Vivint Smart Home Security Review

Vivint has more than 20 years of experience in the home security industry. In 2011, it rebranded and shifted its focus to wireless home security as part of an entire suite of smart-home gadgets. Today, the company’s home technology is fully integrated and can be controlled from the Vivint smart-home app.

In this Vivint review, we’ll look at the pros and cons of the company and compare it to other top-rated home security providers in the industry to help you determine if Vivint is the best home security system for you.

Pros

• In-house professional monitoring includes live video monitoring, medical alert monitoring, and carbon monoxide (CO) detection
• Customizable package model with affordable, high-end equipment
• System is controllable by mobile app, key fob, or voice
• Integrates with third-party smart-home devices like Nest thermostat, Philips Hue smart lights, etc.

Cons

• Expensive up-front equipment costs and lengthy financing plan
• There’s no DIY installation option
• Has an extremely short cancellation policy of three days for a full refund

Please note: In April 2021, Vivint agreed to pay $20 million as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission after allegedly improperly obtaining credit reports to qualify potential customers for financing for its smart-home monitoring and security products.

The FTC complaint alleged that Vivint sales representatives used a tactic known as “white paging” to find a consumer with the same or similar name as prospective customers whose credit did not qualify for financing and used that consumer’s credit history to apply for loans, often jeopardizing the credit of the unsuspecting third party.

Vivint Equipment

With the wide array of technology it offers, Vivint allows customers to bundle its hardware into convenient customized packages for homeowners. With these custom packages, you can purchase as many sensors, detectors, and cameras as needed to cover your home.

Learn about some of Vivint’s most popular equipment options below:

• Vivint Smart Hub: This base station allows you to arm and disarm your system, answer your door, view video footage, and speak to customer service. This touchscreen tablet can be mounted on your wall or placed on a table. It also pairs with Vivint’s smartphone app to allow you to manage lighting and temperature, monitor security camera video, access your Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro, lock your doors, and arm your security system from anywhere.
• Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro: Vivint’s video doorbell features 1080p HDR resolution with a 180°x 180° field of view. The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro works to deter potential intruders. Its motion detection software activates recording, an LED light, and a 65 dB siren-speaker. (For reference, this is approximately the volume of a loud conversation.) The camera also allows you to set customizable surveillance zones, so you avoid false alarms from cars passing your home.
• Vivint Indoor Camera: Vivint’s indoor cameras send text notifications when movement is detected, so you can quickly monitor dangerous situations. These motion-activated security cameras automatically record a clip when your alarm goes off, and they are equipped with two-way audio.
• Vivint Door and Window Sensor: These sensors are placed near your doors and windows to detect any breaches. They are able to sound an alarm, as well as notify one of Vivint’s 24/7 monitoring stations of the breach. These sensors are also capable of communicating with the Vivint Smart Thermostat to adjust the temperature in your home.
• Smart Lock: Vivint’s smart lock easily installs into any of your entry doors, and it features integration with the Vivint app to allow you to lock and unlock your doors from your phone. The lock holds up to 30 different codes, and it tracks codes to keep you informed about who locks or unlocks doors at certain times.

Other Vivint equipment includes: Outdoor Camera Pro, Smart Drive, Smart Thermostat, Smart Plug, Car Guard, Motion Sensor, Glass-Break Detector, Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Detector, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Monitor, Water Sensor, Key Fob, Emergency Pendant, Garage-Door Control

Vivint’s equipment integrates with the following third-party platforms: Nest, Philips Hue, Kwikset, Chamberlain, Amazon, Google, Z-Wave

Vivint Monitoring Plans

Vivint Pricing

Vivint offers two payment options: you can pay for all your equipment up front and then choose whether to pay month-to-month for monitoring, or you may finance your equipment with monthly payments on a 0% interest loan and bundle it with monitoring services. This financing option requires a five-year contract.

The company does offer the Vivint Starter Kit for $599, which includes a touchscreen Vivint Smart Hub, two Vivint Door and Window sensors, one Vivint Motion Sensor, one Vivint Water Sensor, and $100 toward additional sensors. You can add products a la carte, including smart door locks, lighting, Vivint Smart thermostat, Vivint Indoor Camera, Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro, Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, garage door control, car protection and a variety of security and safety sensors.

Monitoring Pricing

Here are the costs for Vivint’s professional monitoring services:

• Smart Security Monitoring Plan: $29.99 per month
• Smart Home Monitoring Plan: $39.99 per month
• Smart Home Video Monitoring Plan: $44.99 per month

Equipment Pricing

You can also purchase individual pieces of equipment to add to your system:

• Door/window sensors: $50
• Glass-break window sensors: $100
• Motion sensors: $100
• Smart smoke detector: $100
• Flood/temperature sensor: $50
• Carbon monoxide detector: $100
• Key fob remote: $50
• Panic button: $50
• Vivint Indoor Camera: $199.99
• Outdoor Camera Pro: $399.99
• Doorbell Camera Pro: $249.99
• Kwikset smart lock: $179.99

Vivint Installation

Professional installation is required by Vivint. The cost of professional installation is as much as $99, though the fee is sometimes waived depending on current promotions. The time it takes to install your security system will largely depend upon the number of items in your package.

