What Vivint is and who offers it

Vivint is a home security company that installs monitored alarm systems, video cameras, smart locks, and environmental sensors in your home. The company is owned by Vivint Inc., a publicly traded security and smart home provider. Vivint handles both the equipment installation and the 24/7 monitoring service — meaning when your alarm triggers, Vivint's monitoring center receives the signal and can contact you or emergency services.

Vivint operates nationwide and handles its own installation rather than using third-party installers. The company also offers smart home features like thermostat control, lighting automation, and mobile app access to your system, bundled into the same service contract.

Key Takeaways

  • Vivint charges an upfront equipment cost (usually $0 to $500 depending on the package) plus a monthly monitoring fee that typically ranges from $30 to $60, with longer contracts offering lower monthly rates.
  • Installation is performed by Vivint technicians at no additional charge, and the company handles both the alarm system and the 24/7 professional monitoring service.
  • Vivint contracts are usually 24, 36, or 60 months long, and early termination carries a cancellation fee that decreases as your contract term progresses.
  • The system includes door and window sensors, motion detectors, a control panel, and optional add-ons like cameras, smart locks, and environmental sensors.
  • You can control your system remotely through the Vivint mobile app, which lets you arm or disarm the system, view camera feeds, and receive alerts from anywhere.

How the equipment and monitoring work together

When you sign up with Vivint, a technician visits your home to install the control panel (a touchscreen device that serves as the brain of your system), door and window sensors, motion detectors, and any optional cameras or smart devices you choose. The control panel connects to your internet and communicates with Vivint's monitoring center over a cellular or broadband connection.

When a sensor is triggered — a door opens, motion is detected, or you manually trigger the alarm — the control panel sends a signal to Vivint's monitoring center. A trained operator receives the alert and follows the response protocol you set up during installation. This might mean calling you to verify the alarm, contacting local police, or both. If you do not answer or confirm an emergency, the operator can dispatch emergency services on your behalf.

You control the system through a keypad on the control panel or through the Vivint mobile app, which lets you arm the system in "home" mode (perimeter sensors only) or "away" mode (all sensors active), disarm it, or trigger a panic alarm. The app also shows you live camera feeds, lock or unlock smart doors, and adjust your thermostat if those devices are part of your package.

Equipment packages and what each includes

Vivint offers several preset packages, though the exact contents and pricing vary by location and current promotions. A typical entry-level package includes the control panel, door and window sensors for main entry points, one motion detector, and 24/7 professional monitoring. Mid-tier packages add outdoor cameras, a smart doorbell, or additional sensors. Premium packages bundle multiple cameras, smart locks, environmental sensors (for water or smoke detection), and thermostat control.

You can also customize your system by adding sensors, cameras, or smart devices beyond the preset packages. Each additional device adds to your upfront cost and may slightly increase your monthly monitoring fee. Vivint's website or a sales representative can provide a quote based on your home's layout and your preferences.

Monthly costs and contract terms

Vivint's monthly monitoring fees typically range from $30 to $60, depending on your contract length and the features included. Longer contracts (60 months) usually have lower monthly rates than shorter ones (24 months). The company often advertises promotional rates for the first few months, then the rate increases to the standard price for your contract tier.

Upfront equipment costs vary widely. Vivint frequently offers $0 equipment deals, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the cost is rolled into your monthly bill or waived entirely. Other promotions may charge $100 to $500 upfront. Always ask what the total upfront cost is before signing, and confirm the monthly rate after any promotional period ends.

Vivint contracts are typically 24, 36, or 60 months. If you cancel before the contract ends, you owe an early termination fee. This fee is usually highest at the beginning of the contract and decreases as time passes. For example, a 36-month contract might charge $300 to cancel in month 6, but only $100 in month 30. The exact fee schedule is in your contract.

Installation and setup

After you sign up, Vivint schedules an installation appointment at your home. A technician arrives to assess your home, place sensors on doors and windows, mount the control panel in a central location, install any cameras or smart devices, and test the system. Installation typically takes 1 to 3 hours and is included in your service — you do not pay an additional installation fee.

During installation, the technician will ask you to set up your user account, choose your PIN code, and decide on your monitoring response preferences (whether you want the monitoring center to call you first or dispatch police when ready, for example). The technician will also show you how to arm and disarm the system and how to use the mobile app.

Cancellation and what happens if you leave

If you want to cancel your Vivint service before your contract ends, you must pay the early termination fee outlined in your agreement. This fee varies by how much of your contract remains. You are responsible for removing the equipment from your home or arranging for Vivint to retrieve it, depending on your contract terms.

If your contract has ended and you want to cancel, you can do so without a penalty. Vivint will typically ask you to return the control panel and any rented equipment, or you may be able to keep it if it was included in your upfront purchase. Contact Vivint's customer service to initiate cancellation and confirm what equipment you need to return.

Comparing Vivint to other monitored alarm companies

Vivint is one of several companies that offer professional monitoring and smart home integration. Other national providers include ADT, Frontpoint, Vivint's parent company Vivint Inc.'s other brands, and regional security companies. The main differences are in equipment quality, monitoring response times, app features, contract flexibility, and pricing.

Vivint's main advantages are that it handles both installation and monitoring in-house, offers extensive smart home integration, and has a strong mobile app. The main drawback is that contracts are typically longer and early termination fees can be substantial. Some competitors offer shorter contracts or month-to-month options, though usually at a higher monthly rate. If you are considering Vivint, compare the total cost (upfront plus monthly times contract length) against competitors' offers, and read customer reviews about monitoring response times and customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my Vivint system if I move?

Vivint can transfer your service to a new address, though you may need a new installation if your new home's layout is very different. Contact Vivint to discuss the transfer and any associated costs. If you move out of Vivint's service area, you will likely need to cancel and pay an early termination fee.

What happens if my internet goes down?

Vivint systems use a cellular backup connection in addition to your broadband connection. If your internet fails, the system automatically switches to cellular and continues to communicate with the monitoring center. You will still have full monitoring protection, though some smart home features (like remote app control) may be temporarily unavailable.

Can I use Vivint without a long-term contract?

Vivint primarily offers 24, 36, and 60-month contracts. Month-to-month options are not standard, though you can ask about availability in your area. Month-to-month service, if offered, typically costs more per month than a longer contract would.

What if the alarm goes off by accident?

If you trigger the alarm by mistake, you have a grace period (usually 30 to 60 seconds) to enter your PIN code and disarm it before the monitoring center is notified. If the monitoring center is already notified, call them when ready to confirm it was a false alarm. Repeated false alarms may result in fines from your local police department, not from Vivint.

Does Vivint work with smart home devices I already own?

Vivint's system integrates with some third-party smart home devices, but compatibility varies. The system works best with devices Vivint sells or officially supports. If you have existing smart home equipment, ask Vivint during the sales process whether it can be integrated into your system.