Vivint home security alternatives

Alternative to Vivint: Which is better?

Vivint is a high-end, full-service home security and smart home technology company, but it's not without weaknesses. Watch out for its high price tag, lack of DIY options, and limited integrations with non-proprietary equipment. If you want a company that’s better in all three categories, look to Cove, Ring, or SimpliSafe.

Vivint vs. Ring: Ring is a DIY security option with a much smaller price tag than Vivint and natural compatibility with Amazon Alexa. It also has smart home integrations with Honeywell thermostats, Schlage and Yale smart locks, and Chamberlain smart garage controls.

Monthly monitoring costs are typically lower with Ring unless you have a very bare-bones Vivint system. However, if you have privacy concerns, Vivint is likely a better option, given Ring’s use of customer camera footage for marketing and its ambivalence about implementing facial recognition software.

Vivint vs. SimpliSafe: Unlike Vivint, SimpliSafe is a DIY home security system. You buy the equipment you want, then connect SimpliSafe with other smart devices like Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. All of SimpliSafe’s plans are cheaper than Vivint’s cheapest plan, and with SimpliSafe, you have the option to self-monitor for free if you don’t want any camera recording.

Vivint vs. Cove: Most of Cove’s pricing comes in a bit cheaper than Vivint, but you’ll give up a lot of features to save that money. Cove has fewer equipment options, most of which are white-labeled and used by other brands, too. You’ll also see fewer smart home automation capabilities.

Cove is a solid choice if you’re looking for a DIY installation process (which Vivint doesn’t offer) but still want professional monitoring. But if you’re hoping for top-notch privacy and data protection, Cove is a little behind the curve. It doesn’t have two-factor authentication as Vivint does, for example.