We always get many questions regarding our products and you may be one of the thousands of homeowners shopping for a security system right now trying to decide what’s the best security system for your home. The process can feel overwhelming due to the amount of security products on the market today with everyone claiming they have the best solution. We have many customers that ask about Vivint so let’s take a look at and compare what Alarm.com and Vivint have to offer.
Alarm.com and Vivint are two of the leading security companies today, known for their state-of-the-art features, equipment, and monitoring services. While both companies share similarities, they are essentially two different entities.
Alarm.com Compatible Control Panels
Alarm.com is not a direct provider of home security systems but a platform used by various security companies to offer their services. It provides a robust suite of technology and services, including smart sensors, video surveillance, and home automation integration. Alarm.com’s system can seamlessly connect with other smart home devices for a fully integrated experience.
Alarm.com is renowned for its compatibility with a host of control panels, but today we will look at the most superior control panel that Alarm.com works in tandem with – the 2GIG Edge control panel. This is a wireless touchscreen control panel and its 7.5-inch full-color LCD capacitive glass multi-touch screen is especially attractive. The 2GIG EDGE™ panel sets a new benchmark in form and function with its sleek design that is thinner and more powerful than ever. The on the edge processing technology is the difference that enables touchless disarm and the industry-first home security system with built-in face recognition and analytics within the panel itself – so private data stays private for greater peace of mind.
The 2Gig Edge includes double the viewing area from previous panels, higher resolution, two speakers and dual microphones, delivering superb audio quality and 2-way voice communication for monitoring. Furthermore, Industry-first face recognition disarm capabilities and Bluetooth disarm. The panel operates with an AC power source, and has a built in LTE cellular radio with options for Verizon or ATT services included with an optional backup communication with a WIFI network . With the 2GIG panel, users can have 100 user codes, 100 wireless zone and the innovative Z-Wave Plus technology facilitates connections of varies smart home devices.
Along with 2GIG Edge panels, Alarm.com integrates with varies other security panels like DSC, Honeywell, and Qolsys IQ panels and can be migrated over to other security providers if needed.
Vivint Control Panel
The Vivint Smart Hub has a 7” touchscreen display to function as a command center for your home and all the devices you use. It connects your smart lights, locks and thermostats, and can be used as a security camera (among other things). The hub is also compatible with Apple HomeKit and works with Siri, so you can tell her to “turn on the lights” or lock your doors when you’re away. One of the nicest features of the Smart Hub was its built-in battery and cellular backup. As the brains and heart of the system, you never want your Smart Hub to go down easily due to a power or internet outage.
Vivint uses its own equipment, and that means other alarm companies can’t take over monitoring. If you stop paying Vivint for monitoring, the system becomes unusable.
Vivint gives all of its customers professional installation for free, meaning that we got to sit back and relax as a professional installer did all the dirty work for us. But if you move, you’ll have to pay $129 to get your system re-installed, which is a bit of a burden.
Who wins?
As Alarm.com is compatible with a wider range of home security equipment, this category goes to them!
- Smart Thermostats – Lux, Trane, Linear, Lennox and Radio Thermostats
- Video Doorbells – Skybell
- Sensors – image, temperature, motion and window (glass break)
- Door Locks – danalock, Yale, Schlage and Kwikset
- Smart water controllers – DynaQuip, FortrezZ, Rachio and Rain Bird
- Smart Voice Assistants – Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Switches – Jasco, GoControl, Linear, Evolve, Leviton and Eaton
- Plugs/Outlets – Jasco, GE, GoControl, Evolve and Leviton
- Smart Lights – Jasco, Zipato, Hank and Qolsys
- Garage Door Controllers – Liftmaster MyQ and Linear
- Smoke and CO Detectors – Alarm.com
- Smart security cameras (indoor and outdoor) – Alarm.com
- Controllers (keypads and displays) – DSC, Interlogix, Qolsys and 2GIG GoControl.
