Vivint Review

Vivint Smart Home Security Review
  • OVERALL RATING:  
    empty starempty starempty starempty starempty star   5/5
  • Products & Services:  
    empty starempty starempty starempty starempty star   4/5
  • Cost:  
    empty starempty starempty starempty starempty star   5/5
  • Ease of Use:  
    empty starempty starempty starempty starempty star   4/5
  • Customer Support & Reviews:  
    empty starempty starempty starempty starempty star   5/5

Our Review

Starting in 1999, Vivint has come a long way and forged a path as the smart home technology leader for home protection. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of smart products the company offers to extend your security service and make your life easier. For instance, if you have children or pets, the Vivint Ping Camera is a great option to make sure they’re safe with a babysitter or partner while you’re away from home.

Vivint also understands that outdoor cameras act as effective preventative measures, and we were pleased with the inclusion of light and sound warnings when a lurker is detected. Even better, the technology ignores animals and cars so that you’re only receiving notifications for people you don’t recognize and not a stray cat or raccoon.

Lastly, Vivint differentiates itself by its vast number of positive reviews across the board. Customers love that the customer representatives and technicians are professional, courteous, and friendly. They’re able to answer all questions customers have while explaining to them the ins and outs of their new systems, so they feel comfortable operating them on their own.

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Products & Services

Products & Services:  
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Vivint is known for its highly customizable plans. You’ll need to call or email the company to get a custom assessment and quote for the security features you need. Vivint is all about smart home technology–all of their packages come with the Vivint Smart Hub, Smart Sensors, the Vivint Smart Home App, and 24/7 alarm monitoring.

Vivint offers one Total Home Package with a monthly monitoring cost of $29.99 and can be fully customizable with optional add-ons. Here are some of the additional products they offer:

Outdoor Camera Pro

The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro is the only camera in the industry that provides “lurker protection,” which helps prevent crime by warning any lurkers that they’ve been spotted on camera through light and sound.

Features:
  • 4K Ultra HD image sensor
  • Wide-angle 140-degree field of view
  • 1080p video resolution
  • Infrared LED night vision

Doorbell Camera Pro

If you’ve experienced people stealing the packages off your doorstep or want to prevent it from happening, the Doorbell Camera Pro is for you. It’s Smart Sentry AI Protection activates light and sound, so people who are about to steal your packages know they’re on camera. You’ll also receive notifications when someone has dropped off a package.

Features:
  • 180-degree x 180-degree camera field of view
  • 1080p HDR sensor for live streaming and recording
  • 4.6 x 1.5 x 1.3 inches
  • Microphone and WiFi connectivity

Ping Camera

The Vivint Ping Camera was created for indoor use that allows you to watch for burglars. It also enables you to monitor pets and children. The best part about this camera is that it also has a two-way talk feature. You can see and speak to your family even when you’re away from home. Family members can also contact you directly by simply pushing a button on the camera.

Features:
  • Infrared night vision
  • Full HD 1080p video resolution
  • Built-in speaker and microphone
  • High res color photos can save to your device
  • 4-megapixel camera sensor
Pros
  • Highly customizable package with an extensive amount of smart devices for your home
Cons
  • Determining the equipment you need and what is unnecessary can be difficult

Cost

Cost Rating:  
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The Vivint monthly cost for the Total Home Package starts at $29.99 a month with a minimum equipment purchase of $599.99, which is the industry’s average price. Monthly financing is available for the equipment fee, so you don’t have to pay it all upfront.

You’ll also need to take into account the one-time installation fee, which can range from $49 to $199 depending on how much equipment you need to be installed. Extra costs come with add-on features and equipment as you further customize your plan.

Package Name Monthly Cost Extra Fees
Total Home Package Starting at $29.99/month $599.99 for equipment

Savings Opportunities

Vivint offers a Referral Program for all of its customers, which provides a reward or account credit, for all the customers you’re able to refer to Vivint. Both the referring customers and the referred customer will receive a $50 account credit. However, the account credit only applies if the referred customers sign up for a $50.99/month contract for 48 to 60 months and not the base package price.

If you have a military family and one of your family members is deployed, Vivint also offers special contract exceptions and benefits.

Pros
  • Affordable monthly costs for quality smart home protection
Cons
  • May be hard to receive account credit due to referral stipulations

Customer Support and Reviews

Customer Support and Reviews:  
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Vivint is notable for its vast majority of positive reviews across a variety of different review sites. Many customers were pleasantly surprised by how friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives are.

Customers were pleased that representatives answered all their questions in a patient and informative manner. If you’re not familiar with security systems or smart home technology, the terminology can be confusing and overwhelming. Still, customers thought the explanations they received were informative and easy to follow for a layperson.

Lastly, customers were content with how easy it was to have the system installed. Some were afraid that they would have trouble adjusting to and operating the system, but the technicians walked them through it.

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Thank you very much for your customer service, sales rep, and installation tech, they did an outstanding job and we greatly appreciate all you do. Very easy to use and has great quality. I love the camera features and the ability to communicate with those who come to visit. There are many options to choose from and create a package just right for us. Thank you greatly

– Edward of Hinesville, GA

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Very informative, easy to use and affordable monthly payments! Technician arrived within 30 minutes set it all up showed me and my family how to use the system. They were both very knowledgeable, helpful and answered all questions. Also tech set my phone up for quick and easy use while on the go. Thanks for everything!

– Scott of Louisville, KY

Pros
  • Customers had overall great experiences with employees
Cons
  • More expensive than competitors

Company Background

Vivint was created in 1999 with the name APX Alarm. It was only in February of 2011 when the company rebranded to the name Vivint. The name comes from the Latin word “vive,” which means “to live” and “intelligent.” The rebranding makes sense because the company prides itself on being on the leading edge of smart home security technology for almost 500,000 customers throughout the United States and Canada.

For instance, in 2009, APX introduced its Go!Control panel, which helped the company become a leader in touch screen technology in their industry. In 2011 through a partnership with Tendrill and Constellation Energy, Vivint began providing affordable solar technology to its customers.

Fast Company has ranked Vivint Smart Home as #22 on their list of The World’s Most Innovative Companies; they’re on the list with companies such as Amazon, Google, and Facebook. Even better, J.D. Power recognized Vivint as the “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Home Security Systems.”

Last but not least, Vivint takes good care of its employees. Forbes recognized Vivint Smart Home as one of “America’s Best Employers.”

Pros
  • Prides itself on being on the leading edge of new technologies and customer satisfaction
Cons
  • Some reviewers experienced technical issues during installation or technicians running late

The Bottom Line

If you’re interested in adopting more smart home technology as well as having a more secure house, then Vivint may be the company for you. As it’s known as one of the most innovative companies in the world, you’ll be sure that the smart products it offers are top of the line. Even though you’ll be investing in 24/7 alarm monitoring and new equipment, Vivint offers an affordable starting price of $29.99 a month, including equipment costs to fit every budget. They also offer financing plans so that you’re not hit with large costs upfront when you get started.

Lastly, we were pleased with Vivint’s offering of a Referral Program for current customers that enables a $50 account credit after a successful referral. We were also impressed with their accommodation for military families. If your partner or member of your family is currently deployed, Vivint promises to work with you for more flexible contract options or benefits.

Disclaimer

The information featured on this page is based on our best estimates of pricing, package details, contract stipulations, and service available at the time of writing. This is not a guarantee. All information is subject to change. Pricing will vary based on various factors, including, but not limited to the customer’s location. For the most accurate information, please ask your customer service representative. Clarify all fees and contract details before signing a contract or finalizing your purchase.