Vivint Smart Home and Home Security 2020 Review

[@robertthompson1172]

The review makes vivint seem like a good and honest company. I have been stuck in a contract with vivint for 4 years and have another 2 years to go. The sales agent lied, read yourself. They require you to pay out the whole contract not just the equipment to get out. Also, the equipment doesn't last the life time if the contract. Vivint refuses to put updated equipment in unless you are willing to sign another commitment to them. When you have issues they require you to troubleshoot yourself. After spending hours on the phone they will send someone out for a fee. I had to speak with a supervisor to get the fees waived. They come out, fix it and then a few weeks later stuff starts to break again. Unless you want to be stuck in a contract with faulty equipment stay away from Vivint Home Security. Note: in the beginning we really liked it as well.

[@azb4221]

Yes there was a time where you HAD to pay out the whole contract. But NOW, new customers are only obligated for the equipment. Pay that off and you're month to month 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@thomaslufkin99]

They are a terrible company and totally dishonest.

[@hurricanefreak101]

Our local T-Mobile Stores used to offer the service but when issues began to arise with their agents and reliability - T-Mobile Ordered the franchisees to stop offering their other services in the store due to feedback based on their customers- Our Neighbors were pissed because their sensors would fail and police will be dispatched- the only good thing they said that Vivint claimed responsibility so they would be ticketed for false alarms that happened and replaced the faulty sensor but it happens again and luckily they were let go with no contract dispute

[@johnnymoa4231]

my father works for vivint. for over a year now and its great i dont know y anyone would complain about it. one thing i think people might say it sucks is that its expensive. well the quality that ur getting for this is much better and the technology is super advance then most DIY and ring as well. also that the memory can hold longer then most other brands. i feel so much better with this now then when I had ring. so yes its a little bit pricey but the company will do their best to give u a great deal. so all i have to say is trust in vivint

[@sureshot556]

I’ll tell you what sucks about Vivint. It does not record 24/7. It only records when motion is detected. Then it records for about 20 seconds and that’s it. So if someone comes onto your property to steal something. You will get about 20 seconds of them snooping around but may not record them commit the crime. This is a huge huge huge fail. For how much I pay, it should record 24/7 and store it for at least 48 hours.

[@fearmedic41]

2Gig sensors will add to the system and customer help will walk you through the install of them also. Easy to purchase via Amazon vs the increased price from Vivint.

[@lancee307]

I used Vivant for many years with no complaints. My bad experience came when I switched to less expensive home monitoring system. Even after contract period, it was insane how difficult it was to stop the autopay billing! I will NEVER use Vivant again!

[@Ctok23]

Vivint is a good service, but this video was way misleading on pricing. The system as shown will cost you at least $60 a month for monitoring, plus your monthly payment for the equipment, as shown over $100 per month. The system he showed is not cheap. 1 doorbell camera at $250, 3 outdoor cameras $300-$400 each, plus $250 for the hard drive if you want dvr playback, without which you are left only with motion clips which inevitably fail at the worst time. Nest thermostats, kwikset locks door/window sensors, this system priced out would set you back $2700-$3000+. You can get some pretty good discounts sometimes. Free doorbell camera, some free door window sensors, can help you save if you get the right sales rep. I would suggest signing up through a technician because they can get you some pretty good discounts. Can be a great system when functioning properly, but the camera system is fully dependent on connectivity to the panel and router. This invites connection issues for many customers. Others have no issues. A lot of issues with software developers rolling out buggy updates that fix some issues and almost always cause other new issues. All in all, when it works like it should it’s a really good system, when it doesn’t it can be a frustrating experience for customers who are forced to spend upwards of an hour or more on the phone with tech support being asked to climb up ladders to reboot cameras and opening panels to pull out batteries.

[@Michaelthaguy]

Wow if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were a former employee lol

[@willmajor4559]

They don't stand behind this expensive system!!

[@hurricanefreak101]

Vivint is loved untill they discover the hidden fees and cost of ownership

[@codythrive5154]

A good sales rep can lower monitoring to $20 + 5/cam. I have a 3 camera system for $35/mo. Not sure what your deal is.

