Brinks vs. Vivint Review

It’s one thing to be stuck between two similar security options, but what about two services with almost nothing in common, like Brinks vs. Vivint?

We’ll walk through each service’s pros and cons as we explore prices, equipment, automation, installation, and customer experience.

^{Data effective 12/09/2020. Offers subject to change.}

Brinks vs. Vivint pricing, contracts, and fees

Brinks is hands down the more affordable option.

Although professional monitoring starts at the same price for both services, Brinks offers video at a lower price, and its equipment is much cheaper than Vivint’s. It doesn’t have Vivint’s no-contract option, though.

^{Data effective 12/09/2020. Offers subject to change.}

Brinks pricing

If you want to buy Brinks, your equipment package starts at $199. That’s almost the lowest price you can get in the industry.

Monitoring starts at $29. You can add video to your package by paying $10 more a month for a grand total of $39.

Vivint pricing

Vivint equipment packages are more in the range of $599. Yes, you read that right—it’s $400 more than Brinks equipment. That’s a lot to pay for security. Sure, Vivint’s proprietary gadgets are some of the latest and greatest in securing your home, but $600 is wildly more than almost any other security company is asking.

The good news? You don’t have to pay the $599 in one go. You can choose a financing plan that lets you pay off your equipment gradually.

The bad news? You have to pay it all at once if you want Vivint’s no-contract option. Vivint keeps you in a contract of up to five years while you owe them equipment money.

And while Vivint’s monitoring price starts at $29.99 (just a dollar less than Brinks’s), it shoots up to $44.99 if you want video.

Brinks vs. Vivint equipment

Unlike Brinks, Vivint makes its own equipment.

Brinks’s equipment comes from tried-and-true security device manufacturers, while Vivint’s equipment is largely brand-made. Vivint also has more (for lack of a better word) stuff.

Brinks equipment

Brinks has generic devices from brands like Alarm.com and SkyBell. (It used to have a fancier option aka a security suite from Google Nest Secure, but Google no longer sells Nest Secure.)

You can get the following with a Brinks system:

• Indoor cameras
• Outdoor cameras
• Video doorbell cameras
• Smoke detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Water sensors
• Garage door sensors
• Freeze sensors

Definitely nothing to sneer at, but it pales in comparison to Vivint’s spread.

Vivint equipment

Vivint designs most of its own equipment, and it includes high-tech features you don’t get from some generic brands. You might have heard of Vivint’s Smart Hub control panel (formerly known as Sky Control) or the Vivint Indoor Camera with outbound call functionality.

Vivint’s all about the whole-home experience. Vivint customers can have any of the following as part of their system:

• Door sensor
• Contact sensor
• Water sensor
• Motion detector
• Indoor Camera
• Outdoor Camera Pro
• Doorbell Camera Pro
• Smart thermostat
• Smart plug
• Kwikset smart lock
• Garage door opener
• Car Guard
• Smoke detector
• Smoke & CO sensor
• Key fob
• Solar panel (if you choose to try Vivint’s solar services)

Basically, the sky’s the limit. Vivint can even give you car protection with its Car Guard device.

Brinks vs. Vivint home automation

Vivint products are more smart home-compatible than Brinks’s systems.

Both Brinks and Vivint have well-rated apps for easy remote access and mobile control. While both are compatible with prominent smart speakers, Vivint’s Z-Wave connectivity makes it easier to pair with more devices.

Brinks home automation

Brinks equipment is primarily compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Some one-off products work with Brinks, like the Nest thermostat. But overall, it might be hard to connect Brinks with some smart home products since the brand’s not compatible with either Z-Wave or Zigbee protocols.

Vivint home automation

Vivint’s compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Z-Wave. That makes it more likely to mesh with your favorite smart home products.

Brinks vs. Vivint installation

These companies take opposite approaches to home security installation.

You can install Brinks on your own, but with Vivint, you need to schedule one of the brand’s professionals to come to your home.

Brinks vs. Vivint customer experience

Brinks has some branding issues, while Vivint’s customer service is questionable at times.

Both Brinks and Vivint are highly rated by their customers, but they also have some prominent customer service issues. Vivint historically has more (and more serious) service complaints.

Brinks customer experience

Brinks started as an armored wagon business way back in the 1800s.¹ It expanded into home security in the late 1900s and went through several iterations of its services. Most recently, Brinks took over MONI/LiveWatch’s security and monitoring options.

According to multiple customer reviews we saw, these branding changes have caused some confusion and contract issues with customers.

Vivint customer experience

In the past, Vivint came under fire for deceptive contractors/salespeople. As the company has matured and expanded, there are fewer of these complaints, but they still pop up from time to time.

Recap: Which system is better?

Vivint is a better system, but Brinks is a better deal.

Comparing these two systems is difficult because they take such different approaches to home security.

Vivint is currently our top-recommended security system. It’s comprehensive and high-tech. But if you just want a good system without all the fuss, Brinks is cheap and easier to install.

Here are some additional resources if you’d like to do more research before making a final decision:

• Brinks Home Security System review
• Vivint Home Security System review
• ADT Home Security System review
• Best DIY Installed Home Security Systems review

Sources

1. Brinks, “A Humble Beginning”