The main difference is that Vivint is a high-end, professionally installed smart home system with long-term equipment financing, while SimpliSafe is a budget-friendly, DIY-installed security system that offers month-to-month flexibility.
Smart home capabilities: Vivint has far more advanced smart home capabilities since it can connect to Z-Wave and Zigbee smart home devices even from third-party brands. SimpliSafe lacks that, and it can only pair up with select smart home products.
SimpliSafe is widely rated as the best overall home security system for 2026. It offers the perfect balance of DIY-friendly installation, robust optional 24/7 professional monitoring, and reliable cellular/Wi-Fi connectivity without requiring long-term contracts.
Vivint Smart Home offers advanced automation, but its primary drawbacks include premium price tags, mandatory 3-to-5-year monitoring contracts, and aggressive sales tactics.
SimpliSafe® does not provide any level of law enforcement with customer video recordings without a valid warrant, subpoena or court order. We have a long-standing commitment to privacy. Any requests from law enforcement for any video recordings, must go through us. This means no “backdoor” or ad hoc access.
If an expert monitoring agent is actively viewing a camera event, you'll see the event status read Agent Verifying in the Timeline. Additionally, your Outdoor Security Camera Series 2 will flash amber, signifying that an agent is actively viewing the feed or engaging with an unknown individual.
People are removing their Ring doorbells due to rising subscription fees, privacy concerns over how footage is shared, and a desire to avoid cloud reliance in favor of local storage.
Canceling Vivint is notoriously difficult. The process often requires a mandatory phone call to their retention department, where you must navigate long wait times and aggressive sales pitches. You must also pay off your entire equipment balance and any early termination fees to successfully cancel.
Yes, wired security cameras are generally more secure than wireless ones because data transmitted via cable is less susceptible to hacking than data sent over a Wi-Fi network.
If you find Vivint's high equipment costs, long-term contracts, and subscription tiers too restrictive, several competitors offer better value, flexibility, or camera selections.
Protecting your home's access points means making sure your doors, windows and locks are sturdy. "Deadbolts are definitely a good thing," says Hsiung. Also, make sure your door is a solid wood or metal construction with a good frame. "If the wood is deteriorated, it won't take much to force open," he says.
SimpliSafe is highly worth it if you want an affordable, flexible, and completely wireless DIY home security system. It features peel-and-stick installation, transparent no-contract monitoring plans, and excellent cellular backup. However, it may not be for you if you want deep, free smart home integrations or highly reliable standalone security cameras.
2026 Rankings: The Top Security Systems of the Year
Vivint cost comparison. There's a substantial difference between SimpliSafe and Vivint when it comes to price. SimpliSafe has cheaper traditional monitoring plans and more affordable equipment.
Do I own Vivint equipment once it's paid off? Yes, this equipment is yours once you pay for it in full.
SimpliSafe sensors won't work correctly if the battery is too low, they're still in the box from your order, or the device is too far from the base station. Just like SimpliSafe's sensors, the keypad won't work if it's too far from or isn't paired with the base station.
Vivint Smart Home has faced significant controversies over aggressive door-to-door sales tactics, deceptive marketing, and predatory cancellation practices. These major legal and regulatory issues highlight the company's track record:
Ring is the best overall DIY alternative to SimpliSafe, featuring superior camera options, lower hardware costs, and more flexible subscription plans. For deep smart-home integration, Abode is the top pick, and for white-glove professional security, ADT Self Setup edges ahead.
Vivint's monthly costs range from $29.99 to $50+ for professional monitoring. If you choose to finance your security equipment, your total bill will increase to cover those hardware costs, typically bringing your overall monthly payment to between $40 and $80 over a 36-to-60-month term.
ADT Home Security with ADT Plus
This is an option for those who like Google Nest or. While there are self-install options, ADT's long-term experience makes it one of the best brands for professional quotes and installation.
While no security system is completely unhackable, SimpliSafe is generally highly secure. In the past, researchers and experts demonstrated vulnerabilities—such as intercepting unencrypted PIN codes or jamming sensor signals. However, these require highly technical, specialized equipment and do not happen with basic car remotes.
Hackers hate anything that makes their attacks slow, expensive, or completely useless. Their ultimate kryptonite is a prepared digital environment: robust multi-factor authentication (MFA), long and randomized passwords, regular software updates, and air-gapped offline backups.
To cancel your Vivint service, you generally need to pay 100% of your remaining equipment balance and 50% of your remaining monthly monitoring fees. However, exact termination costs are based on your specific Purchase and Service Agreement, which can be found in your online portal.
Customers report long hold times, representatives hanging up on them, and continued billing even after cancellation requests or contract expiration. Vivint generally requires customers to pay 100% of the remaining balance on their contract to cancel early.
So you always know what's going on at your home, you can view live video feed and recorded clips from your Vivint cameras right on your Vivint Sky app. Your camera feed is private and not monitored or accessible by Vivint.