- Vivint
Vivint
check_circle VerifiedVivint Smart Home offers comprehensive home security and home automation solutions for more than one million customers across the United States. Vivint provides wireless home security systems with 24/7 professional monitoring and a lifetime equipment warranty. Its systems are professionally installed and supported by 24/7 customer service teams.
The company has been in business for 20 years and has received various industry awards, including the PCMag Editors’ Choice Award, U.S. News & World Report's Best Home Security System of 2019, Business Intelligence Group Excellence in Customer Service Award, and more.
Continue reading for The Good, The Bad, and The Bottom Line about Vivint Smart Home, and check out customer reviews of its home security and home automation.
Go Directly to Vivint Smart Home Customer Reviews
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The Good
- Vivint Product Ecosystem
- Professional Installation
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring
- Vivint Equipment Warranty
- Compatibility with Smart Home Devices
- Product Financing
- Vivint Smart Home App
- Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro with Smart Sentry™
Vivint Product Ecosystem
Vivint offers a comprehensive smart home solution, including a hub, security cameras, home automation devices, a connected car device, and security and safety sensors. Customers can also finance their products to get a complete smart home at the start without paying for everything upfront. Here's a detailed list of Vivint's offered products:
- Vivint Smart Hub — Single touchscreen hub to connect and control your entire smart home. Easily check the status of your system, and quickly communicate with emergency services.
- Vivint Doorbell Camera — Video doorbell that lets you answer your door from anywhere. Integration with locks and garage doors gives you full control of access to your home.
- Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro — Vivint's video surveillance camera that can intelligently identify and automatically deter a true threat. It doesn’t just record the crime; it helps prevent it.
- Vivint Ping Camera — Indoor camera that lets you see, speak, and stay connected to your home and loved ones.
- Vivint Playback — Playback ability that lets customers record 30 days of continuous video from up to four cameras to their Vivint Smart Drive and access it remotely from their mobile device.
- Kwikset Smart Lock — Smart lock that provides secure, keyless access from anywhere and can even tell you who unlocked a door and when.
- Garage Door Controller — Garage door remote that allows customers to open or close their garage door remotely from Vivin't mobile app.
- Vivint Element Thermostat — Smart thermostat that lets you control the temperature in your home from anywhere. It can also automatically adjust to keep you comfortable when you’re home and save you money when you’re away.
- Vivint Car Guard — A way to monitor whereabouts of your vehicle, car maintenance updates, or mechanical issues, all through the same mobile app.
- Vivint Smart Sensor — Door/window sensor that enables customers to ensure doors and windows are secure.
- Vivint Motion Sensor — Equipment that lets customers track movement in their homes with the passive infrared motion sensor.
- Smoke Detector — Sensor that sends a signal to the panel when smoke is detected, sounding a loud local alarm and alerting monitoring immediately to dispatch authorities.
- Carbon Monoxide Detector — Sensor that sends a signal to the panel when excessive carbon monoxide levels are detected, sounding a loud local alarm and alerting monitoring immediately to dispatch authorities.
- Vivint Water Sensor — Water sensor that notifies customers of leaks and floods inside the home, as well as freezing indoor temperatures that may lead to bursting pipes.
- Glass-Break Detector — Sensor that alerts customers if a window is broken in the home.
Professional Installation
Vivint offers security systems that are professionally installed by a technician. This means that your sales rep will schedule a technician to come to your home, consult with you on what your home might need, and help you determine where all the products should go. The technician connects your entire system for you and then shows you how to use it before leaving.
24/7 Professional Monitoring
Vivint includes 24/7 professional monitoring by security certified agents. If homeowners want peace of mind that their houses will be protected at all times, monitoring is an important part of proper home security.
24/7 monitoring means that your alarm will send a signal to a professional monitoring center when a sensor detects a break-in, smoke, or carbon monoxide. The monitoring center will then contact you through the system's cellular two-way communication to verify whether the alarm is an actual emergency or a false alarm.
Vivint Equipment Warranty
All Vivint equipment is under warranty for the first 120 days after installation and any needed service calls are at no charge. After 120 days, service calls are $49 and equipment is also warranted for 30 days after any service ticket.
