Vivint Security Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re considering Vivint for your home security needs, you probably have a lot of questions about this company’s service and equipment.

We’ve gathered some of the most common questions asked about Vivint to help you understand what this brand has to offer. Learn more about Vivint and why it is a top choice for home security below.

Vivint frequently asked questions: Plans & pricing

How much does Vivint cost per month?

Vivint’s monthly monitoring plans start at just $19.99. If you want more than just basic monitoring options, the brand also has two additional plans for a bit more per month. Its plans include:

• Smart Security Monitoring – With this plan, you can use door/window sensors and motion sensors to prevent break-ins.
• Smart Home Monitoring – Combine security with home automation by adding smart devices to your home. You can include smart locks, lighting, thermostats, and more by selecting this option.
• Smart Home Video Monitoring – Complete your home security system with indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. This plan supports up to six cameras, as well as all of Vivint’s security and automation devices.

Your monthly costs may also include an equipment payment if you chose to finance your security devices. 

Do I need a contract with Vivint?

Vivint does not require a contract if you buy your equipment upfront. You can cancel your monthly monitoring plan at any time if you choose this option.

If you don’t want to spend the full cost of your equipment at once, you can also finance it. You will have to sign a 42- or 60-month contract with Vivint if you choose this option.

Can I pay off my Vivint equipment early?

Choosing to finance your equipment means signing onto a 42- or 60-month contract. Vivint will divide the cost of your devices across the length of your agreement. You may pay this amount in full at any time during your contract.

Unfortunately, doing so will not free you from your service agreement. It may offer some leverage if you wish to request a cancellation, but paying your equipment off early may not offer many benefits.

Can I transfer my Vivint service?

You can transfer your Vivint service agreement if you have paid off the full cost of your equipment and the person you want to transfer it to is qualified. Vivint allows transfers to neighbors, friends, family members, and other associates. 

If they agree to start a new contract with Vivint, you can transfer your service for free. If they are going to take over the remainder of your contract, you will have to pay the $99 transfer cost.

Can I break my Vivint contract?

You may be able to break your contract, but it isn’t guaranteed. Vivint has a strict cancellation policy, so you will have to get in touch with a representative to see if you are eligible and what kind of fees you might have to pay. 

The best way to avoid any additional cancellation fees is to purchase your security equipment upfront so you don’t have to sign a contract.

Does Vivint offer discounts?

Every new Vivint home security system comes with free professional installation, a complimentary security consultation, and a $0 activation fee. These luxury services help you get an exceptional experience from day one.

You may also be able to find discounts or savings throughout the year. We recommend following Vivint on social media and checking with the company to see if you can snag a deal.

Does Vivint have military discounts?

Vivint does not offer discounts for members of the military, veterans, or their families, but active duty personnel may be able to qualify for some of its military offers. These include:

• The option to cancel your contract if you are deployed, moving onto a base, medically discharged, or entering retirement after 20+ years of service
• Waiving the removal and installation fees typically required during a move
• Deferring payment for up to 12 months during temporary reassignments

You will need to qualify and present copies of your official orders to enjoy these benefits.

Does Vivint have a referral program?

Existing customers can receive a $50 credit toward their monthly costs if someone signs up for a Vivint system and uses their referral code. To qualify, the new customers must use their new systems for at least 15 days. 

Eligible new customers must be family members or acquaintances. You can also earn referral credits if the new owners of your previous home choose to activate the equipment you left or build their own systems.

You can earn up to $600 in referrals, which will roll over each month until you cancel your plan or use them up.

Equipment

Do I own my Vivint equipment?

You will own all of your Vivint equipment when you join this security provider. Rather than paying to lease your devices, like many companies require, you will invest in equipment you get to keep. You can choose to purchase it upfront or finance your devices by signing a contract.

Once you have fully paid for your equipment, you can choose what to do with it, no matter what happens.

Is Vivint wired or wireless?

Vivint is a wireless system that uses Wi-Fi and a cellular connection to keep your system running. Every device except your Outdoor Camera Pro and Doorbell Camera Pro will run solely on batteries.

The Outdoor Camera Pro features a unique hybrid wiring system that empowers faster video uploads and clearer streaming while also offering the perks of a wireless connection. 

The Video Doorbell Pro replaces your current doorbell, so the technician will connect it to your doorbell wiring. 

How does the Vivint system work?