- Wi-Fi Repeaters – Aeotec
Alarm.com Equipment
In order to ensure that your home remains safe from break-ins as well as other environmental hazards, a set of wireless safety sensors that are powered by batteries are provided by Alarm.com. For the protection of your doors as well as your windows, various types of sensors are offered by Alarm.com. With Alarm.com’s range of sensors, it becomes easy to monitor your house, regardless of how big it is. What’s more? These sensors are pet-friendly. The compatibility of Alarm.com’s products extends to the glass break sensors, which respond to the noise of any piece of glass shattering. With key fob remotes, it is possible to arm the system as well as disarm it. It comes with an in-built panic button. The Alarm.com control panels can be used to control their secondary touchscreen keypads that are colored. Furthermore, since these come with sirens that are placed on the outside, owners are informed about potential problems in a manner distinct from the alarm raised by the in-built siren of 2Gig control panel. To ensure your home’s safety not just from people, but also hazards in the environment, Alarm.com’s offerings work well against various natural factors such as smoke/heat, CO, and water leak sensors. Through these effective environmental sensors, it is possible to hear audible alerts in case the process of triggering the system is accompanied by the specific environmental parameter. Although each product that can work in tandem with Alarm.com comes in a DIY (do it yourself) form, it is quite easy to set up the equipment.
Home Automation
The add-on equipment that is offered by Alarm.com is essentially above average. This range includes a host of brands providing renowned smart locks of high quality, such as KwikSet, Yale, Schlage and Danalock . It is possible to construct custom user codes, which are capable of getting enabled as well as disabled with the help of smart locks, which function regardless of where you are. Each time the smart locks are locked or even unlocked, they will generate push notifications to your mobile app. For houses equipped with garage doors, the MyQ is a great fit, with this controller, you can open and shut the doors of your garage on the go even set timers to auto shut your garage door if left open during the evening. Through the Alarm.com app, you will be notified each time these doors are opened and closed. If you are concerned with the environment, you will be thrilled to learn that Alarm.com offers many devices that are eco-friendly in nature and will assist in limiting your carbon footprint. Several popular smart thermostats such as Lux, Trane, Linear and Nest, smart outlets such as Jasco, GoControl, Linear, Evolve, Leviton and Eaton, and light switch control are offered, all of which can be controlled within the Alarm.com app. It is also possible to predetermine when they open and close using custom timers. With their smart thermostats, it is possible to decrease the overall energy consumption each month.
Video Monitoring/Cameras
Among Alarm.com’s wide range of products, you will also find several video surveillance cameras, which again, can be used in tandem with the other systems powered by Alarm.com. Some of their other products include indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell cameras, which are sought-after since they offer night vision, audio systems on both ends, motion sensors, as well as video recording capabilities in HD. These surveillance cameras run on WIFI network, the short clip recordings are stored on the Alarm.com cloud, a separate video recorder can be installed to store digital video recordings locally in its hard drive which can be accessed remotely via the web or Alarm.com app.
Alarm.com makes it possible for business users to integrate existing hardwired cameras that use ONVIF Profile S and VAPIX communication protocols, to allow for operation with the Pro Series CSVR.
Vivint Equipment
Vivint excels when it comes to home automation capabilities, providing a comprehensive ecosystem that transforms homes into connected, intelligent spaces. At the core of their home automation is the Smart Hub, a centralized control panel that integrates all Vivint devices, allowing for real-time monitoring and control. The robust mobile app brings this control to your fingertips, enabling remote management of your home’s systems. Integration with popular smart home devices is seamless, expanding the network to include smart locks, lights, thermostats, and garage door controls.
Vivint provides professional installation for all their systems, ensuring that everything is set up correctly and works as expected.
Vivint equipment is proprietary and cannot be used or monitored by other alarm companies. This is because Vivint uses a proprietary wireless communication protocol that is not compatible with other alarm systems.
