When considering a home security system, Vivint often stands out for its advanced technology, professional installation, and smart home integration. However, the premium features come with a price, and understanding the full cost of a Vivint system involves more than just looking at the advertised monthly monitoring fee. This blog dives deep into Vivint’s pricing structure, uncovering hidden costs and providing a clear picture of what you can expect to pay per month in 2025. From equipment financing to additional fees, we’ll break it all down so you can make an informed decision.
Overview of Vivint’s Pricing Model
Vivint is a premium home security provider that combines high-tech equipment with 24/7 professional monitoring. Unlike DIY systems like Ring or SimpliSafe, Vivint requires professional installation and mandatory monitoring, which impacts the overall cost. The total monthly expense typically includes:
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Monthly Monitoring Fees: Covers 24/7 professional monitoring and app access.
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Equipment Financing Payments: If you don’t pay for equipment upfront, you’ll finance it over a contract term.
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Additional Fees: Includes cellular maintenance, video storage, and potential service or moving costs.
The monthly cost can range from $40 to over $100, depending on your package, equipment, and financing choices. Let’s explore each component to reveal the true cost.
Monthly Monitoring Fees
Vivint’s monitoring plans are the backbone of its service, ensuring your home is protected around the clock. According to recent data, monitoring fees typically range from $29.99 to $44.99 per month, with higher tiers including smart home features and video surveillance. For example:
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Basic Monitoring ($29.99/month): Includes 24/7 monitoring, intrusion detection, and app access but excludes cameras and advanced smart home integrations.
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Smart Home Video Plan ($44.99/month): Adds video support for up to six cameras, though additional cameras cost $4.99 each per month.
A system with six cameras could push the monitoring fee to $69.94 per month, making it one of the priciest options on the market. Additionally, Vivint charges a $1.48 monthly cellular network maintenance fee, which is often overlooked but applies to all plans.
Hidden Cost Alert: The $1.48 cellular fee may seem minor, but it’s a recurring charge that adds $17.76 annually to your bill. Also, if you add cameras, the per-camera fee significantly increases the monitoring cost, especially for larger homes.
Equipment Costs and Financing
Vivint’s equipment is proprietary, high-quality, and expensive, with starter packages starting at $599.99 and premium bundles reaching up to $2,379.92. Common equipment includes:
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Smart Hub Control Panel: $100–$400
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Door/Window Sensors: $15–$50 each
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Motion Sensors: $50–$100
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Outdoor Camera Pro: $400
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Smart Lock: $200–$300
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Smart Thermostat: $250
You have two payment options: pay upfront or finance over 42–60 months. Paying upfront reduces your monthly bill to just the monitoring fee, potentially as low as $29.99 plus the cellular fee. However, most customers opt for financing to spread out the cost, which adds a monthly equipment payment. For example:
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A $599.99 starter package financed over 60 months at 0% APR adds about $10/month.
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A $2,379.92 Premium Plus package adds approximately $39.67/month.
Financing requires a contract, locking you in for 3.5–5 years, and you don’t own the equipment until it’s paid off. If you cancel early, you may owe the remaining equipment balance plus a portion of the monitoring fees, which could total thousands.
Hidden Cost Alert: Financing ties you to a long-term contract, and early termination fees can be substantial. Additionally, equipment costs are higher than those of competitors like SimpliSafe, where a starter kit costs around $250.
Installation and Moving Fees
Vivint requires professional installation, which costs $49–$199, depending on the system’s complexity. While this ensures proper setup, it’s an upfront cost that competitors like Ring avoid with DIY options. If you move, Vivint offers reinstallation services:
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Hybrid Move: $129 for partial DIY with professional help, including up to three replacement devices (e.g., locks or doorbell cameras).
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Full Professional Move: $149 for larger systems with more than 10 devices.
These fees are reasonable but add to the long-term cost, especially if you relocate frequently.
Hidden Cost Alert: The installation fee is sometimes waived during promotions, but you must ask for it. Moving fees can also catch you off guard if you don’t plan to stay in one home for the contract duration.
Video Storage and Add-On Costs
Vivint cameras require cloud storage for full functionality, costing $5/month per camera for 30-second clips. Alternatively, a Vivint Smart Drive ($249.99) offers continuous recording but erases footage every 30 days. For a system with three cameras, cloud storage adds $15/month, or $180/year. Other add-ons, like the Car Guard ($5/month) or extra sensors ($50–$100 each), can further increase costs.
Hidden Cost Alert: Video storage fees are mandatory for camera functionality, and the Smart Drive’s upfront cost doesn’t eliminate recurring charges. Add-ons can quickly inflate your monthly bill, especially for comprehensive systems.
Warranty and Service Costs
Vivint offers a 120-day equipment warranty, covering repairs or replacements due to defects or installation issues. After 120 days, service calls cost $49 per visit unless you purchase a Premium Service plan for lifetime coverage. Replacement batteries and control panel screen repairs are not covered, adding potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Hidden Cost Alert: The short warranty period and $49 service fee can lead to unexpected costs, particularly for complex systems with multiple devices. The Premium Service plan’s cost isn’t publicly disclosed, adding uncertainty.
Comparing Vivint to Competitors
Vivint’s pricing is higher than DIY systems like Ring ($199.99 starter kit, $10–$20/month monitoring) or SimpliSafe ($250 starter kit, $14.99–$24.99/month monitoring). Compared to other professionally installed systems, Vivint’s costs are similar to ADT’s, though ADT’s top plan reaches $60/month. Vivint’s smart home integrations and AI-driven cameras justify the premium for some, but budget-conscious buyers may prefer cheaper alternatives.
Real-World Examples
To illustrate, here are two sample Vivint setups:
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Basic Package ($50/month): Includes a Smart Hub ($100), three door/window sensors ($75), and basic monitoring ($39.99). Financed over 60 months, equipment adds $2.92/month, plus the $1.48 cellular fee and $99 installation.
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Mid-Range Package ($85/month): Includes a Smart Hub ($400), five sensors ($125), two cameras ($480), a smart lock ($200), and advanced monitoring ($44.99). Financed over 60 months, equipment adds $20.08/month, plus $10 for camera storage, $1.48 cellular fee, and $149 installation.
Over five years, the basic package costs around $3,600, while the mid-range package exceeds $6,000, highlighting the long-term investment.
Tips to Minimize Costs
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Pay Upfront: Avoid financing to reduce monthly costs and eliminate contracts.
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Negotiate: Ask for waived installation fees or promotional discounts.
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Limit Add-Ons: Stick to essential equipment to keep monitoring fees low.
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Compare Quotes: Get multiple quotes to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
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Check Promotions: Vivint occasionally offers free equipment or reduced rates.
Is Vivint Worth the Cost?
Vivint’s high costs are justified for those seeking a seamless, professionally installed system with advanced smart home features. Its cameras, app, and integrations with Alexa, Google Home, and Nest are top-tier, offering convenience and peace of mind. However, the long contracts, mandatory monitoring, and additional fees make it a significant investment. For budget-conscious homeowners, DIY systems may be a better fit.
Conclusion
Vivint’s monthly charges range from $40 to over $100, driven by monitoring fees ($29.99–$69.94), equipment financing ($10–$40), and hidden costs like cellular maintenance ($1.48), video storage ($5/camera), and service fees ($49/visit). Installation ($49–$199) and moving costs ($129–$149) further add to the expense. By understanding these costs and exploring financing options, you can decide if Vivint’s premium security is worth the price for your home. For personalized pricing, contact Vivint at (877) 833- 3122 to discuss your needs with a Smart Home Pro.