Smart Home
SimpliSafe vs Vivint (2026): DIY Freedom or Pro-Installed Premium?
By the Wires of Life Editorial Team · Nov 5, 2026 · 7 min read
Our top picks at a glance
Compared & ranked from official specs (last verified November 2, 2026). Not hands-on tested.
| Pick | Monthly monitoring | Contract & install | Smart home fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for DIY & flexibilitySimpliSafe | Self ~$10/mo · Standard ~$23 · Core ~$33 · Pro ~$50–$80 | No contract; self-install in about 30 minutes | Own app; works with Alexa and Google Assistant |
| Best pro-installed premiumVivint | From $24.99/mo; higher with cameras and smart devices | Professional install; agreement terms vary by offer | Locks, lights, thermostat and cameras in one app |
#1 · Best for DIY & flexibility
SimpliSafe
- Monthly monitoring: Self ~$10/mo · Standard ~$23 · Core ~$33 · Pro ~$50–$80
- Contract & install: No contract; self-install in about 30 minutes
- Smart home fit: Own app; works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Buy it if: Renters and homeowners who want strong monitoring without a sales visit or long agreement
Skip it if: You want someone else to install and automate locks, lights and thermostat for you.
Price: Plans 33¢–$2.66/day (about $10–$80/mo). Kit prices change with sales — see the store (brand store, checked November 4, 2026)
Build a system at SimpliSafe SimpliSafe monitoring plans#2 · Best pro-installed premium
Vivint
- Monthly monitoring: From $24.99/mo; higher with cameras and smart devices
- Contract & install: Professional install; agreement terms vary by offer
- Smart home fit: Locks, lights, thermostat and cameras in one app
Buy it if: Larger homes that want a fully managed, professionally installed smart system
Skip it if: You rent, move often, or want to self-monitor with no monthly fee.
Price: Equipment from $199.99; monitoring from $24.99/mo; financing up to 36 months at 0% APR (if you qualify) (brand store, checked November 4, 2026)
Get a quote at Vivint Vivint cost & packages
The real difference in one line
SimpliSafe is a box you open and set up yourself. Vivint is a service: someone visits, designs the system, installs it and keeps it running. Almost every cost and contract difference comes from that.
What you'll pay over three years
SimpliSafe prices monitoring by the day, from 33¢ (about $10/mo) for self monitoring up to $2.66 (about $80/mo) for the top Pro Plus tier. There's no contract, so if you drop to self monitoring for a year, your bill drops too.
Vivint lists equipment from $199.99 and monitoring from $24.99/mo. Systems with cameras and smart devices cost more each month. Most customers finance equipment, which Vivint offers up to 36 months at 0% APR for those who qualify. Financing and monitoring are separate agreements, so read both before you sign.
Rough three-year monitoring math: SimpliSafe Core (~$33/mo) comes to about $1,190. Vivint at its $24.99 starting price is about $900, but that starting price rarely covers a system with cameras, and you add the equipment cost on top. Ask Vivint for a full written quote and compare the total, not the monthly figure.
Contracts, moving and cancelling
SimpliSafe has no contract. You can pause pro monitoring, take the sensors with you when you move and set them up again in a new place.
Vivint's terms depend on the offer. Some offers pair a lower monthly price with a multi-year service agreement; others cost more each month without one. If you might move within three years, ask exactly what happens to your financing and monitoring when you do.
Smart home and automation
Vivint is the stronger smart home pick. Locks, lights, thermostat, garage and cameras run from one app, and the installer sets up the automations for you.
SimpliSafe focuses on the alarm. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant for basic commands, but it isn't trying to run the rest of your house.
Who wins for your home
Renters and apartments: SimpliSafe. No drilling, no contract, and it moves with you.
Tight or changing budget: SimpliSafe, because you can change plans month to month.
Large homes that want one managed smart system: Vivint.
Not comfortable with any setup at all: Vivint, since installation and service are part of the deal.
How we picked
We compared each brand's official pricing, monitoring and contract pages. We haven't installed either system ourselves or tested response times, so we don't make claims about dispatch speed. Vivint quotes are personalised, so your price may differ from the starting prices shown here.
Before you sign or check out
Common questions
Is Vivint more expensive than SimpliSafe?
Usually, yes. Vivint's monitoring starts at $24.99/mo and rises with cameras and smart devices, plus you pay for equipment. SimpliSafe starts around $10/mo and has no contract.
Can I install Vivint myself?
No. Vivint is built around professional installation. If you want to self-install, SimpliSafe is the better fit.
Does Vivint require a contract?
It depends on the offer. Some Vivint offers come with a multi-year service agreement; others cost more per month without one. Ask for the terms in writing.
Can I self-monitor with Vivint?
Vivint is sold with professional monitoring. If you want to self-monitor to save money, SimpliSafe offers a self monitoring plan from about $10/mo.
Sources
Last verified: November 2, 2026. This is general guidance based on official documentation. We did not run hands-on lab tests for this guide.