Compatibility with Smart Home Devices
A useful offering from Vivint is its compatibility with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, which allows homeowners access to voice-controlled control features. Vivint is also compatible with other popular technology, including the Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E, Philips Hue lightbulbs, and Z-Wave Alliance certified products.
Compatibility with these smart home products is especially helpful for improving energy efficiency in your home.
Product Financing
Customers have the option of a zero-percent interest loan for 42 or 60 months, so they can get a complete smart home without having to pay for everything upfront (as with DIY systems). The accompanying service contract matches the term of the loan so that customers have service while they are paying off the products. Once a customer pays off their equipment loan, they have the ability to go to a month-to-month service subscription.
Vivint Smart Home App
The Vivint Smart Home app is available in the app stores for both iPhone and Android devices, and you can use it to manage and control your Vivint system from anywhere. Customers can also use the app to set up rules for certain events to happen automatically when triggered by other products or at specific times during the day. For example, you can have your doors automatically lock every night at 10:00 PM or have your indoor camera record a clip whenever the front door is opened.
Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro with Smart Sentry™
Vivint has an outdoor camera called the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro. The camera includes two-way talk, hybrid wired Wi-Fi connection, a customizable surveillance zone, a 4K sensor with 1080p quality with HD zoom, a wide-angle lens with a 140-degree view, and night vision. The camera even includes what Vivint calls Smart Sentry™, which is an LED ring light on the camera that lights up and plays an alert sound to let intruders know they've been spotted.
When the camera detects motion and a person is in the camera's view for too long, that's when Smart Sentry™ is triggered. You can customize notifications so that the camera will notify you when any person approaches. If you want notifications to be more specific, you can set the alert to only notify you when someone may be loitering. The camera also automatically records 20-second auto recordings whenever something triggers the camera's motion detectors.
By using the Vivint Smart Home app, you can also access live feed of your camera at any time as well as past footage that is stored in your Vivint Smart Drive. The drive saves continuous footage for up to 30 days.
If you don't want to install the camera(s) yourself, Vivint offers professional installation and will synch your Wi-Fi, your outdoor camera(s), and your Vivint Smart Home products together, so all of your devices are connected.
The Bad
- $99 Moving Fee
- Lengthy Contracts
- Vivint Home Security Cost
$99 Moving Fee
Vivint charges customers a $99 move fee if you transfer services to a new residence within the first year of a signed contract. Many home security companies offer moving services completely free of charge.
Lengthy Contracts
Vivint requires 42- or 60-month contracts for its security services if you choose to finance your products. Although contracts are common within the home security industry, typically they only last up to 36 months.
The upside to a long contract is Vivint gives you the choice of a zero-percent interest loan for the length of the contract, which may make the long-term contract worth it for some customers.
Vivint Home Security Cost
Customers can get Vivint service starting at $29.99 per month for monitoring, with no activation fee or equipment fee. This basic monitoring also requires the purchase of a Starter Kit, which includes one touchscreen hub, two door/window sensors, one motion sensor, and $100 in sensors.
Although this is a relatively low monthly monitoring fee, expanding to home automation products and adding cameras will increase this monthly service cost and require you to either pay upfront for or finance the product cost. Like some other security providers, Vivint does not list its specific pricing on its website, so you will need to call Vivint's customer service reps to gather all pricing information.
The Bottom Line
Vivint home security systems feature a comprehensive selection of home automation smart home products, video surveillance with security cameras, and energy management features with professional installation and 24/7 professional monitoring. The company's most unique offering is its Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, which automatically detects and deters crime.
In addition to Vivint's robust product offerings, the company has its own mobile app that allows customers to manage their home security system and smart home products from anywhere at any time.
Vivint products are compatible with most smart home devices, including the Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Nest Thermostat, and more. You can find the complete list in "The Good" section above.
A downside to Vivint is the company has a long-term contract that lasts 42 or 60 months if you choose to finance your products rather than pay for them upfront. This is longer than most home security companies out there. However, the fact that Vivint offers product financing for the length of the contract may be a benefit.