[@michaelhatfull3305]

Great review man. I’m happy you’ve had a good experience. I’ve worked for Vivint for several years. Our equipment gets better and better every year. Our new cameras are top notch best on the market.

[@kawilifezx10r23]

On here doing some homework i have a phone interview for a service technician position today. Looking like a great company to work for.

[@casaprimavera2190]

I just cancelled vivint. They were charging me over $3000 for the equipment. When I researched online some of the equipment prices I realized I was being robbed. Just diy or hire a someone to install your own stuff. Vivint is GROSSLY overpriced.

[@scottwhitlow8468]

Would have loved for you to have a deeper dive into the Vivint app, reviewing security camera clips, and more footage of the security cameras, etc. good video though! 👍🏻

[@ReviewsOrg]

Thanks for the feedback Scott! We'll keep it in mind for future reviews. We have Simplisafe, Blue by ADT and Frontpoint coming up.

[@azb4221]

Yeah I totally agree. What about the 4k camera and how you can zoom in? Or the whistle deterrent for scaring the bad guys away? And the fact that you can talk through ALL cameras, even on the panel?

[@austinbiro8046]

Idk what everyone is talking about being locked into a contract ...... I did mine month to month and can leave anytime after my equipment is payed off which can be paid off at any time

[@Schneiderp007]

You are correct. You can either buy up front and have no contract or pay month to month and free to leave after the system is paid off.

[@azb4221]

Yes thank you for seeing things clearly as do I. That's literally the only complaint I mostly hear about "I'm locked in and can't get out!" And I'm like, "you idiots, it says so in your PSA that you get in your email how much the system is. The lady tells you what is going on in the survey at the end of the process. And to top it off, you do have a grace period to change your mind. If you didn't utilize any of this, then it's your own fault." Also if I finance something at best buy and decide a month later I don't want it, do I bitch about being locked in a contract over my computer? NO! I pay the thing off and I'm done. Financing is buying. There's no giving it back.

[@jeffreyhofstetter]

Wow, this guy is a Vivent sales rep... amazing.

[@akoharrey]

Just as said elsewhere, they are not straightforward. They are all over the place with pricing,; seeming to hide information. Smart Hub, 1 motion detector, 4 doors and windows sensors, 2 outdoor cameras, 1 door bell Camera, One inside pin Camera, 1 thermostat and 1 smart door lock; all for $138/month. Is this a fair price?

[@rodgera.curbelo5050]

Biggest thing about this, is it only applies to the new stuff. I've had this for a few months, and it's been great. My parents have an older system, and it's buggy. People who complain about the old equipment must not understand technology... I don't complain to Apple because I bought an Iphone 5 years ago, and all of a sudden it's not as fast as it used to be, or cause it isn't compatible with apps in the appstore. It's an old piece of hardware, and the software updates can only do so much. I can't walk into Apple and demand a new Iphone. Good luck folks, nothing is free, and if you have the old stuff it's buggy cause 2gig makes it. Not Vivints fault. I've never needed a tech to come out, and when my parents had to call in to get one out, they paid $50. No big deal.

[@azb4221]

What a refreshing comment. As a sales rep, the "horror stories" have often come from those with the older stuff. I wish your comment was plastered to the house of all customers and homeowners 😂 it would make my job easier

[@thomaslufkin99]

@@azb4221 This total baloney Why should someone have to pay for a technician to come ad repair your faulty equipment?? I agree that the charge is appropriate if you want to upgrade or you caused the damage but I had a panel fail..... they charged me for the call and the new panel. when I moved several months later I tried to cancel. They said I had agreed to two more years because I "REQUESTED" a new panel. This is one of the most dishonest companies I have worked with. All my friends ask me about the system and I tell them to stay away. You got your $165 but it will cost you much more. I understand it is a Mormon Co. If that is true shame on them.

