Last Updated: March 2026
SimpliSafe and Vivint sit at opposite ends of the home security market. SimpliSafe is the budget DIY pick — buy online, set up yourself, no contracts. Vivint is the premium smart home option — professional installation, custom equipment, and monthly costs that reflect it. Here’s how they compare on price, equipment, cameras, smart home, and total cost over 3 years.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Equipment | $199 (5-piece kit) | $599+ (custom package) |
| Monthly Monitoring | $0 (self) / $17.99-$29.99 | $29.99-$44.99 |
| Contract | None | Month-to-month (equipment financing = 60 months) |
| Installation | DIY (15-30 min) | Professional (included) |
| Cameras | Indoor + outdoor + doorbell | Indoor + outdoor + doorbell + floodlight |
| Smart Home | Alexa, Google (limited) | Alexa, Google, Z-Wave |
| HomeKit | No | No |
| Cellular Backup | All plans | All plans |
Where SimpliSafe Wins
- Price — dramatically cheaper: A SimpliSafe 5-piece kit costs $199 upfront. Vivint’s base packages start around $599. Monthly monitoring is $17.99 at SimpliSafe vs $29.99 minimum at Vivint.
- No contract commitment: Cancel SimpliSafe anytime — no termination fees. Vivint’s equipment financing runs 60 months; cancel monitoring but you still owe the equipment balance.
- DIY setup in 15 minutes: SimpliSafe ships pre-programmed. Peel, stick, connect. Vivint requires scheduling a technician visit.
- Free self-monitoring tier: SimpliSafe works without a subscription — app control, push alerts, local siren. Vivint requires an active monitoring plan for most features.
- Retail availability: Buy SimpliSafe at Best Buy, Amazon, Target, or direct. Test it in-store. Vivint requires a sales consultation.
Where Vivint Wins
- Professional installation and custom design: Vivint techs assess your home, install sensors in optimal positions, run cables for cameras, and configure everything. For large homes or complex layouts, this matters.
- Superior camera system: Vivint’s Outdoor Camera Pro has 4K HDR, smart deterrence (it talks to intruders), and AI-powered detection. A step above SimpliSafe’s 1080p cameras.
- Full smart home hub: Vivint’s Smart Hub acts as a Z-Wave controller — manages locks, thermostats, garage doors, and lighting natively. SimpliSafe’s smart home integration is limited.
- Dedicated in-home panel: The Vivint Smart Hub is a 7-inch touchscreen that doubles as a smart home controller. SimpliSafe’s keypad is functional but basic by comparison.
- 24/7 dedicated support: Vivint offers tech visits, remote troubleshooting, and equipment replacement. SimpliSafe’s support is phone/chat only.
3-Year Cost Comparison
| Scenario | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | $199-$499 | $599-$1,800 |
| Installation | $0 (DIY) | $0-$199 |
| Monthly (Self-Monitor) | $0/mo | N/A |
| Monthly (Pro Monitor) | $17.99-$29.99/mo | $29.99-$44.99/mo |
| 3-Year Total (Self) | $199-$499 | N/A |
| 3-Year Total (Pro) | $847-$1,579 | $1,679-$3,419 |
At the budget end, SimpliSafe costs roughly half of Vivint over 3 years. At the premium tier, SimpliSafe is still $800-$1,800 cheaper.
Equipment Comparison
| Component | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Base Station | Compact hub with cellular/Wi-Fi | 7-inch Smart Hub touchscreen with Z-Wave |
| Door/Window Sensor | $14.99 each | ~$40 each |
| Motion Sensor | $29.99 | ~$50 |
| Indoor Camera | $99.99 (1080p) | $149+ (1080p, continuous) |
| Outdoor Camera | $169.99 (1080p) | $249+ (4K HDR, smart deterrence) |
| Doorbell Camera | $169.99 (1080p, wired only) | $249+ (1080p, wired/battery) |
| Smart Lock | $99.99 | $179+ |
Camera Quality
Vivint pulls ahead here. SimpliSafe’s cameras are serviceable 1080p — fine for recording clips and identifying faces. Vivint’s Outdoor Camera Pro shoots 4K HDR with smart deterrence that can light up, sound an alarm, and play a warning message when it detects lurking.
Neither system supports HomeKit Secure Video. If Apple integration matters, Abode is the only major DIY system with native HomeKit support — starting at $199 with free self-monitoring.
Smart Home Integration
| Platform | SimpliSafe | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Alexa | Basic arm/disarm | Full control + cameras |
| Google Assistant | Basic arm/disarm | Full control + cameras |
| Apple HomeKit | No | No |
| Z-Wave | No | Yes (built-in) |
Vivint’s Z-Wave support means it controls third-party locks, thermostats, and lights without extra hubs. SimpliSafe is a closed ecosystem.
Who Should Buy SimpliSafe
- Budget-conscious buyers who want professional monitoring under $20/month
- Renters or anyone who moves frequently
- People who want a simple, no-commitment alarm system
- Buyers who want to test risk-free (60-day trial)
Who Should Buy Vivint
- Homeowners who want premium 4K cameras with smart deterrence
- People who don’t want to install anything themselves
- Smart home enthusiasts who need Z-Wave device control
- Large home owners who benefit from professional system design
The Abode Alternative
If you want SimpliSafe’s pricing with Vivint’s smart home depth, Abode bridges the gap. The $199 Smart Security Kit includes Z-Wave, Zigbee, HomeKit, Alexa, and Google — plus free self-monitoring. Pro monitoring is $20/month. It’s the only major DIY system with Apple HomeKit.
FAQ
Is SimpliSafe or Vivint better for apartments?
SimpliSafe. It’s wireless, peel-and-stick, no drilling. Take it with you when you move. Vivint’s professional installation may require drilling and isn’t ideal for rentals.
Can I cancel Vivint without penalty?
You can cancel monitoring anytime (no cancellation fee). But if you financed equipment, you still owe the remaining balance — potentially $1,000+ on a 60-month plan.
Does SimpliSafe have outdoor cameras?
Yes. The Wireless Outdoor Security Camera ($169.99) is battery-powered with 1080p, color night vision, and motion-activated recording. Decent but doesn’t match Vivint’s 4K Outdoor Camera Pro.
Which system has better customer service?
Vivint — they offer in-home tech support, remote troubleshooting, and equipment replacement visits. SimpliSafe is phone/email only.
Related Comparisons
- Abode vs SimpliSafe 2026 — Budget DIY showdown with HomeKit
- Vivint vs ADT 2026 — Premium pro-install vs legacy giant
- Ring vs SimpliSafe 2026 — Amazon cameras vs DIY alarm leader
- Frontpoint vs Vivint 2026 — Two pro-monitored systems compared
- ADT vs Vivint 2026 — Two premium systems: legacy contracts vs modern smart home
- Cove vs SimpliSafe 2026 — Two budget DIY alarms side by side
- ADT vs Ring 2026 — Legacy pro-install vs Amazon DIY
Reviews
Guides
- How to Choose a Home Security System
- DIY Home Security Guide
- How to Cancel Your Security Contract
- Best Home Security for Renters
2026 refresh: contract and monitoring checkpoint
- Compare contract exposure before equipment price: cancellation terms, financing, monitoring minimums, and installer lock-in can change the real cost.
- Build a 36-month budget with starter kit, extra sensors, cameras, storage, cellular backup, monitoring, and service calls.
- Check whether the system still works well if you switch from paid monitoring to self-monitoring later.
Related reads: how to choose a home security system, Abode vs SimpliSafe 2026, and SimpliSafe vs Vivint 2026.
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.
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