Vivint
Vivint Smart Home is a premium professionally installed security and smart home automation system — with 24/7 monitoring from $29.99/month, proprietary hardware, and the most comprehensive smart home integration of any major security provider.
Available Plans
Vivint monitoring plans (professional installation included; 36-month monitoring contract standard): Smart Security Monitoring ($29.99/month) — 24/7 professional monitoring, Vivint app notifications, entry/motion/smoke sensors. Smart Home Monitoring ($39.99/month, most popular) — adds full smart home automation: remote app control of locks, lights, thermostat, and garage door with deep Alexa/Google Assistant voice control. Smart Home Video Monitoring ($44.99/month) — adds camera integration with professional video monitoring during alarms (1 camera base; additional cameras +$5/month up to 6). Equipment is financed separately via the Vivint Equipment Purchase Agreement over 36–60 months ($599–$2,000+ depending on system scope), or purchased upfront. Professional installation is included in the initial setup at no separate charge.
Vivint Smart Security Monitoring
$29.99/mo
Vivint Smart Home Monitoring
$39.99/mo
Vivint Smart Home Video Monitoring
$44.99/mo
About Vivint
Vivint Smart Home is the #1 smart home security company in North America by number of connected devices installed, serving over 2 million customers with a combination of professional security monitoring and comprehensive smart home automation. Founded in 1999 and rebranded from APX Alarm in 2011, Vivint has spent 25 years refining its model: professional installation by a certified Vivint Smart Home Pro, proprietary hardware designed in-house for seamless integration, and a single app that controls security, cameras, locks, thermostat, garage door, and lights simultaneously.
Vivint's core offering is the depth of its smart home integration — a category where it outperforms every other major security provider. While ADT integrates with Google Nest devices as an add-on, Vivint designs and manufactures most of its own hardware (Smart Hub control panel, Doorbell Camera Pro, Outdoor Camera Pro, smart door locks, garage door controller, and Smart Thermostat) to work as a unified ecosystem. Everything is controlled through the Vivint app and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. Backup cellular and battery systems maintain protection even during power outages and internet disruptions.
Professional installation is mandatory — not optional — at Vivint. A Vivint Smart Home Pro visits your home, designs the system specifically for your property's layout and security needs, and completes the full installation in a single visit (typically 3–5 hours). This is fundamentally different from ADT's optional professional install or SimpliSafe's DIY approach. Equipment is typically financed over 36–60 months separately from the monitoring contract, making Vivint accessible without a large upfront payment.
Best For
- ★Homeowners who want the most seamless smart home + security integration designed and installed by professionals
- ★Tech enthusiasts who want cameras, locks, thermostat, lights, and garage managed from a single premium app
- ★Households that want a system designed specifically for their home's layout by a certified security professional
- ★Long-term homeowners comfortable with a 3–5 year commitment for premium, professionally maintained service
- ★Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant power users who want deep voice control over their entire home security ecosystem
- ★Households upgrading from a basic alarm to a full smart home security system without DIY complexity
Pros
- ✓Most comprehensive smart home + security integration available — cameras, locks, thermostat, garage, lights in one app
- ✓Vivint designs and manufactures most hardware in-house — seamless device compatibility and reliability
- ✓Professional installation by a certified Vivint Smart Home Pro with system design specific to your home
- ✓Backup cellular and battery systems maintain protection during power and internet outages
- ✓Deep Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration for voice-controlled smart home management
- ✓Monitoring starts at $29.99/month — lower entry price than ADT's professional monitoring tier
- ✓Equipment financing available over 36–60 months — no large upfront payment required
Cons
- ✕Professional installation is mandatory — no DIY option, requires scheduling and a technician visit
- ✕Equipment financing creates a long-term monitoring commitment tied to the financing term (up to 60 months)
- ✕Equipment pricing is customized per home — requires a consultation before knowing exact equipment costs
- ✕Monthly costs are higher than DIY alternatives like SimpliSafe or Ring when financing is included
- ✕Early termination fees can be significant if you cancel before the monitoring contract ends
- ✕Moving requires negotiating through the Vivint Moving Program — not as simple as SimpliSafe's portable sensors
Availability
Vivint serves all 50 US states and Canada with professional installation available in most metropolitan and suburban markets. Installation appointments are typically scheduled within days of signing up. In very rural areas or sparsely populated regions, installer scheduling lead times may be longer. Vivint operates through company-employed installation technicians — not third-party dealer networks — ensuring consistent installation quality nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Vivint home security cost per month?
Vivint monitoring starts at $29.99/month for Smart Security Monitoring. Smart Home Monitoring is $39.99/month (adds full smart home automation — the most popular plan). Smart Home Video Monitoring is $44.99/month (adds camera integration). Equipment is financed separately — typical systems cost $599–$2,000+ financed over 36–60 months via the Equipment Purchase Agreement.
Does Vivint require a contract?
Yes — Vivint monitoring contracts are tied to your equipment financing term: a 36-month loan means a 36-month monitoring commitment; a 60-month loan means a 60-month commitment. Customers who purchase equipment outright can transition to more flexible month-to-month monitoring after fulfilling the initial commitment period. Early termination fees apply for canceling before the contract ends.
How is Vivint installed?
Vivint requires professional installation — no DIY option exists. A certified Vivint Smart Home Pro visits your home, designs a security system layout for your specific property, and installs all hardware in a single visit (typically 3–5 hours). Professional installation is included in the initial setup at no separate charge.
What smart home devices does Vivint integrate with?
Vivint's proprietary ecosystem includes the Smart Hub control panel, Doorbell Camera Pro, Outdoor Camera Pro, indoor cameras, smart door locks, garage door controller, and Smart Thermostat — all designed to work together. The system integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, and the Smart Hub supports Z-Wave compatible third-party devices for expanded automation.
How does Vivint compare to ADT?
Both require professional installation and multi-year contracts. Vivint's advantages: lower starting price ($29.99 vs. $34.99/month for professional ADT), superior smart home automation depth, proprietary hardware ecosystem, and equipment financing. ADT's advantages: 150-year brand history, Google Nest integration, the ADT Guarantee ($500 insurance deductible credit), and a more established national service network. Vivint is better for smart home depth; ADT is better for brand trust and Google Nest integration.
Can I take Vivint with me if I move?
Vivint has a Moving Program that allows existing customers to upgrade equipment and transfer service to a new home. However, Vivint hardware is professionally installed and not portable like SimpliSafe's adhesive-mounted sensors. If you move before your contract ends, contact Vivint to discuss your options — early termination fees may apply depending on your remaining agreement balance.
How much does Vivint equipment cost?
Vivint equipment costs are customized per home and require a free in-home consultation to quote accurately. Typical complete systems range from $599 to $2,000+ depending on the number of cameras, sensors, smart devices, and home size. Equipment is financed interest-free over 36–60 months via the Equipment Purchase Agreement, or can be purchased upfront.