Quick Look at Vivint
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Looking at the scores from five different home security review websites, Vivint has the highest aggregate score across all five sites — this makes Vivint the #1 home security company. We highly recommend Vivint Smart Home.
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Go to VivintVivint Reviews
Vivint Smart Home has received 4 stars out of 5 with over 3,500 reviews.
The company's responsiveness to concerns and complaints remains its defining quality when it comes to customer service.
When a Vivint review features a complaint, Vivint ensures that the concern is met and resolved promptly.
However, as is shown below, customers are satisfied with the company's home security system and response times.
Customers mainly applaud Vivint's professionalism when contacting customer service representatives and also mention the quality of their alarm systems.
How Much Does Vivint Cost?
- Monthly Monitoring: $29.99 - $49.99
- Equipment Package Fee: $0 - $1,800 (Optional Customization)
Monthly Monitoring
When you do not purchase equipment upfront, you will need to sign a 5-year contract with them. If you want to purchase all of your equipment upfront, you can be on a month-to-month contract.
The monthly monitoring costs $29.99 - $49.99, a fair price considering the lack of upfront fees and amount of smart devices they include in their home security systems.
Total Cost
Vivint Home Security's equipment costs anywhere between $599 to $1,789+, with the $0 upfront for equipment being an option. The company also offers three home monitoring packages: one for home security, one for home security and locks, and one for video monitoring.
The prices listed below are for monitoring only. You can purchase your equipment upright at cost, or you can finance your equipment for an additional $5 to $30 per month, depending on the equipment package you select.
Vivint Smart Home: #1 in Home Security
See Best OfferSmart Protect: $29.99/month
- SkyControl Panel (smart hub)
- Vivint Smart Home mobile app
- Alarm - burglary detection
- Door / window sensor
- Motion sensor
- Glass break sensor
- Smoke / fire sensor
- Carbon monoxide sensor
- Flood / water sensor
Smart Protect + Control: $39.99/month
- Monitors equipment in the Smart Protect package
- Smart door lock
- Smart garage door control
Smart Complete: $44.99-49.99/month
- Monitors equipment in the Smart Protect + Control package
- Vivint Doorbell Camera: HD camera, 180-degree view, night vision, two-way audio, live streaming, custom push notifications, and visitor detection.
- Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro: 1080p video and HD zoom, 140-degree view, night vision, two-way communication, detects threats, and sends notifications to your phone.
- Vivint Ping indoor camera: HD wide-angle lens, two-way communication, infrared night vision, one-touch calling, and custom mobile notifications.
Cancellations
To cancel your monitoring contract with Vivint, you will need to send in a written request that includes your name, address, and account number.
If you have a month-to-month contract with Vivint, you won't need to pay any cancellation fee at all.
However, if you are in a 5-year contract with Vivint, you will have to pay the entire balance of your contract when you cancel. Make sure to cancel within the window the company gives you.
Customers who have tried to cancel even a couple of hours outside of their cancellation window have been denied.
Equipment Prices
While customers may choose to purchase equipment in bundles, Vivint Smart Home also offers individual security devices:
Security Devices:
- Starter Kit – $599.99
- Recessed Door Sensor – $50.00
- Vivint Smart Sensor – $50.00
- Flood/Freeze/Heat Sensor – $50.00
- Panic Pendant – $50.00
- Vivint Motion Sensor – $100.00
- Carbon Monoxide Detector – $100.00
- FireFighter – $100.00
- Glass Break Detector – $100.00
- Smoke Detector – $100.00
Smart Home Devices:
- Lamp Module – $50.00
- Garage Door Controller – $99.99
- Element Thermostat – $169.00
- Kwikset Smart Lock – $179.99
- Vivint Ping Camera – $199.99
- Vivint Smart Drive – $249.99
- Nest Learning Thermostat – $249.00
- Vivint Doorbell Camera – $249.99
- Vivint Outdoor Camera – $299.99
Vivint Customer Service
According to customer reviews, Vivint's customer service representatives are highly responsive to complaints and quick to help solve problems with contracts, equipment, billing, or home security monitoring.
Customers seem to appreciate Vivint's commitment to solving problems and making life as easy as possible for its customers.
COVID-19 Measures
Vivint Smart Home is taking the appropriate measures in response to COVID-19 concerns.
The company’s installation experts request their customers reschedule appointments when a member of their household has experienced sickness of any kind.
The company also requires its employees stay home when they are sick and quarantine themselves appropriately.
Vivint also requires its current installation technicians to wash their hands as much as possible, wear face coverings, and take all additional precautions when installing security systems in customer homes.
DIY or Professional Installation
Vivint Smart Home does not give an option for DIY security system installation.
In fact, the company goes as far as to recommend customers do not install any security system themselves.
Vivint’s installation technicians are well-trained and well-compensated — this leads to professional, smooth installation processes.
Vivint Smart Home Products
One of the ways Vivint is trying to separate from the competition is by positioning themselves as more of a 'home automation' solution.
