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Vivint

Mediocre Customer Service, but Good Equipment

8.2

Overall Score

2 days ago

Vivint

Review

Rating: 8.2 / 10 (Great)

Vivint is a relatively new name in the home security system marketplace that has established a strong reputation for quality home automation equipment.

They offer a robust selection of devices that you can use to control your whole home at a premium price. For tech-savvy early-adopters who want to program every aspect of their home to their liking, Vivint is definitely worth looking into

Vivint’s main drawback is that their systems are complex enough to require professional installation, and their monthly fees start higher than most.

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How is Vivint Rated?

Breakdown
Equipment
8/10
Monitoring
7/10
Reputation
6/10
Contract & Price
6.5/10
Technology Integration
6/10
Overall Rating: 8.2 / 10 (Great)

The company offers great warranties and remote monitoring, but charges higher-than-average rates. Its aim to provide fully connected systems for homes puts them on the forefront of the industry. However, equipment costs can mount fairly quickly, and monthly monitoring fees are on the high side.

Pros
  • Extensive Smart Home Options
  • Up-to-Date Equipment
  • “Crash and Smash” Protection
  • 30-Day Trial Period
  • Customizable Systems
Cons
  • Above-Average Monthly Cost
  • Proprietary Equipment
  • Professional Installation Required

HOW DOES Vivint WORK?

Equipment - 8 / 10

Vivint offers both pre-selected home security packages and fully customizable options as well with professional installation at no extra cost, except in the cases of their outdoor and doorbell cameras.

For more complete protection, you’re going to need to add window and door sensors. There are also some “add-ons” that are important including a smoke detector.

The standard package gives you “points” to work with that allow you to customize your system, adding various sensors as you see fit. You can also buy additional points in order to add components.

Vivint offers a lifetime equipment warranty on all of its home security and home automation devices, which covers both defective parts and normal wear and tear. This warranty applies for as long as you are a paying Vivint customer.

The Vivint Sky mobile app, which is available for free download on Apple and Android devices, puts the entire home system control panel at the fingertips of the customer. It allows customers to arm and disarm their security system, view and record live video feeds from the doorbell camera, lock and unlock doors, and control the temperature of their home.

Installation Professional
Equipment Manufacturer Clearlink
Ability to Reallocate System
Wireless Sensors
Control Panel
Event Triggered Siren/ Alarm

SECURITY MONITORS, SENSORS, & DEVICES

  • Intrusion Protection
  • Door & Window Sensors
  • Garage Door Sensors
  • Glass Break Protection
  • Motion Sensors
  • Recessed Door Sensors
  • Crash & Smash Protection
  • Surveillance
  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Doorbell Cameras
  • Tilt & Pan Cameras
  • Live Surveillance
  • Event-triggered Surveillance
  • Environmental Protection
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Temperature Change
  • Smoke
  • Life Safety
  • Panic Button
  • Medical Alert

MONITORING

Monitoring - 7 / 10

Vivint’s system utilizes a standard 24/7 monitoring service. Like some other systems on the market, it also includes “crash-and-smash” protection. This means that if a burglar disables an alarm system after they break in, the alarm company will be able to tell that the system has been tampered with and notify the police.

Vivint customer complaints typically center around sales and customer service. Customers have accused Vivint representatives of employing deceptive sales tactics and not being able to answer questions satisfactorily. Several customers have mentioned Vivint’s poor customer service, specifically regarding billing practices, phone support, and technician response.

Monitoring Options Professional Monitoring
Monitoring Technology Cellular, Broadband
Number of Monitoring Centers 1
Professional Monitoring Services 24/7 Professional Monitoring
2-Way Intercom
Police Dispatch
Fire Department Dispatch
Medical Dispatch

How much does Vivint cost?

Contract & Price - 6.5 / 10

Vivint’s Smart Home plans begin with a monthly monitoring fee of $39.99, while their Smart Home Video starts at $49.99. Vivint is one of the most expensive systems due to their pricing model which adds to your monthly fee with each additional add-on. Vivint’s standard contract is 5 years though they do offer a month-to-month contract. If a customer would like to end their contract with Vivint before the term is over, they are required to pay off the remaining contract balance in full.

With Vivint’s base security package, customers receive a touchscreen control panel, smoke detector, door/window sensor, motion detector, and key fob. The key fob can be used to arm or disarm the system without having to enter the home.

Additional equipment is also available, including recessed door sensors, glass break detectors, flood/freeze sensors, carbon monoxide detectors, tilt sensors, small appliance controls, doorbell cameras, smart thermostats, panic pendants, and more.

If you’re looking for a home security company that offers several automation features and remote system control, Vivint is a good option to consider. However, keep in mind that the monthly rates are higher than many of its competitors.

Monthly Fee (min) $39.99
Monthly Fee (max) $49.99
Number of Available Packages 2
Installation/ Activation Fee $0.00
Contract Required
Minimum Contract Length 0 months
Cancellation Policy Month-to-month, unless choosing the financing option, in which case terms are 42-60 months.
Warranty Lifetime

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONS

Technology Integration - 6 / 10

Vivint features an unprecedented level of technology integration, focusing on easy-to-use, award-winning home automation devices which they design and manufacture themselves, unlike most home security companies. Even if a disconnection with the central monitoring station occurs, their touchscreen panel sends email and text alerts. Vivint can interface with Amazon Alexa and Echo, Google Home, IFTTT, the Nest Learning Thermostat, and Z-Wave. They also have a cloud storage unit called Space Monkey, which holds 1TB of data and can be accessed remotely.

  • Mobile Access & Alerts
  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Live Surveillance Feed
  • Remote Arm/Disarm

Vivint reputation

Reputation - 6 / 10

Vivint has a historically poor customer service rating, but they are improving in this area.

Trust Pilot Rating 7.1 out of 10
BBB Rating C
Number of BBB Positive Reviews 194
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews 28
Number of BBB Negative Reviews 485
Date Collected 2019-01-17
Year Founded 1999
  • Certifications & Associations
  • Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA)
  • Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL)
  • Electronic Security Association
Top Rated
Home

Overall Score

  • Excellent reputation for customer service
  • Security camera & mobile app options
  • 100-day free trial, risk-free, money-back guarantee
  • Home automation devices available