SimpliSafe and Vivint sit at opposite ends of the home security market. SimpliSafe is the affordable DIY system you set up in 30 minutes. Vivint is the premium, professionally installed smart home system that costs 3x as much. Which one actually protects your home better? We compared everything — plans, cameras, equipment, smart home, and real 3-year costs — so you don’t have to.
SimpliSafe vs Vivint: Quick Comparison
| Feature | SimpliSafe | Vivint | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company type | DIY security company (2006) | Premium smart home + security (1999, NRG-owned) | — |
| Installation | DIY (30 min) | Professional install included | SimpliSafe (flexibility) |
| Monthly cost | $0–$29.99/mo | $29.99–$44.99/mo | SimpliSafe |
| Contract | None | None (improved 2024) | Tie |
| Equipment cost | $199–$510 (buy outright) | $0 upfront (financed into monthly) | SimpliSafe (own it) |
| Camera quality | 1080p (good, not great) | 4K HDR (industry-leading) | Vivint |
| Smart home | Alexa, Google (basic) | Alexa, Google, Z-Wave, proprietary panel | Vivint |
| HomeKit | ❌ | ❌ | Neither — Abode wins |
| AI features | Live Guard video verification | Smart Deter (proactive deterrence) | Vivint |
| 3-year cost | $919–$1,590 | $1,980–$3,060 | SimpliSafe |
| Best for | Budget-conscious, renters, DIY | Homeowners wanting premium smart home | — |
Monitoring Plans & Pricing
SimpliSafe Plans
| Plan | Monthly | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Monitor | $0 (app-only) | No professional monitoring — smartphone alerts only, no police dispatch |
| Standard | $19.99/mo | 24/7 professional monitoring, police/fire dispatch |
| Fast Protect™ | $29.99/mo | Everything in Standard + Live Guard video verification, unlimited camera recording, smart lock control |
Vivint Plans
| Plan | Monthly | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Security | $29.99/mo | 24/7 monitoring, smart panel, app control |
| Smart Home | $39.99/mo | Everything + smart thermostat, locks, lights, garage control |
| Smart Home Video | $44.99/mo | Everything + unlimited 4K camera recording, Smart Deter AI, Smart Clips |
Key difference: SimpliSafe’s free self-monitoring tier means you can run the system with zero monthly cost. Vivint requires a minimum $29.99/mo — there’s no free tier and no way to use the equipment without paying.
Camera Comparison
This is where Vivint pulls ahead significantly. Their camera hardware is genuinely premium — but you pay for it.
| Camera | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor camera | SimpliCam ($99) — 1080p, motion alerts | Indoor Camera ($149) — 1080p, two-way talk |
| Outdoor camera | Outdoor Camera ($169) — 1080p, spotlight, color night | Outdoor Camera Pro ($399) — 4K HDR, 140° FOV, Smart Deter |
| Doorbell | Video Doorbell Pro ($169) — 1080p, HDR | Doorbell Camera Pro Gen 2 ($249) — 2K HDR, package detection |
| Spotlight | — | Spotlight Pro ($249) — 4K, motion-activated light + siren |
| AI detection | Person detection, Live Guard (agent views camera on alarm) | Smart Deter — camera speaks to intruders proactively before alarm |
| Max resolution | 1080p | 4K HDR |
| Night vision | Color (spotlight cameras) | Color (all cameras) |
| Local storage | ❌ Cloud only | ✅ Smart Drive NVR available |
Verdict: Vivint’s cameras are genuinely better — especially the 4K Outdoor Pro and Smart Deter AI that proactively deters intruders. But SimpliSafe’s Live Guard (where an agent views your camera during an alarm event) is an excellent alternative approach that doesn’t require expensive hardware.
Equipment & Sensors
| Equipment | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Control panel | Base Station + Keypad (separate) | Smart Hub (7″ touchscreen) |
| Door/window sensor | $14.99 each | Included in install package |
| Motion sensor | $29.99 | Included |
| Glass break | $34.99 | Included |
| Smoke detector | $29.99 | $99+ |
| Water sensor | $19.99 | $49+ |
| Smart lock | $99 (third-party) | $179 (Kwikset branded) |
| Panic button | $29.99 | Included on panel |
| Siren | 95 dB (built into base) | 105 dB (panel + external) |
| Ownership | ✅ You own the equipment | ⚠️ Often financed — Vivint may reclaim if you cancel |
3-Year Total Cost Comparison
This is the make-or-break comparison. Vivint’s premium experience comes at a serious price premium:
| Setup | Equipment | Monthly | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe — Self-Monitor | $249 (Essentials kit) | $0 | $249 |
| SimpliSafe — Standard Monitoring | $249 | $19.99 | $969 |
| SimpliSafe — Fast Protect + Cameras | $510 (Haven kit) | $29.99 | $1,590 |
| Vivint — Smart Security | $0-$599 financed | $29.99 | $1,680–$2,280 |
| Vivint — Smart Home Video | $0-$1,200 financed | $44.99 | $2,220–$3,420 |
| Abode — Pro Monitoring | $199 (Smart Security Kit) | $20 | $919 |
SimpliSafe saves you $700–$1,800 over 3 years compared to Vivint with equivalent monitoring. Even SimpliSafe’s most expensive setup (Fast Protect + cameras at $1,590/3yr) costs less than Vivint’s cheapest plan ($1,680/3yr). And Abode undercuts both with better smart home integration for $919/3yr.