You can find Vivint security reviews located below if you want to learn more about the customer experience.
Call our recommended rep over at Vivint below.
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Vivint Frequently Asked Questions
What comes as standard equipment in Vivint home security packages?
Vivint provides customized systems based on each customer’s unique needs, so it’s difficult to define standard equipment. That said, there is a Starter Kit that most customers begin with as a solid baseline.
Typically, the Starter Kit will include the touchscreen Vivint Smart Hub control panel, a Vivint yard sign and light, two door/window sensors, a motion sensor, and $100 worth of customizable equipment. Most customers also opt for at least one or two security cameras and a few additional pieces of equipment.
What is Vivint’s cancellation policy?
In most cases, a customer can cancel within their right of rescission (three days) without any penalty. After that, the customer is required to pay the remaining balance of the service and equipment for the life of the agreement.
Does Vivint require an installation or activation fee?
Vivint typically charges a $49 install fee. It does not charge an activation fee.
Does Vivint run a credit check?
Vivint will run a credit check if the customer intends to finance the equipment. If the customer pays upfront for the equipment, no credit check is needed.
How much does Vivint professional monitoring cost?
Vivint’s monthly monitoring service starts at $29.99 per month.
Do you own your Vivint home security equipment?
Once a customer pays off their equipment, they own it. The vast majority of customers finance the equipment over 60 months.
What devices can you use to access your Vivint cameras?
Customers can access their Vivint camera feeds through the Vivint Smart Home app which is compatible with most smartphones and tablets. It is not compatible with Kindle tablets or older flip phones.
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Learn MoreUser Reviews
Star Rating
3,831 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Verified Customer
L.Lichnerowicz
We have loved having the Vivint Home Security System in our home. We've been a customer since Nov 2015. They recently came out to upgrade our equipment and we added another exterior camera. Customer Service has always been good with resolving any problems which there have not been but a couple.
Verified Customer
Don Remenapp
Dependable security functionality with good remote access
Verified Customer
Gail
Vivint has protected my o'hana and my home for the last 6 years. They are always there when I have questions and will take the time to walk me through any process. I feel safe with Vivint security.
Verified Customer
dawn
service good-app sucks big time-service techs knowledgeable
Reply from Vivint
Jul 15, 2020
Thank you for your feedback, Calvin. We'd love to hear more specific feedback on how our app can be improved.
Verified Customer
Ken
Very quick response time. Helpful phone service. Shows they value Loyalty.
JR
If i could give it zero stars I would, terrible customer service! don't take care of issues I'm in the 3rd year of a five year contract with parts that don't work and they want 950.00 to cancel a contract STAY AWAY! due your due diligence I'm not the only one with these problems and their re-upping of contracts without a written consent is terrible. Vivint is the Hotel California of security systems, you can check out anytime but you can never leave
Reply from Vivint
Jul 15, 2020
Thank you for your feedback Cathy. We understand your frustration and would like to see how we can assist you. Please call us so we can discuss this further, and make sure you are taken care of. Please call us at 18002165232.
Verified Customer
Jesse
The system works. We had one problem getting ahold of someone about our sensor, but other than that I have no problem with it. It's pretty much trouble-free.
Verified Customer
Pamela
It's convenient. I had one agent that was horrible. The app gives me trouble sometimes.
Verified Customer
Marsha
Responsive, responsible, efficient, quality, price, everything is excellent. I am able to monitor it myself via wifi and internet and I really like that. They've always been very receptive toe anything I've asked for help with.
Verified Customer
Percy
We're elderly and they provided us with the security watch or medical alert watch as a promotion when we purchased the package. I'm just disappointed that when the batteries die we have to buy our own batteries.
Verified Customer
Margaret
They've very easy to talk to. They talk you through everything. It always works.
Verified Customer
Thomas
It's easy, good to use. They've always answered all my questions. I need to get it updated. It was great now is so old. I got my money's worth.
Verified Customer
Lona
The security camera is the best. The only thing that I have found that I don't like is if they're not local to come to you if you have a problem.
