Quick Look at Vector Security
- High Monthly Cost
- No Upfront Cost Option
Because Vector Security is a lower-quality company, we recommend customers check out Vivint Smart Home, an affordable and highly rated home security company.
Compared to the #1 Home Security Company
Pros
- No Contract Option
- No Upfront Fee Option
- Excellent Customer Reviews
Score
9.7
Price
$29.99/mo
Cons
- No DIY Option
Expert Take
Vivint Smart Home is ranked #1 for three very good reasons: excellent customer service, outstanding reviews, and the very convenient option to choose between no upfront fees or no contracts. Vivint provides unparalleled service and security systems that provide peace of mind — it's own customers say so.
Vector Security Reviews
Vector Security has received mixed reviews from its customers on Best Company (the reviews site we trust most), with almost a 50/50 split on whether the company is good or not.
Unsatisfied customers relate a grim story of difficult customer service representatives, contract renewals without notifications, and struggles with contract cancellation.
Every potential home security customer must note that most complaints from previous customers have something to do with cancellations and contracts.
So if you see customer reviews that complain about cancellations and contract issues, then that security company has likely done little to innovate and focus on its customers.
The most innovative home security companies will give customers an option between no upfront fees or no contracts (in other words, month-to-month payments).
Though Vector Security doesn’t look good on the surface, the company does have almost an equal portion of satisfied customers.
Customers say that Vector Security offers high quality home security for the price (it’s a great value purchase). Others say that they’ve had positive experiences with Vector Security’s customer service department.
Take a look at some of the positive reviews that Vector Security has received.
Vector Security Cost
Monthly, Vector Security charges $39.95 for "Basic Security". This basic system includes:
- Professional installation and monitoring
- 3 door/window sensors
- 1 motion detector
- Wireless control panel / monitoring center
The company has three home security packages available: Basic Security, Home Automation, and Connected Home.
Costs of the home automation packages (Home Automation and Connected Home) are undisclosed on the company's website. Many companies charge less than $39.95 for their most basic home security system.
Customers interested in an indoor camera and door lock will need to purchase the Connected Home package from Vector Security.
There is also an option to pay an additional $10 a month for cameras and door locks in the Home Automation package. Both can be monitored from the phone with the Vector Security app.
No Upfront Cost
There are no upfront costs with Vector Security - that includes equipment fees and installation.
Those who sign up with other home security companies often pay $99 or more for installation.
And those who choose to buy their system outright can potentially spend thousands of dollars getting their system set up. All of these services are professionally installed and monitored.
Vector Security Customer Service
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of good to say about Vector Security’s customer service.
When we review home security companies, we look to customer reviews and company policies to determine whether a company’s customer service is quality or not.
When it comes to Vector reviews, they are split on whether or not the company has good customer service.
When it comes to company policies, such as cancellations, we don’t like what we see.
Difficult Cancellations
As previously mentioned, a common theme in our Vector Security reviews is that the alarm policy is very difficult and expensive to cancel.
Vector Security requires customers to sign up for a 36-month service contract, while other companies provide much shorter contracts or no contract at all.
And if a customer desires to cancel their alarm services before the contract expires, they will be required to pay 100% of the remaining balance, which could potentially cost hundreds of dollars.
Other companies only require 20% to 80% of the balance.
So, does Vector Security have good customer service?
It looks like they don’t, but it is possible that you may have a completely different customer experience than others.
We recommend customers compare Vector Security to the top home security companies before making a decision.
Vector Security Products
In addition to some impressive alarm features, the Vector Security system may also include automated devices that can be controlled by a mobile app.
A customer can monitor and control lighting, appliances, locks, and security cameras.
Vector Security's CloudControl feature allows each customer to save recorded security camera footage to a cloud account.
Other home security companies may require a customer to save videos to a personal computer, or another location with much more limited memory.
Vector Security integrates with the Amazon Echo, so people can use voice control to secure their home (lock doors, turn on cameras, and turn the alarm on and off).
Vector Security also provides Alarm.com products:
- Smart Plug
- Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Smart Garage Door Opener
- Indoor Camera 522
- Smart Door Lock
- Smoke Detector
- Video Doorbell Camera
- Medical Alert Necklace
- Outdoor Camera
- Medical Alert Button
- Smart Thermostat
- IG Panel 2 Plus
- Smart Light Bulbs
- Image Sensor
- Streaming Video Recorder
- Indoor Video Camera 622
- Motion Sensor
False Alarm Protection
Vector Security has a nationally recognized 12-point false alarm reduction protocol.
Their equipment is able to pick up on non-emergency situations, such as delayed password verification. This helps cut back on the number of false alarms home security owners see.
Vector Security Experience & Quality
Vector Security was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania — it is a certified Alarm.com provider.
The company provides regional and national security monitoring to both individual and business clients.
The company uses both cellular and landline monitoring for their alarms; these systems ensure that alarm function is never lost due to technical issues with phone lines or the power grid.
Is Vector Security a Good Company?
It would appear that Vector Home Security is not a good security company when its pricing is compared to that of the entire industry.
Though customers do not have to worry about an upfront fee, it has a higher monthly monitoring fee. There is a Vector Security app and the company's website is admittedly more upfront about cancellation and other important information than most alarm companies.
But unfortunately, Vector Home Security has not received high praise from its customers on this site — it’s mainly for this reason that we cannot recommend Vector Security.
Limited Locations
Though it is certainly not necessary for a home security company to serve nationwide to be considered good, it is something we believe customers should consider in their search.
Vector home security is only available in the Eastern regions of the United States.
The following states are included in Vector Security's service area: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Our Recommendation
Vector is one of the few home security / home automation companies with no upfront costs plus a professional installation service.
However, for those interested solely in a home security service, they will be able to find monthly monitoring services at lower than what Vector Security offers. Because the company's basic alarm package is so expensive, we can only assume that their home automation packages are sold at equally high costs.
We recommend reading our reviews of Vector Security below before making any final decisions.
View our top home security companies to compare costs, contract lengths, and consumer scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need WiFi to have home security?
No, you do not need to have WiFi set up at your home in order to use Vector Security Systems.
However, most security systems use WiFi to communicate to an off-site monitoring center - this is also called "internet monitoring."
Don't be confused by the phrase "wireless communication." This does not necessarily mean that WiFi is being used. Wireless communication can also apply to data plans, just like your cell phone - this is also called "cellular monitoring."
How do I cancel my home security contract?
You must write a letter to your local Vector Security branch. This letter must be sent 30 days before your expected cancellation date.
Vector Security does not accept cancellation via email or phone. Vector Security states that you will be subject to penalties related to "equipment costs, early termination fees, and/or monthly monitoring fees remaining on your contract."
There are special cancellation policies in place for military families who must move due to reassignment.
What is Vector's contract length?
Vector Security networks have a contract length between 36 and 60 months (3-5 years).
Vector has stated that they do not offer 1-year, 2-year, or month-to-month contracts.
What is Vector's relocation policy?
Vector points out that it does have options available for those who are moving but does not provide details. Customers are encouraged to call their local Vector branch for more details on their relocation policy.
What is the best and most affordable home security system?
Vector Security does not rank well against the other companies in the industry when looking at overall score. The top companies in the industry are:
These company rankings are heavily influenced by customer ratings and reviews.
Vivint Smart Home is the top home security company because it doesn't have upfront equipment fees and offers an optional month-to-month contract.
Big brand names like ADT, Brinks Home Security, and Xfinity Home Security have predictably received negative reviews, due to the fact that they generally can't provide as quality customer service or automation solutions as other companies.