Even with the most basic system, you will use a variety of door/window sensors and motion sensors to catch any unwanted entries. These devices communicate with your touchscreen Smart Hub control panel. If someone triggers a sensor, it will tell the control panel, which will then send an alert to your phone and Vivint’s professional monitoring team. Law enforcement can then be dispatched.

Going with Vivint allows you to strengthen your system with a variety of additional security and smart home devices, including security cameras, smart locks, safety alarms, and more.

Does Vivint equipment have a warranty?

Your Vivint equipment includes a 120-day warranty. If you have any issues during this time frame, both repair costs and the service fees will be covered by the company. After this warranty period, Vivint will still replace any defective devices for free, but you will have to pay the service charge for any visits.

Does Vivint do a systems check?

Your home security system will run an automatic check every 255 seconds. During this check, it will make sure every device is functioning and connected as expected.

Is Vivint equipment secure?

Vivint has equipped its devices with strong encryption to make sure it can withstand hackers. The best way to protect your security system is to make sure you are using a strong, unique password for your account. Using the default password or a password that may have been exposed in a data leak can leave your system vulnerable.

Security cameras

Can I use a Vivint camera without service?

Vivint’s equipment has limited connectivity when used without a monthly monitoring plan. Your cameras may still function, but you won’t be able to view live footage if you’re away from home. If you don’t have a hard drive, you also won’t be able to save any recorded video.

Without a monthly monitoring plan, you also won’t know if your cameras are functioning properly. Vivint only offers support for current customers, so you won’t be able to get help if any of your cameras malfunction.

How long does Vivint keep footage?

If you add Vivint Smart Drive to your system, you can keep and access 30 days worth of footage from your cameras through the mobile app or Smart Hub control panel. Each camera records 24/7, so your footage will be automatically flagged when something important happens. These Smart Clips make viewing your footage easy.

Does Vivint have cloud storage?

Vivint stores all of your video footage through the cloud and its Smart Drive device. This allows you to stream previously recorded video to your phone, computer, and control panel. If you have equipped your home with Amazon Alexa and use a Fire TV, you can also use voice commands to pull your footage up on your TV.

Do Vivint cameras record without WiFi?

Vivint’s system runs off of a cellular connection, so your cameras will continue to record even if they can’t connect to the internet. Until your WiFi is restored, however, you may not be able to stream your live video feeds to your phone.

Is the Vivint doorbell hardwired?

Yes, this device is wired into your home using your doorbell wire. Vivint uses this type of connection to ensure continual power and save you the trouble of changing batteries.

Smart home automation

What does Vivint smart home do?

Integrating smart devices with your home security system gives you remote access and increases your control. You can check to make sure your doors are locked and garage door is closed, even if you are miles away. If they’re not, you can secure your home with the touch of a button.

Smart home automation also makes your life easier and more convenient. You can set conditional actions for your equipment to save the time and hassle of doing them yourself. You can, for example, have your security system disarm, lights turn on, and temperature lower, just by unlocking your front door.

Vivint smart home gives you the opportunity to add a modern security solution to your house, increasing your comfort and safety.

Does Vivint support third-party devices?

Vivint’s security system integrates with several third-party devices. You can purchase some of these options with your equipment, including:

• Philips Hue lighting
• Kwikset smart locks
• Nest thermostats

Smart home systems, such as Google Home and Amazon Echo, connect seamlessly to your system. Your system will also connect with any smart devices that operate on Z Wave protocol. 

Does Vivint have voice control?

Connecting your Vivint system to Amazon Echo or Google Home allows you to use voice commands to adjust and control your security system. You can arm/disarm your system, engage your smart locks, adjust the temperature, bring up live feeds from your cameras, and more with voice control.

Installation

How much does Vivint installation cost?

Vivint includes free professional installation with every new system. The company hires its own experienced technicians rather than outsourcing to third-party vendors. The installer will find the best location for each device and make sure it is set up correctly.

After installing and connecting the entire system, they will also walk you through each component and show you how to use them.

If you choose to move your Vivint system to a new home, you will have to pay $149 for professional installation in the new location.

Can you self-install Vivint?

You must use Vivint’s professional installation service for your security equipment. Since this service is offered for free, you can skip the frustration and fuss of setting your system up by yourself.

How long does it take Vivint to install?