Verified Customer
Anonymous
A lot of times we have problems with the door locks. We got problems going on with certain things at certain times. The customer service is good. They always try to help me with whatever was going on.
Reply from Vivint
Jul 15, 2020
Thank you for your feedback. We'd like to see how we can assist you with your issues. Please Chat in with us 24/7 so we can discuss this further, and make sure you are taken care of. 18002165232
Verified Customer
Sharon
I can use it on my phone. I would say it works pretty well but certain things you always have to call to get set up because I can't hook it up on your own. They are very helpful.
Verified Customer
Penny
When I reach out to customer service it's an immediate response and solves my problem. For needs of my home, the system is very accurate and appropriate. It keeps watch over everything that's going on around my property.
Verified Customer
Gary
The telephone support, online support was very tedious. In order to get an answer to any question, it takes far too long. I've had other home security type systems and they are much easier to install and navigate through. They need to be more accommodating both with other devices that can be utilized with their infrastructure and in terms of the actual devices they provide. Far too complicated when it does not need to be.
Reply from Vivint
Jul 15, 2020
Thank you for your feedback, Gary. We'd like to see how we can assist you with your issues. Please Chat in with us 24/7 so we can discuss this further, and make sure you are taken care of. 18002165232
Verified Customer
Richard
I had them install some cameras and because I had felons break into my home and we caught them but if I had that camera probably would have caught them well in advance. I like the camera because you can view it at any time and it also has a record. If I do have a situation or a problem, I talk to them and everything's taken care of. That's why I've had him for years.
Verified Customer
Nancy
It's easy to navigate to my options. Whenever I have a problem, I call and they are very helpful on how to correct a problem and if needed they will send out a technician.
Verified Customer
Eugene
They respond when I make phone calls for help if I don't understand something. I'm able to travel and still keep contact with the houses for security.
Verified Customer
Carla
I like the camera. Nice people. They're always answering my questions. They're always there. Easy to operate.
Verified Customer
Ana
I have multiple false alamrs, especially with the water system. The cameras are great.
Reply from Vivint
Jul 15, 2020
Thank you for your feedback, Ana. We'd like to see how we can assist you with your issues. Please Chat in with us 24/7 so we can discuss this further, and make sure you are taken care of. 18002165232
Verified Customer
John
It's easy. It seems to get pretty good coverage of the house.
Reply from Vivint
May 22, 2020
Thank you, John, for your feedback! It is so good to know that you're enjoying your system. We value the opportunity to protect your home and family. When you have a chance, contact our support team to get your referral code by calling 844-241-3243.
Verified Customer
Rob
It's good. It doesn't have any issues so I've been basically problem free.
Verified Customer
Anonymous
I did have trouble once and called and the service guy came probably the next day to help me out. I had a cat and had gone away for the day and set the alarm and I forgot that my cat was in the house and he set off the alarm and the police actually called me and told me that they checked around the house and found nobody.
Verified Customer
Jose
The equipment is good and they're constantly upgrading and offereing us that equipment as well. They're helpful and efficient.
Verified Customer
Richard
I like being able to replay the movement around the house and the cameras. The system has been good.
Verified Customer
Eric
I very much like the product. It's very customer friendly to use. It's nice to be able to reach people in customer service without having to be transferred all over the place.
Verified Customer
Daryl
The equipment works fine. Every once in a while something doesn't work right. I have to call on this. It's the software not the equipment needs to be either updated or I need to reboot something. They're just a phone call away.
Verified Customer
Lewis
We haven't had too much trouble with them. The biggest problem we've had ist rying to get a battery sometimes. They're responsive and courteous over the phone. When I call with a problem with the system, even if it's just me lacking the knowledge, they walk me through it and get it taken care of right away.
Verified Customer
Ebony
I like everything. I like that I'm able to use it from my mobile phone and the features that they offer their customers. I like the prices more than anything. Their customer service is always friendly. Their reps when they come out always solve my problems. I've never had an issue where something couldn't be resolved. Their equipment is always updating. They're always finding ways to improve it and it's always affordable even though it's improving.
Verified Customer
Charles
I've had internet issues with it. Every time I call, they're very knowledgeable and they have been very good at helping me.
