We recommend products and services based on unbiased research from our editorial team. We make money via affiliate links, which means if you click a link on our site, we may earn a commission. Any commissions we receive do not affect our recommendations; if you want to know more about how that works, read more.
When deciding between Vivint vs. SimpliSafe, you are working with two strong companies. They’re both leading home security companies that offer comprehensive protection to help keep your family safe. But if you’re on a tight budget, SimpliSafe security may be the better option because it offers more affordable, contract‑free monitoring tiers ($9.99–$29.99 per month; see SimpliSafe monitoring) and a 60‑day money‑back guarantee on equipment (return policy). By contrast, Vivint focuses on professionally installed, deeply integrated smart‑home systems with monitoring that typically starts around $39.99 per month and adds a per‑camera video service charge (about $5 per camera) as you add cameras (Vivint pricing; corroborated by CNET). To help you choose which one is the best home security solution for your needs, here’s a detailed comparison of these two providers.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe home security provides comprehensive protection at an affordable price with three contract‑free monitoring tiers: Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings ($9.99/mo), Standard Monitoring ($19.99/mo), and Fast Protect ($29.99/mo). See details on the SimpliSafe monitoring page.
Pros
- Industry‑low monthly pricing for nationwide professional monitoring (from $19.99; self‑monitoring from $9.99) — no annual contracts (plans)
- Cancel anytime; 60‑day money‑back guarantee on equipment purchases (return policy)
- Easy DIY setup with peel‑and‑stick sensors; optional professional installation available (price shown at checkout) (SimpliSafe)
- Fast Protect adds enhanced video verification/live agent features on compatible cameras to speed and inform dispatch (plan features)
Cons
- Some advanced capabilities (e.g., video verification) require the higher‑tier Fast Protect plan and compatible cameras (plan details)
- Smart‑home integrations focus primarily on Alexa/Google; broad Matter camera interoperability is not available industry‑wide yet (Matter camera status)
- Customer support wait times and occasional camera connectivity issues appear in recent user feedback (see Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs)
Vivint Security
Vivint home security emphasizes professionally installed, whole‑home smart security with 24/7 monitoring that typically starts around $39.99/month; cloud video service is usually added per camera (about $5/camera per month). See Vivint pricing and independent confirmation from CNET.
Pros
- Professional design and installation tailored to your home; required for all systems (Vivint pricing)
- Integrated smart‑home ecosystem (locks, thermostats, garage, cameras) with app control and 24/7 monitoring
- Mobile app access provides important alerts and controls even while you’re away
- Optional vehicle protection (e.g., Car Guard) and extensive first‑party camera lineup; per‑camera cloud video unlocks clip history (CNET)
Cons
- Monitoring costs start higher than DIY competitors (~$39.99/mo base; video service adds about $5 per camera) (pricing; CNET)
- Financing equipment with Flex Pay commonly involves a long initial term (often up to 60 months); paying upfront enables month‑to‑month service (Flex Pay)
- Professional installation/activation fees may apply and vary by system and promotions (Vivint)
| Monitoring options | Monitoring price starting at | Installation options | |
| Simplisafe | Professional and self-monitoring | $9.99 per month | DIY and professional |
| Vivint Security | Professional and self-monitoring | About $39.99 per month (+ ~$5/camera for video) | Professional |
Data as of 11/07/2025
Plans
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe offers three monitoring tiers — Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings ($9.99/mo), Standard Monitoring ($19.99/mo), and Fast Protect ($29.99/mo). Standard and Fast Protect include 24/7 professional monitoring for intrusion and life‑safety sensors (smoke, CO, water) with dispatch; Fast Protect adds enhanced video verification/live agent features on compatible cameras to help speed response (plan details).
Equipment is purchased upfront (kits or a‑la‑carte, with frequent promos). DIY installation is standard; optional professional installation is available with pricing shown at checkout. SimpliSafe also provides a 60‑day money‑back guarantee on equipment purchases (return policy).
Vivint Security
Vivint pairs a professional consultation with pro installation. Monitoring typically starts at about $39.99/month, and cloud video service is usually added per camera (commonly around $5 per camera per month), which means your monthly total increases as you add cameras (pricing; CNET).