Depending on the number of devices in your system, installation can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Vivint recommends planning for the process to take 3-4 hours. When you schedule the installation appointment, the Vivint representative will provide a more accurate estimate.

Monitoring

How does professional monitoring work?

Your Vivint security system connects to a monitoring center where a professional monitoring team is keeping an eye on your home. If one of your sensors is triggered, your Smart Hub will send an alert to this team.

A representative will first try to call you to see if it was a false alarm. They may also try to reach you through one of your emergency contacts. If you tell them that you need help or they can’t get in touch with you, the agent will dispatch first responders to your home.

With Vivint’s professional monitoring service, someone is always ready to respond immediately to any alert. Even if you don’t see the notification immediately, the team will handle the response to make sure help can get to you quickly. 

Along with relieving you of the responsibility to manage your own security, professional monitoring keeps you and your family safer.

Can I monitor my own Vivint equipment?

You can only use your Vivint equipment with a professional monitoring plan. Though your devices may function without this service, you won’t be able to access or control them through the app. You also won’t be able to get notifications whenever your system is tripped.

Your system’s alarm will let you know when a sensor is triggered if you are at home, but you won’t know about the break-in until you return if you are out.

Trying to monitor your own Vivint security system adds an unnecessary level of stress. Start your Vivint monthly monitoring plan to leave the work to the experts.

Vivint app

How does the Vivint app work?

The Vivint app brings all of your equipment together in one unified system. Unlike many smart systems, you don’t need a separate app for each device. You can view and control each product in one place, adjusting the system as a whole. 

Some of its top features include:

• Viewing live and recorded camera feeds
• Getting notifications about any changes, updates, or alerts
• Using two-way communication to talk through your security cameras
• Setting custom routines and automated behaviors

When you use the Vivint app, you can carry your security system in your pocket. No matter what happens, you can react quickly and stay up to date with everything occurring at your home.

How do I use the Vivint app?

You will set up user accounts for everyone that has access to your security system. You can limit the amount of control each user has, such as preventing some accounts from adjusting settings on your smart devices. With this option, you can give your kids the ability to arm/disarm your system without changing anything else.

When Vivint’s professional installer sets your system up, they will show you how to download the app from the Google Play or Apple store. The technician will also show you what the app is capable of and how you can use it.

Additional frequently asked questions

Does Vivint work in a power outage?

Your Smart Hub control panel is wired into your home for power, but it also includes a 24-hour backup battery. If you lose power, this additional power source ensures that your security system stays connected to Vivint’s monitoring center and all of your devices.

All but two of your devices are battery-powered, so you won’t have to worry about your system failing when you’ve lost power. Your outdoor and doorbell cameras do run on your home’s power, however, so you won’t be able to rely on these devices until power is restored.

Can I bring my Vivint system to a new home?

Vivint strives to keep lifelong customers, so it offers several options for moving your security system to a new home. You can choose to:

• Leave your equipment at the old home and purchase a new system and equipment. You will either pay for this new system upfront or finance it through a contract. This option includes all of the perks of buying a new system, including a free security consultation and installation.
• Remove your equipment yourself to bring to the new house. Once you’ve moved in, you will need to pay a $149 fee for professional installation into your new home.
• Pay Vivint to remove the equipment and install it into the new house. You will pay $149 for the removal and $149 for the installation.

If you aren’t going to move directly from one house to the next, you can suspend your payments for a few months so you don’t pay for a system you’re not using. You will have to contact Vivint to determine if you’re eligible for this offer.

Can I get help after-hours?

You can get in touch with Vivint’s support team at any time of day or night. The company understands that you can’t always control when problems occur and you need your system to be active as soon as possible. The customer support line is active 24/7 to make sure you can always get the help you need.

Is it worth paying Vivint for home security?

Vivint is one of the pricier home security options, but it offers extensive security and smart home features.

Choosing Vivint means getting a security system that you can customize to your habits, schedule, and preferences. Automate actions such as locking the door or turning on the lights at night to make sure your home is never left vulnerable by accident.

More importantly, Vivint’s devices proactively deter and identify threats to your home. Rather than just capturing footage of thieves or alerting you to the incident, your system will discourage burglars from even targeting your home in the first place.

If you want a home security system with the industry’s best solutions and convenient home automation, you can’t do better than Vivint.

Still have questions about Vivint’s security solutions, plans, or devices? Call our security experts at 855-707-3746 to learn more about the system you can build.