Vivint and Xfinity offer very similar products and services. Both systems have great smart-home capabilities, month-to-month contracts, wireless technology and 30-day free trials. However, these two companies differ in pricing, monitoring options and, most notably, customer satisfaction. If you’re deciding between these two home security companies, it’s essential to know the differences.
Installation and cost
Installation type
Professional
Professional
Installation fee
$49 to $199
$100
Upfront cost
Varies based on equipment
Equipment cost of $360 to $600+; financing available
Trial period
None listed
30-day money-back guarantee
Contract terms
Typical contract is 60 months; month-to-month available with upfront equipment purchase
Two years
Professional
$49 to $199
Varies based on equipment
None listed
Typical contract is 60 months; month-to-month available with upfront equipment purchase
Professional
$100
Equipment cost of $360 to $600+; financing available
30-day money-back guarantee
Two years
Monitoring plans and pricing
Monitoring price range
$19.99 to $29.99+
$30+
Monitoring options
Professional
Professional and self-monitored
Self-monitoring
Not offered
Self protection feature available (live recorded video) for $10/month
Upgraded self-monitoring
Not offered
—
24/7 professional monitoring
Starting at $19.99
$30+
Upgraded professional monitoring
Custom plans and packages available
$40+
$19.99 to $29.99+
Professional
Not offered
Not offered
Starting at $19.99
Custom plans and packages available
$30+
Professional and self-monitored
Self protection feature available (live recorded video) for $10/month
—
$30+
$40+
Security equipment
Wired or wireless?
Wireless
Wireless
Camera options
Indoor and outdoor cameras
Indoor and outdoor cameras
Video doorbell
—
Control panel
Motion sensor
Entry sensor
Glass break sensor
Keychain remote
—
Siren
Not specified
Panic button
Vivint Emergency Pendant
Via touch-screen control panel
Yard sign
Wireless
Indoor and outdoor cameras
Vivint Emergency Pendant
Wireless
Indoor and outdoor cameras
—
—
Not specified
Via touch-screen control panel
Smart-home features
Smart locks
Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale
Smart lights
Compatible with GE (Jasco), Leviton, LIFX, Lutron Castéta, Phillips Hue, Sengled
Smart thermostat
Compatible with Carrier Cor, ecobee, Zen
Garage door control
Compatible with Chamberlain LiftMaster
Temperature sensor
—
Water sensor
—
Smoke detector
CO detector
—
Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale
Compatible with GE (Jasco), Leviton, LIFX, Lutron Castéta, Phillips Hue, Sengled
Vivint has no packages and completely a la carte pricing that lets customers build a fully customized home security system. The company also has contract-free options. All Vivint systems are professionally monitored, even with the most basic plan, and installation costs $99. There are currently no DIY monitoring or installation options available through Vivint.
Vivint is very smart-home-friendly and has voice-command integrations with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which lets you control your lights, locks, thermostat and garage door remotely. Vivint uses cellular technology, so there’s no need for Wi-Fi access. Vivint sets itself apart by offering medical monitoring with all plans, which makes it a good option for seniors or those with medical needs.
Vivint plans
There are three Vivint monitoring plans to choose from:
Smart Security Monitoring ($29.99/month): The Smart Security Monitoring Plan includes professional monitoring and installation. It also gives you mobile access, entry detection, smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring and medical pendant support.
Smart Home Monitoring ($39.99): The Smart Home Monitoring plan includes the same features as the Smart Security Monitoring Plan and lets you integrate smart-home features.
Smart Home Video Monitoring ($49.99): The Smart Home Video Monitoring Plan includes all the features of Smart Security Monitoring and adds video monitoring features.
What Vivint customers say
The Vivint Smart Home system consistently draws positive reviews from its customers. Many reviewers point out the company’s exceptional service and skilled technicians who perform fast, thorough work and field any questions from customers. There are some negative reviews that point to faulty installation or equipment that doesn’t work with existing systems. These customers were frustrated by the lack of communication in fixing these issues, but most reviewers are satisfied with the service and would recommend the company to others.
The smart home system is great! The installation guys were clean and nice, explained [the] system to me and my wife! Easy to use! We love this system! We feel very confident about leaving our home and securing it with this system. Our other system didn’t have all these features! We really like the smart thermostat and the garage opener!”
Xfinity offers contract-free home security with DIY installation and monitoring options, but you’ll need professional installation if you want smoke detectors or motion, door and window sensors. Xfinity charges an installation fee, which varies based on your location. The company has only one voice integration, the Xfinity Voice Remote, but it has many other smart-home features — you can control your garage door, lights, door and locks remotely with the mobile app. All Xfinity systems have cellular backup in case of spotty or unstable Wi-Fi.
Xfinity plans
There are three Xfinity monitoring plans to choose from:
Self-Protection Plan ($10/month): The Self-Protection Plan is for those who want to do DIY monitoring. You’ll receive push notifications if the cameras detect motion. You can monitor your home with the Xfinity app or watch security footage on your TV by using the voice remote.
Home Security Plan ($30/month): The Home Security plan is for customers who want professional monitoring by trained agents. For $30 a month, professional agents will notify authorities if a security or smoke alarm goes off.
Home Security Plus Plan ($40/month): The Home Security Plus Plan includes all the same features of the Home Security Plan. You also get a week of cloud storage for videos and can search footage for specific pets, people or vehicles.
What Xfinity customers say
Xfinity customers who left reviews on our site have both good and bad things to say about the system. Some positive highlights include HD cameras and an easy-to-use app. A few reviews mention equipment issues or problems with customer service. As of publishing, the majority of Xfinity ratings on our site are negative.
Overall, Xfinity Home service is good. Operation of the security service through the app is very convenient. Having the service as part of a bundle package can have a downside due to an outage from one of the other services. I have to contact the home service separate to reset the service. Updates to the service are done automatically which is good.”
These two security systems are comparable in terms of specs and features. While significantly less expensive than Vivint, Xfinity has consistently poor customer service reviews that make the potential savings unappealing. One exception might be if you want DIY monitoring or are already an Xfinity customer — you might save some money by opting in to the Quad Play Bundle, which includes internet, phone, cable and home security.
Vivint is best for customers interested in high-quality professional monitoring or those looking for medical monitoring with their home security system.
Xfinity is best for existing Xfinity customers or those who want DIY monitoring.
