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Vivint's Security Equipment and Packages: Features, Prices, & Monitoring Plans
Powerful peace of mind. That’s what Vivint says they offer. And we just happen to agree.
We’ve seen a lot of home security systems and products, and Vivint offers some of the most powerful and the most advanced. If you’re looking to keep your family safe from potential threats, Vivint has everything you need — from sophisticated entryway sensors to high-tech security cameras.
But security isn’t the only thing Vivint does well. Another benefit of this system that makes it stand out from the competition is the inclusion of smart home automation to their security packages — your house can actually learn your routines, and you’ll control the whole thing from a touch-screen panel, a la George Jetson.
Their new Smart Deter system is also worth pointing out. Basically, outdoor cameras now come with the ability to recognize when someone has lingered too long on your lawn. Even better, it lets them know you’re watching with an alarm and an illuminated LED ring. What’s better than a camera that can capture people breaking into your home? A camera that deters people from even trying to break into your home.
This premium experience comes at a premium price, though. There’s no two ways around it — Vivint systems aren’t cheap. Are they worth it, though? That’s exactly what we’re going to help you decide here.
But first, a little history.
Vivint has been around since 1999. But in 2011 Vivint began to innovate smart home security systems. Their equipment is modern and well-designed. In fact, Vivint just launched a fresh lineup of cameras that includes the new and improved Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro and Video Doorbell Pro, the new Indoor Camera Pro, and an outdoor camera accessory called the Spotlight Pro.
Vivint also continues to offer every smart home feature and integration you could imagine. This includes smart lighting and temperature control, smart security sensors, and smart door locks. And you can control everything using their award-winning Vivint Smart Hub panel and Vivint mobile app.2
FYI: Can you enjoy the same premium features you get from Vivint if you go with ADT? And for even less money? Have a look for yourself in our ADT review.
Our Vivint Equipment Selection
When you take all of these features into consideration, the high price tag becomes more understandable. For some, it’s not really a dealbreaker — especially when you’re considering the cost against the safety and security of your family. That said, we do understand that Vivint might not be right for every consumer.
That’s why we created this guide, in fact. It’ll help you understand exactly what you’re getting, what the costs will be, as well as some benefits and drawbacks of the Vivint system itself. After reading, you’re going to walk away well informed and with a pretty good idea if Vivint is the right system for you.
Learn more about Rob and our methodology →
Since we wanted to find out what actual Vivint customers were saying, we collected ratings from 38 Vivint customers throughout the first quarter of 2022 via an online survey. The majority rated Vivint “five stars” in most categories. One-star ratings from a few unhappy campers did drag the averages down.
One thing we’ll say about Vivint’s pricing is that it’s not exactly transparent. We can certainly understand why — these are bespoke systems designed for your property and personal security needs. That said, you’re going to have to reach out to the company to figure out the actual dollars and cents.
Pro Tip: Like we said above, Vivint isn’t the cheapest option out there. But there are plenty of opportunities to save. Check out our guide to Vivint’s sales for all the most up-to-date information.
What we can offer you, though, is a ballpark idea of what to expect. Here we’re going to walk through their equipment pricing from top to bottom focusing on three areas you’ll need to pay attention to — Vivint’s equipment fees, their monthly monitoring fees, and the one-time installation fee. Let’s jump into it.
As is the case with most security systems, your biggest cost with Vivint is going to be the equipment itself. Exactly how much are you going to pay? It’s a good question, and unfortunately one that we can’t easily answer here.
Since your Vivint system is going to be customized for your specific security needs, your total bill is going to be dependent on how much equipment you purchase. A townhome is going to need less protection than a sprawling estate, right?
We will say, though, that you should expect to pay at least $1,000 at the end of the day. Now you might balk at that number, especially when you consider a DIY brand like SimpliSafe’s cheapest packages will run you about $200.
Don’t freak out just yet about the costs, though. Vivint doesn’t force you to pay for everything up front. With their Flex Pay plan, you can split everything up over the course of 60 months. There are, of course, some stipulations, but at the end of the day you’re looking at between $10 and $30 per month for the equipment. Now things are looking a little more palatable.
At any rate, Vivint’s equipment is top-notch, so even though they’re a bit more expensive, you get what you pay for.
