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Vivint Home Security Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)
119 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Founded in 2002, Vivint is a smart home technology provider that offers home security and safety, home automation and energy management solutions. Their systems are fully customizable, feature 24/7 professional monitoring, and can all be controlled remotely via mobile app. Vivint is headquartered in Provost, Utah.
 
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How is Vivint rated?

Breakdown

4.5/5
Equipment
4.9/5
Monitoring Options and Technology
5.0/5
Value
4.8/5
Contract Flexibility

Overall Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)

Vivint pairs their innovative, self-designed technology for home automation with customizable plans and flexible payment options. Its aim is to provide fully-connected, innovative systems. The company is among the largest home security providers in the US. However, given the complexity of Vivint's systems, equipment costs can mount fairly quickly. Depending on the length of the monitoring contract you choose, monthly monitoring can be on the high side. The Vivint website does advertise a low $19.99 monthly monitoring fee option but it is attached to a high minimum initial purchase and lengthy service agreement.

How does Vivint work?

Equipment - 4.5 / 5

Vivint offers both pre-selected home security packages and fully customizable options. The company offers free professional installation of some system components, but does charge for the installation of outdoor and doorbell cameras.

Hardware options begin with the Smart Hub, to which additional devices are added, such as cameras, smart locks, a smart thermostat, and more. Some—but not all—equipment comes with a lifetime warranty.

Vivint's connected home technology offers a wide variety of optional sensors, such as smoke, glass break, carbon monoxide, and flood, all of which can be controlled via the Vivint app. The company allows customers to customize a feature-rich equipment package.
Installation
Professional
Equipment Manufacturer
Clearlink
Ability to Reallocate System
Wireless Sensors
Control Panel
Event Triggered Siren/ Alarm

Security Monitors, Sensors, & Devices

Intrusion Protection

  • Door & Window Sensors
  • Garage Door Sensors
  • Glass Break Protection
  • Motion Sensors
  • Recessed Door Sensors
  • Crash & Smash Protection

Environmental Protection

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Temperature Change
  • Smoke

Surveillance

  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Doorbell Cameras
  • Tilt & Pan Cameras
  • Live Surveillance
  • Event-triggered Surveillance

Life Safety

  • Panic Button
  • Medical Alert

Monitoring

Monitoring Options and Technology - 4.9 / 5

Vivint provides professional 24/7 monitoring via broadband or cellular data. Its call center can dispatch emergency personnel as needed. The Vivint Smart Hub Panel features two-way communication as part of a complete system, which gives homeowners more options during an emergency.
Monitoring Options
Professional Monitoring
Self Monitoring
Monitoring Technology
Cellular
Broadband
Number of Monitoring Centers
1
Monitoring Center Type
Owned
Professional Monitoring Services
24/7 Professional Monitoring
2-Way Intercom
Police Dispatch
Fire Department Dispatch
Medical Dispatch

How much does Vivint cost?

Contract Flexibility - 4.8 / 5

Vivint's Smart Home plans begin with a monthly monitoring fee of $39.99, while their Smart Home Video starts at $44.99. If a homeowner chooses to purchase their equipment upfront (average of $549.99), these are the only fees they'll pay subsequently, with no need for a contract. But self-monitoring is generally not recommended by security experts.

When choosing the financing option, the monthly cost includes the monitoring fees mentioned above, plus the equipment cost over their 42 or 60-month contracts. These contract lengths are lengthier than the industry standard of 24-36.
Monthly Fee (min)
$29.99
Monthly Fee (max)
$44.99
Number of Available Packages
3
Installation/ Activation Fee
$0.00
Equipment Starting Cost
$649.99
Contract Required
Minimum Contract Length
0 months
Cancellation Policy
Contract term is month-to-month, unless choosing the financing option, in which case terms are 42-60 months.
Warranty
Lifetime

Contract & Price Fine Print

Vivint offers a month-to-month plan with no contract required and contract lengths up to 60 months.

