Vivint vs. Ring Home Security System: Which One Should You Buy in 2022?

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Even homes located in seemingly safe neighborhoods can benefit from a home security system. Vivint and Ring are two of the best home security systems in the industry, but deciding between the two companies can be a confusing process. There are a lot of technical terms thrown around in discussions, but in the case of Ring vs. Vivint, customers really only need to think about a few things.

Understanding what terms mean and why they matter when choosing a home security system can help make the decision easier. With the many similarities between Vivint and Ring, it can take a closer examination to see what sets the two companies apart.

How We Compared Home Security Systems

Photo: ring.com

We looked at factors that are common across both companies and can easily be laid side by side to determine whether Vivint or Ring is the best option for a home security system, including elements that are more subjective, such as reputation.

• Reputation: A company’s reputation is determined by customer satisfaction. We use customer reviews, ratings on the Better Business Bureau, and other factors to determine a company’s overall reputation.
• Packages and plans: The equipment expense, both up front and in the long run, helps determine whether a company caters to all customers or only those with a bit more to spend. A company that allows customers to more accurately customize their packages will always be favored.
• Pricing and fees: Pricing and fees are an important factor. Though a company may offer inexpensive equipment, that benefit can be offset by very high monthly fees.
• Installation and equipment: Many customers who want a home security system lack the knowledge or skill to install it themselves, and some lack the physical ability. It’s important for a company to offer a variety of installation options.
• Monitoring: Professional monitoring makes a home security system more effective. The quantity and cost of monitoring plans plays a role in determining which of the two companies is a better pick.
• App user experience: In the modern world, nearly everything is app controlled, but not all apps are created equal. We look at whether a company’s smartphone app is intuitive and easy to learn, or whether it presents a hurdle in and of itself.
• Trial period: Something that looks good on paper might not work in practice. It’s important for a company to provide sufficient time for customers to try out equipment before committing.
• Warranty: No matter how well constructed a system is, accidents happen. If a storm, break-in, or other disaster damages a home security system, customers should have the ability to return it for replacement or refund within a reasonable amount of time.
• Home automation and device compatibility: Home security systems aren’t just about security, but are also about convenience. If a company makes it easy to integrate its system into the smart home, it will be a better choice for customers overall.

1. Vivint vs. Ring: Reputation and Customer Reviews

It’s true that most people who leave reviews do so out of a sense of anger. Far fewer people leave positive reviews than negative, but despite that, both Ring and Vivint have quite a few happy customers. Vivint leads that with a solid 4.0 rating out of 28,552 reviews on Trustpilot, while Ring has only a 1.5 Trustpilot rating out of 3,877 reviews at the time of writing.

Vivint responds to as many as 94 percent of negative reviews, and usually does so within a week, while Ring replies to no reviews. The ratings are similar at the Better Business Bureau, but Ring’s BBB rating of 1.13 edges out Vivint’s BBB rating of 1.08 rating.

Verdict: Vivint and Ring both have their share of satisfied customers, but Vivint’s positive reviews on sites such as Trustpilot push it ahead.

Winner: Vivint

Photo: vivint.com

2. Vivint vs. Ring: Packages and Plans

Vivint offers three main packages: the Starter, Premium, and Premium Plus options. Although each package is catered toward a specific home size and price point, Vivint also offers useful customization tools that allow customers to build a package designed specifically for their home. This means fewer extraneous devices that someone doesn’t really have any use for, like an included garage door opener in a home without a garage.

Although Ring offers a wider variety of packages, most of these are variations of one another with only one or two devices added or removed. Further, Ring doesn’t offer the same level of customization options as Vivint.

Verdict: Vivint’s equipment packages include a wide range of features, and customers can add on products based on their needs. Ring’s plans don’t quite offer the same level of customization.

Winner: Vivint

3. Vivint vs. Ring: Pricing and Fees

Home security cost is an important factor when choosing a home security company. Vivint pricing isn’t advertised up front; it takes a bit of digging to find out what a system will actually cost. Even starting a quote requires a customer to enter their name, phone number, and email address. The equipment packages start at $599, but that’s only for the base system; most customers will add more to customize it, spending an average of around $2,000 in total.

Ring’s prices are clear from the outset, and the equipment is more affordable. The base Ring package starts at $199.99 for a 5-Piece Alarm Security Kit, reaching $419 for the 14-Piece Alarm Security Kit. As a result, Ring tends to be the better option for those looking to spend less.

Verdict: Ring’s typically lower-cost packages make it ideal for a variety of homeowners, no matter their price range. In contrast, Vivint’s high-tech equipment comes at a price that pushes it out of budget for many homeowners.

Winner: Ring

4. Vivint vs. Ring: Installation and Equipment

Though the option for professional installation is great for people who don’t feel comfortable setting up their own security system, many would prefer a DIY installation. Not only does this cut down on costs, but it helps to acquaint someone with their system from the start.

Vivint’s equipment tends to be on the higher end compared to Ring, which accounts for the higher price point. It’s also one of the reasons Vivint requires professional installation, but customers can install their own additional equipment as they expand their system. Smart-home devices, flood sensors, and other components don’t require professional installation.

When comparing the Vivint doorbell vs. Ring, the two are similar in the features they offer, though Ring is known in particular for this device. Ring is mostly a DIY system, but the company does offer professional installation through OnTech Smart Services. It’s designed to be installed by the customer, though, and the equipment is built with ease of use in mind.