Smart Home Integration
| Platform | SimpliSafe | Vivint | Abode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Alexa | ✅ Arm/disarm, status | ✅ Full control | ✅ Full control |
| Google Home | ✅ Basic | ✅ Full control | ✅ Full control |
| Apple HomeKit | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Only system |
| Z-Wave | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Zigbee | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Matter | ❌ | ❌ (announced) | ✅ |
| Geofencing | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Smart locks | August (limited) | Kwikset, Yale | Z-Wave/Zigbee locks |
| Smart thermostat | ❌ | ✅ (Ecobee/Nest) | ✅ (Z-Wave/Zigbee) |
| Garage control | ❌ | ✅ (myQ) | ✅ (Z-Wave) |
Vivint wins on smart home — professional installation means everything is configured and tested. SimpliSafe’s ecosystem is relatively closed with limited third-party device support. But neither matches Abode’s protocol flexibility (Z-Wave + Zigbee + Matter + HomeKit).
Installation & Setup
| Aspect | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Install type | 100% DIY | Professional (technician visit) |
| Install time | 30 minutes | 2-4 hours (scheduled appointment) |
| Install cost | $0 | $0 (included) |
| Mounting | Peel-and-stick (no drilling) | Drilled + wired (permanent) |
| Renter-friendly | ✅ Excellent | ⚠️ Drilling may violate lease |
| Moving | Easy — peel, pack, re-stick | Difficult — equipment may stay behind |
| Customization | You choose placement | Technician recommends optimal placement |
Customer Service & Reliability
| Metric | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ | A+ |
| BBB customer rating | ★★★ (~3/5) | ★☆☆ (~1.2/5) |
| Trustpilot | ~4.0/5 | ~1.5/5 |
| App Store rating | 4.7★ (iOS) | 4.3★ (iOS) |
| Monitoring center | COPS Monitoring (third-party) | Own monitoring center |
| Common complaints | Sensor sensitivity, subscription required for full features | Aggressive sales, billing disputes, equipment financing confusion |
| Cancellation | Cancel anytime online | Cancel anytime (since 2024) — but equipment financing may continue |
SimpliSafe has significantly better customer satisfaction. Vivint’s BBB complaint volume and Trustpilot ratings reflect years of aggressive door-to-door sales tactics, billing disputes, and equipment financing confusion. Vivint has improved since dropping contracts in 2024, but the reputation damage is real.
