The main question when choosing a home security system is how much DIY are you willing to perform and how much money are you willing to spend to get it done. How you answer these two questions can radically alter your choice of home security system. An article from CNET explores the integrated security systems from both Vivint and Ring, paying special attention to the cost breakdown. Here are some of its highlights.
VIVINT SECURITY SYSTEM: Professional Installation at an Affordable Cost
The Vivint security system is great if you have absolutely zero electronics DIY skills or an unlimited budget — or both. Another, hidden advantage to the Vivint security system and that’s that each and every one of the devices included — in whichever package you choose — has been tested to work in concert with all the other devices. The same cannot be said of Ring, which, for example, doesn’t manufacture its own thermostat but instead relies on third-party devices, some of which may not integrate as seamlessly or consistently as one would like.
The cost of a Vivint installation range from $500 to $2,429 on the average, not including the $30 per month charge for professional monitoring service.
- $500 – The price of the starter kit, which includes only a video hub, two door window sensors, one motion detector and one flood sensor. A starter git will be enough for exactly no one, so you should plan on selecting some of the available add-ons.
- $2,429 – That’s the average cost a new customer spends a Vivint system, according to Vivint, representing the base $500 price plus the cost of add-ons like indoor and outdoor security cameras, a smart door lock and garage opener, smart plugs, the aforementioned thermostat, etc.
RING SECURITY SYSTEM: Less Well-Integrated but also Way Cheaper
Starter kits for the Ring Security System costs between $200 and $330, or about half the price tag of the Vivint starter kit. Plus, Ring offers two subscription tiers at a fraction of Vivint’s price: $30 per month or $100 per year. The cheapest Ring starter kit gets you five devices: A base station, one keypad, one contact (aka door and window) sensor, one motion sensor, and one range extender.
Upgrading to the $250 kit gets you everything in the five-piece kit plus three additional door and window sensors. The $330 kit adds an extra keypad, a total of eight contact sensors, and an extra motion sensor. Unfortunately, however, there’s one crucial piece of equipment missing: a smart display to act as a hub. You can buy this in third party providers. The only downside, of course, is that you’re going to be the one installing all those devices, both physically in places around your home, but also electronically, by connecting the various apps and services to your Ring Security System.
Choosing between these two home security systems can be overwhelming especially if it is your first time to do so. Fortunately, we in A+ Cable Runners are here to help you. Call us today so we can better discuss the best option available for you.