SimpliSafe and Vivint are two home security systems that homeowners and renters often consider when deciding on a home protection device. Both companies offer 24/7 professional monitoring, smart home compatibility, and video surveillance.
In this SimpliSafe vs. Vivint breakdown, the This Old House Reviews Team examines the two security providers to help you find the best home security for your home.
Our Take
SimpliSafe is much cheaper than Vivint and offers a much longer trial period. However, Vivint provides more technologically advanced equipment and more opportunities for smart home integration than SimpliSafe.
Compare SimpliSafe vs. Vivint
| Provider | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Get Free Quote | Visit site | Visit site |
| This Old House Rating | 9.9 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Trial Period | 60 days | 3 days |
| Contract Length | Month-to-month | None if equipment is purchased upfront |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $14.99–$24.99 | $29.99–$44.99 |
| Installation | DIY or professional | Professional only |
| 24/7 Monitoring | ✔ | ✔ |
| Motion Detection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart Home Compatibility | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mobile App Access | ✔ Available with interactive monitoring | ✔ |
| Video Surveillance | ✔ With SimpliCam purchase | ✔ |
| Video Streaming Capability | ✔ With SimpliCam purchase | ✔ |
SimpliSafe vs. Vivint Overview
SimpliSafe Overview
Best Features:
- Inexpensive monitoring plans
- Easy installation
- Offers significant discounts on equipment
SimpliSafe was founded in 2006 to provide renters with a way to secure their apartments. The company now protects over three million homeowners and renters across the U.S. and U.K. SimpliSafe is known for its easy installation, and we consider it to be one of the top home security companies in the industry.
Vivint Overview
Best Features:
- Integrates with a wide variety of smart home devices
- Advanced security equipment
- Free professional installation
Vivint is a home security company with over 20 years of experience and excellence in the area of smart home integration. It was named among Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in 2017 and offers in-house professional monitoring services.
What Do SimpliSafe and Vivint Have in Common?
SimpliSafe and Vivint are very different home security systems, however they share a few commonalities including the following:
- Types of security equipment: Both companies sell common security equipment such as security cameras, motion sensors, and entry sensors.
- Self-monitoring option: Homeowners can use some features of Vivint and SimpliSafe without purchasing a professional monitoring plan, and can instead opt for a self-monitoring system.
- Smart home integration capabilities: Both Vivint and SimpliSafe are capable of integrating with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
How Are SimpliSafe and Vivint Different?
There are many differences between these two home security companies. Here are some of the most significant differences:
- Professional monitoring cost—Vivint charges considerably more money to professionally monitor a home than SimpliSafe charges.
- Trial period—SimpliSafe’s trial period is much longer than Vivint’s trial period.
- Smart home integrations–Vivint is capable of integrating with many more smart home devices than SimpliSafe.
- Method of installation—Vivint offers free professional installation, while SimpliSafe is primarily designed for DIY installation.
- Equipment complexity and cost—Vivint’s equipment is considerably more advanced and expensive than SimpliSafe’s equipment.
SimpliSafe vs. Vivint Packages
SimpliSafe Packages
| Packages | The Foundation Package | The Essentials Package | The Hearth Package | The Knox Package | The Haven Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Station | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Keypad | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Entry Sensor | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 3 included | ✔ 3 included | ✔ 6 included | ✔ 4 included |
| Motion Sensor | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 2 included | ✔ 2 included |
| Siren | - | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Key Fob | - | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smoke Detector | - | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Panic Button | - | - | - | - | ✔ |
| Temperature Sensor | - | - | - | - | ✔ |
| Water Sensor | - | - | - | - | ✔ |
SimpliSafe offers five different security packages: The Foundation, The Essentials, The Hearth, The Knox, and The Haven. Most of the company’s security products can also be purchased on an a la carte basis.
SimpliSafe also offers additional equipment such as extra motion sensors and entry sensors, glass break sensors, smart locks, and a SimpliCam indoor security camera.
Vivint Packages
| Feature | "Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit" Package | "Home Security System" Package | "Smart Home Control" Package | "Video Security" Package | "Smart Complete" Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyControl Panel | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart Entry Sensors (2) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Voice Control | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Motion Sensor | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart Smoke Detector | - | ✔ | ✔ | - | ✔ |
| Element Thermostat | - | - | ✔ | - | ✔ |
| Smart Lock | - | - | ✔ | - | ✔ |
| Smart Garage Door Opener | - | - | ✔ | - | ✔ |
| Doorbell Camera | - | - | - | ✔ | ✔ |
| Outdoor Camera | - | - | - | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ping Indoor Camera | - | - | - | ✔ | ✔ |
Vivint offers five different equipment bundles. Below, we discuss each of the company’s equipment bundles.
- “Smart Hub Starter Kit” Package: Vivint’s most basic equipment package, the Smart Hub Starter Kit, includes the Smart Hub—the touch-screen command center of the security system. It also includes one water sensor, one motion sensor, two smart entry sensors, and $100 toward additional sensors.
- “Home Security System Bundle” Package: Designed for homeowners who subscribe to the company’s Smart Security plan, the home security system bundle includes all of the items contained in the Smart Hub Starter Kit plus a smart smoke detector.
- “Smart Home Control Bundle” Package: The Smart Home Control bundle is designed for homeowners who subscribe to the company’s Smart Home Control plan and contains everything in the home security system bundle plus a smart thermostat, a smart door lock, and a smart garage door opener.
