When choosing a home security system, cost is often a primary concern. Vivint, a leader in smart home security, offers premium features and professional services, but how does its pricing stack up against competitors like ADT, SimpliSafe, Ring, and others? This blog dives into a detailed comparison of Vivint’s costs, covering equipment, installation, and monitoring fees, and benchmarks them against other top home security providers to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Home Security System Costs
Home security system costs typically break down into three categories:
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Equipment Costs: The upfront price for devices like control panels, sensors, cameras, and smart home integrations.
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Installation Fees: Charges for professional setup or, in some cases, no cost for DIY installation.
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Monitoring Fees: Monthly fees for 24/7 professional monitoring or cloud storage services.
Vivint is known for its high-end equipment and professional installation, which can make it pricier than some competitors. However, its advanced features, such as Smart Deter technology and seamless smart home integration, may justify the cost for some homeowners. Let’s explore how Vivint compares to other major players in the market.
Vivint’s Pricing Breakdown
Vivint’s pricing is highly customizable, with costs depending on the equipment package and monitoring plan you choose. Here’s a general overview based on recent data:
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Equipment Costs: Vivint’s starter package, which includes a Smart Hub, two door/window sensors, and a motion sensor, starts at around $599.99. Adding advanced devices like the Outdoor Camera Pro ($399) or Doorbell Camera Pro ($249) can push total equipment costs to $1,000–$2,000 or more for comprehensive setups. Vivint offers financing through its Flex Pay plan, allowing you to spread equipment costs over 60 months, often resulting in monthly payments of $10–$30.
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Installation Fees: Professional installation is mandatory with Vivint and typically ranges from $49 to $199, though promotions may waive this fee. If you move, reinstallation at a new home costs $129–$149.
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Monitoring Fees: Vivint’s 24/7 professional monitoring starts at $29.99 per month for basic plans, with premium plans (including video surveillance and smart home integration) ranging from $39.99 to $49.99 per month. Additional cameras may incur an extra $5 per camera per month.
Vivint’s total monthly cost, including financed equipment and monitoring, typically ranges from $40 to $75 over a 3.5- to 5-year contract. Paying for equipment upfront can lower monthly fees to as little as $29.99 for monitoring alone.
Comparing Vivint to Other Home Security Systems
To understand Vivint’s value, let’s compare it to four major competitors: ADT, SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, and Abode.
1. ADT
Overview: ADT is a well-established home security provider with over 150 years in business, offering professional installation and monitoring similar to Vivint.
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Equipment Costs: ADT’s equipment packages start at around $599, comparable to Vivint’s base package. However, ADT uses Google Nest cameras, which are less expensive than Vivint’s proprietary cameras (e.g., Nest Cam with Floodlight at $279 vs. Vivint’s Outdoor Camera Pro at $399).
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Installation Fees: ADT’s professional installation can cost up to $200, similar to Vivint’s range.
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Monitoring Fees: ADT’s monitoring plans range from $30 to $50 per month, aligning closely with Vivint’s pricing. Like Vivint, costs increase with additional cameras or features.
Comparison: ADT and Vivint have similar pricing structures, but Vivint’s proprietary equipment, like the Outdoor Camera Pro with Smart Deter technology, is pricier. ADT offers self-monitoring and DIY options in some packages, providing more flexibility than Vivint, which requires professional monitoring. Vivint’s mobile app and smart home integration (e.g., with Alexa and Google Home) are often rated higher for user experience.
2. SimpliSafe
Overview: SimpliSafe is a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers, offering DIY installation and flexible, contract-free monitoring.
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Equipment Costs: SimpliSafe’s starter package costs around $250, significantly less than Vivint’s $599.99. Its Outdoor Camera Pro Gen 2 is $199, half the price of Vivint’s $399 Outdoor Camera Pro. A comprehensive SimpliSafe system is often under $500.
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Installation Fees: SimpliSafe is primarily DIY, eliminating installation costs. Professional installation, if desired, is around $99.
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Monitoring Fees: SimpliSafe’s monitoring starts at $19.99 per month, cheaper than Vivint’s $29.99. Premium plans with video storage and smart home features cost $29.99–$39.99, still competitive with Vivint.
