Many or all of the companies featured compensate us. Compensation and research may determine where and how companies appear. Learn more
  1. Home
  2. Home Security Systems
  3. Vivint Review

Vivint Home Security Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)
119 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
Our content is free because we may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. Learn more.
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.
 
See Details
CALL NOW

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

Our Comments Policy  |  How to Write an Effective Comment

Leave a comment for Vivint Home Security
Minimum 12 words.
 No maximum length.
* What's Your Rating?
To make this comment as helpful as possible for our community, please provide at least 2 sentences.

119 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
O
Octavia s
1/22/2018
Way to expensive.Pay for the product then the monthly fees.enternet is to much.

G
G.M.
1/4/2018
A word to the wise...believe the negative reviews! I was very excited to purchase a state of the art security system through Best Buy. After reading many of the negative comments, I was on the fence to move forward with Vivint but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I was hoping the positive comments and a positive article I read about the company were true vs the many negative reviews. The company called the night before to confirm my appointment time of between 4 -8 pm. The day of installation, at 3:18 pm I received an e-mail stating that they would have to reschedule my appointment due to "double booking". If a company is not reliable with an installation, then how... Read More

D
Dee
12/27/2017
Customer service is terrible when you have a problem and don't want to renew your contract. It's been 2 years and I am still waiting on a return phone call, email, or text message. After talking to a rep not knowing my husband told them he did not want a contract, I got an offer and had 3 days to cancel. Cancelled in less than 24 hours and was told it cancelled. Days later a tech came out to install new equipment. Called company, emailed EVERYONE we talked to for 6 months and to this day (2 years later) no one have contact us back. Alerts are great however.

T
Tanya C
12/26/2017
Worst company ever, every time you call they put you on hold forever. They said my bill was 129 then charge me 150 when I called to ask why they put me on hold forever then said the finance department that handles bills just closed 10 minutes ago. Ridiculous! I’m calling them tomorrow and they can come get all their equipment out of my house. How can I give them 0 stars?

S
STEVE
12/22/2017
LOVE THERE PRODUCT UP TO DATE

C
Carolyn w
12/17/2017
DO NOT USE VIVINT!!! Vivint is extorting me for a service I do not use. Everyone please file complaint with the attorney general. My system has not work right after 3 weeks. Harry and Carolyn wilson

G
Grady
11/22/2017
Avoid Vivint! Horrible customer service. Check out the yelp reviews and you'll get a true picture of their ratings. We had our system for several years and during that time, customer service went from "ok" to awful. A sales crew came through our neighborhood and they asked how they liked our system and if we would recommend it to others. I was honest, told him what my issues were, and said I would not recommend it to anyone. He said he would be back to try to resolve an issue with our panel but guess what? He never returned. They care more about getting more sales than providing quality customer service to their existing customers. If I could rate them less than a 1 I would.

R
Rachel S
11/18/2017
This is a horrible dishonest company! Every time I set the alarm....it would send a false alarm out and the Sheriffs Department would be alerted..sometimes with multiple alerts on the same day! VERY ..VERY UNRELIABLE! I called many times...techs wouldn't show or when they finally did , I was informed that the system was working with nothing wrong with it! The next time I would set it...same thing with multiple false alarms....I tried and tried to get this resolved and they never did get it working properly. This company is horrible! They want their money but their system didn't work! They used old senders from a previous company and passed them on as new! It's the worst system I've ever... Read More

P
PJefferson
11/9/2017
This is the worst and deceptive company I've ever done business with. From the beginning they sell the service as being the best, lie to you on the service you will receive. They tell you, you have all this credit to spend on equipment of your choosing and sucker you into a 4 YEAR CONTRACT TO PAYOFF ALL THAT FREE MONEY THEY CLAIM you get. I was told if any of the equipment failed it will be replaced. NOT. They assess a $50 fee to come out. If you call about malfunctioning they hit you with a $50 service call fee every time. If you mail in the equipment which is crazy vs sending out a tech when they admit it's a equipment failure on their part, it takes months to get back. I returned the... Read More

G
George W
10/17/2017
Uses existing parts from past alarm companies and leads you to think you are getting news sensors. Called 5 times to get a copy of contact. Don't have one yet.

Top Rated
Our Partner

Professional Installation + $0 Activation Fee

  • Home security system & smart automation
  • Security cameras systems 
  • 24/7 video monitoring & support
  • Control devices from anywhere on one app 
  • Custom-built for your home
READ FULL REVIEW >
CALL NOW
See Details

Related to Home Security Systems

Top Articles
Suggested Comparisons