Whether you’re looking for a traditional home security system or a full smart‑home setup, Vivint combines professional installation with three primary monitoring tiers (about $29.99, $39.99, and $49.99 per month) and a build‑your‑own equipment approach. You can buy equipment upfront for month‑to‑month service or finance it (often up to 60 months). Typical installation fees run roughly $49–$199 depending on promotion and scope, per current coverage from U.S. News, CNET, and PCMag. App control is included with paid monitoring plans through the Vivint app.

Vivint Pros

• 24/7 professional monitoring and technical support, with multiple support channels (phone, chat, in‑app) and dispatch when needed (Vivint Support, Contact Vivint).
• Advanced cameras and automation: on‑device AI, Smart Deter lights/sounds, and unified control via Smart Hub + app (Outdoor Camera Pro, Doorbell Camera Pro, PCMag).
• Month‑to‑month service when equipment is owned; financing available (commonly up to 60 months) via Vivint’s Flex Pay model (Terms of Purchase, U.S. News).

Vivint Cons

• Pricier than DIY options; professional installation is required and typically incurs a fee (~$49–$199 unless a promo waives it) (CNET).
• Equipment purchase required (or financing up to 60 months); total cost depends on device mix and any financing term (U.S. News, PCMag).

Vivint Packages

All information accurate as of 2025.

*Plus equipment financing if paying for equipment over contract term

Vivint structures systems around three monitoring tiers you combine with a la carte equipment. Typical monthly monitoring is about $29.99 (security only), $39.99 (adds smart‑home controls), or $49.99 (adds video). Video plans often include storage for one or two cameras; each additional camera typically adds about $5 per month, per recent reviews (U.S. News; CNET; PCMag).

Vivint specializes in tightly integrated, professionally installed equipment with proactive deterrence. Standout devices include the Outdoor Camera Pro (on‑device people detection + Smart Deter), the Doorbell Camera Pro (package detection/protection), the Indoor Camera Pro, and cloud video access via Vivint Playback. The Smart Hub provides a 7‑inch touchscreen with Wi‑Fi + cellular connectivity, battery backup, one‑touch emergency buttons, and two‑way talk to the monitoring center.

We also like Vivint Car Guard for households with teen or senior drivers. Car Guard can alert you to bumps, tows, suspected theft, and arrivals, and it can trigger home automations like turning on lights when the vehicle gets home — all managed in the Vivint app.

Who is each Vivint package best for?

Vivint’s plans are configurable, but these fit most use cases:

• Smart Security Monitoring – Best for Starters
• Smart Home Monitoring – Best for Home Automation
• Smart Home Video Monitoring – Best All-Inclusive Security

Smart Security Monitoring

Choose this if you want core intrusion and life‑safety monitoring without video. You’ll get professional monitoring and app control with a paid plan through the Vivint app.

Smart Home Monitoring

Add smart‑home controls (locks, lights, thermostat) to your professionally monitored system and manage scenes and automations in the app. Vivint supports voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant on supported devices (PCMag).

Smart Home Video Monitoring 

Upgrade to AI‑assisted video and proactive deterrence like Smart Deter on the outdoor and doorbell cameras, plus cloud playback via Vivint Playback. Plans commonly include storage for one or two cameras, with about $5/mo per additional camera (CNET).

Vivint Prices

Vivint’s hybrid model pairs equipment purchases with monthly monitoring. Typical monitoring tiers are about $29.99 (security), $39.99 (adds smart‑home controls), and $49.99 (adds video). Professional installation is required; recent reviews cite fees roughly $49–$199 depending on promo and scope (U.S. News; CNET). Equipment is sold a la carte and often priced around: door/window sensor ~$50, motion sensor ~$100, smart lock ~$159–$199, Doorbell Camera Pro ~$249, Outdoor Camera Pro ~$399, indoor camera ~ $199, and smart thermostat ~ $169 (pricing varies by promo; sources: CNET, PCMag). Financing commonly runs up to 60 months; if you cancel early while financing, you typically owe the remaining equipment balance (Vivint Terms of Purchase). There’s a 120-day warranty for purchased equipment and unlimited repair on equipment covered under a service plan.