Vivint Package | Monthly Price | Upfront Price |
---|---|---|
Basic | $10.00 | $599.00 |
Premium Plus | $37.17 | $2,229.92 |
Premium | $21.34 | $1,279.96 |
Keep in mind you can always customize these packages, or you can build out your own custom security kit.
Monitoring with Vivint is relatively straightforward. Whichever package you select, it will include 24/7 monitoring that costs $51.47 per month.
The good news is that these prices are about square with the industry averages — maybe a little lower, even, when you compare them to other high-end home security providers.
Here’s the thing, though: Other companies will include base equipment in their packages. ADT’s plans cost a bit more, but each of those packages includes three or more sensors as well as a touch-screen control panel. With Vivint, everything is à la carte. The benefit there is that you have a much more customizable package. The drawback, of course, is a larger startup bill.
Finally, Vivint requires professional installation that costs $99 for all plans and packages. From what we’ve seen, this cost is standard in the industry and certainly not a deal-breaker. After all, having your system installed by a professional technician will ensure everything is set up and networked properly.
When all is said and done, you’ll pay anywhere between $40 per month and $75 per month for home security and automation with Vivint. If you purchase the equipment upfront, you can 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.
Pro Tip: If you purchase Vivint equipment upfront, the remaining monthly fee makes Vivint as cheap as some DIY systems.
Beyond those three main pricing factors, there’s one more cost factor to consider: Vivint’s add-ons and upgrades. We cover these equipment options below, but brace yourself, as Vivint gets expensive when you start customizing your system with extra devices. Thankfully, the upgrades and add-ons are 100% optional.
While they used to offer a handful of packages to choose from, Vivint has streamlined things a bit. These days there are only three equipment packages to choose from with Vivint: the Starter Kit, the Premium, and the Premium Plus. Keep in mind, though, that all of these packages can be customized, and paid for monthly. Here’s the breakdown:
What’s included:
Monthly Cost: $10.00
Upfront cost: $599.00
What’s included:
Monthly Cost: $21.34
Upfront Cost: $1,279.96
What’s Included:
Monthly Cost: $37.17
Upfront Cost: $2,229.92
Both packages include 24/7 monthly monitoring for $51.47.
Days Tested | 100+ |
Best For | Home Automation |
Best Feature | Smart Hub |
Monthly Cost | $30+ |
Installed By | Professional |
One of the benefits of going with a Vivint system is just how easy it is to customize your package to suit your needs and your tastes. There’s a mile-long list of add-ons and upgrades, and their equipment plays well with hundreds of third-party devices like Phillips, Kwikset, and Nest.7 A lot of Vivint’s equipment options — like smoke detectors, garage door controllers and lighting control — will help you integrate your system into a smart-home suite, allowing all sorts of automations to make your life a little more convenient.
Vivint smart devices include:
Vivint works with smart platforms and devices, such as:
Vivint also works with Z-Wave compatible devices, which opens up seemingly endless home automation opportunities.8 However, keep in mind that you’ll pay good money for this smart equipment. So if you’re on a budget, these might not be the best plans for you. Otherwise, you can purchase a fully-loaded Vivint kit, or go with the Vivint SkyControl Starter Kit and customize your system over time.
Vivint Equipment | Equipment Type | Cost |
---|---|---|
Vivint Smart Hub | Control | $399.99 |
Door or Window Contact Sensor | Sensor | $50 |
Recessed Door Contact Sensor | Sensor | $50 |
Wireless Door Tilt Sensor | Sensor | $50 |
Wireless Glass Break Sensor | Sensor | $100 |
Garage Door Controller and Sensor | Sensor | $99.99 |
Wireless Smoke Detector | Sensor | $100 |
FireFighter Smoke Alarm Detector | Sensor | $100 |
Flood or Temperature Home Disaster Sensor | Sensor | $100 |
Passive Infrared Motion Sensor | Sensor | $100 |
Wireless Carbon Monoxide Detector | Sensor | $100 |
4 Button Key Fob Remote | Remote | $50 |
Panic Button | Remote | $50 |
Garage Door Controller | Remote | $99.99 |
Vivint Smart Drive | Storage | $249.99 |
Ping Indoor 1080p Wi-Fi Security Camera | Camera | $199.99 |
Vivint Indoor Camera Pro (coming soon) | Camera | $199.99 |
Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro | Camera | $399.99 |
Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro | Camera | $249.99 |
Vivint Spotlight Pro | Outdoor Camera Accessory | $249.99 |
Kwikset Smart Lock | Lock | $179.99 |
Nest Thermostat | Thermostat | $249 |
Element Thermostat | Thermostat | $169.99 |
How does your home measure up when it comes to security? Take this quiz to see how you score, and get recommendation to protect your home.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Vivint is one of the more feature-rich home security systems on the market today, especially when it comes to home automations. If you’re tech savvy, that’s probably good news. But we could see how some folks might be a little intimidated by all of this tech. In our experience, though, Vivint is extremely easy to use from the Smart Hub, and when the technician comes out to set everything up for you, they’ll be able to troubleshoot everything and make sure you understand exactly how to use your new system.