Customers can use either Vivint's SkyControl Panel or Google Home as a hub to control and communicate with all their smart home devices.
The great thing about the SkyControl Panel is that it uses two-way audio to communicate with Vivint's monitoring team, so customers have instant access to support.
Vivint products include:
- Smoke Detectors: $100
- Vivint Outdoor Cameras: $299
- Glass-Break Sensors: $100
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors: $100
- Vivint Smart Drive: $249
- Vivint Doorbell Cameras: $249
- Vivint Ping Indoor Cameras: $199
- Vivint Outdoor Camera (Pro): $399
- Vivint Element Thermostat: $169
- Motion Sensors: $100
- Water Sensors: $50
To control smart devices remotely, homeowners can use the Vivint Smart Home app.
Vivint's app is highly rated in the Apple app store (4.6/5) and Google Play (4.5/5). With the app, you can control and see the following:
- Arm and disarm home security
- Lock and unlock your front door
- Check the status of your window and door locks
- Open garage door
- View live feed on doorbell camera
- Use two-way audio with doorbell camera
- View live feed on indoor and outdoor camera
- Turn lights on, off, and dim
- Adjust smart thermostat
- View smoke detectors
Vivint's home automation system is compatible with common smart home hubs, such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.
For environment controls, Vivint sells both the Element Thermostat and Nest Thermostat.
For lighting, Vivint integrates with Philips Hue - LED bulbs that you can control the brightness levels of with your voice or mobile app.
Vivint Experience & Quality
Time in Business
Vivint Smart Home was founded in 1999 by Todd Pedersen and Keith Nellesen to integrate smart home automation technology with professional home security devices.
The company is headquartered in Provo, Utah and is most well-known for its well-trained sales representatives.
Vivint’s Contract Length
If you purchase all of your equipment upfront from Vivint, you can be on a month-to-month monitoring contract with them, meaning you can cancel at any time.
Without purchasing equipment upfront, Vivint locks customers into a 5-year contract.
This month-to-month contract is a great option for those who want to own their equipment immediately, which will cost anywhere from $599 to $1800, depending on what equipment you want to purchase.
Awards
After rebranding to Vivint Smart Home from APX Alarm Security Solutions in February of 2011, Vivint quickly began to build a recognizable brand name for itself.
The company was named the TMA Monitoring Center of the Year for 2017 and more recently in 2019 was recognized by J.D. Power as the home security provider with the “Highest Customer Satisfaction with Home Security Systems.”
Vivint also made Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2020.”
Unique Offerings
Vivint has various home security solutions (24/7 professional monitoring) with a variety of equipment available.
If you use their monitoring services, you will be personally alerted via the Vivint Smart Home app, and if your alarm goes off, their customer service reps will call you and assess your situation before dispatching emergency personnel.
If you purchase a video monitoring subscription from Vivint, you can have 30 days of cloud storage for up to four cameras (doorbell camera, outdoor and indoor camera. Add another camera for additional costs. The 30-days includes 24/7 camera footage stored to the Vivint Smart Drive (1TB).
Vivint Smart Home also offers a great cancellation policy and does not require upfront fees.
No Upfront Fees
One of the best parts of Vivint Smart Home's pricing packages is that if you decide you don't want to purchase all of your equipment upfront you can opt out.
The downside to choosing no upfront fees is that you must then sign a 5-year contract with Vivint.
Many customers have preferred to purchase their equipment upfront and have the month-to-month contract option.
Cancellation Policy
Another upside to Vivint's 'month-to-month contract' option is that it means you can cancel anytime without having to pay the full balance of your remaining contract.
Issues with cancellation and termination fees are by far the most complained about aspect from customers.
So a company like Vivint that offers a way out of contracts without financial repercussions is one that deserves your trust.
But how do you cancel Vivint if you need to move or are unsatisfied with their service?
To cancel your monitoring contract with Vivint, you will need to send in a written request that includes your name, address, and account number.
If you have a month-to-month contract with Vivint, you won't need to pay any cancellation fee at all.
However, if you are in a 5-year contract with Vivint, you will have to pay the entire balance of your contract when you cancel.
Make sure to cancel within the window the company gives you. Customers who have tried to cancel even a couple of hours outside of their cancellation window have been denied.
Pros and Cons
Vivint customers are highly satisfied with the company's expertise, professionalism, and quality of service overall. Though Vivint does not currently display its prices online, the prices are widely known because Vivint salesmen are very vocal about sharing pricing information.
Among the most commonly referenced praises about Vivint are the automated home security system, the option for month-to-month contracts, and the lack of upfront fees.
Our Recommendation
Vivint is one of the most well-known home security companies that does not charge for its devices upfront and offers a month-to-month contract option.
The smartphone mobile app allows you to control your home security systems and smart home devices from wherever you are.
We highly recommend Vivint Smart Home if you value month-to-month contracts and affordable pricing. Though it is not the cheapest home security company in the industry (its prices are pretty average), we believe that it does offer the highest value.
