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Vivint and Ring both provide customizable home security systems. Vivint requires professional installation and 24/7 monitoring, whereas Ring sells DIY security solutions and optional monthly services. With both companies, customers can customize a security system with products that meet their needs. However, the cost for doing so varies greatly when comparing Vivint vs Ring.
With Ring, customers can purchase individual security products and build a completely personalized system. Vivint security offers three base packages, and customers can choose to purchase additional products once they buy a starter system. However, both companies offer unique customer benefits and are comparable in terms of installation costs and contract options.
| Starting price | Monitoring price | Installation type | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $500+ | $29.99+/mo | Professional | View packages |
 | $199+ | Optional self-monitoring | DIY | View packages |
The cost of a Vivint vs Ring home security system is determined by the products and services you select and the equipment costs, professional installation fees, and monthly monitoring plans.
While Vivint advertises three primary home security systems, the details and pricing of each package are customized to a customer’s location, home, and needs. Vivint’s most basic package includes the Vivint Smart Hub, window decals and yard sign, three door and window sensors, a motion sensor, a water sensor, and app control. Other packages include smart home features such as smart locks and plugs as well as outdoor and video cameras.
See Vivint pricing and packages
Ring, on the other hand, sells both security packages and individual products. The Ring Alarm System comes in five and eight-piece kits. The Ring Alarm System Pro comes in eight and fourteen-piece kits.
When it comes to Vivint security vs Ring security equipment costs, both are customizable – and with both, you’ll pay more if you want to protect more doors and windows or need additional smart features – but Ring offers a less expensive starting price.
Vivint’s monthly monitoring price increases depending on which home security products you have. More expensive plans include additional features, such as video surveillance and home automation.
Ring customers can choose whether or not to add a monthly monitoring plan, paid monthly or with annual discounts when paid in full. However, only one of Ring’s monitoring plans includes professional monitoring; the others only include video recording and storage.
Overall, you get more value out of the monitoring services that Vivint provides than you do with Ring’s monthly monitoring.
| Starting price | Monitoring price | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500+ | $29.99+/mo | View packages |
| $199+ | Optional self-monitoring | View packages |
The main difference between installing a security system from Vivint vs one from Ring is who performs the installation. Vivint requires professional installation for all of its security systems. Keep in mind when considering Vivint security system costs that the cost for installation services is typically included with the purchase of a security system, though certain types of equipment may have additional fees.
All Ring Alarm Systems are installed and set up by customers using step-by-step instructions provided by the company. The only time Ring provides professional installation services is with a purchase from X Line, their selection of premium security products. At that point, professional installation comes at an additional fee.
Because most Ring systems do not include installation and most Vivint systems come with free installation, the cost of installation is comparable, although the services differ.
| Installation type | Installation cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Professional | Included |
| DIY | N/A |
Vivint security vs Ring monthly monitoring plans: both offer multiple services at a range of prices. Overall, Ring’s monthly services cost less, but both companies offer a no-contract option.
Vivint Smart Security monitoring costs depend on which package you choose, based on the security products you use. All monitoring plans include mobile access, entry, smoke, and carbon monoxide detection, medical pendant support, and 24/7 professional monitoring, with the more expensive plans featuring smart home integration and video surveillance. Vivint’s no-contract option is available when you purchase your security equipment paid in full. Otherwise, financed equipment is typically tied to a 42 to 60-month contract.
Ring’s most basic monthly monitoring includes video recording for one doorbell or camera. You can also get a plan that includes video recording for all devices at one location for a nominal monthly fee. The only plan with 24/7 professional monitoring is the Ring Protect Pro plan, which is Ring’s most expensive monitoring option. None of Ring’s monthly protection plans are required or tied to a contract.
Vivint customers can contact the company’s support team 24/7, as well as utilize their online Help Center to find answers to many commonly asked questions about security systems and products, account information, and more.
Ring also offers 24/7 customer support via phone, as well as online chat support from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM (MST) and an online Help Center. Neighbors is a unique customer support element. This free, app-based 24/7 neighborhood watch feature alerts Ring customers to crime and safety events within five miles of their home.
When it comes to what customers have to say about Vivint vs Ring customer support, Vivint gets more praise. Positive Vivint reviews mention knowledgeable and friendly staff during the onboarding and installation process, although some customers have negative experiences when solving product malfunctions.
