SimpliSafe vs Vivint: Published Costs Over 3 Years
Neither is cheaper across the board. By published prices as of October 2026, Vivint HomeProtect on a 36-month agreement totals about $1,100 over three years, while SimpliSafe's Break-In Detection kit with Core monitoring ($1.10/day) totals about $1,346 to $1,487 with no contract. With cameras the order flips: SimpliSafe's Intruder Deterrence kit with Pro monitoring is about $2,067 to $2,317, against about $2,414 to $3,674 for Vivint's camera packages. Vivint installs for you; SimpliSafe is DIY by default.
Figures researched 2026-10-01; each source below carries its access date. Prices change; treat any price here as "as of" its date.
What does each one cost over 36 months?
Both companies publish enough to do the math, which is unusual for Vivint. The totals below are our arithmetic from each company's own pages as of October 2026: equipment paid upfront plus 36 months of monitoring. SimpliSafe was running a 50% off sale for new systems with professional monitoring on the day we checked, so we show both its list price and its sale price.
| System | Equipment | Monitoring | 36-month total (our math) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Break-In Detection + Standard | $282.94 list ($141.44 on sale) | 76 cents/day | about $1,115 list, $974 on sale |
| SimpliSafe Break-In Detection + Core | $282.94 list ($141.44 on sale) | $1.10/day | about $1,487 list, $1,346 on sale |
| SimpliSafe Intruder Deterrence + Pro | $498.92 list ($249.42 on sale) | $1.66/day | about $2,317 list, $2,067 on sale |
| Vivint HomeProtect, 36-month agreement | $199.99, install included | $24.99/mo | about $1,100 |
| Vivint HomeProtect, no contract | $349.99 plus $199 install | $29.99/mo | about $1,629 |
| Vivint Security Starter | $649.99 | approximately $49/mo | about $2,414 |
| Vivint Doorbell Security | $999.98 | approximately $54/mo | about $2,944 |
| Vivint Safety & Security | $1,549.97 | approximately $59/mo | about $3,674 |
Vivint labels the monitoring figures on its three standard packages as approximations, so those totals inherit the same caveat. SimpliSafe bills per day, so a 36-month total uses 1,095 days. For the full plan menus behind these numbers, see SimpliSafe monitoring cost and Vivint monitoring cost.
The closest like-for-like pair is a small sensor kit with monitoring and no cameras: Vivint HomeProtect on its 36-month agreement against SimpliSafe Break-In Detection on Standard monitoring (76 cents/day, no camera recording). At SimpliSafe's list price the two are close (about $1,115 against about $1,100); if SimpliSafe's 50% equipment sale applies to your order, SimpliSafe comes out lower at about $974. SimpliSafe also keeps you free to cancel any month.
Contracts, installation and financing
Contracts. SimpliSafe states every monitoring plan has no contract and can be cancelled any time. Vivint has two paths: its discounted HomeProtect price requires a 36-month agreement, and Vivint says month-to-month service is available when you buy equipment upfront. Vivint also states that without a Vivint service plan, product functionality is limited, including loss of remote connectivity.
Installation. Vivint offers professional installation with all its systems; HomeProtect's 36-month path includes it free, and the no-contract path lists it at $199. SimpliSafe sells its systems as DIY kits and also offers a Pro Install option; it states either way can take any monitoring plan. Our installation cost guide covers what third-party installers charge.
Financing. Vivint's pricing article states qualified customers may finance equipment at 0% APR for up to 60 months through third-party lenders, while a payment block on the same page lists terms up to 36 months at 0% interest. SimpliSafe offers pay-over-time on equipment over 24 months. Financing spreads the equipment cost but does not change the totals in the table above; our home security financing guide covers how these loans work.
Warranty. SimpliSafe covers equipment for life while you keep a monitoring subscription. Vivint's pricing article lists a 120-day equipment warranty with in-home repair by its technicians.
Which one fits which buyer?
Of the two, by published pricing and terms as of October 2026:
- SimpliSafe fits buyers who want known costs, no contract and a lifetime equipment warranty, and who are fine installing sensors themselves. Its top plans add live agents watching outdoor cameras overnight (Pro) or around the clock (Pro Plus).
