How much does Vivint cost?

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Vivint ranks as one of our best home security systems. We researched to find out Vivint packages and pricing, including monitoring fees, moving fees, cancellation fees, and more.

SafeWise recommends
Vivint Smart Home Video
$49.99
/mo
pro 24/7 professional monitoring
pro 100% cellular connection
pro Professional installation

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

How much does Vivint cost?

How much is Vivint per month? Vivint’s home security system monthly monitoring fees range from $29.99 to more than $44.99 per month. Vivint's monthly cost is a little above average when compared to other top home security brands, but is not even close to the most expensive. 

Read more: How Much Does a Security System Cost?

Vivint equipment costs run from around $35 to $300. (The most expensive is the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro security camera.) 

Vivint’s starter pack can set you back around $600. This package includes a Vivint smart hub touchscreen panel, a water sensor, two door or window sensors, and a motion sensor. 

Home security system companies, like SimpliSafe, typically charge around $250 for starter packs, so Vivint prices are more than double the average. Keep in mind that Vivint does offer high-quality proprietary equipment, and its startup package includes a few more devices than other brands. 

Want to go beyond the basics? Larger Vivint packages can cost you upwards of $1,000.

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Is Vivint worth the money?

We calculated that your first year with a Vivint alarm system could cost around $1,200 (depending on equipment). The average cost of a burglary is over $2,600. The extra reassurance and advanced smart security perks of Vivint far outweigh the potential loss of a burglary. Plus, Vivint offers proprietary equipment you can’t get anywhere else. Those special devices cost more.

Learn more about how well this alarm system works in our Vivint review.

How much do you pay up front for Vivint?

If you finance through Vivint Flex Pay or a third-party financer, you pay $0 down for your equipment. Don’t like the idea of financing? Vivint also takes up-front payment for its home security system.

Does Vivint have a monthly fee?

Does Vivint have a monthly fee? Yep. With Vivint pricing, there are two types of monthly fees:
  • When you enter a contract, your monthly fee covers monthly monitoring and paying off your security equipment.
  • When you pay up front for all of your equipment, your monthly payments are for just monitoring.

If you finance, your monthly payments can vary depending on how much equipment you ordered. Your fees for monitoring are easier to predict.

Vivint home security system monitoring service plans

Vivint’s basic monitoring plan is called Smart Security Monitoring. This Vivint smart home security plan costs $29.99, which is comparable to ADT. The plan gives you access to the Vivint app (formerly known as the Vivint Sky App), but you can’t use any home automation features. You also can’t add cameras to your alarm system with this package.

The next tier is the Smart Home Monitoring plan. It comes with access to the Vivint smart home app and the ability to control your Vivint devices, like the Vivint Element thermostat, with voice commands. This plan costs $39.99 per month.

The most expensive plan is the Smart Home Video Monitoring plan. It starts at $44.99 per month and allows you to add cameras to your system, along with all of the features offered through the smaller packages. 

There’s a catch, though. The $44.99 only covers one camera. Additional cameras will cost you an additional $4.99 per camera every month. Even worse, your system can only have a total of six cameras. That’s bad news if you have a big home and a lot of property to cover. 

With a total of six cameras, you’ll be paying $69.94. That’s the most expensive monitoring plan on the market.

Vivint equipment prices and maintenance fees

Do you have to pay for Vivint equipment?

Yes, and Vivint equipment prices are high compared to competitors. A basic sensor or motion detector ranges from $50 to $100 when the average is closer to $30. Why so high? Vivint equipment has lifetime warranties (with the Premium Service plan) and proprietary equipment, which could account for their higher costs.

Cost of maintaining Vivint equipment

Vivint doesn't charge a service call fee during the first 120 days of your contract. After that, it costs $49 for a technician to come troubleshoot your Vivint system.

Defective equipment is replaced at no charge to you under the terms of Vivint's warranty, but you're responsible for buying replacement batteries for the security equipment as needed. Vivint's terms of use also mention that control panel screens aren't repaired free of charge.

Vivint equipment price list

Basic equipment

Vivint Smart Hub
Vivint Door Sensors
Vivint motion sensors
What it looks like
Vivint Smart Hub
Vivint window door sensor
Vivint Motion Sensor
Number in starter pack
1
2
1
Price for additional units
Not sold separately
$50.00
$100.00

Vivint smart home equipment

Kwikset Smart Lock
Garage door controller
Key fob
Panic pendant
What it looks like
Kwikset smart lock
Vivint key fob
Price
$159.99
$99.00
$34.99
$34.99

Vivint sensors

Recessed door sensor
Glass break sensor
Water sensor
Smoke detector
Carbon monoxide detector
What it looks like
Vivint recessed door sensor
Vivint water sensor
Price
$34.99
$100.00
$69.99
$100.00
$100.00

Vivint price list for accessories

You can learn more by checking out our Vivint equipment guide.

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Vivint installation cost and cancellation fees

When you sign up for a Vivint system, expect a $49 installation fee. Other pro-install alternatives to Vivint—like ADT—charge more if you add smart home equipment or security cams, so it's actually a pretty good deal.

To get out of your Vivint contract, you’ll need to pay off what you owe and potentially the remaining monitoring fees. This could be thousands of dollars if you have a longer contract. 

Can’t afford to pay off your system and need out of your contract? Vivint offers a cancellation service if you’re facing unfortunate and unexpected circumstances (death, active military service, bankruptcy). You’ll need to contact Vivint customer service to see if you qualify, and you’ll need to provide proof of your circumstances.

Can you transfer your Vivint contract to another?

Yep, you can also transfer your contract to someone else. Transfering is helpful if you can’t afford the system anymore, but a friend or family member needs a security system. You can even transfer the system to the buyer if you're selling your home. You may need to pay a $99 transfer fee and pay off any financing before making the transfer.

Vivint home security system moving fee

When you move, the Vivint home security company charges $149 to remove your system and an additional $149 to get your system up and running in your new home if you choose professional installation by the Vivint Smart Home Pros. DIY types can avoid fees by doing it all themselves. If you sign a new agreement when you move, Vivint installs the system for free.

Vivint warranty

As mentioned above, Vivint offers a lifetime warranty on its products with its Premium Service plan. If you don’t choose the Premium Service plan, your equipment has a warranty of 120 days.

If a device is glitching out, Vivint will send in a professional to fix it (free of charge) for up to 120 days after the installation, even without the protection plan. After 120 days, service calls are $49 per visit, and replacement of defective equipment is free. Each service visit has a 60-day guarantee, so if you need another visit, they’re free for three months after the first visit.

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Which is cheaper ADT or Vivint?

ADT and Vivint cost about the same when it comes to equipment. Their monthly fees are similar, too, until you get to the more premium packages. ADT's top monthly plan costs around $60 per month, while Vivint's top monthly plan costs around $45 per month.

How Vivint stacks up

Brand
Installation
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Best for
Starter equipment price
Contract required
Smart home compatibility Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
ProfessionalBest professional home security$599.00No *Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
ProfessionalMost trusted security brand$0.00YesAmazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
DIY or ProBest customer ratingQuote required
Online quiz
No *Amazon, Google
Ring
DIYBest budget-friendly pick$199.99NoAmazon, Google, Z-Wave
DIY or ProBest DIY home security$245.00NoAmazon,
Google

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
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Disclaimer

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

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Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina Bradford
Alina is a safety and security expert that has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. Her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.

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