When you hear Vivint smart home, a fully integrated home security and automation system with professional monitoring and proprietary hardware. Also known as Vivint Smart Home, it’s not just a doorbell or a camera—it’s a complete ecosystem designed to monitor, alert, and control your home from one app. Unlike DIY systems that rely on your Wi-Fi and your phone, Vivint uses its own cellular backup, proprietary panels, and professionally installed gear. That means even if your power or internet goes out, your alarm still works. And if someone tries to tamper with your system, the monitoring center gets an alert before you even know something’s wrong.
What makes Vivint different isn’t just the tech—it’s the setup. You don’t buy a camera off Amazon and hope it connects. A technician comes to your house, installs the panel, mounts the sensors, and sets up your smart locks and thermostats. It’s like getting a security system built for your home, not just plugged in. The monitored alarm system, a security setup that alerts a professional center 24/7 when triggered is always active. No waiting for a neighbor to check your camera feed. No hoping your phone pings in time. The center calls you, then 999 if needed. That’s the kind of response that actually stops break-ins, not just records them.
But Vivint isn’t perfect. It’s expensive. You’re locked into a contract. And if you move, you either pay to move the system or leave it behind. That’s why people compare it to Ring Alarm, a DIY smart home security system with app-based control and optional monitoring or SimpliSafe, a no-contract, self-installed alarm system with cellular backup. Ring is cheaper and easier to start, but it needs Wi-Fi. SimpliSafe skips the contract, but you handle the installation. Vivint does the hard part for you—but at a price.
Most people who choose Vivint aren’t just looking for a doorbell. They want a system that knows when the kids get home, turns the lights on when it’s dark, locks the doors at night, and alerts them if someone tries to break in. It’s a smart home automation, a network of connected devices that work together to control lighting, climate, security, and more system wrapped in a security shell. The cameras, motion sensors, and smart locks all talk to each other. If your front door opens after midnight, the lights turn on, the alarm sounds, and the monitoring center calls. That’s not just convenience—it’s peace of mind built into every component.
Below, you’ll find real-world reviews and comparisons from people who’ve used Vivint alongside other systems. You’ll see how it handles power outages, whether the cameras actually work in the dark, and if the monthly fees are worth the peace of mind. No fluff. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what you should know before signing up.
Vivint didn't go out of business - it was bought by NRG Energy in 2022 and has since evolved into a smart home and energy management provider. Here's what's really happening in 2025.
