When considering a home security system, one of the top questions homeowners ask is, "How much will it cost?" Vivint, a leading provider of smart home security systems, offers a range of packages and customizable options, but its pricing structure can seem complex at first glance. In this blog, we’ll break down the monthly costs of Vivint’s home security systems, including equipment, monitoring fees, and additional charges, to help you understand what to expect. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of Vivint’s pricing and whether it fits your budget.
Understanding Vivint’s Pricing Structure
Vivint’s costs can be divided into two main categories: equipment costs and monthly monitoring fees. Unlike some DIY security systems, Vivint requires professional installation and monitoring, which adds to the overall expense but ensures a seamless, high-quality setup. The total monthly cost depends on whether you pay for equipment upfront or finance it over time, as well as the monitoring plan you choose.
Equipment Costs
Vivint’s equipment is proprietary, meaning it’s designed specifically for their systems and cannot be monitored by other companies. The cost of equipment varies depending on the package and devices you select. A basic starter kit, which typically includes a Vivint Smart Hub, door/window sensors, and a motion sensor, starts at around $599.99. More comprehensive packages, like the Premium Plus Package, can cost upwards of $2,229.92, including advanced devices like outdoor cameras, smart locks, and thermostats.
You have two options for paying for equipment:
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Upfront Payment: Paying the full equipment cost upfront eliminates the need for a long-term contract, and your monthly bill will only include the monitoring fee. This option is ideal if you have the budget to cover the initial cost, which can range from $599 to over $2,600, depending on your setup.
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Financing: Vivint offers 0% APR financing for up to 60 months through third-party partners, subject to credit approval. Financing spreads the equipment cost into manageable monthly payments, typically ranging from $10 to $38 per month, depending on the package. For example, the Premium Package ($1,279.96) financed over 60 months costs about $22 per month, while a $599 starter kit breaks down to roughly $10 per month.
Monthly Monitoring Fees
Vivint’s professional monitoring is mandatory, as they do not offer a self-monitoring option. Monitoring fees cover 24/7 surveillance, emergency response, and access to the Vivint Smart Home app, which allows you to control your system remotely. The cost of monitoring depends on the plan and features you choose:
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Basic Monitoring (Smart Security Service): Starts at $29.99 per month. This plan includes 24/7 monitoring, mobile app access, and customer support. It’s suitable for basic security needs without cameras or advanced automation.
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Smart Home Service: Starts at $39.99 per month. This plan adds smart home integration, allowing you to control devices like smart locks, thermostats, and lighting through the Vivint app.
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Smart Home Video Service: Starts at $44.95 per month. This plan includes video surveillance support for up to six cameras, with cloud storage for 30-second clips. Additional cameras cost $5 per month each, so a system with six cameras could cost $69.94 per month for monitoring alone.
Some sources report monitoring fees as low as $19.99 per month for basic plans, but these are less common and may apply to specific promotions or minimal setups. On average, expect to pay between $30 and $50 per month for monitoring, with premium plans reaching up to $69.99 for extensive camera systems.
Additional Fees
Vivint’s pricing includes a few additional charges that can impact your monthly cost:
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Cellular Network Maintenance Fee: A small fee of $1.48 per month is added to all plans to maintain the system’s cellular connection, ensuring reliability even during Wi-Fi outages.
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Cloud Storage for Cameras: Vivint cameras do not include local storage. Cloud storage for 30-second clips costs $5 per month per camera. Alternatively, you can purchase a Vivint Smart Drive ($249.99 upfront or $4.17 per month) for continuous recording, though footage is erased every 30 days.
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Large System Fee: If your equipment costs exceed $4,000, an additional $30 per month fee may apply. This is rare but can affect homes with extensive setups.
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Extended Warranty (Vivint Protection Plan): The standard equipment warranty lasts 120 days, but you can opt for an extended warranty for an additional monthly fee (not publicly disclosed). This covers repairs, replacements, and service calls after the initial warranty period.