[@PyssedDoph]

1st I wouldn’t say misleading pricing suggestions ... just not really explained based on the information provided. in my case 2 smart locks for 2 of my 3 exterior doors, 1 doorbell camera, 1 interior ping camera, smoke detector, thermostat, 3 door sensors, 2 garage door sensors and a glass break sensor for the basement window. with sky panel and monitoring ... $80 per month. 2nd let’s start with the very beginning, doorbell camera. was initially wired into my existing doorbell chime but for whatever reason the tech had to plug in an external transformer coming from the actual chime on the wall in the hallway into the guest bedroom. so he had to drill a hole through the wall to run the plug for the AC transformer into the AC outlet in the guest bedroom. that was day 1. literally day 2, the doorbell stops working and they send out a tech after they had me on the line for over an hour trying this troubleshooting step and that step. and since it seemed like it was an equipment issue on a new install, they made it seem like they were doing me a favor by not charging me the fee for the tech to come out. should have took that red flag and ran. tech comes out and then tells me that the doorbell chime is too far away from where the doorbell and sky panel is and they would actually have to run a wired transformer from the doorbell to the closest AC outlet which in this case was another hole drilled from the outside where the doorbell is into the entry hallway, with wire ran along the baseboard til it got close to where the AC outlet was in my dining room and drilled a hole into my dining room to plug in the AC doorbell transformer into the AC outlet there bypassing my actual doorbell chime in my hallway near the bedrooms. how is the doorbell camera experience? hit or mostly miss. had this thing over 4 years and I have watched them while peeking out of my window just to be sure but somehow or another the doorbell camera seems to think UPS and FEDEX folks are wearing invisibility cloaks because I will have random boxes delivered to my front door and the camera doesn’t see them being delivered but let me ride by my front door on my lawn mower and the thing won’t stop alerting. let my neighbor across the street at the 2 o’clock position back into his driveway at night and the thing will alert and it’s just that neighbor. let somebody ring the doorbell .. wait .. let me try it again .. sigh .. wait one more time ... c’mon ... ok there it is, the doorbell camera is up and running on my phone now. its quicker for me to just physically get up and walk to the door even if I’m in the basement, its quicker to just walk to the door then to keep playing hit or miss with the doorbell camera on the app. 3rd dont know what technology their motion detector uses but the thing picks up ghosts. thing was constantly being triggered and being set off by no one in the house. and no it wasn’t a case of shadows light reflections or anything like that because I did several tests day and night to eliminate that possibility. so we ending up just pulling the motion detector out of the monitoring system. so with that being said, I asked Vivint "so with the motion sensor no longer in the system, what is the arming difference between stay and away?" 4 years later still haven’t gotten a straight answer, got a lot of speculation but nothing anybody is willing to say for sure. 4th that Element Thermostat. 1st in this day in age of wired connections, how in the world does this thing not take power from the HVAC line that is already there from the prior existing thermostat .. this thing takes 4 double A batteries and it goes through batteries like they were in an Xbox joystick BUT that aint even the crazy part. it will constantly lose connection to the sky panel which is in the dining room. so you have to pull it off the wall, take the batteries out, put the batteries back in, put it back on the wall, then go to the sky panel to have it reentered into the system. finally got tired of that nonsense (after 3 years) and caved in and paid for the tech to come out and take a look but phone support had come to the conclusion that the Element thermostat was, wait for it, too far away from the sky panel that is why it kept losing connection to the system. so as a sorry for the trouble gift, I get one of their z wave AC plugs that they say can help with the range as it will work like a signal extender. why didn’t you guys try this with the doorbell instead of drilling more holes in my walls. so the tech comes out replaces my Element Thermostat with another Element Thermostat and this one drains the batteries even faster. still I’m like why is your thermostat battery powered when there is AC power in the actual line that the thing is connected to so it can control the AC and the heater. oh so now you guys want to suggest one of your Nest thermostats and these dont use batteries ... cool sign me. side note: Vivint like DirectTV, if you get another piece of equipment it means to them you just signed up for a 2 year extension on your contract and they dont explain that unless you specifically ask, i didnt at the time. 5th took me 4 years to figure this next bit out as well. I have great WIFI coverage in my home. I’m a network admin ... I got network cable ran through my house and for wireless I have triband routers and a fiber line ISP. yeah I know Vivint only works with the 2.4 GHz range, could not for the life of me figure out when they 1st installed it why it could not connect to my WIFI networks. they had to use one of their 4 dollar dlink routers that had a very weak transmitter to get the sky panel to connect. I would see my other networks but it could not connect to it til one day I was playing around with my networks and noticed the protocol that the D-Link router was using. it only had the ability to do WPA encryption. now keep in mind I’m running WPA2 and WPA3 for the devices that support it here in my home. so I take the network that I had reserved for remote work stuff and changed that 2.4 band to WPA and the thing connects like a charm with 3 times the network speed the D-Link was putting out. in conclusion 4 years ago when I got Vivint it was great and worth the early headaches because and only because, at that time Vivint was leading edge with everything. today, they are still stuck where they were 4 years ago technology wise and they want to charge you premium dollar for below average equipment. again 4 years ago, great deal even with the headaches, today stay away, stay far away. especially when you look at what you can get from other vendors. and to cap it off ... I’m in the process of getting rid of my Vivint and let me stress, PROCESS. because you just can’t call up and say I want to cancel my service. oh no, Vivint dont make it that easy. in my case, get a burner phone and spam email address and have Vivint update my contact information with that phone and that email address, send them a cancellation letter in writing through certified mail making sure to get a signature confirmation. once I have that, send another letter to Vivint acknowledging that they have received my cancellation letter. then send copies of both letters to the institution that Vivint is pulling those auto payments from. once the account has been confirmed cancelled, kill the burner phone because you are about to get nonstop robo calls from Vivint. and I disagree, even if you are not a DIYer, stay away from Vivint there are better options out here at a fraction of the cost that provide better support and equipment. for example, Vivint just came out with their brand new doorbell camera pro. the thing is currently listed at $229. look at the specs on this thing and then compare it to ANY and I mean ANY other doorbell camera out currently and then tell try to convince yourself their camera is worth almost twice on the high end what other folks have for their products. and keep this in mind, this price is on top of what you will be paying for the monitoring and everything else.