Vivint’s packaging and feature bundles can vary by promotion, but core service includes 24/7 professional monitoring, mobile app access, and detection for unauthorized entry and life‑safety events; smart‑home and video features depend on the equipment you select (Vivint pricing).
Who is it best for
SimpliSafe
- Standard Monitoring — Best for affordable 24/7 professional monitoring on a month‑to‑month basis (plans)
- Fast Protect — Best if you want video‑enhanced verification and faster, more informed dispatch on supported cameras (Fast Protect)
Vivint Security
- Base monitoring — Best for pro‑installed, whole‑home protection with 24/7 monitoring (pricing)
- Video service add‑on — Best if you want multi‑camera cloud video history; expect about $5/month per camera in addition to base monitoring (CNET)
Contracts and Pricing
SimpliSafe
One of the main benefits of SimpliSafe is that it doesn’t require you to sign a contract. Monitoring is month‑to‑month and can be canceled anytime (plans).
Current pricing: Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings ($9.99/mo), Standard Monitoring ($19.99/mo), and Fast Protect ($29.99/mo). Standard includes 24/7 professional monitoring and dispatch plus support for life‑safety sensors; Fast Protect adds enhanced video verification on compatible cameras (SimpliSafe monitoring).
SimpliSafe also offers a 60‑day money‑back guarantee on equipment purchases, which reduces risk if you’re trying the system for the first time (return policy).
Vivint Security
If you purchase your equipment upfront, Vivint service can be month‑to‑month. If you finance equipment via Flex Pay, the financing term is commonly long (often up to 60 months) and is paired with a matching initial service term; early cancellation typically requires paying remaining obligations (Flex Pay; Vivint legal).
Monitoring generally starts around $39.99/month. Cloud video service is typically an added monthly charge per camera (commonly about $5 per camera), so your total monthly cost rises as you add cameras (Vivint pricing; CNET).
Customer service
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is generally praised for easy DIY setup and good value, with mixed feedback about support responsiveness and occasional camera connectivity issues. The company is accredited with the BBB and receives an A+ rating (retrieved 2025‑11‑07). On Trustpilot, recent reviews highlight simple setup and reliable alerts alongside sporadic app/device issues; see the current average here: SimpliSafe on Trustpilot. Broader sentiment and long‑form feedback are available on ConsumerAffairs.
Vivint Security
Vivint earns strong marks for professional installation and integrated smart‑home features, with comparatively more complaints about long terms, cancellation, and billing. Vivint currently shows a C rating on BBB (retrieved 2025‑11‑07) and a Trustpilot average shown here (retrieved 2025‑11‑07): 3.8 stars. Review narratives frequently mention sales disclosures, contract terms, and billing disputes; scan recent entries on Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs before signing.
Ease of Installation
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe security systems are designed for DIY setup: plug in the base station and place the keypad and sensors with adhesive strips. Optional professional installation is available (pricing provided at checkout) (SimpliSafe).
Smart‑home integrations: SimpliSafe supports popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. In 2025, broader smart‑home interoperability is driven by Matter and Thread — all major ecosystems act as Matter controllers and many serve as Thread Border Routers (CSA: Matter; Matter with Alexa; Google Home + Matter). Note that native camera support is not yet part of the Matter standard, so video features remain app/vendor‑specific (Matter camera status).
Plan requirements: Some integrations and advanced notifications are tied to monitoring tiers (e.g., Fast Protect for video verification). Review plan details before enabling automations (plan features).
Vivint Security
Vivint systems are professionally installed. A technician designs and installs the system and connects devices to the Vivint app; installation/activation fees may apply and vary by promotion and configuration (Vivint pricing).
Smart‑home integrations: Vivint works with major platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control while keeping core security and video features within the Vivint ecosystem. Because camera interoperability is not part of Matter yet, expect to use the Vivint app for full video functionality (Alexa + Matter; Google Home + Matter; Matter camera status).
Further Reading
- Review the Best Home Security System
- Compare the Best DIY Home Security Systems
- Find the Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras
FAQs
Keep Reading