Technology Integrations

Technology Integration - 4.4 / 5

Vivint offers a high level of technology integration. Customers can select systems that combine home security, environmental safety, and energy efficiency features. The company manufactures some of its equipment itself, which is unusual in the industry.

Customers control their systems through the Vivint mobile app. Vivint can interface with Amazon Alexa and Echo, Google Home, IFTTT, and Z-Wave. They also have a cloud storage unit called Space Monkey, which holds 1TB of data and can be accessed remotely.

Compatibility

Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Google Home
IFTTT
Z-Wave
ZigBee
Z-Wave Plus

Mobile Access & Alerts

  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Live Surveillance Feed
  • Remote Arm/Disarm

Home Automation

  • Lighting Control
  • Thermostat Control
  • Appliance Control
  • Electronic Door Locks
  • Event-triggered Automation
  • History Log
  • Unique User Codes

Vivint Reputation

Reputation - 4.7 / 5

Vivint has excellent ratings across various certifying agencies, including the Central Station Alarm Association, the Underwriter's Laboratory, and the Electronic Security Association. Their customer reputation was historically poor, but they have made serious efforts in that arena, and currently offer support via various channels, including their mobile apps, website, and phone.
Trust Pilot Rating
3.8 out of 5
BBB Rating
D+
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
194
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews
28
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
485
Date Collected
2021-01-28
Year Founded
1999

Certifications & Associations

  • Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA)
  • Underwriter's Laboratory (UL)
  • Electronic Security Association

Vivint Summary

In Conclusion

Vivint Inc. is one of the largest home security companies in North America and currently provides services to over one million customers. The security company is known for “smart home” products and advanced alarm technology.

Unlike most companies that offer restrictive, pre-packaged plans, Vivint focuses on a customized approach. With Vivint’s base security package, customers receive a touchscreen control panel, a smoke detector, a door/window sensor, a motion detector, and a key fob. The key fob can be used to arm or disarm the system without having to enter the home. Additional equipment is also available, including recessed door sensors, glass break detectors, flood/freeze sensors, carbon monoxide detectors, tilt sensors, small appliance controls, doorbell cameras, smart thermostats, panic pendants, and more.

The Vivint Smart Home service packages smart home products across different brands, professional installation and monthly security monitoring. In June 2018, Vivint added two Google Home Minis to each starter kit. At CES, Vivint introduced Streety, a new neighborhood watch app.

Vivint equipment and monitoring are a bit pricey. There are two service plans. The Smart Protect plan is $39.99 per month and gives you 24/7 professional monitoring and full use of the mobile app, including alert notifications. If you add things like door locks, doorbell cams, and thermostats, you'll need the $49.99 per month Smart Home plan, which lets you control home automation devices using the app and Amazon's Alexa voice commands. Again, a service plan is not mandatory, but without one, you have to monitor your home yourself, and you don't get remote access to the system. Regardless of the payment plan you choose, Vivint simplified its three packages down to just two. The Smart Home package gets you home security and home automation only, and the Smart Home Video package adds video surveillance.

Rather than employing a third-party distributor, Vivint designs most of the equipment that’s included in each company package. Also, all devices function using Z-Wave and are wireless (including cameras and smart thermostats), so you don’t have to fumble through a problematic installation.

While Vivint’s systems are tailored to fit your needs, reviewers stated that Vivint struggles with delivering dependable customer service—both for user questions and in emergency situations. On the other hand, Vivint is highly receptive to customer feedback and works hard to implement recommended changes. Sales practices in the past damaged the company’s reputation, but it remains a leader in innovative home protection.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
https://www.vivint.com/
Company Phone
(855) 562-0243
Headquarters Address
4931 N 300 W, Provo, UT, 84604
Mailing Address
4931 N 300 W, Provo, UT, 84604