[@hixung17]

How much do you pay a month?

[@Y_S3XY_1]

Can the cameras show up on the Samsung fridges with family hub?

[@SuperJESSE327]

So, knowing what you now know, would u go with a ring, simply set up, or Vivint?

[@azb4221]

Well you gotta ask yourself some questions.... Do you want your cameras to record 24/7? Do you want to proactively scare thieves away? And would you like your cameras to still record even if your Wi-Fi shuts off or malfunctions or goes offline? The answer is yes, then go with Vivint all the way. Ring does not record 24/7. And neither does simply safe. Neither of those two have a touch screen option as far as I know. None of them are easily accessed from a panel. None of them still record even without Wi-Fi. And most definitely none of them will proactively scare thieves away and prevent crime. But if you don't care about scaring thieves away but actually just want to watch people break into your cars, then get ring. If you don't worry about missing the events that happened between clip A and clip B, then go with ring and simply save. And if you don't care if your cameras don't work with your Wi-Fi shut off, then go with ring or nest or anyone else.

[@omarseneriz5577]

I reach out to them to price out a package for my house. The sales guy on the phone asked lots of questions to determine what are my needs. I kept asking for price and he said he will email. I found that very strange… I received the email with a $2500 quote. The quote intel a door lock, door camera, and 3 sensors and stickers… He also indicated that my installer will be at my house the next day to install. I kept indicating that I am just looking for a quote. I found this experience very strange and the price ridiculous. I reach back and told the individual not to show up and cancel. Basically I want to know why is this video so positive when what this company is doing is stilling from consumers.

[@kennykeller2494]

Hey Steve I wanted to ask do you have to pay for monitoring if you just want to financing the equipment until it’s payed off? Thanks

[@rich2785]

Could you tell me if the Vivint system can do the following: (1) If I use the keyless door entry to unlock the house I can have it automatically disarm the alarm system (2) If the keyless door entry is used to open the house, can it automatically turn on a light inside the house entrance.

[@Mr.West602]

Do you prefer the vivint thermostat or Nest??

