Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Reolink vs Vivint
Reolink vs Vivint: the differences
| Compare | Reolink ReviewVisitVisit |  Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99Lower | $199.99 |
| Monitoring per month | $0Lower | $24.99 |
| Products | Camera, Video doorbell | Alarm, Camera, Smart lock, Video doorbell, Smoke alarmCovers more |
| Professional monitoring | No | YesHas it |
| Minimum contract | Not confirmed | 0 months |
Same on both: Local storage (Yes), Money-back period (30 days).
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Key differences
- Price is lower at Reolink: $69.99 vs $199.99.
- Monitoring per month is lower at Reolink: $0 vs $24.99.
- Products: only Vivint offers Alarm, Smart lock, Smoke alarm.
- Professional monitoring: only Vivint.
- Support channels: only Vivint offers Chat.
- Reolink is available in 31 more countries.
- Pricing model: only Reolink offers Diy.
- Pricing model: only Vivint offers Monitored.
Our verdict on each
Reolink
Reolink suits homeowners and renters who want DIY cameras and video doorbells with local storage and self monitoring rather than a contracted alarm service. Monitoring runs at $0 while local recording avoids subscription lock in, which keeps ongoing costs predictable for self managed households seeking flexible camera coverage.
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 | Reolink | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2HigherEntry hardware lists at $69.99, which keeps upfront spend modest for camera shoppers. | 8.7Entry pricing at $199.99 with ongoing monitoring at $24.99 shapes overall spend |
| Offer | 8.9DIY range in diy focuses on cameras and doorbells with self management for flexible setup. | 9.6HigherMonitored model monitored spans alarm, camera and smart lock with professional monitoring and local storage |
| Privacy | 9.2HigherReturns covered under 30, which gives households time to assess fit and build confidence. | 9.1Clear corporate identity as Vivint LLC in US plus coverage of 30 supports confidence |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Reolink | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Home security systems | 3 of 58 | 13 of 58 |
Pick Reolink if, pick Vivint if
Pick Reolink if cost, price, and monitoring per month matter most.
Pick Vivint if offer, products, and professional monitoring matter most.
What we checked
Reolink
- reolink.com: 5 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- store.reolink.com: 5 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- support.reolink.com: 1 fact, checked September 28, 2026
Vivint
- vivint.com: 11 facts, checked September 28, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Reolink | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Diy | Monitored |
| Legal entity | Reolink Innovation Limited | Vivint LLC |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | United States |
| Founded | 2009 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Phone | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Reolink | Vivint | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99above the median | $199.99highest quarter | $50.00 |
| Monitoring per month | $0at the median | $24.99highest quarter | $0 |
| Minimum contract | Not confirmed | 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
Reolink
Pros
- Cameras and video doorbells in camera and video doorbell cover entrances and living areas without alarm hardware.
- Local storage keeps recordings at home, which appeals to shoppers avoiding cloud fees.
- Help across email, help centre and phone gives email, phone and help centre options for setup questions.
Cons
- Professional monitoring is absent, so response stays with the household rather than a staffed centre.
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
Reolink
Who it suits
- Households wanting cameras with local storage and no monthly monitoring fee
- Renters seeking DIY install without long contracts
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers wanting staffed dispatch should consider SimpliSafe for broader alarm coverage.
- Shoppers wanting smoke alarms with cameras should consider SimpliSafe for bundled protection.
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 | Reolink | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Bulgaria | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Croatia | Yes | No |
| Czechia | Yes | No |
| Denmark | Yes | No |
8 of 32 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Reolink
What does Reolink hardware cost?+
Reolink lists turret camera hardware at $69.99. That figure covers the device itself, while ongoing use relies on local recording rather than a paid monitoring plan, which helps households compare upfront cost against subscription based alarm bundles.
Does Reolink charge a monthly monitoring fee?+
Monitoring is listed at $0, so there is no recurring monitoring charge to weigh at renewal. Households still provide their own response to alerts, which suits buyers who prefer free self monitoring over staffed services with monthly billing.
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.