Vivint’s installation process includes:

1. Vivint’s Smart Home Pro technicians will arrive at your home.
2. The technician will teach you how to use the security system on the day of installation, so you will need to be present.
3. Your Vivint security system is ready to be used immediately.

Vivint Smart Home

Vivint offers smart-home functionality with its home security systems. The specific types of smart-home equipment that Vivint offers include smart locks, lights, thermostats, cameras, garage door control, smart sensors, and car protection.

Vivint Warranties

All Vivint equipment is under warranty for the first 120 days after installation. During that time, all repairs are free. After that, repair service calls are $49 each. Vivint monitoring plans may be cancelled free of charge within the first three days, and all equipment must be returned within 30 days.

Vivint Reviews

Vivint isn’t accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and it currently has an F rating based on customer complaints and government actions against the business. Many of the complaints deal with contract issues, so read the fine print before signing.

As with any company, there are both positive and negative reviews online. Here are a few Vivint reviews:

“I have had this service for 4 months. In that time I have been on the telephone with this company more than I have with most of my family. It has been one problem after another.” —Tawona H. on 4/17/20

“I have got to say the best customer service experience I have ever had. Fixed the issue without a problem and was very concerned with the safety of my home and offered a lot of help voluntarily.” —Robert E. on 10/6/19

We also received this feedback from one of our readers:

“I was told I could cancel my service if I paid for the equipment. Paid for the equipment and now they want me to pay over $1500 for the service remaining.” —Marc F. on 3/2/23

Our Conclusion

Vivint home security offers customers the latest smart-home systems and features like motion detection and night vision. This is not home security on a shoestring. You’ll have access to a wide range of useful features. However, the company’s past business practices and recent legal troubles may understandably give some consumers pause. To evaluate whether Vivint is right for you, we recommend getting a quote.

Given that the contract is five-years long and the issues with moving the system to a new home, Vivint’s monthly financing option is probably best for those who plan to stay in their current home for at least five years.

Vivint vs. Competitors

If you’re looking for an alternative option, we recommend getting quotes from ADT-Monitored Home Security from Protect Your Home and Alder. For a free quote from ADT, complete this form or call 855-388-0208. To get a free quote from Alder, fill out this quick form or call 844-431-0264.

Here’s how Vivint compares to other top-rated companies:

Compare Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Vivint work?

If you’d like to set up a Vivint home security system, you’ll need to call Vivint and speak to a sales representative. If you decide Vivint is right for you, you’ll need to choose between the up-front and contract-based pricing, and then the company will dispatch a professional to install the system. The fee for professional installation ranges from $0 to $99, and there’s no option for self-installation.

Once your system is set up, you can arm and disarm it from the Vivint Smart Hub panel, through the free mobile app, through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa devices with your voice, or with a key fob. If you’ve chosen one of Vivint’s home monitoring plans, you’ll also have access to live service and tech support.

How much are Vivint Smart Home’s security systems?

The cost of your Vivint system will depend on how much equipment you need, but the starter system costs $599 up front or $9.98 per month on a five-year contract.

How do I connect my Nest thermostat to Vivint’s security system?

Nest smart thermostats connect easily to Vivint systems via the control panel. You will enter your Nest credentials on the Vivint website, then receive a PIN that will allow you to add the device to the Vivint Smart Hub.

Is there a Vivint equipment warranty?

Yes, all of Vivint’s equipment is covered by a 120-day warranty, and all repairs during that time are free of charge.

Can you use Vivint cameras without professional monitoring?

You can use any of Vivint’s equipment without professional monitoring if you purchase it up front.

How do I cancel Vivint Home Security?

You can cancel within the first three days after installation and receive a full refund. After that, if you purchased your equipment up-front, you can cancel at any time. If you chose to finance your equipment, you can cancel at any time by paying off your Vivint equipment loan.

What are my home security options with Vivint if I’m a renter?

If you’re renting your current residence, Vivint’s smart-home systems and professionally-installed security equipment are probably not right for you. Consider one of the best home security systems for renters, such as a more portable, DIY-installation system from SimpliSafe or Frontpoint instead.

Do pets set off Vivint’s sensors?

Vivint’s motion sensors can be programmed to ignore pets up to 80 pounds. The company’s glass-break sensors can be used to avoid false alarms from pets larger than 80 pounds.

Our Rating Methodology

We back 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.