Security Features Head-to-Head
| Security Feature | SimpliSafe | Vivint | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 monitoring | ✅ ($19.99+/mo) | ✅ ($29.99+/mo) | SimpliSafe (cheaper) |
| Cellular backup | ✅ | ✅ | Tie |
| Battery backup | ✅ (24 hrs) | ✅ (24 hrs) | Tie |
| Crash & smash | ✅ (Alive Signal™) | ✅ | Tie |
| Video verification | ✅ Live Guard (agent watches) | ✅ Smart Deter (camera speaks) | Vivint (proactive) |
| Smoke/CO detection | ✅ | ✅ | Tie |
| Water/flood | ✅ | ✅ | Tie |
| Panic button | ✅ ($29.99) | ✅ (built into panel) | Vivint (included) |
| Glass break | ✅ ($34.99) | ✅ | Tie |
| Siren volume | 95 dB | 105 dB | Vivint |
| Two-way voice | ✅ (via panel) | ✅ (via panel + cameras) | Vivint (more points) |
Who Should Choose SimpliSafe
| You Should Choose SimpliSafe If… | Why |
|---|---|
| You’re on a budget | $249 to start, free self-monitoring, or $19.99/mo for pro monitoring — less than half of Vivint |
| You’re a renter | Peel-and-stick sensors, no drilling, easy to move — perfect for apartments |
| You want DIY control | Choose your own equipment, place sensors yourself, no salesperson pressure |
| You move frequently | Pack it up and re-install at new place in 30 minutes |
| You don’t need premium cameras | 1080p cameras are fine for most homes — you don’t need 4K for doorbell footage |
| You want easy cancellation | Cancel online anytime — no phone call required, no equipment to return |
Who Should Choose Vivint
| You Should Choose Vivint If… | Why |
|---|---|
| You want premium camera quality | 4K HDR cameras with Smart Deter AI are genuinely best-in-class |
| You want full smart home | Thermostat, locks, lights, garage — all professionally configured |
| You don’t want to DIY anything | Professional installation means everything is placed and tested correctly |
| You’re a long-term homeowner | The higher monthly cost makes more sense when amortized over 5-10 years in one home |
| Budget isn’t a concern | You’re paying for premium experience and equipment — it delivers |
The Better Alternative: Abode
Before choosing between SimpliSafe and Vivint, consider Abode — it combines SimpliSafe’s affordability with better smart home integration than either:
| Feature | SimpliSafe | Vivint | Abode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $0–$29.99 | $29.99–$44.99 | $0–$20 |
| 3-year total | $249–$1,590 | $1,680–$3,420 | $199–$919 |
| HomeKit | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Only system |
| Z-Wave + Zigbee | ❌ | Z-Wave only | Both |
| Matter | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Geofencing | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Camera | $99–$169 | $149–$399 | $35 (Cam 2) |
| Contract | None | None | None |
| Installation | DIY | Professional | DIY |
Abode gives you Vivint-level smart home capability (Z-Wave locks, Zigbee sensors, geofencing, automations) at SimpliSafe-level pricing. Plus it’s the only security system that works with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. Check out the Smart Security Kit →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SimpliSafe better than Vivint?
For most people, yes. SimpliSafe offers comparable security at less than half the cost, with easier installation and better cancellation terms. Vivint is only better if you specifically need 4K cameras, full smart home integration, or professional installation — and you’re willing to pay $700-$1,800 more over 3 years for it.
Does Vivint still require a contract?
No — Vivint dropped mandatory contracts in 2024. However, equipment financing agreements can last 42-60 months, and you’ll still owe the remaining balance if you cancel early. SimpliSafe has never required contracts, and you own the equipment outright from day one.
Can I self-monitor SimpliSafe for free?
Yes — SimpliSafe’s base plan ($0/mo) sends smartphone alerts when sensors trigger, but without professional monitoring there’s no police dispatch. For actual monitoring, the Standard plan ($19.99/mo) adds 24/7 professional response. Abode also offers free self-monitoring with more features.
Is Vivint’s camera quality worth the price?
Vivint’s 4K Outdoor Camera Pro is genuinely one of the best security cameras on the market. Smart Deter AI that proactively addresses intruders is unique and effective. But the $399 camera price + $44.99/mo plan adds up fast. You can get excellent 1080p coverage from Abode Cam 2 ($35) or SimpliSafe cameras ($99-$169) at a fraction of the cost.
Which is better for renters?
SimpliSafe, without question. Peel-and-stick sensors, no drilling, no lease violations, easy to pack and move. Vivint’s professional installation typically involves drilling into walls and door frames — a non-starter for most rental situations. Abode is also excellent for renters.
What’s better than both SimpliSafe and Vivint?
Abode combines the best of both worlds — DIY installation and SimpliSafe-level pricing with Vivint-level smart home integration (Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter). It’s also the only system with Apple HomeKit support. 3-year cost: $199-$919 vs SimpliSafe’s $249-$1,590 and Vivint’s $1,680-$3,420. Visit goabode.com →
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William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
Aqeeb Alim says
Well, I’m a bit confused about which one to pick. I’ve heard about the two from friends and both seem to be amazing with pretty cool features. I’m not sure which to even take now.
Alarm Reviews says
Ha well we didn’t mean to make it more difficult. Here’s a quick analysis:
Vivint: Professional install, better equipment, higher prices, you lease the equipment into the contract, more innovation and ‘techy’ products.
Simplisafe: Personal installation, worse equipment, lower prices, you pay upfront for equipment and have a shorter contract, low innovation and older (but working and functional) products.
Francisca says
Vivint, please. Though the monthly subscription is a bit high, it’s still worth it compared to the features available and the terms are really flexible. The contract length is reasonable too and I love it.
Sandra says
It’s Simplisafe for me. Two years now and I have not had any regrets! It’s quite easy to use and has nice features to guide you through each process. The monthly subscription is also cheap and no hidden charges.