Ring’s customer support team fails to provide a majority of their customers with 5-star customer service. Instead, many Ring customers note frustrating interactions with support team members who cannot resolve their problems. Still, some customers share positive experiences and only have good things to say about Ring’s quality products.
When comparing Vivint security and Ring security’s customer service, Vivint ranks higher in overall customer satisfaction.
Vivint and Ring both offer customizable home security packages–Vivint as a professionally installed system and Ring as a budget-friendly, DIY solution. Vivint vs Ring home security system costs reflect this difference, as Vivint’s equipment and monthly monitoring are more expensive than Ring’s. However, the companies are comparable in terms of installation because Vivint is often free, and Ring doesn’t have any installation costs because customers are in charge of setting up their own systems. Also, both Vivint and Ring offer no-contract options for monthly service plans.
When comparing Vivint vs Ring customer support and service ratings, Vivint ranks higher and sees more positive customer responses. Customers often thank Vivint’s customer service representatives for a positive installation experience, noting their friendly and helpful demeanor. In contrast, the Ring customer service team often struggles with providing customers with helpful information and acceptable solutions to their problems. While Ring offers many benefits to customers, like less expensive systems, no contracts, and optional monthly fees, Vivint’s knowledgeable staff make the additional costs worth it for many customers.
We recommend Ring to families or individuals on a budget who are looking to get started with a DIY home security system with flexible monitoring plans.
We recommend Vivint to families who want a more robust, professionally monitored home security system that is still fully customizable for them. Vivint is also the better option for those who want smart home automation.
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Requires 36-month monitoring contract starting at $38.99/mo. without QSP (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees from $935.76) and minimum installation amount of $599 for professionally installed systems OR month-to-month monitoring contract for ADT Self Setup systems starting at $24.99 without QSP (one month minimum) and minimum purchase amount of $194.98. Professional monitoring required for ADT to notify emergency contacts or services on your behalf. Service and installation charges vary depending on system configuration, equipment and services selected. For reactivations of professionally installed systems, a $99 test and inspect fee applies . Upon early termination by Customer, ADT may charge 75% of the monthly service charges due for the balance of the initial contract term. Quality Service Plan (QSP) is ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty and is available for additional fee. Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. Professionally installed system remains property of ADT. Local permit fees may be required. Prices and offers subject to change and may vary by market. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Satisfactory credit required. A security deposit may be required. Simulated screen images and photos are for illustrative purposes only. For Self-Setup Systems, cancel by calling 888-392-2039 or by following the instructions in your order confirmation email. To avoid contract termination charges, cancellation must occur no later than 30 days after the contract date. Contract termination charges may be applied for cancellation after the initial 30-day period. Equipment must be fully removed and returned before a refund will be processed. Any shipping costs previously paid are non-refundable. Google and Nest Doorbell are trademarks of Google LLC. Some features, including mobile notifications, remote control, video streaming and video recording, require working internet and Wi-Fi. Minimum OS requirements are available at g.co/home/req. iOS is a trademark of Cisco and is used under license. Google Nest products and services featured are designed to make life easier and to build a helpful home and were not designed specifically for life-sustaining or safety-critical use cases. These products and services are compatible with the ADT Self Setup System, and depend upon working internet, Wi-Fi, and, in some cases, the service availability from ADT and/or Google. To learn more, please visit http://g.co/nest/TOS.
Money-back guarantee only applies after ADT has made attempts to resolve a system-related issue and has not been able to resolve that issue within the first six (6) months of your original activation. ADT Money-Back Guarantee is not transferable. Equipment must be returned before a refund will be processed. Conditions preventing normal system operation cannot be caused by the customer. For professionally installed systems only.
Customer may receive reimbursement of up to five hundred dollars ($500) of Customer’s homeowner’s insurance deductible (if any) if, and only if, ALL requirements for Theft Protection Guarantee are met to ADT’s reasonable satisfaction. Customer must request reimbursement within 60 days of property loss. Request must be mailed to ADT and include: Theft Protection Guarantee certificate signed by Customer, a letter from Customer requesting reimbursement, a copy of the police report, and a copy of the accepted insurance claim. ADT reserves the right to reject any application for reimbursement that does not comply with all of the requirements. For professionally installed systems only.