SimpliSafe and Vivint Smart Home
are both heavy hitters in the home security world.
They both topped the charts
of our own best home security systems of 2022
and have rave reviews from happy customers.
But how do they compare?
If you've been considering either of these systems
for your own home or business,
join me as we take a closer look at SimpliSafe
and Vivint Smart Home.
And don't forget to subscribe for more reviews,
comparisons, and how-tos here on YouTube.
Check the description below to find our full list
of the best home security systems of 2022,
our written comparison of these two systems,
and reviews on each.
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SimpliSafe is a DIY security system,
meaning that you set the whole thing up yourself.
It's affordable, comprehensive,
and really easy to work with.
Basically, if you can unpeel a sticker,
you can set up the system in your home.
SimpliSafe was nominated our reader favorite
in 2022's best home security systems ranking,
and its app has rave reviews
from Google Play and Apple app stores.
But where SimpliSafe falls behind
is its smart home capabilities and customer service.
SimpliSafe is no dummy,
but it doesn't have that reach that Vivint does
when it comes to features like smart plugs, lights,
or third-party compatibility.
And without those professional installers on your side,
troubleshooting equipment or getting your repairs
is a whole different story.
Vivint claims our top spot
for the best home security systems, again, in 2022.
It blends the best parts of traditional home security
with cutting-edge home automation and gear
along with essentials like a control panel,
entry sensors, and motion sensors.
Vivint has a slew of cameras and other equipment.
Plus, it all gets installed by a trained professional
who can help you build your system from the ground up.
And while it holds our coveted top spot,
there are a few pain points to Vivint.
The equipment can be expensive up front.
Its starter package lands around $600,
but you can finance your equipment and pay over time
if you're willing to get into a contract.
Also, comparison shopping
isn't as easy with Vivint either.
You have to call in to get a quote on prices for their gear.
So, let's get into it.
How does price, monitoring, and equipment vary
between SimpliSafe and Vivint?
We have a more in-depth look at these two systems
on SafeWise.com.
You can check the description for that link.
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When it comes to prices,
SimpliSafe tells you everything you need to know up front.
Shopping for a new system on the site
feels about as simple as ordering a new sweater
or a TV online.
Equipment ranges from $240 to up to $500
and goes from simple packages for apartments
to a full suite with extra sirens,
smoke detectors, and more.
Unfortunately, cameras aren't usually included.
So, you'll have to add one separately.
Overall, you can expect to spend up to $500
for a new security system from SimpliSafe at the most.
Plus, there's the $25 a month monitoring fee,
but more on that in a second.
Vivint and pricing is a different story
because the prices aren't available onsite.
Instead, you have to call into Vivint
to get a quote for your system.
But we did find three equipment packages that tipped us off
to what you can get from the company,
and our sources say that the starter kit lands around $600.
Ouch.
The good news is that you're not limited
to just those three options.
Vivint's whole thing is about combining home security
with home automation and smart home.
So, you can get a ton of cool smart gear,
like cameras and more,
if you're willing to pay for it.
And whatever gear you do want,
you can pay for it up front
or finance it and opt for a contract.
The tricky part, though, is that contract.
Vivint is notoriously hard to cancel,
and can lock you in from anywhere from three to five years.
Basically, if you can afford Vivint,
I recommend paying it in full
and skipping the contract if possible.
So, when it comes to basic equipment prices,
SimpliSafe comes out as the more affordable option.
Its most expensive package
is still $100 cheaper than Vivint's starter kit,
which feels really bare for its $600 price tag.
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Monitoring fees are the price you pay every month
for the pros at the home security system to watch your home.
These are the folks who call you
when your system is triggered,
and different companies have different levels of service.
SimpliSafe has a Self-Monitoring plan,
a Camera Only plan, and two Professional Monitoring plans.
That first Pro Monitoring plan starts at $15 per month.
While the second, the Interactive plan,
starts at around $25 a month.
Both of these get you monitoring for standard emergencies
that require police, fire, or medical assistance.
But the Interactive plan rolls in goodies
for those of you with cameras in your system.
On the flip side,
monitoring from Vivint ranges from $30 to $50 per month
and it depends a lot on what kind of gear you opt for.
That starting price gets you basic security equipment
while the top tier pairs you with a camera or cameras
and smart home gear.
You can pay as much as $70 per month
with up to six cameras and smart home gear too.
But that's up to you and your home's needs.
In this category, SimpliSafe is still the cheaper option,
but Vivint provides monitoring for their smart gear
as well as their home security stuff.
If you need a ton of coverage for your home,
it might be worth it to go with Vivint.
But for smaller homes, SimpliSafe is your best bet,
especially with video verification.
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SimpliSafe and Vivint both have the essentials
when it comes to security equipment.
Both systems have cellular backup
that kicks in if your home Wi-Fi goes out,
a very useful feature,
and they both have basics like control panels,
entry sensors, environmental sensors, and cameras.
SimpliSafe's only extra product is its smart lock,
which can be added onto the system.
And you can pair SimpliSafe
with your Amazon or Google speaker.
But when compared to Vivint,
SimpliSafe really falls short in this category.
You can connect your SimpliSafe system
to Amazon, Echo, or Google Home,
but it's not compatible with Z-Wave like Vivint is.
This means that you'll miss out
on a lot of third-party compatible products,
like lights, locks, plugs, and more.
So, what does Vivint have
that makes its products so special?
Well, to start, there's a ton of them.
Vivint kills it when it comes to having a range of products
for inside and outside the home.
There's even a vehicle GPS tracker
that can link with your outdoor cameras and lights.
All of this gear makes it easier
to create home automations based on your routine.
So, for example, you don't just lock the door.
You lock the door, turn off the lights,
turn down the thermostat, and arm the system.
And Vivint matches SimpliSafe with a cellular system,
so internet outages are no biggie.
Vivint also has cameras with a Lurker Detect feature
that we've been talking about for a long time.
When the camera detects a stranger hanging around your home
for just a little too long,
it whistles or hoots
to tell them that they're being watched.
This way, you don't have to keep your eyes
on your cameras 24/7 to scare off any would-be lurkers.
SimpliSafe and Vivint are birds of a different feather.
SimpliSafe is a do-it-yourself, best-for-basics,
budget-friendly option.
While its equipment and smart home capabilities
aren't mind-blowing,
it is a great system for anyone curious about home security.
With SimpliSafe, you can get a full home security system
without paying a ton or getting locked into a contract.
And Vivint is a home security and smart home giant
with a huge list of products
to customize and automate your home.
But instead of peeling and sticking sensors to a wall,
it requires help from the professionals.
All of that reflects in Vivint's pricing.
Monitoring and equipment from Vivint
are significantly more expensive than SimpliSafe,
and while you can walk away with a new system
for a little down,
doing so would lock you into a contract
for up to five years.
Despite its steep prices,
Vivint is our winner.
It's hard to compete
with this system's long list of smart home security gear,
customized approach, and professional installation.
If you can afford Vivint up front, we highly recommend it,
but you should be sure to read all the fine print
and ask lots of questions before entering into a contract.
What do you think?
Was there anything we missed?
Let us know in the comments
if you have a SimpliSafe or Vivint system.
We wanna hear about your experience
with this equipment and the companies.
And that's it for me for this video.
Thanks for watching,
and don't forget to subscribe
for more versus like this one.
Stay safe!
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