That's why we've named Vivint Smart Home the #1 Home Security Company in the industry.
Vivint Smart Home: #1 in Home Security
See Best OfferFrequently Asked Questions About Vivint
What Do 2020 Vivint Reviews Say About the Company?
On the whole, Vivint reviews in 2020 are mostly positive, which is to be expected.
After having an outstanding year for customer service in 2019, the company received an award from J.D. Power for the "Highest Customer Satisfaction with Home Security Systems."
But what exactly are customers saying about Vivint? While it is true that some customers have problems with Vivint, specifically with their aggressive salespeople, the company is surprisingly responsive to customer complaints and needs.
The most common praises for Vivint involve positive customer service experiences and quality home security devices.
On the whole, customer praise applies to most of Vivint's services (in the words of customers):
- Clear pricing explanations
- Outstanding customer experience
- Quick and thorough issue resolution
- Excellent service
- High value for money
- Great smart home app
- Best alarm system
Does Vivint Do Solar As Well?
Yes, Vivint Solar operates separately from Vivint Smart Home.
However, customers may be able to integrate their solar panels with their Vivint Smart Home and manage all from one hub.
Is Vivint a Good Company?
Yes, it is. In fact, we believe it is the best home security company in operation today.
Of course, there are companies that may have better prices or better service, but Vivint's quality products and security system are offered at a reasonable price — this alone would not be reason enough to award them the top spot though.
The real reason we believe that Vivint Smart Home is the best home security company is because of their customer service and willingness to reach and quickly respond to customer complaints when they occur.
Vivint is also one of only a few professional security monitoring companies that offers month-to-month contract options, which is a huge boon for potential customers.
Can You Negotiate with Vivint?
Yes, you certainly can negotiate with Vivint sales representatives when arranging a contract with them. One such negotiation is the choice to purchase your equipment upfront and receive month-to-month contract options or simply sign a long-term contract without the upfront equipment fees.
Does Vivint Spy on You?
No, Vivint Smart Home does not spy on you. There have been concerns that some home security companies use in-home camera devices to record customer interactions in their homes, but these concerns are unfounded and Vivint is innocent of this claim.
In fact, Vivint goes further to protect your privacy by offering a jamming detection feature with its security devices, preventing outside forces from hacking into your home security system.
What is Vivint Sky?
Vivint Sky is the home automation service that Vivint created which allows users to connect to their home security system from any internet-connected device. The control panel, appropriately called the Vivint Sky Control Panel, is 7 inches and has a touch screen that is meant to be mounted on your wall.
Vivint Sky has many features that give homeowners the power to control their home from anywhere on the globe:
- Turn on/off lights and appliances
- Adjust the thermostat
- Lock/unlock doors
- Watch live video of your home
- Watch doorbell cam live video
The adaptive Vivint smart hub even learns the unique behavior of each customer and adapts to their needs. If you leave your home every day at a certain time and always lock the door at that time, Vivint Sky will actually begin to do it for you.
Expert Report on Vivint Home Security
I'd wager a guess that Vivint will be a frontrunner in home security innovation for years to come.
Vivint Security offers a great home security system. Not only does the Vivint system include high-tech motion detector, security camera, and video doorbell technology, all Vivint equipment is better than the average home security company. In the occasional situation in which equipment malfunctions, the company is exceedingly quick to respond to customer concerns and really do follow through in providing solutions.
Even as a home security expert, I prefer to rely on customer feedback and reviews to determine the quality of a company. Vivint customer reviews have been overwhelmingly positive over the last few years. Of course, customers have had problems with the company's overly ambitious salesmen in the past — this is true. However, we believe that Vivint has made the appropriate strides to train their salesman and any other Vivint representative to be respectful and honest.
When it comes to cost, Vivint remains rather average, which ends up being an advantage, since the quality of the company's service could certainly come at a higher charge. I believe Vivint's price is fair, accurate, reflective of the high value of the home security service and product delivered.
As far as business ethics and strategy is concerned, Vivint Smart Home is a progressive company with a foot still in traditional values of customer service.
One quick example of the importance Vivint places in qaulity customer service: the most common complaint of home security customers is involves companies that continue to charge customers after the service has been terminated. Unfortunately, this is usually because the customer signed a multi-year contract with a cancellation clause stating that you must payout the rest of your contract even if you cancel the service.
Vivint Smart Home allows customers to pay for their equipment upfront, giving the customer the opportunity to make simple month-to-month payments for professional installation. Besides DIY and newer, more progressive home securitycompanies, not many companies allow customers a 'no contract' option — this is why I place a high amount of importance on contractless and low-contract offers.
Services and products aside, Vivint Smart Home has strong relationships within the tech industry. Located right in the middle of "Silicon Valley", a booming mecca for newer tech companies and home to tech giants such as Qualtrics, Adobe, and Ancesry, Vivint is well located for top talent and innovation. I'd wager a guess that Vivint will be a frontrunner in home security innovation for years to come.
