Get premium smart home security features at a fraction of the cost — no contracts required
Vivint is positioned as the premium smart home security provider, with high-end equipment and professional installation. But that premium comes with a steep price — long contracts, expensive monthly fees, and equipment you don’t fully own. Abode delivers comparable smart home features at a fraction of the cost. Here’s how they compare.
Choose Abode if: You want smart home security without premium pricing, long contracts, or mandatory professional installation.
Choose Vivint if: You want the most hands-off experience possible and don’t mind paying 2-3x more for it.
| Cost | Abode | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | $130-$300 | $0 upfront (financed) or $500-$1,500+ |
| Installation | Free (DIY) | Free (professional, required) |
| Monthly Monitoring | $24.99/mo | $29.99-$44.99/mo + equipment financing |
| Contract | None | Month-to-month (but equipment financing = 42-60 months) |
| 3-Year Total | $1,030-$1,200 | $2,160-$3,420+ |
Vivint’s “free equipment” is actually financed over 42-60 months. You’re locked in whether they call it a contract or not. With Abode, you pay once for equipment and choose your monitoring month by month.
Both Abode and Vivint offer advanced smart home integration. Vivint has its own proprietary smart home panel, thermostat, and doorbell. Abode takes an open approach — supporting Z-Wave, Zigbee, HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home so you can use devices from any brand.
Vivint does not support Apple HomeKit. Abode does.
Abode: Install yourself in 15 minutes. Move it to a new home easily. Add or remove devices anytime.
Vivint: Requires a technician for installation and major changes. Moving? You’ll need to schedule another install appointment.
With Abode, you own your equipment outright from day one. With Vivint, your equipment is typically financed — you’re making monthly payments for years. If you want to switch providers before the financing is paid off, you still owe the balance.
Vivint offers a premium, hands-off experience — but at a premium price that adds up to thousands more over time. Abode gives you comparable smart home capabilities, better compatibility, and complete freedom — at half the total cost. For most homeowners, that’s the smarter investment.