- Vivint fits buyers who want a technician to install and configure everything, including cameras, locks and a thermostat, and who accept either a 36-month agreement or paying for equipment upfront. Its camera packages cost more over three years than SimpliSafe's camera kit with Pro monitoring on these published figures.
If you are leaning toward Vivint, read is Vivint worth it and our Vivint vs ADT comparison, since ADT is the other large pro-install option. For how both compare with the wider market, see home security cost per month. If you want real numbers for your own home rather than list prices, our quote form collects quotes from professional monitoring providers through a short questionnaire.
Frequently asked questions
- Is SimpliSafe cheaper than Vivint?
- It depends on the package. On published prices as of October 2026, Vivint HomeProtect on a 36-month agreement is about $1,100 over 36 months, below SimpliSafe's Break-In Detection kit with Core monitoring (about $1,346 to $1,487, depending on whether its sale applies). With cameras, SimpliSafe's Intruder Deterrence kit with Pro monitoring (about $2,067 to $2,317) is below Vivint's camera packages (about $2,414 to $3,674). These are our arithmetic from each company's own figures; Vivint labels its package monitoring rates approximate.
- Does Vivint require a contract?
- Not always. Vivint's discounted HomeProtect price requires a 36-month agreement, but Vivint states month-to-month service is available when you buy equipment upfront. SimpliSafe has no contract on any plan.
- Can I install Vivint myself?
- Vivint's pricing article says it offers professional installation with all its systems, and HomeProtect's no-contract option lists installation at $199. SimpliSafe is sold as a DIY system, with a Pro Install option available.
- Which has the longer equipment warranty?
- SimpliSafe, on paper. It replaces malfunctioning equipment for life while you have an active monitoring subscription. Vivint's pricing article lists a 120-day equipment warranty.
- Do SimpliSafe and Vivint work without a monitoring plan?
- SimpliSafe sells a Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings plan at 33 cents a day as of October 2026, and its Standard plan adds professional dispatch at 76 cents a day. Vivint states that every system purchase includes required 24/7 monitoring and that without a Vivint service plan, functionality is limited, including loss of remote connectivity.
Sources
- SimpliSafe monitoring: Core $1.10/day, Pro $1.66/day (overnight Active Guard Outdoor Protection 8pm-6am), Pro Plus $2.66/day (24/7), Standard Monitoring 76 cents/day, Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings 33 cents/day; free trial, no contract, cancel any time; lifetime equipment warranty with an active monitoring subscription; Anti-Theft Guarantee up to $500 toward insurance deductible on Active Guard plans; Wi-Fi connected with built-in network backup and up to 24-hour battery; self-install or Pro Install, either can take any plan: https://simplisafe.com/monitoring (accessed 2026-10-01)
- SimpliSafe packages page on October 1, 2026 (50% off any new system with professional monitoring, 'ends soon'): three packages, Break-In Detection $282.94 list, $141.44 discounted (base station, keypad, 3 entry sensors, motion sensor, yard sign); Intruder Deterrence $498.92 list, $249.42 discounted (adds a 4th entry sensor and an outdoor camera); Complete Protection $818.88 list, $409.38 discounted; 60-day money-back guarantee; no long-term contracts; lifetime equipment warranty for professional monitoring subscribers; page titled 'Shop DIY Home Security Systems'. Intruder Deterrence product page: equipment pay-over-time for 24 months: https://simplisafe.com/home-security-shop-packages (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Vivint pricing article (last updated September 2026): Security Starter $649.99 upfront or 4 payments of $162.50, approximately $49/mo monitoring and service; Doorbell Security $999.98, approximately $54/mo; Safety & Security $1,549.97, approximately $59/mo; HomeProtect $199.99 with free pro install and $24.99/mo on a 36-month agreement, or $349.99 with $29.99/mo, no long-term contract, install $199 extra; 120-day equipment warranty; professional installation offered with all systems; 0% APR financing for up to 60 months for qualified customers and a separate block offering terms up to 36 months at 0%; month-to-month service when equipment is bought upfront; functionality limited without a Vivint service plan; two monitoring blocks both labeled 'Vivint 24/7 Professional Monitoring', one starting at $44.99/mo (24-hr battery) and one starting at $24.99/mo (4-hr battery): https://www.vivint.com/resources/article/vivint-monthly-pricing (accessed 2026-10-01)
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