[@Thatmagicmike]

They say it’s 4K not 1080 p

[@Sarahmachelski]

It’s 4K but your phone isn’t 4K so it’ll show 4K on the panel & 1080p on ur camera app

[@azb4221]

All 4k means for security cameras is that you have high resolution and can zoom in and still have high resolution. It's a 4k sensor

[@SammySosa-cafepilon]

Dont ever get vivint very bad support and service

[@willmajor4559]

My expensive camera's from VIVINT didn't pick up someone vandalizing my Mercedes Benz several times but my neighbors across the street capture it showing the person was less than 10 feet away shooting out my windows right in front of my VIVINT camera. I showed this t Vivint and the police but they refuse to give me credit for a system that I thought was protecting me and my family for last two years. They refuse to come and pickup their system which don't work and they demanded that we cancel. I repeatedly asked them would you pay for something that don't work or continually don't work? To make this right pay for the damages done to my Mercedes Benz or give me all the money I've paid into this system thus far. They refused, and stated we can install new updated equipment free of charge, but they should be offering this to everyone right now to save face cause this will happen to everyone who has this system. So i save them a possible lawsuits in the future only to be punished with upgrading a system I can't trust anymore and they will not backup there equipment or stand behind there expensive system.

[@musicguitar]

What system did your neighbor have?

[@sog176]

I got the same issue with my system. The doorbell camera picks up absolutely nothing!! I did have something happen in front of my home and it captured nothing!! A herd of elephants can walk on my porch and it wouldn't capture it. Had their tech come out and he admitted the doorbell cameras have serious issues. Not impressed with this high priced, not working system.

[@azb4221]

Wow.... Too bad your cameras don't record 24/7 like mine do 😂😂😂😂 I have Vivint 🤓 and you have, oh wait, Vivint too? 🤔 I have had my system for 3 years now and have missed NOTHING! If you have the old doorbell camera, then yeah of course it sucks cause it's old. The new one is fantastic!

[@willmajor4559]

@@azb4221 Good for you Joseph, that is Awesome! What happens when it misses an incident that happens to you? Then what, do think Vivint will reimburse you? Will they go through their records and look for missing content? I got lucky that my neighbor caught the incident live but was to far away to pickup the face because he was facing my drive way less than 10 ft way. Do want to be the next person posting on this site about how upset you are with Vivint? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKmkh2Nrdsx3Y80

[@azb4221]

@@willmajor4559 first of all, why would Vivint reimburse me me if my camera failed to record? I've never heard that happening to ring or Arlo customers. And they have missed stuff for sure And second, that's the point of recording 24/7. It doesn't matter if my camera misses an incident. Because it's always recording. If something happens at 3 am, and I don't get a flagged event for it, it doesn't matter. I pull up the timeline of the last 24 hours (literally every millisecond has been recorded) and I scroll through it and find the footage I need 🤷🏼‍♂️ it sounds like your cameras are only recording when there is motion. Mine are recording ALWAYS. So unless my power shuts off, I won't be missing anything.

[@willmajor4559]

@Markus Green Do you want to see this video where VIVINT clearly didn't capture a single event? Best part is VIVINT won't offer taken it back cause the system failed. (100% Customer service satisfied, not when they will not give a refund for a system that don't work). what would you do?

[@herbjenssen5611]

Steve, I think you better check this company out. I had set up a meeting with them but am going to cancel. I know in your video you mentioned that there was some customer service problems. After checking I came across a BBB out of Utah with very current dates from customer reviews. Absolutely many horrendous reviews!!! I am calling to cancel my meeting with this company.

[@Devinduhdood]

You should check out Cransten Smart Home. They're a small business, but have great prices.

[@thomaslufkin99]

I cannot believe this is a Mormon company. they are one of the most dishonest Companies I have ever dealt with. Well, maybe the cable company is as bad I had the system for six years and then moved and they would not cancel me because "I had agreed to a monthly price reduction" I was told this was because I was such a loyal customer. They got their stolen cash but I will let everyone I can know what a dishonest company they are.