- “Video Security Bundle” Package: Vivint created the Video Security bundle for homeowners who subscribe to the company’s Smart Home Video plan. It includes everything in the Smart Hub Starter Kit, plus a video doorbell, outdoor security camera, and an indoor camera.
- “Smart Complete Bundle” Package: Vivint’s premium bundle, the Smart Complete Bundle, includes the security devices in the Video Security bundle plus everything in the Smart Home Control bundle.
SimpliSafe vs. Vivint: Doorbell Comparison
| Provider | SimpliSafe Doorbell Pro | Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $169 | $249 |
| Subscription fees | Included with the Interactive monitoring plan | $39 per month |
| Installation | DIY or professional | Professional |
| Video quality | 1080p | 1080p |
| Night vision | Yes | Yes |
| Range of motion | 162 degrees | 180 degrees |
| Connectivity options | Wi-Fi connection | Wi-Fi connection |
| Additional features | Two-way audio, motion alerts, pan and zoom | Motion alerts, package and person detection, two-way audio |
SimpliSafe vs. Vivint Pricing
SimpliSafe Pricing
| Pricing | "The Foundation" Package | "The Essentials" Package | "The Hearth" Package | "The Knox" Package | "The Haven" Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $229.00 | $259.00 | $374.00 | $449.00 | $489.00 |
The cost of SimpliSafe’s services consists of the cost of its security equipment and the cost of its optional professional monitoring services. SimpliSafe sells a Standard Plan and an Interactive Plan.
Here’s a breakdown of SimpliSafe’s monitoring plans and their cost:
- The Standard Plan ($14.99/month): This plan only connects the base station to the company’s monitoring center, without access to alert notifications and the company’s mobile application.
- The Interactive Plan ($24.99/month): This plan does provide access to alerts through SimpliSafe’s mobile app in addition to connecting the base station to the company’s monitoring center.
The cost of SimpliSafe’s equipment is dependent on whether a homeowner signs up for professional monitoring—SimpliSafe provides a 20% discount on equipment for homeowners who purchase a professional monitoring plan. The table below breaks down these costs.
Vivint Pricing
| Pricing | "SkyControl Starter Kit" Package | "Home Security System" Package | "Smart Home Control" Package | "Video Security" Package | "Smart Complete" Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $599 | $709.98 | $1,049.95 | $1,379.95 | $1,789.92 |
| Optional Monthly Financing Cost | $9.98 | $11.83 | $17.50 | $23.00 | $29.83 |
The cost of Vivint’s services depends on whether a homeowner purchases their security equipment upfront or not. If they do, Vivint allows them to pay month-to-month for monitoring services. Homeowners who want to finance their equipment will need to bundle it with monitoring services and sign a five-year contract with a monthly payment.
Vivint’s professional monitoring plans and prices include the following:
- Smart Security Plan: $29.99/month
- Smart Home Plan: $39.99/month
- Smart Home Video Plan: $44.99/month
SimpliSafe vs. Vivint: How It Works
How Does SimpliSafe Work?
SimpliSafe’s wireless sensors are designed to detect events such as motion in the home, a door being opened, or glass being shattered. When one of the sensors is triggered, a representative from SimpliSafe’s monitoring center will receive an alert and promptly call the homeowner. If the homeowner does not respond to the phone call or confirms that the sensor being triggered was not an accident, SimpliSafe will contact an emergency response team.
Homeowners who choose to self-monitor will not receive alert notifications when a sensor has been triggered, and they are responsible for calling an emergency response team themselves. If the homeowner purchased a siren with their equipment package, it will sound off to alert anyone in the home when one of their wireless sensors has been triggered.
How Does Vivint Work?
Vivint offers free professional installation for your security equipment. When an event triggers one of your sensors, the system will contact the Vivint monitoring station. A representative from the Vivint monitoring station will then call you to confirm whether it’s an emergency. If you confirm with the monitoring center that you are in trouble or the company’s representatives cannot reach you, the police will be dispatched to your home.
Our Conclusion
SimpliSafe and Vivint are two of the most popular security systems in the U.S. Our Reviews Team named both companies among the best home security companies. If you’re looking for a provider with low prices and a simple but effective security system, consider SimpliSafe. If you’re seeking a provider with many smart home integrations and technologically advanced security equipment, consider Vivint.
To get a free quote or obtain more information about SimpliSafe or Vivint, use the tool below.
If you’re not sure whether SimpliSafe or Vivint is right for you, compare them to other top-rated security providers in the industry like Abode, ADT, and Frontpoint.
Compare Top-Rated Home Security Providers
| Provider | Abode | ADT | Frontpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Get a free quote | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site |
| Monitoring prices (per month) | $6.00-$20.00 | $29.00 and up | $44.99 to $49.99 per month |
| Contract required | No | 36 months | Month-to-month |
| 24/7 monitoring | Available | Included | Available |
| Professional installation | $99.00 and up | $99.00 and up | Not available |
| DIY installation | Available | Not available | Available |
| Mobile app access | Yes | Yes | Available |
| Motion detection | Yes | Yes | Available |
| Smart home compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video surveillance | Yes | Available | Available |
| Video streaming capability | Yes | Available | Available |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home security recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Our research includes analyzing product specifications, reviewing service and plan information, speaking with customer service representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score the provider against our review standards for system options, special features, installation options, connectivity and smart-home automation features, pricing, contract terms, warranty, usability, availability of a trial period, and trustworthiness to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.