Brinks Home and Vivint both sit at the premium end of home security: professional installation, long contracts (or high equipment costs to avoid them), and monthly bills that start around $30 and climb past $50. Both target homeowners who want someone else to install everything and manage the system.
The question: which one gives you more for that premium price? And is either worth it compared to DIY systems that cost half as much?
Quick Comparison: Brinks vs Vivint
| Feature | Brinks Home | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $29.99–$39.99 | $29.99–$49.99 |
| Contract | 36–60 months (typical) | No contract (equipment financed) |
| Installation | Professional (included) | Professional (included) |
| Equipment Platform | Alarm.com | Vivint Smart Hub (proprietary) |
| Cameras | Alarm.com cameras (3rd party) | Vivint Indoor/Outdoor/Doorbell Pro |
| Smart Home | Z-Wave via Alarm.com | Z-Wave + proprietary |
| HomeKit | No | No |
| App | Alarm.com app | Vivint app |
| Doorbell Camera | Yes (Alarm.com) | Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro |
| Smart Thermostat | Alarm.com compatible | Works with Nest/ecobee |
| Panel | Alarm.com touchscreen | Vivint Smart Hub (7″ touchscreen) |
Where Vivint Wins
1. No Long-Term Contract
Vivint dropped mandatory contracts. You finance equipment ($1,000–$3,000) and pay monthly monitoring ($30–$50/mo). Cancel anytime — you just keep paying the equipment balance. Brinks still uses 36–60 month contracts on most plans, and early termination costs 80% of remaining months.
2. Better Camera Hardware
Vivint makes its own cameras: the Outdoor Camera Pro has deterrent features (red warning light + speaker that challenges visitors), and the Indoor Camera has built-in privacy shutter. Brinks relies on Alarm.com’s generic camera ecosystem, which is functional but less polished.
3. Car Guard and Smart Drive
Vivint Car Guard ($10/mo) adds GPS tracking, crash detection, and vehicle diagnostics. Brinks offers nothing for vehicle security. Niche feature, but unique to Vivint.
Where Brinks Wins
1. Alarm.com Platform
Brinks runs on Alarm.com — the same platform used by Frontpoint, hundreds of local installers, and most commercial security companies. The Alarm.com app is mature, reliable, and has broad third-party device support. If you switch from Brinks to another Alarm.com provider, your equipment may work with the new service.
2. Lower Monthly Cost
Brinks’ base plan starts at $29.99/mo for professional monitoring. Vivint’s equivalent starts at the same price but most configurations push you to $40–$50/mo with cameras and smart home. On a like-for-like monitored alarm (no cameras), Brinks costs less.
3. Local Installer Network
Brinks uses local authorized dealers, which can mean faster installation and better local service. Vivint sends its own technicians, which provides consistency but can mean longer scheduling waits depending on your area.
3-Year Total Cost
| Scenario | Brinks | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Monitoring (no cameras) | $0 equipment + $1,080 monitoring = $1,080 | $600 equipment + $1,080 monitoring = $1,680 |
| Full System + Cameras | $0–$200 equipment + $1,440 monitoring = $1,440–$1,640 | $1,500–$2,500 equipment + $1,440–$1,800 monitoring = $2,940–$4,300 |
Brinks looks cheaper on paper because equipment is “free” (bundled into the contract). But you’re locked in for 3–5 years. Vivint’s no-contract approach means higher upfront cost but more flexibility.
The DIY Alternative That Costs 75% Less
Both Brinks and Vivint charge $30–$50/month plus $0–$2,500 in equipment. Over 3 years, you’re spending $1,000–$4,300.
Abode costs $200 for a complete kit, $0–$20/month for monitoring, supports HomeKit + Alexa + Google + Z-Wave + Zigbee, and requires zero professional installation. 3-year cost: $200–$920. That’s $1,000–$3,000 less than either Brinks or Vivint.
The only thing you lose with DIY is professional installation (30 minutes of YouTube replaces it) and the Vivint-specific camera features. For most homeowners, that trade-off saves enough to buy a separate camera system outright.
Verdict
Pick Vivint if you want premium smart home hardware, professional installation, and camera deterrent features — and you’re comfortable spending $2,000–$4,000 over 3 years.
Pick Brinks if you want lower monthly costs, prefer the Alarm.com ecosystem, and don’t mind a 3–5 year contract.
Pick neither if you’re willing to spend 30 minutes on self-installation. Abode, SimpliSafe, or Ring all cost a fraction of either pro-install system and offer comparable or better features for most homes.
More comparisons: Brinks vs SimpliSafe | Vivint vs SimpliSafe | ADT vs Vivint | Brinks vs ADT
With over 20 years of experience evaluating home security technologies, Andrew is a trusted home security expert. He specializes in DIY home security systems, indoor and outdoor security cameras, doorbell cameras, and safety software such as password managers. Andrew uses in-depth research to provide accurate and actionable insights. His work helps you make better decisions to protect your home.
Leave a Reply