Vivint Packages, Pricing, and the Big Question— Is It Worth it?
We know that shopping for a security system is hard. It’s even harder when you can’t find pricing information online. That’s why in this guide, we’ll unpack everything we learned about Vivint’s pricing when we tested a security system from them. Old Fridge Thermostat
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Vivint is easily one of the top security systems of 2024. It’s a tech-forward brand that offers home security by leveraging home automation features. But if there’s one thing that discourages some folk from choosing Vivint, it’s the price. Before you call up Vivint’s sales department, read this pricing guide where we’ll discuss Vivint’s equipment, monitoring, and installation cost. You’re also going to want to see what we learned about Vivint’s monitoring contract. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s start!
The first thing you should know is that Vivint isn’t like your average security system. It can be best described as a smart security system, because it incorporates AI-powered security cameras and smart home devices to create a safer, more secure environment. But all those advanced technologies come at a steep price, especially in terms of on-going costs.
Pro Tip: If Vivint doesn’t seem like the perfect choice, know that there are similar options available. For example, abode’s packages offer more minimalist equipment capable of smart security almost just as well as Vivint. Shop around with the help of our home security system buying guide.
One of Vivint’s downsides is that it requires a contract if you opt for equipment financing. The contract is as long as the financing term, which is up to five years. And because Vivint’s equipment packages can cost over a thousand dollars (like in our case), most Vivint customers choose to sign a long-term contract.
Now, in our post about the worst security systems, we mentioned one company that has a five-year contract and that was one of the reasons why we recommend staying away from it. Vivint’s case is entirely different. The contract actually works in our favor, because without it, we’d have to pay the entire equipment fee upfront, which again, isn’t cheap.
Besides, Vivint offers options. If you can pay the equipment fee within three years, then you get a three-year contract — the industry average. If you can pay it upfront, then a contract is not necessary at all.
Also remember that a monitoring subscription is needed for Vivint to work, and if you cancel your monitoring service, you’ll lose access to your equipment’s features. That’s why, even though we’re not big fans of security systems with contracts, we’re fine signing the Vivint contract.
In any case, it’s always good practice to ask your sales rep about your contract’s details when buying a security system.
Quality smart home security means investing in trusted devices that our experts have tried and tested. With Vivint, you can choose exactly what equipment you want, which will determine your monthly fee. If that fee is outside of your budget, don’t worry; you can find plenty of ways to save on Vivint throughout the year. Before you buy, be sure to check out our guide to Vivint’s year-round deals and our guide to Vivint Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
When it comes to equipment, one of the frequently asked questions about Vivint is, “How much is this all going to cost me?”. Well, the answer depends on what pieces of equipment you’re looking to get and how you’re going to pay.
If you can afford to buy the equipment upfront, you don’t have to sign a contract. And with the equipment fee out of the way, you’ll pay just the monitoring fee every month. That is, if you have at least $800 to spare. And that’s for a basic Vivint system. Expect to pay more if you buy add-ons for your packages.
On the other hand, you could avail financing to offset the upfront cost. You’ll pay close to nothing upon signing up, but the equipment cost will be added to your monthly fee. You can choose a financing term of up to 60 months. And keep in mind, there will be a credit check and the monitoring contract will be equivalent to your financing term.
FYI: Vivint is a good option for those who are looking to buy a security system without undergoing a credit check. That said, its steep prices might put off potential shoppers. Currently, SimpliSafe, abode, and Ring are the best security systems that don’t require a credit check.
To give you a rough estimate of how much a Vivint system could cost you, see Vivint’s latest equipment pricing below. We broke down their retail prices (what you’ll pay upfront) and financing prices based on a 60-month term (what you’ll pay per month).
Sure, Vivint isn’t the cheapest option around, but home security is an area you don’t want to skimp on. Make sure to check out our review of Vivint before making any hasty decisions either way!
Vivint and ADT are very much alike. They require a contract, professional installation, and professional monitoring. They are not like the DIY security systems like SimpliSafe and Frontpoint at all.
We’re not impartial on either traditional or DIY security systems. There are good options from both sides. But admittedly, traditional systems like Vivint and ADT charge steeper prices than their DIY counterparts. That’s one thing you have to keep in mind. For example, a basic Vivint system can cost at least $800, whereas a basic SimpliSafe system costs $250. That’s a huge price difference.
Of course, by paying more, you also get more from Vivint. Vivint offers a wider range of equipment. Vivint offers smart home products like smart thermostats and smart locks and smart bulbs, neither of which are available from SimpliSafe. You also get white-glove professional installation from Vivint, whereas SimpliSafe is DIY.