Comparison: SimpliSafe is far more affordable upfront, making it ideal for those who prefer DIY setups and lower costs. However, Vivint’s professional installation and advanced features, like theft-deterrent cameras and seamless smart home automation, offer a premium experience that SimpliSafe’s simpler system may not match.
3. Ring Alarm
Overview: Ring Alarm is known for affordability and integration with Amazon’s ecosystem, offering both DIY and professional installation options.
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Equipment Costs: Ring’s starter package begins at $199.99, much lower than Vivint’s $599.99. Ring’s outdoor cameras, like the Ring Stick Up Cam, cost around $100–$200, compared to Vivint’s $399 Outdoor Camera Pro.
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Installation Fees: Ring offers DIY installation at no cost, with professional installation up to $249.99, slightly higher than Vivint’s maximum of $199.
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Monitoring Fees: Ring’s professional monitoring starts at $20 per month, less than Vivint’s $29.99. Ring’s plans are simpler, with fewer tiers than Vivint’s.
Comparison: Ring is a budget-friendly option with flexible installation and monitoring. Vivint’s higher costs are driven by its premium equipment and professional services, but its cameras offer superior features like onboard AI and 30 days of video storage compared to Ring’s shorter storage options.
4. Abode
Overview: Abode is a lesser-known but cost-effective option, offering DIY installation and a free unmonitored plan.
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Equipment Costs: Abode’s starter package is $159.99, the cheapest among competitors. Cameras and sensors are also budget-friendly, with no single device as costly as Vivint’s $399 Outdoor Camera Pro.
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Installation Fees: Abode is DIY, so there are no installation fees.
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Monitoring Fees: Abode’s professional monitoring starts at $7.99 per month, significantly lower than Vivint’s $29.99. A free, unmonitored option is also available, unlike Vivint.
Comparison: Abode is the most affordable option, ideal for those who want minimal costs and no contracts. However, Vivint’s robust smart home integration, professional monitoring, and high-quality cameras provide a more comprehensive solution for those willing to invest.
Key Factors to Consider
When comparing Vivint’s costs to competitors, consider these factors:
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Upfront vs. Long-Term Costs: Vivint’s financing options make it accessible upfront, but long-term costs (with 3.5- to 5-year contracts) can add up. SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode offer lower upfront costs and more flexible plans.
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Professional vs. DIY: Vivint’s mandatory professional installation ensures optimal setup but increases costs. DIY options like SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode save money but require more effort.
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Features and Quality: Vivint’s premium features, like Smart Deter technology, 30-day video storage, and seamless smart home integration, justify its higher price for some. Budget options may lack these advanced capabilities.
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Contracts: Vivint’s long-term contracts (unless equipment is paid upfront) contrast with SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode’s contract-free options. ADT also requires contracts, but typically shorter ones (36 months).
Is Vivint Worth the Cost?
Vivint’s higher costs reflect its premium positioning in the home security market. Its systems are ideal for homeowners who value professional installation, advanced smart home integration, and top-tier features like AI-driven cameras. Compared to ADT, Vivint offers a more modern app experience and unique features, though at a similar price point. Against SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode, Vivint is significantly more expensive but provides a more comprehensive, professionally managed solution.
For budget-conscious consumers, SimpliSafe, Ring, or Abode may be better choices due to their lower upfront costs and DIY flexibility. However, if you’re seeking a high-end, fully integrated smart home security system and are willing to invest, Vivint’s quality and service make it a strong contender. Always request a custom quote from Vivint to understand your specific costs, and check for seasonal promotions that may reduce installation or equipment fees.
Conclusion
Choosing a home security system involves balancing cost with features and convenience. Vivint’s pricing, ranging from $600–$2,000 for equipment and $29.99–$49.99 monthly for monitoring, positions it as a premium option compared to ADT ($599+, $30–$50/month), SimpliSafe ($250+, $19.99–$39.99/month), Ring ($199.99+, $20/month), and Abode ($159.99+, $7.99/month). By understanding your budget and security needs, you can determine whether Vivint’s advanced technology and professional services are worth the investment or if a more affordable alternative better suits your home.
Feel safe with the Vivint Home Security that you will get from professional security companies are as follows: Contact us at (877) 833- 3122 to speak to a specialist and get a no-obligation quote.