Vivint review

Vivint ranks sixth: it has some of the strongest hardware here, but costs more and is less transparent than the DIY systems. Its own installers set everything up and show you how it works. Every system includes Smart Deter, which uses light and sound to scare people away, and Vivint designs its doorbell and cameras in-house. The app also runs smart locks, garage doors, lights and the thermostat. Packages start at $12.50 a month for equipment on 60-month financing for qualifying customers, but Vivint says a separate agreement and monthly fee are required for monitoring, and it does not publish that fee online, which lowers its value score. When we checked, Vivint offered up to six months of free monitoring with a qualifying purchase. Its product guarantee lasts up to four months. We compared documented features and published prices.

Who it is for

Homeowners who want a full smart home system installed for them and are fine with financing and a monitoring agreement.

Price

Equipment from $12.50 per month with 60-month financing for qualifying customers; monitoring is a separate monthly fee.

Security Starter Package From $12.50/mo* for equipment
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Professional installation by Vivint's own Smart Home Pros
• Smart Deter light and sound deterrence on every system
• 24/7 professional monitoring with two-way talk through the panel
• Smart locks, garage control and thermostat in one app
• 60-month interest-free equipment financing for qualifying customers

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No DIY work at all
• Strength: Deep smart home control from one app
• Strength: In-house designed cameras and doorbell
• Weakness: Monitoring price is not published online
• Weakness: Financing and a separate monitoring agreement
• Weakness: Product guarantee lasts up to four months

Key facts

• Installation: Professional, by Vivint staff
• Equipment from: $12.50 per month financed
• Monitoring fee: Separate, quoted by phone
• November 2026 offer: Up to 6 months free monitoring with qualifying purchase

Where it ranks

Vivint is No. 6 in our Best Home Security Systems verdict.