[@crankshaft007]

Maybe some real info ?? How does the monitoring works wifi ? Internet ? Cellular?

[@Schneiderp007]

The panel is connected via wi-fi as well as cameras, sensors, etc. However, if there is an alarm, it uses a cellular connection to auto-dial the monitoring center regarding status or alarm.

[@markhaydel8159]

Vivint is not trustworthy. They lock you into your contract and then forget about you. They haven’t responded to me and their system was pretty overpriced. Buyer beware!

[@azb4221]

I personally love the customer service. On the app there is a live Chat option which has been THE BEST. if I'm needing technical support, I just use that. Simple 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@SammySosa-cafepilon]

They lied to me also they are crooks very expensive said system was free then charged 1000 bucks for it

[@erikbiller1]

Sammy. Sosa why would you believe a system is free?

[@devinhughes7803]

@@erikbiller1 they have a promotion every so often where if you sign up for the professional monitoring for like 4 years then the system is free. I have a sales guy who comes by every 6 months or so lol

[@teresalinas6797]

They told me that the only thing I had to pay was $48 dollars, they told me that the only charge for the equipment, is if I upgrade. I wanted the basic. The equipment hasn't worked and when they first told me, I could cancel, they said, you have to pay the 1,700 if you want to cancel. THIS IS HORRIBLE WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO PEOPLE!!!!!

[@TheDramaticDream]

Lol you’re a moron if you thought it was free

[@TheDramaticDream]

@Jazzbo Jackson no they don’t really good moron

[@g-manm6181]

How much did you pay for the equipment and the monthly subscription?

[@michaelhatfull3305]

Depends on what you want to get. It’s totally customizable to you.

[@hoss1943]

They come in your home to “upgrade” your control panel and then extend your “contract” by five years! Screw you real good!

[@azb4221]

Should've read your emails 🤷🏼‍♂️ why not just pay off the panel and call it quits?

[@philr2664]

we have had this for about 5 years. Sorry support. They have no idea how to make all the pieces work. We have been lied to, over charged and will be glad when we can dump this junk. Not unlike Cox Contour...Total flake.

[@SammySosa-cafepilon]

Lied too also thhy are crooks

[@azb4221]

Funny. Out of all the Americans and all the alarm apps. Vivint has a 4.5 with over 72,000 reviews. Which means most of those are 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. You guys must be apart of the 10% of society where it hasn't worked out for you 😂😂😂😂

[@mandingo6821]

Vivint is the worst home security I have ever owned. God for bid there is bad weather, because the cameras are crap if it is. Blurred screen.

[@azb4221]

You must have the old cameras 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@mandingo6821]

Joseph Curtis That’s what they do to keep you as a customer and stay in business. Buy cameras all the time. Update this update that.

[@azb4221]

@@mandingo6821 well if you have crap old cameras, then they are crap old cameras. When crap old cameras first came out, they were legit. Obviously technology changes. So nowadays our expectations on cameras is much higher than. They were back in the day. I live in Utah. I have the same white cameras this guy is reviewing. It snows like a bitch sometimes and the wind can be strong too. And to top it off it's exposed to the elements getting all the sun until sundown..... Zero fatalities on that camera so far and it's been 3 years. You also have a lifetime warranty. So if your camera is not working as it should, just let customer service know and if they can't fix it then they have to send you out a new one. And if you have an old one and they don't carry the old one in stock anymore then they will send you out there newest camera that they have in stock. And if that camera doesn't work with the current panel that you have right now then they will be forced to upgrade your panel as well. I have seen it before. That is how a lifetime warranty works. You just got to know how to implement it.

[@xijinping4463]

After 5 yrs if Vivint I decided not to renew so they kicked me off the app and I no longer have access to the system,buy your own security system for $500 and the app is yours for life

[@LILIANA9457]

Muy mala compañía tengan cuidado con los vendedores te disen cosas engañas y muy mala resolución las cámaras y muy caras

[@SammySosa-cafepilon]

Son unos ladrones.

[@LILIANA9457]

Sammy. Sosa más claro no pudiste decirlo mejor ...