Ease of Use

With a paid monitoring plan, you control your system through the Smart Hub and the Vivint app: arm/disarm, view live and recorded video, talk through cameras, lock/unlock doors, adjust thermostats, and run automations from anywhere. Voice control works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant on supported devices (PCMag). Industry‑wide, the Matter 1.3 spec does not include camera support, so video integrations remain ecosystem‑specific; Vivint focuses on a polished in‑app experience and tight integration with its own devices.

Vivint Types of Installation

Professional Installation

Vivint is professionally installed. A technician designs, installs, and activates your system — often with same‑day or next‑day availability in many areas — and walks you through the Smart Hub and app (Vivint Home Security; PCMag).

Pros

• You benefit from expert design and placement, including camera angles, device configuration, and app setup.
• You can add equipment during your installation visit and have everything configured at once.
• Training covers the Smart Hub, emergency buttons, and app features like deterrence and playback.

Cons

• Installation fees usually apply (~$49–$199 unless a promotion waives them) (CNET).
• If you finance equipment, you’ll have a multi‑year payment obligation even if you stop monitoring (Terms of Purchase).

DIY Installation

Vivint does not offer DIY or self-installation.

Vivint Types of Monitoring

You can skip professional monitoring, but app features and cloud video are limited or unavailable without a paid plan. If you want to avoid financing, you’ll still need to purchase equipment upfront.

With a monitoring plan, Smart Security covers core intrusion and life safety. Step up to Smart Home for automation controls. For video recording, deterrence, and cloud playback, choose the Smart Home Video tier (about $49.99/mo). Plans commonly include storage for one or two cameras, with roughly $5/mo per additional camera (CNET; U.S. News).

Additional Benefits

• App access with monitored plans

With paid monitoring, the Vivint app provides live view, two‑way talk, alerts, and automations; add Vivint Playback for cloud video history. Video tiers often include storage for 1–2 cameras; expect about $5/mo per extra camera on larger setups (CNET).

• No shortage of features

Vivint’s cameras emphasize intelligence and deterrence: the Outdoor Camera Pro uses a 4K HDR sensor and on‑device analytics; the Doorbell Camera Pro adds package detection/protection; and the Indoor Camera Pro supports two‑way talk and one‑touch callout.

• Extra security

Smart Deter can automatically activate lights/sounds when a person lingers or a package is detected, complementing night vision, two‑way talk, and precise app alerts. The Smart Hub adds Wi‑Fi + cellular paths and battery backup for resilience.

Additional Drawbacks

• Long contracts

There’s no long‑term service contract if you buy equipment upfront (service is month‑to‑month), but if you finance equipment, terms commonly run up to 60 months and canceling early typically means paying the remaining equipment balance (Terms of Purchase; CNET).

• Requires an investment

DIY brands can cost less month‑to‑month. For example, SimpliSafe monitoring is typically ~$19.99–$29.99/mo depending on plan (SimpliSafe), and Ring’s Protect Pro plan for Alarm monitoring is about $20/mo in the U.S. (Ring Protect; also note recent subscription price increases across the category). You’ll self‑install those systems, whereas Vivint emphasizes full‑service pro install and integrated deterrence features.

Compare Home Security Providers

* Our rating is based, in part, on industry metrics such as Better Business Bureau grades and rankings in the J.D. Power Home Security Satisfaction Study, as well as user ratings via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

** Pricing is for the basic package. Please note pricing will vary based on customization, package tiers, and fees.

The Bottom Line

Vivint is a top pick if you want a turnkey, professionally installed system with proactive camera deterrence and unified control. Expect monitoring around $30–$50/mo depending on features, plus equipment and an installation fee unless a promotion waives it (U.S. News; CNET).

App access and cloud video require paid monitoring; in return you get 24/7 alarm response and tech support with phone, chat, in‑app help, and an online knowledge base (Support, Contact). If you prefer flexibility, buy equipment upfront for month‑to‑month service; if you finance, plan for a term commonly up to 60 months (Terms).

Vivint Home Security FAQ

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