>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. Vivint
What about compared to ADT? Well, ADT is currently our highest-rated security system. It’s a little bit cheaper – a basic system costs around $500. But we do get Vivint’s higher pricing. Many of its products trump their counterparts from ADT in terms of features. To name one example, the Vivint control panel can control smart home devices; ADT’s control panel offers limited control.
FYI: If a simple and affordable security system is what you’re after, then Vivint might not be the best choice. Consider one of the best DIY security systems instead, particularly, Cove’s affordable packages.
Vivint’s status as a premium security system becomes more pronounced if you look at its security cameras. The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, for instance, costs $399. That’s double the industry average cost of outdoor cameras, but it’s backed by AI and can actively deter burglars. Similarly, the Vivint Video Doorbell Pro costs $299.99, which is nearly double the $180 industry average for video doorbell cameras, but it offers the same A.I. and crime deterrent features as the outdoor camera.
On the brighter side, Vivint’s monitoring pricing is somewhat more reasonable. It ranges between $30 to $50, but you might have to pay more as you add more security cameras to your system. It’s on par with ADT in that area.
>> Learn More: Vivint vs. ADT
Aside from working with Philips Hue smart lighting and Nest thermostats, Vivint primarily works with Alexa and Google Assistant, the two most popular voice assistants. Let’s talk about the commands you can use with each.
Vivint, one of the best security systems for Alexa, has more than one Alexa skill. We recommend the Vivint.SmartHome – Complete Alexa skill, as it lets us control most of our connected Vivint devices using our voices alone, making for a much more convenient home. Here are some sample commands:
This is a super-comprehensive list of capabilities, so if you’re in the Amazon ecosystem, you’ll surely enjoy integrating Vivint into the mix.
Vivint’s integration with the Google Assistant is also super comprehensive, allowing control for cameras, garage doors, lights, locks, thermostats, and of course, security systems. In fact, Vivint is also one of the best Google Assistant-compatible security systems. Here are a few commands:
The integration between Google Assistant and Vivint security cameras particularly impressed us. It let us watch live footage coming from our cameras on our Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max easily. You can read our Nest Hub review and Nest Hub Max review for more details on how camera integrations work.
Vivint also offers a number of add-on equipment pieces that integrate into its smart home security system so you can control them with the Vivint app, control panel, or your voice. Examples are:
>> Also check out: Best Security Systems for Garages
Although many of Vivint’s smart home products come from third-party brands, the beautiful thing is that you’ll be able to control everything in the Vivint Smart Home app and touchscreen panel, as well as through voice assistants. Vivint is more than just a security company; it’s a smart home brand that’s passionate about making your life easier. With all the equipment and smart home integrations it offers, it has the potential to make your life more convenient.
Find out how Vivint compares to other home security systems
We tested Vivint and compared it side-by-side with other brands to give you the full picture.
Having tested and used Vivint for over a year now, we like how it helps keep our home secure. With 24/7 professional monitoring, we know that someone is always there for us in case of an emergency – that is why Vivint continues to be one of our top smart home systems each year. While Vivint may not make much sense as a local alarm system only, for those who want 24/7 professional monitoring, remote control, notifications, and other features of a smart home security system, Vivint is a viable option.
Having tested Vivint ourselves, we answered some of the questions our readers often ask us about Vivint's pricing.
Vivint starts at $39.99, under regular pricing. Here’s a breakdown of Vivint’s monitoring plans
Vivint is worth the money, based on our tests. It is one of the more expensive security systems we’ve tested, but it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants a system with 24/7 monitoring and an intuitive smartphone app for remote control. Vivint also does well when it comes to home automation, and Vivint’s cameras are better than most other security cameras we’ve tested in terms of features. Vivint’s video doorbell and outdoor camera, in particular, use artificial intelligence to better protect homes.
A Vivint security system costs anywhere between $40-$70 monthly. Vivint systems are generally more pricey than other security systems, but Vivint customers are getting top-of-the-line home security products. Of course, the disadvantage is that you will have to sign a long-term contract; but if you plan to stay in your home for a few years, we think Vivint is worth the money.
You can negotiate with Vivint before signing a contract with the company. For instance, you might be able to negotiate a month-to-month contract rather than a 60-month contract if you pay for the equipment up front instead of having it financed.
Nest Labs. (2015). Energy Savings from the Nest Learning Thermostat: Energy Bill Analysis Results. storage.googleapis.com/nest-public-downloads/press/documents/energy-savings-white-paper.pdf
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