Updated September 30, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AOSU vs Vivint
AOSU vs Vivint: the differences
| Compare | AOSU ReviewVisitVisit |  Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $199.99Lower |
| Monitoring per month | $0Lower | $24.99 |
| Products | Camera, Video doorbell | Alarm, Camera, Smart lock, Video doorbell, Smoke alarmCovers more |
| Professional monitoring | No | YesHas it |
Same on both: Minimum contract (0 months), Local storage (Yes), Money-back period (30 days).
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Key differences
- Vivint scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.9.
- Price is lower at Vivint: $199.99 vs $299.99.
- Monitoring per month is lower at AOSU: $0 vs $24.99.
- Products: only Vivint offers Alarm, Smart lock, Smoke alarm.
- Professional monitoring: only Vivint.
- Support channels: only AOSU offers Community.
- Support channels: only Vivint offers Chat, Help centre.
- AOSU is available in 27 more countries.
- Pricing model: only AOSU offers Diy.
- Pricing model: only Vivint offers Monitored.
Our verdict on each
AOSU
AOSU is the self-install pick for people who want cameras and a video doorbell without a subscription or a monitoring contract. Hardware runs $299.99, monitoring is $0 a month, and it sits at 1 of 32 for monthly monitoring cost.
Vivint
Vivint suits households wanting professionally monitored protection with local storage across alarms, cameras, locks, video doorbells and smoke alarms for unified home coverage. Monitoring runs $24.99 with contract terms of 0 and support across email, chat and phone, backed by Vivint LLC in US with money back coverage of 30.
Score breakdown
| Area | AOSU | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9HigherMonitoring costs $0 a month on a 0 month contract, and the cost score is 8.9. | 8.7Entry pricing at $199.99 with ongoing monitoring at $24.99 shapes overall spend |
| Offer | 8.9Cameras and video doorbells in camera and video doorbell, local storage and a 30 day return window back an offer score of 8.9. | 9.6HigherMonitored model monitored spans alarm, camera and smart lock with professional monitoring and local storage |
| Privacy | 9.0A named entity in HK with support on email, phone and community sit behind a trust score of 9. | 9.1HigherClear corporate identity as Vivint LLC in US plus coverage of 30 supports confidence |
Pick AOSU if, pick Vivint if
Pick AOSU if monitoring per month matter most.
Pick Vivint if offer, price, products, and professional monitoring matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | AOSU | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Home security systems | 1 of 58 | 13 of 58 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AOSU | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Diy | Monitored |
| Legal entity | HONG KONG GLAZERO INTERNATIONAL TRADE CO., LIMITED | Vivint LLC |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | United States |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Community | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AOSU | Vivint | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99highest quarter | $199.99highest quarter | $50.00 |
| Monitoring per month | $0at the median | $24.99highest quarter | $0 |
| Minimum contract | 0 monthsat the median | 0 monthsat the median | 0 months |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 40 listed providers.
Pros and cons
AOSU
Pros
- Monitoring is listed at $0 a month, so the $299.99 hardware outlay is not tied to a subscription.
- The contract term is 0 months, putting AOSU at 1 of 29 on contract length.
- Local storage is supported, and the range covers camera and video doorbell rather than a single device.
Cons
- Professional monitoring is not offered, so alerts stay with the home owner rather than a response centre.
- Hardware is listed at $299.99 and AOSU ranks 41 of 44 on price, so entry cost is where the ranking slips.
- Support runs on email, phone and community only, with no live chat listed.
Vivint
Pros
- Monitored coverage across alarm, camera and smart lock for alarms, cameras, locks and more
- Professional monitoring with local storage for oversight and home kept footage
- Support across email, chat and phone plus contract terms of 0
Cons
- Entry pricing at $199.99 sits above $19.99 for budget conscious shoppers
- Monitoring at $24.99 adds ongoing spend on top of hardware at $199.99
Who each suits
AOSU
Who it suits
- Owners who want cameras and a video doorbell on their own network, with local storage and $0 monitoring.
- Self-installers, since the diy model puts setup in your hands and support runs on email, phone and community.
- People who will not pay a monitoring subscription: AOSU ranks 1 of 32 on that cost.
Who should look elsewhere
- Homes that need a response centre on call, since professional monitoring is not offered here; eufy at $25.99 is the alternative to weigh.
- Buyers on a tight hardware budget, since the kit is listed at $299.99; The Home Security Superstore at $13.95 is the lower figure to check.
- Anyone after a broader catalogue, since the product types listed cover camera and video doorbell only, with Annke at $19.99 the other entry to look at.
Vivint
Who it suits
- Households wanting monitored alarms, cameras and locks with local storage
- Owners seeking flexible commitment with broad support access
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers focused on minimal upfront spend may prefer The Home Security Superstore given entry pricing at $13.95
- Shoppers wanting a simpler alarm and camera mix may prefer SimpliSafe given range at alarm, camera and video doorbell
Current offers
AOSU
Current offer
Free trial
30-day free aosuProtect+ cloud storage trial: 30 days free
Offered at the start of an aosuProtect+ subscription; paid plan begins after the trial, cancel in the app before the trial ends; requires an aosu device linked in the aosu app
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Vivint
Current offer
Bonus
Free Professional Installation: $199
New systems purchased online
Source, checked September 28, 2026
Country by country
| Country | AOSU | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Bulgaria | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Croatia | Yes | No |
| Cyprus | Yes | No |
| Czechia | Yes | No |
| Finland | Yes | No |
8 of 28 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
AOSU
How much does AOSU cost to get started?+
AOSU sells hardware rather than a subscription, so the entry cost is the kit at $299.99. There is no financed term: the contract is listed at 0 months, which means no monthly repayment and nothing to renew afterwards. Any extra cameras are bought separately.
Is there a subscription or monitoring fee?+
The monthly monitoring charge is $0, so live viewing and alerts cost nothing extra on top of the hardware you already own. That figure is why AOSU ranks 1 of 32 on monthly monitoring cost. Local storage is supported, which keeps clip storage out of the subscription question.
Vivint
What does Vivint charge for hardware upfront?+
Vivint lists entry pricing at $199.99 for hardware that anchors the monitored setup. That outlay sits apart from ongoing monitoring and varies with kit choice and home needs. Check current bundles before purchase since configuration changes total spend and included devices.
How much does monitoring cost per month?+
Monitoring runs at $24.99 for the monitored plan that supports alerts and response. This fee applies alongside hardware costs and reflects professional oversight. Review plan terms before purchase since features and service levels shape monthly spend over time.