Cove vs Vivint
Last updated July 2026
Cove
DIY home security with cheaper monitoring and 60-day guarantee
Advantages
- Cheaper monitoring: $17.99/mo Basic, $27.99/mo Plus
- 60-day risk-free trial with full refund
- InstaText and RapidResponse, text confirmations sent before dispatch
- Equipment fully owned by the customer after purchase
- Easy DIY setup, no professional installation required
Drawbacks
- Smaller equipment lineup than SimpliSafe
- Camera options fewer than SimpliSafe or Ring
- Newer brand, fewer public reviews than SimpliSafe
Vivint
Smart home security
Advantages
- Best-in-class smart home automation across one unified app
- Custom-designed hardware including panel, cameras, and locks
- Professional installation with home consultation
- 24/7 monitoring with cellular backup included
- Strong outdoor camera lineup with AI detection
Drawbacks
- Higher upfront hardware cost, often $1,500-$3,000
- Long-term financing agreements act like contracts
- Monthly monitoring cost higher than ADT
Cove and Vivint both play in home security, but they're aimed at different buyers. Cove is built for homeowners who want cheaper monitoring and are OK with a smaller ecosystem. Vivint is built for homeowners who want deep smart home automation in one platform. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cove | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring Price | $17.99/mo Basic; $27.99/mo Plus (video and smart features) | $45-$65/mo monitoring |
| Contract Required | None, month-to-month | Month-to-month; financing acts as contract |
| Equipment Kits | $150-$400+ starter kits | $1,500-$3,000 typical hardware package |
| Smart Home Protocols | Alexa, Google Assistant | Deep native automation, locks, thermostats, garage |
| Cellular Backup | Yes on paid monitoring plans | -- |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee | -- |
| App Experience | Solid iOS/Android app; InstaText for quick response | -- |
| Installation | Not offered, DIY only | Professional installation required ($99) |
| Monitoring Infrastructure | -- | 24/7 professional monitoring with cellular backup |
| Camera Options | -- | Vivint proprietary cameras with AI detection |
| Customer Support | -- | 24/7 phone, professional technicians |
Too Close to Call
Cove and Vivint land roughly even overall; the right pick depends on which of their strengths matters more to you.
Cove's standout strength: Cheaper monitoring: $17.99/mo Basic, $27.99/mo Plus. Vivint's standout strength: Best-in-class smart home automation across one unified app. Neither dominates across the board, and both have well-known weak spots. Cove's biggest drawback: Smaller equipment lineup than SimpliSafe. Vivint's biggest drawback: Higher upfront hardware cost, often $1,500-$3,000. Pick the one whose strengths line up with what you actually need.
Related Comparisons
ADT vs Vivint
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SimpliSafe vs Vivint
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Ring vs Vivint
Amazon-backed DIY camera ecosystem against professionally installed smart home security.