What Vivint Smart Home is and who it's for

Vivint Smart Home is a professionally monitored security and home automation system sold through contract. You get a control panel, door and window sensors, motion detectors, and a mobile app to arm and disarm the system remotely. Vivint also installs cameras, video doorbells, locks, thermostats, and lighting controls that work through the same app and can be monitored by Vivint's 24/7 dispatch center if you pay for professional monitoring.

Vivint differs from self-monitored systems like Ring or Wyze because you sign a service contract — usually 24, 36, or 60 months — and Vivint handles installation. The company makes money from the monthly monitoring fee, not from selling you the equipment upfront. This means the hardware cost is lower or sometimes waived, but you're locked into paying monthly fees for the contract term. Vivint is owned by Sunrun, a solar company, and operates nationwide.

The system appeals to people who want professional monitoring without managing their own alerts, and to homeowners who want a single app to control security, locks, thermostats, and cameras. It's less appealing if you rent (contract transfers are complicated), move frequently, or want to avoid long-term commitments.

Key Takeaways

  • Vivint charges a monthly monitoring fee ranging from roughly $30 to $60 depending on what services you add, plus equipment costs that vary by package.
  • You sign a service contract for 24, 36, or 60 months; breaking it early typically costs $300 to $600 in early termination fees.
  • Vivint installs the system for you, which takes a few hours and requires a technician visit; you do not install it yourself.
  • The system works through a mobile app and a physical control panel, and Vivint's monitoring center responds to alarms 24/7 if you pay for professional monitoring.
  • Vivint integrates with some third-party devices like Nest thermostats and Amazon Alexa, but the ecosystem is smaller than Ring or Google Home.

How much Vivint costs and what the contract means

Vivint's pricing varies by package and region, so you get a quote during a sales call rather than seeing prices online. Most customers report monthly fees between $30 and $60 for basic monitoring, with higher tiers adding video monitoring, home automation, or additional cameras. Equipment costs — the control panel, sensors, and installation — are sometimes bundled into the monthly fee or charged upfront; again, this varies by location and promotion.

The contract is the critical piece. When you sign, you commit to paying the monthly fee for 24, 36, or 60 months. If you cancel early, Vivint charges an early termination fee, typically $300 to $600 depending on how much of the contract remains. Some states cap these fees by law, but the cap varies. If you move and want to transfer service to a new address, Vivint may allow it, but the contract usually stays in place. If you sell your house, the new owner can take over the contract or you can pay the termination fee.

Before signing, ask Vivint in writing what the total cost will be over the full contract term, what the early termination fee is, and whether the price can increase during the contract. Vivint does raise rates after the first year in many cases, so the monthly fee you see in the first month may not be the monthly fee you pay in month 13.

What equipment comes with Vivint and how installation works

A typical Vivint package includes a touchscreen control panel (the hub that runs the system), door and window sensors, a motion detector, and a siren. From there, you can add cameras, video doorbells, smart locks, thermostats, and lighting controls as upgrades. The control panel connects to the internet via your home WiFi or a cellular backup connection that Vivint provides; if your internet goes down, the cellular connection keeps the system talking to Vivint's monitoring center.

Vivint sends a technician to your home to install everything. The visit typically takes 2 to 4 hours. The technician mounts the control panel, runs wires for sensors (or uses wireless sensors depending on your setup), tests the system, and sets up your mobile app. You do not install it yourself. After installation, you can add more sensors or devices through the app, though Vivint may charge a fee for professional installation of cameras or locks.

The control panel is proprietary to Vivint, so you cannot use it with other monitoring companies. If you cancel service, the panel becomes a standalone device with limited functionality — it can still arm and disarm locally and trigger a siren, but it loses the connection to Vivint's monitoring center and cannot send alerts to your phone through Vivint's servers.

How the monitoring and mobile app work

When you arm the system and a sensor is triggered — a door opens, motion is detected — the control panel sends an alert to Vivint's monitoring center. A dispatcher calls your phone number on file to confirm it's a real emergency. If you confirm there's an intruder or fire, the dispatcher contacts police or fire. If you don't answer or say it's a false alarm, the dispatcher logs it and may still send help depending on your account settings.

The mobile app lets you arm and disarm the system from anywhere, receive alerts when doors or windows open, check live camera feeds, lock or unlock smart locks, and adjust the thermostat. You can create schedules — for example, unlock the front door at 3 p.m. on school days — and set automation rules like "turn on lights when motion is detected after sunset." The app works on iPhone and Android.