SafeHome.org Editor Andrew Garcia unboxing the Vivint SkyControl Panel
Pro Tip: Even with the most high-tech security system, you and your family will still need to know exactly what to do if it’s ever tripped by an intruder or a disaster like a fire or flood. Read our guide to creating a family emergency plan for more information.
You can also take Vivint’s SkyControl panel on the go with the Vivint Smart Home app, one of the highest-rated apps in both Apple and Google Play app stores.9 This award-winning mobile app puts the power of the SkyControl panel in the palm of your hand. We liked the app, but we didn’t find anything ultra innovative about it compared to other companion apps we’ve tested.
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.
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. |
Given that a basic Vivint security package costs a little north of $1,000, it’s understandable that you’d want to find discounts where you can. We’re not currently seeing anything that the compy is advertising publicly, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t savings to be found. We recommend always asking to waive the installation fee when talking to your sales rep, and seeing if there are any discounts you can realize by bundling equipment.
We’ve personally tested hundreds of home security systems, and we found Vivint to be one of the most high-tech, sophisticated systems out there. It’s almost as if Vivint is a few years ahead of other home security brands when it comes to features and tech. However, this progress comes at a price. Users can expect to pay upwards of $100 per month for home security and automation. But if this expenditure fits your budget, Vivint will protect your home and family, as well as make your life a little more convenient.
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.
Yes, Vivint offers indoor and outdoor cameras, as well as a video doorbell. In May 2022, Vivint announced its fresh lineup of security cameras that includes a revamped Outdoor Camera Pro and Video Doorbell Pro, the new Indoor Camera Pro, and a smart light accessory to the Outdoor Camera Pro called the Spotlight Pro. Prices of these cameras range from $199.99 for the Indoor Camera Pro to $399.99 for the Outdoor Camera Pro. All the new cameras can store footage locally to a microSD card, which is sold separately.
Yes, Vivint does offer wireless outdoor cameras with advanced features such as Active Deterrence, person detection, and a built-in warning system and siren.
Yes, Vivint cameras run off a home’s Wi-Fi connection and network.
No, you do not need to have a landline telephone line to use Vivint home security. The company’s home security system operates using wireless connectivity.
A number of smart home devices working with Vivint cameras. Once you link them, you can connect Amazon Alexa devices, Z-Wave devices, Google Home devices, and Apple HomeKit components to your Vivint home security system.
The monthly cost for Vivint’s monitoring services are based on the plan selected. The Smart Security Service starts at $29.99 per month. The Smart Home Service starts at $39.99 per month. Also, keep in mind that you can finance your Vivint equipment, which may add to your monthly cost if you decide to do so.
Yes, you pay for Vivint equipment. The company allows consumers to customize the equipment they decide to include, giving you control over the costs. You can also finance the purchase of your Vivint equipment. If you sign a five-year contract, you do not have to pay for the equipment costs upfront.
Yes, Vivint does have contracts. Most systems require a four or five-year service agreement for financing your Vivint equipment. You can avoid the contract if you decide to purchase your equipment upfront.
No, Vivint cannot be used without monitoring. The company’s professional monitoring service is a part of its pricing plan and subscription costs.
No, you cannot use Vivint cameras without the monitoring service. The company requires users to maintain the monitoring service in order to keep using the cameras and other equipment.
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https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS97532404120120919
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https://www.vivint.com/resources/article/smart-smoke-alarms-upgrade
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