Updated September 30, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Lorex vs Vivint
Lorex vs Vivint: the differences
| Compare |  Lorex |  Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £78.99 | $199.99 |
| Monitoring per month | £0 | $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
- Lorex scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.1.
- Products: only Vivint offers Alarm, Smart lock, Smoke alarm.
- Professional monitoring: only Vivint.
- Support channels: only Lorex offers Community.
- Pricing model: only Lorex offers Diy.
- Pricing model: only Vivint offers Monitored.
Our verdict on each
Lorex
Lorex suits renters and owners who want camera based home security without monthly monitoring charges or a long contract term. Entry hardware lists at £78.99 with monitoring at £0 and a contract term of 0 months, plus local storage for self managed video.
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 | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherMonitoring at £0 keeps ongoing spend at free with no monthly plan required. | 8.7Entry pricing at $199.99 with ongoing monitoring at $24.99 shapes overall spend |
| Offer | 9.1Range covers camera and video doorbell with local storage included for self managed video. | 9.6HigherMonitored model monitored spans alarm, camera and smart lock with professional monitoring and local storage |
| Privacy | 9.4HigherSupport covers email, chat and phone plus cover under 30 days for returns. | 9.1Clear corporate identity as Vivint LLC in US plus coverage of 30 supports confidence |
What each covers
| Products | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm | No | Yes |
| Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Smart lock | No | Yes |
| Video doorbell | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke alarm | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Home security systems | 11 of 58 | 13 of 58 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Diy | Monitored |
| Legal entity | Lorex Technology UK Limited | Vivint LLC |
| Headquarters | Canada | United States |
| Founded | 1991 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lorex | Vivint | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Lorex
Pros
- Monitoring at £0 keeps ongoing costs at free after hardware purchase.
- Contract term at 0 months avoids a fixed service tie and suits flexible setups.
- Local storage is included, so video stays at home without a cloud plan.
Cons
- Range covers camera and video doorbell only, so alarm and lock buyers may look at eufy instead.
- Professional monitoring is absent, so buyers wanting staffed response should consider Annke instead.
- Entry hardware at £78.99 sits above $25.99 for eufy, which matters for tight budgets.
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
Lorex
Who it suits
- Households wanting cameras with local storage and no monthly plan.
- Buyers avoiding fixed terms who may otherwise compare Annke.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers wanting staffed alarm response, who may prefer Annke for monitored style options.
- Buyers wanting alarms and locks in a single kit, who may prefer eufy for a wider device mix.
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
Vivint
Current offer
Bonus
Free Professional Installation: $199
New systems purchased online
Source, checked September 28, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Lorex
What does Lorex cost upfront and per month?+
Lorex hardware is listed at £78.99 for entry kits shown in the smart home collection. Monitoring is listed at £0, so there is no monthly plan charge to add. Video is kept through local storage rather than through a paid cloud tier.
Does Lorex charge a monthly monitoring fee?+
Lorex monitoring is listed at £0, which means ongoing access remains free after the hardware purchase. There is no monthly monitoring plan to renew. That structure suits buyers who prefer self managed alerts and recording.
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.