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119 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Brenda H
9/22/2015
When i bought my new house I decided to put in a security system. Vivint bugged me and bugged me so I decided to talk to them. They made it sound real good, you know free installation, state of the art blah, blah, blah. Anyway I went with them and after I had signed the contract I found out they were not going to put NEW anything in! They just used the same sensors and everything else that was already there, which belonged to ADT. The only thing they put in that belonged to them was the main board.Not a week went by until I started having problems. One of the old sensors needed replaced and I got to pay for that and the service call. The second time they came they left me a couple of... Read More

T
Thomas O
6/17/2015
I would NEVER recommend Vivint. 1st the salesman lied and said that I could get out of the agreement if I moved. 2nd when we moved there were no technicians available to install the system in our new home for over a month. 3rd the installer got frustrated and left without installing anything, saying he would come back later. 4th he never came back 5th When I called to make a new appointment no one was available for another month 6th No one called to determine why my system was not functional -- does not sound like active monitoring to me. 7th Calls required a 45 minute wait for a person 8th No supervisors were available to hear my complaints/concerns. 9th Billing... Read More

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Larry H
6/12/2015
We had Vivint installed in our home when we moved in last year. The installer obviously been well trainned, and we were really pleased in the installation. We've been really pleased with the Vivint system and their response times to a few false alarms.

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Bob S
5/26/2015
AMAZING!!! Love the service, love the system, love everything!

R
Ronald P
5/12/2015
After more than 29 months of using Vivint services, We have had numerous problems with them. Vivint installers, have caused damage to my home, installed devices improperly, in general preformed poor qulity work. Vivint, has never provided all the devices agreed to, in the original agreement. Having any Vivint device repaired, is like pulling teeth. Every time the alarm went off Vivint monitoring people, did handled the matter, in a professional competent manner. That being said, Vivint may not be totally bad, but they will never protect our house again. If you want true value in home security don't think Vivint!

H
Harold c
4/27/2015
keep up the good work

S
SHERYL W
1/22/2015
HORRIBLE , HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE IS ALL I CAN SAY !!!!! ONCE YOU HAVE IT INSTALLED THE SERVICE IS BAD. MY SYSTEM DOES WORK LIKE IT SHOULD. THEY TRY TO FIX EVERYTHING OVER THE PHONE. IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE THEY CHARGE YOU $49.00 A TRIP. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THIS ALARM COMPANY AT ALL!!!!!!!!! I HAD ADT FOR 15 YEARS I SHOULD HAVE NEVER CHANGED. NOW I'M STUCK WITH VIVINT FOR 5 YEARS . IF I CANCLE NOW IT WILL COST ME $4,000.00. DO NOT BUY THIS SYSTEM !!!!!!! TALKED TO TAYLOR # 90714 AT VIVINT HE TALKED TO ME LIKE I WAS A STUPID KID.......AS HE SAID TO ME AS LONG AS THE ALARM WAS WORKING THEN EVERTHING IS OK , BUT ITS NOT IF ITS WORKING ITS HOW ITS WORKING THAT IS THE... Read More

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Jake
1/17/2015
Vivint promised me equipment I never got. Within the first month I tried to cancel and I could not. At the end of my contract I have had to call 4 times to cancel service. And they still billed me an additional month. They stated that I had to notify them 30 days before I wanted it shut off. I think they do that so they can keep the extra 49.95. Their Customer service sucks.

S
Steven K
12/31/2014
I had a complete system installed Saturday 27 Dec, the installer left hurried after initial issues getting the sensors to work. The next morning I adjusted the volume so that I could hear which door was being opened and found them mislabeled using the web site, I changed the name of the door and sensor but the system doesn't recognize it. I have a variable speed TRANE AC system and the installer left off wires stating they weren't needed. My wife complained about the room temperature and although the system shows it's set to 74 and is 74 the room temperature and humidity in the house are about 4 to 5 degrees higher. I did try the calibrate mode but again same issue. Called my... Read More

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