Updated September 30, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Lorex vs Vivint
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Lorex |  Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99Lower | $199.99 |
| Monitoring per month | $0Lower | $24.99 |
| Products | Camera, Smart lock, 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: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Price is lower at Lorex: $29.99 vs $199.99.
- Monitoring per month is lower at Lorex: $0 vs $24.99.
- Products: only Vivint offers Alarm, Smoke alarm.
- Professional monitoring: only Vivint.
- Lorex is available in 2 more countries.
- Pricing model: only Lorex offers Diy.
- Pricing model: only Vivint offers Monitored.
Our verdict on each
Lorex
Lorex suits buyers who want self managed cameras with local recording and no ongoing monitoring charge, using gear across cameras, locks and doorbells. Entry pricing sits at $29.99 with monitoring at $0 and contract terms of 0 months, backed by support through chat, email and help centre.
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 | 9.4HigherOngoing monitoring at $0 keeps upkeep free of monthly fees. | 8.7Entry pricing at $199.99 with ongoing monitoring at $24.99 shapes overall spend |
| Offer | 9.1Device mix across camera, smart lock and video doorbell covers cameras, locks and doorbells. | 9.6HigherMonitored model monitored spans alarm, camera and smart lock with professional monitoring and local storage |
| Privacy | 9.4HigherSupport access through chat, email and help centre gives varied contact paths. | 9.1Clear corporate identity as Vivint LLC in US plus coverage of 30 supports confidence |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Canada | United States |
Available in 1 country for both. Additional countries for Lorex: 2.
How the counts compare
| Fact | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | $199.99 |
| Monitoring per month | $0 | $24.99 |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
Side by side, item by item
| Products | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm | No | Yes |
| Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Smart lock | Yes | Yes |
| Video doorbell | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke alarm | No | Yes |
Pick Lorex if, pick Vivint if
Pick Lorex if cost, privacy, price, and monitoring per month matter most.
Pick Vivint if offer, products, and professional monitoring matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Home security systems | 8 of 58 | 13 of 58 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lorex | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Diy | Monitored |
| Legal entity | Lorex Technology Inc. | Vivint LLC |
| Headquarters | Canada | United States |
| Founded | 1991 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Email, Help centre, Phone | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lorex | Vivint | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99below the median | $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
Lorex
Pros
- Ongoing monitoring at $0 keeps running costs free of service fees
- Local storage is included for keeping clips under your own control
- Device mix across camera, smart lock and video doorbell suits matched door and yard coverage
Cons
- Professional monitoring is not part of the offer, so alerts stay self handled by you.
- Entry pricing at $29.99 sits above Annke at $19.99 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
- Buyers who like Annke value cues but want locks and doorbells alongside cameras through camera, smart lock and video doorbell.
- Buyers who like eufy style self monitoring but want monitoring at $0 with local storage.
- Buyers who browse The Home Security Superstore for parts but prefer a joined Lorex kit with varied help via chat, email and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want staffed dispatch should pass, since Professional monitoring is absent, and eufy may fit where assisted alerts matter.
- Buyers who want the lowest shelf ticket should pass, since pricing at $29.99 sits above Annke at $19.99.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Lorex
What does Lorex cost to buy and to run?+
Entry equipment pricing is listed at $29.99, while ongoing monitoring is listed at $0. That structure means you pay for hardware with no service charge added later, which helps you plan upkeep with fewer surprises.
Does Lorex charge a monthly monitoring fee?+
Monitoring is listed at $0, so there is no monthly service charge to keep devices working. You manage alerts yourself, and Professional monitoring is absent, so dispatch support is not part of the arrangement.
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.