Total Monthly Cost Breakdown
The total monthly cost for a Vivint system typically ranges from $40 to $100, depending on your equipment financing and monitoring plan. Here’s a breakdown based on common scenarios:
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Upfront Equipment Purchase:
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Monitoring: $29.99–$50 per month
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Cellular Fee: $1.48 per month
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Optional Cloud Storage: $5 per camera per month
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Total: $31.47–$69.94 per month (assuming 0–6 cameras)
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Financed Equipment:
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Monitoring: $29.99–$50 per month
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Equipment Financing: $10–$38 per month
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Cellular Fee: $1.48 per month
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Optional Cloud Storage: $5 per camera per month
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Total: $41.47–$99.94 per month (assuming 0–6 cameras)
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For example, a customer with a financed Core Home Security package ($599 equipment, $10/month financing), basic monitoring ($29.99), and one camera ($5 cloud storage) would pay approximately $46.47 per month ($29.99 + $10 + $1.48 + $5). A premium setup with the Smart Home Video plan ($44.95), six cameras ($30), and financed Premium Plus equipment ($38/month) could cost around $114.43 per month ($44.95 + $38 + $1.48 + $30).
Factors That Affect Monthly Costs
Several factors influence your Vivint monthly bill:
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Package Selection: Basic packages like Core Home Security are cheaper, while Total Home Security with multiple cameras and smart devices increases costs.
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Number of Cameras: Each additional camera adds $5 per month for cloud storage and increases the monitoring fee if you’re on the Smart Home Video plan.
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Financing vs. Upfront Payment: Financing adds equipment payments to your monthly bill but reduces the upfront cost. Paying upfront lowers your monthly cost but requires a larger initial investment.
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Add-Ons: Features like the Vivint Smart Drive, smart locks, or extended warranties add to the monthly expense.
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Promotions and Negotiations: Some customers report success in negotiating discounts or waived fees, especially when bundling services or signing long-term contracts. Contacting Vivint directly at 1-855-645-0403 can yield promotional offers.
Is Vivint Worth the Cost?
Vivint’s pricing is higher than many competitors, with monthly costs often exceeding those of DIY systems like SimpliSafe ($17.99–$27.99/month) or Cove ($17.99/month). However, Vivint justifies its premium price with:
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High-Quality Equipment: Proprietary devices like the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro and Smart Hub offer advanced features, such as person detection and seamless smart home integration with Alexa, Google Home, and Nest.
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Professional Installation: Included in the price, professional installation ensures optimal setup and saves you time.
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24/7 Monitoring: Vivint’s award-winning monitoring team responds quickly to alarms, contacting emergency services if needed.
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Smart Home Integration: Vivint excels in combining security with automation, allowing you to control cameras, locks, thermostats, and lighting from one app.
However, there are drawbacks to consider:
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Long Contracts: Financing requires a 42–60-month contract, and early termination fees can be costly.
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Short Trial Period: Vivint offers a 3-day money-back guarantee, much shorter than ADT’s 6-month guarantee.
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No Self-Monitoring: If you prefer self-monitoring to save on monthly fees, Vivint isn’t an option.
Comparing Vivint to Competitors
To put Vivint’s costs in perspective, here’s how it stacks up against other providers:
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ADT: Similar equipment costs ($599–$1,000) and monitoring fees ($30–$60/month). ADT offers a 6-month money-back guarantee but lacks Vivint’s smart home integration depth.
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SimpliSafe: Lower equipment costs ($250–$500) and monitoring fees ($17.99–$27.99/month). SimpliSafe is DIY-friendly but doesn’t match Vivint’s automation capabilities.
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Ring: Affordable equipment ($200–$500) and monitoring ($10–$20/month). The ring is great for budget-conscious users but relies heavily on Wi-Fi and lacks Vivint’s professional installation.
Tips to Save on Vivint Costs
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Pay Upfront: If possible, buy equipment upfront to avoid financing and long-term contracts, reducing your monthly bill to just monitoring fees.
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Negotiate: Call Vivint at 1-(877) 833- 3122 to inquire about discounts, waived installation fees, or promotional offers.
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Start Small: Choose a basic package and add devices later to keep initial costs low.
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Check for Deals: Vivint often runs promotions, such as free doorbell cameras or discounted equipment, especially during Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Conclusion
Vivint’s monthly costs typically range from $40 to $100, depending on your equipment financing, monitoring plan, and add-ons like cameras or extended warranties. While Vivint is pricier than DIY competitors, its premium equipment, professional installation, and robust smart home integration make it a top choice for those seeking a comprehensive security solution. To get an exact quote tailored to your needs, contact Vivint at 1-855-645-0403 or visit their website. By understanding the breakdown of costs and exploring ways to save, you can decide if Vivint’s premium security is worth the investment for your home.