Verdict: Vivint and RIng both have a wide selection of equipment to choose from, but Vivint’s equipment is generally higher quality and includes smart-home automation. However, Ring can appeal to a wide variety of customers thanks to an easy and less costly DIY installation (though Ring does also offer professional installation), and it still has very decent equipment to choose from.

Winner: Vivint

Photo: ring.com

5. Vivint vs. Ring: Monitoring

Vivint is built with professional monitoring in mind. Many of the benefits offered by the security system are built into a monitoring plan, as is the entire pricing structure. That aside, Vivint’s specialists respond quickly to situations and can be reached by phone or through the Smart Hub in the home.

Ring is designed as a self-monitored system, but it does offer professional monitoring through the Ring Protect Pro plan at $20 per month. The monitoring service works like any other, alerting customers when there’s a problem. After that, Ring will call to confirm there’s an emergency before reaching out to first responders. Customers who don’t want professional monitoring are able to opt out of it with Ring, although one of the Ring Protect plans is necessary to take full advantage of the system.

Verdict: Vivint’s monitoring options are comprehensive, and specialists are fast to react if an alarm is triggered. While Ring offers self-monitoring, its professional monitoring services don’t quite meet the same standards as Vivint’s.

Winner: Vivint

6. Vivint vs. Ring: App User Experience

When it comes to apps, user experience is often subjective. It can be hard to define exactly what makes an app stand out, and both Vivint and Ring have user-friendly apps with a lot of features. Vivint gives users the ability to check live video, speak through doorbells and cameras, and even set up custom routines. It also lets users set up multiple profiles for different members of the household.

On the other hand, Ring includes an SOS button for customers who have professional monitoring. Ring users can also control all their devices from within the app, while the optional Neighbors app makes it easy to stay informed on any suspicious activity in the neighborhood.

From a purely ratings standpoint, Vivint is the better reviewed app on both the App Store and the Play Store.

Verdict: Both Vivint and Ring have highly rated and user-friendly apps, but the Vivint app offers extra features, such as the ability to set custom routines, that push it slightly ahead of the Ring app.

Winner: Vivint

7. Vivint vs. Ring: Trial Period

A trial period gives customers the chance to get hands on with a security system and try it out for themselves. Though Vivint stands out from the competition in many ways, its trial period is not one of them. Vivint doesn’t have the standard 30-day trial associated with most home security companies.

Ring offers a 30-day trial period as well as a 30-day return period. It’s much more customer-friendly in that regard, and it allows people to actually test the system in real-world scenarios.

Verdict: Ring offers a 30-day trial period of its Ring Protect Plan, as well as a 30-day return policy on its equipment. Vivint customers can only cancel their plan within 3 days of installation.

Winner: Ring

Photo: vivint.com

8. Vivint vs. Ring: Warranty

If any part of a security system breaks within the first year of use, customers want to be able to replace it. Ring excels with a 1-year warranty starting from the purchase date. This is a limited warranty, though, so it doesn’t cover damage caused by the customer. However, it will repair any manufacturing defects or malfunctioning parts.

Vivint has a much more limited warranty, with a period of only 120 days. During that time, Vivint will replace any part without a charge to the customer. After that period is up, Vivint will still replace a defective part but will charge the customer a service fee.

Verdict: Ring devices come with a 1-year warranty from the purchase date. Vivint’s warranty only lasts 120 days; after that, customers will need to pay a service fee for any repairs or maintenance to their equipment.

Winner: Ring

9. Vivint vs. Ring: Home Automation and Device Compatibility

One of the most convenient aspects of modern security systems is the ease with which they integrate into a smart home or home automation system. Vivint excels in this regard, offering everything from a smart thermostat to garage door openers. Since Vivint offers its own products, there is near-seamless integration between the security and home automation sides. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. A common question is, “Can I use Vivint equipment with Ring?” While some Vivint equipment, such as the thermostat, door lock, and light switches, will work with Ring, home monitoring devices will not. And for those wondering, “Does Ring doorbell work with Vivint?” the answer is no; Vivint has its own doorbell that’s designed to work with the system.

Ring does works with smart-home systems, which should come as no surprise since it’s a subsidiary of Amazon. However, the integration process is not quite as seamless. While someone can do nearly everything with Ring that they can do with Vivint, it requires a bit more know-how.

Verdict: Vivint’s equipment is designed to work together seamlessly and includes several smart-home features, but it can also work with automation products from other companies such as Google and Amazon. While Ring is compatible with some smart-home devices, it’s not quite as seamless.

Winner: Vivint

Verdict: Vivint is the most comprehensive of the two home security systems, but Ring is still a good choice for customers looking for a lower-cost option or who prefer DIY installation.

Vivint is the clear winner, with higher-quality equipment, better monitoring options, and better home automation integration. However, that comes with a higher price tag. Vivint is the ideal choice for a security system in a home where pricing isn’t much of a concern and the homeowners want only the best of the best.

Ring falls just slightly behind that. It’s still a tremendous security system that offers many of the same benefits of Vivint, and at a much lower price, too. The trade-off is a lack of customization, less-efficient monitoring, and a less-seamless smart-home experience. That said, if someone is shopping for security on a smaller budget, Ring is a solid choice. The bottom line is that a home security system is well worth the investment, and both Vivint and Ring are excellent choices for homeowners to consider.