have the money to spend, and you want one of the best home security and automation systems on the market, if not the best, then Vivint is likely a great fit for you.

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