Verified Customer
Anonymous
It's easy to test and when it does go off they alert us and send somebody out. It gives me peace of mind.
Verified Customer
Linda
It's easy to reach them, not a very long wait time. They seem to call me when anything is not right. I like the doorbell.
Verified Customer
Devon
Customer service did a really good job and the system is reliable.
Verified Customer
Anonymous
I like being able to unlock locks without a key, just a code. I'm working on trying to get a programmable thermostat that is compatible with the system. If I've accidentally set off an alarm, they make sure everything is secure and I appreciate that.
Verified Customer
Bernadette
They have many packages and efficient service. They are always there when I call. They answer my questions and make sure I'm clear about any of the answers. The system is top of the line and they're always updating it with new updated technology and I appreciate that.
Verified Customer
Robert
I love the ability to check our security on our phone. We haven't really used the customer service too much but they're helpful when they do call.
Verified Customer
Lacy
I don't have the complete package yet. I'm still waiting for them to fix something and it's been a month.
Verified Customer
Ana
It's good quality. I h aven't had any problems with it. It hasn't stopped working at all since I started using their service and it's been five years already. Every time that I call them, they are very helpful with my questions. I like the videos that it takes and the cameras are good quality.
Verified Customer
Frances
Whenever the alarm goes off and we're not aware of it, someone calls. They are reliable and excellent customer service.
Verified Customer
Edmond
They know how to talk to you, how to treat you, if you'r ehaving a problem. They'll take the time to help you and explain everything to you. The cameras, all of it, are the best.
Verified Customer
Jeanie
They're so on top of everything and I never have a problem getting through and them solving any issues I have. Sometimes it takes forever to get issues solved. I just like the product.
Verified Customer
Anonymous
They went the exxtra mile when installing it. The equipment always works. They're always very responsive to my request. If something is going on they always contact you immediately.
Verified Customer
Linda
Easy to talk to, go out of their way to make sure that our family is secure. Love the cameras, love the customer service. Easy to use, easy to navigate, and efficient.
Verified Customer
Meridith
We've had a problem and they took care of it right away. We had one problem and they were out here promptly and took care of it and then the lady that came out was very experienced and she explained things to us more thoroughly / more in layman's terms. We learned some new things about the system that we didn't know before. When we leave, we can lock the house. We just feel safer in the house with all the bells and whistles and we can just tell when people are coming and going and we just like it.
Verified Customer
Philip
My first time chanign the device settings, I wasn't quite sure how it worked. The man that sold it told me about it but I forgotten so I called up and I got immediate assistance and from that day forward I've been able to operate whole thing. At my age at 76, that's pretty good. You can operate it with your cell phone so if you forgot to set it when you left. you can just take your phone out and arm the system. You can also set the various settings for tones that you want to use in the house, you can change it from day to night. There are a lot of positive things and it's very simple to use. We had a tornado warning just a little while ago and it showed up on Vivint's master control box. Everything that was being told us on the television and radio, phone alerts, it all showed up on the control system box so I was very impressed and it was pretty neat to see.
Verified Customer
Regina
The cost is a little bit higher than other security systems. Because of the location of their main office, it takes them awhile for the mail to come in and by the time I get the bill, Its time, it's almost time to send it out and it takes as long as I get it for them to get the bill, so I'm always charge the late fee. I haven't had any trouble with their alarm system or any thing. The best thing about them is when you call in or when the alarm is triggered, they call you right away on the phone or they will come in on your alarm system.
Verified Customer
P
I've never had issues with the home security system. The camer is the best part about Vivint's sytem.
Reply from Vivint
Jul 15, 2020
Thanks for the feedback, P! Happy to hear you've had such a great experience. Let us know if there's anything we can ever do to further assist you.
Verified Customer
John
The simplified instructions are easy to follow and if I need help immediately I can pick up the home phone and call the representatives and they will give step by step instruction to help solve my problem. Would recommend to any customers that are interested in a good quality security system. Vivint stands ready to provide your needed information to help solve your problem. The system is simple to operate and I'm a elderly person and I can easily follow the instruction they did it provided.