If you are considering signing up for Vivint, it is important to be aware that you will not be able to use the equipment with another alarm company if you cancel your service. You should also consider the cost of the equipment when comparing Vivint to other home security companies.
Home Automation
Vivint’s home automation system integrates various smart devices and systems, creating a comprehensive and seamless smart home experience. The Vivint Smart Hub and mobile app offer a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy to control and monitor your home’s smart systems. With the Vivint app, you can manage your smart home from anywhere with an internet connection. This includes adjusting your thermostat, locking and unlocking doors, and viewing real-time footage from your security cameras.
However, Vivint’s system works best with its own equipment and has limited compatibility with third-party devices. If you already have smart home devices, they may not integrate seamlessly with Vivint’s system. Vivint’s home automation capabilities come with a cost. Their equipment and service can be more expensive than some other home automation providers, especially if you choose to add multiple devices and services.
Monitoring/Cameras
Vivint offers a suite of proprietary cameras including:
- Vivint Ping Camera: An indoor camera with two-way communication, one-touch callout, custom notifications, and infrared night vision.
- Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro: A weatherproof camera with 1080p video, night vision, and lurker detection, which can deter potential intruders by flashing a light and sounding a warning tone.
- Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro: This smart doorbell camera offers 180-degree view with a 1:1 aspect ratio, package detection, night vision, and two-way audio.
- Vivint Smart Drive: This isn’t a camera itself but deserves mention. It’s a storage device that allows continuous recording from up to four Vivint cameras, with a terabyte of storage for up to 30 days of footage.
If you need to cancel your service before your contract term ends, you may be required to pay off the remaining balance, which could be quite expensive.
Contracts and Pricing:
Alarm.com: As Alarm.com is a platform used by different security companies, contract terms and pricing can vary depending on the provider you choose. Some providers may offer flexible month-to-month options, while others might require longer-term agreements.
Vivint: Vivint typically requires customers to sign a contract, usually ranging from 3 to 5 years. While their equipment and services are of high quality, some potential customers may find the contract terms relatively long compared to other providers and trying to get out of the .
Vivint’s contracts typically range from 24 to 60 months, and there is a hefty early termination fee if you cancel before the end of your contract. The early termination fee is typically equal to the remaining balance on your contract, plus a one-time processing fee.
For example, if you sign a 36-month contract with Vivint and cancel after 12 months, you will be responsible for paying the remaining 24 months of service, plus a one-time processing fee of $199.
Vivint’s long contracts and high early termination fees have been criticized by some consumers. However, Vivint argues that its contracts are necessary to protect its investment in the equipment and services it provides to customers.
If you are considering signing up for Vivint, it is important to read the contract carefully and understand the early termination fees before you commit. You may also want to consider other home security companies that offer shorter contracts or no early termination fees.
Alarm.com vs Vivint App
With Alarm.com, professional, self, and video monitoring services can be used in tandem with your devices that are connected, enabling you to overlook your security system from the convenience of your mobile phone. The app must be used to view the cloud based self-monitoring services. This can be downloaded for free. With the self-monitoring service, you will be able to regulate and adjust your devices remotely. The system can be armed and disarmed, the device status can be checked, devices can be added or removed, and the app can be used for live-streaming as well as recording videos. Both companies’ offer professional monitoring services and work the same where you have a professional monitoring station watching over your home 24/7.
Alarm.com vs Vivint
Although there are many similarities between both services Alarm.com wins this battle, easily with it’s flexibility to integrate more services to the app. The question is, how can you sign yourself up for one of these coveted Alarm.com systems? A STL Alarm system can provide you with an unbeatable Alarm.com security solution that fits your budget. The STL Alarm Co system is an easy to use security solution, with month to month monitoring costs being some of the most affordable out there. Our security control panel has a lot of great features, and the system is super expandable to include many other automation components. St Louis Alarm Co even offers DYI kits that can be shipped and monitored throughout the US.
We offer a superior security solution without making you skimp on features and quality of service.