If you don't pay for professional monitoring, the system still works as a local alarm — it will sound a siren and send you a notification — but Vivint's dispatch center won't respond. This option costs less monthly but means you have to call police yourself if there's a break-in.

What devices Vivint works with and what it doesn't

Vivint's ecosystem includes its own cameras, video doorbells, smart locks, and thermostats. It also integrates with some third-party devices: Amazon Alexa (you can use voice commands to arm the system or control lights), Google Home (limited integration), and Nest thermostats. However, the integration is narrower than what you get with Ring or Google Home, where hundreds of devices work together.

If you already own a Nest thermostat or Alexa speakers, you can use them with Vivint, but you'll be managing two separate ecosystems — the Vivint app for security and automation, and the Alexa or Google app for other smart home devices. Vivint does not work with SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, or most other platforms. This matters if you're building a larger smart home and want everything in one app.

Canceling Vivint and what happens to your system

To cancel, you contact Vivint customer service and request cancellation. If you're still under contract, you pay the early termination fee. If your contract has ended, you can cancel without penalty, though Vivint may ask you to return the control panel or pay a device fee. The cancellation process typically takes 7 to 14 days to finalize.

After cancellation, the control panel stops communicating with Vivint's servers. You lose remote access through the app, professional monitoring, and cloud storage for camera footage. The panel itself remains in your home and can still function as a local alarm — it will sound a siren if a sensor is triggered — but it's no longer connected to Vivint's network. Any cameras or smart locks you own continue to work if they have their own power and internet connection, but they're no longer integrated into the Vivint system.

If you're thinking about canceling, review your contract end date first. Vivint's website or your bill should show when your contract expires. If you're past the end date and still paying, you may be on a month-to-month plan and can cancel when ready without penalty.

Comparing Vivint to other smart home security options

Vivint's main competitors are Ring (Amazon), Frontpoint, Abode, and traditional alarm companies like ADT. Ring offers self-monitored cameras and doorbells with no contract, so you own the equipment and pay only for cloud storage if you want it. Frontpoint and Abode offer professional monitoring without long contracts — usually month-to-month after an initial term. ADT is similar to Vivint: contract-based, professionally installed, and professionally monitored.

The trade-off is convenience versus flexibility. Vivint handles installation and monitoring, so you don't have to set up the system yourself or manage alerts. But you're locked into a contract and can't easily switch if you're unhappy. Ring and Abode let you cancel anytime, but you install the system yourself and manage your own alerts (or pay for professional monitoring separately). If you value professional installation and 24/7 monitoring and don't mind a contract, Vivint is a reasonable choice. If you want flexibility and don't mind self-installation, Ring or Abode may suit you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take Vivint with me if I move?

Vivint can transfer service to a new address, but your contract stays in place. If the new home is outside Vivint's service area, you may be stuck paying the early termination fee. Before signing, ask whether your new address (if you know it) is serviceable, or confirm that Vivint will waive the termination fee if you move outside their coverage area.

What happens if my internet goes out?

Vivint includes a cellular backup connection that keeps the system talking to the monitoring center even if your home internet is down. The backup is built into the service and doesn't cost extra. However, you won't be able to use the mobile app to arm, disarm, or check cameras until your internet is restored.

Can I use Vivint if I rent?

Yes, but the contract is a problem. You're responsible for the full contract term even if you move out. Some landlords allow Vivint installation; others don't. Before signing a Vivint contract, confirm with your landlord that they allow it, and understand that you'll owe the early termination fee if you move before the contract ends.

Does Vivint work if the power goes out?

The control panel has a battery backup that keeps it running for several hours during a power outage. Wireless sensors also have batteries. However, your internet modem will go down unless it has its own backup, so the system can't reach Vivint's monitoring center. The local siren will still work, but professional dispatch won't respond until power is restored and your internet is back online.

What if I have a false alarm and the police are dispatched?

Vivint's dispatcher will call you to confirm whether it's a real emergency. If you say it's a false alarm, the dispatcher logs it and typically does not send police. However, some police departments charge a fee for false alarms after a certain number in a year, so it's worth confirming your local police policy. You can also set your account to "no dispatch" mode, which means Vivint will alert you but won't call police unless you request it.