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. 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. 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

Any time you purchase a home security system, the bulk of the cost is the equipment. How much equipment you need is going to depend on your living space. 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, expect to pay around $700. For an average-sized home, expect a bill upwards of $1,000.

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 Vivint, but for another perspective on the matter, you might also want to check out our Vivint vs SimpliSafe comparison. That will give you some idea of how Vivint stacks up against other top-notch systems.

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

Note, too, that you don’t have to pay for your equipment all in one go. Vivint offers financing options, and while that won’t make a system any cheaper, paying in installments at least offers the option of affordable payments. The fact is, 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, financing means you can get a Vivint system for between $10 and $30 a month, and that’s within reach of most homeowners.

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

All told, most homeowners wind up paying between $40 and $75 a month for their Vivint system. That’s at the high end of the market, but broken down into monthly payments, it’s not a lot more per month than what you’d pay for a SimpliSafe or ADT system. And we’ve mentioned this one or two times already – you get plenty of value for the money. Vivint systems come with dozens of impressive features, features that keep you safe and make your life a whole lot more convenient. You can get a complete look at all these features in our full Vivint review.

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 (though again, you won’t find these described on the company’s Vivint offers three equipment packages – the Starter Kit, the Premium, and the Premium Plus. That’s less than half the number SimpliSafe offers. ADT currently offers six. The thing is, very few customers actually purchase one of Vivint’s three packages as-is. They’re simply baseline packages.

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.

Yet for all its impressive capabilities, Vivint equipment is surprisingly easy to use. It helps that Vivint requires professional installation with all its packages. That costs a little more than self-installation, but you don’t have to deal with any complicated wiring yourself, and you’ve got a certified tech on hand to explain how to use all your equipment. Ours positioned every camera and sensor where it could do the most good and wouldn’t need any adjustment. Then he gave us a complete tutorial so that by the time he left, we were comfortable with everything.

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

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.

Also, because Vivint requires professional installation (that sometimes requires some wiring) and a contract that can be up to five years, it’s not the best fit for most renters. Also worth considering is that Vivint has a stricter moving policy than its peers.

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