Quick scores
- Google Nest
- 4.1/5 — Excellent individual devices, no longer a whole security system
- Vivint
- 4.4/5 — The most capable installed system, at the highest price
Google Nest vs Vivint at a glance
| Feature | Google Nest | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.1/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Installation | DIY | Professional only |
| Contract | None | None if equipment paid upfront; 42–60 months if financed |
| Monitoring | Self-monitoring (professional via ADT partnership) | Professional only |
| Monthly cost | $0–$20 (Nest Aware) | $30–$60 |
| Equipment cost | $100–$450 per device | $600–$2,000+ |
| Video storage | Cloud (limited on-device buffer) | Cloud (Vivint Smart Drive optional) |
| Works with | Google Home, Assistant, Matter | Alexa, Google Assistant, Z-Wave, Philips Hue |
| Trial / returns | 30-day returns | 3-day cancellation window |
| Best for | Google Home households wanting the best-in-class doorbell and thermostat | Larger homes wanting genuine automation, not just an alarm |
Nest is devices; Vivint is a system
Nest sells a doorbell, cameras and a thermostat. Each is excellent. Together they form a good Google Home setup — but there is no alarm, no professional monitoring, and no installer.
Vivint sells a designed system: a technician surveys the property, specifies equipment, installs it, and hands over something commissioned as a whole, with 24/7 monitoring behind it.
The most important consequence: Nest cannot give you a monitored alarm. Nest Secure was discontinued. If professional monitoring is a requirement, Nest alone cannot meet it — you would be looking at ADT with Nest devices inside it.
Software against integration
Nest’s advantage is notification quality. Familiar faces, package detection, precise activity zones — the best filtering in consumer security, and the reason people keep Nest alerts switched on.
Vivint’s advantage is that things happen together and reliably. Arm away, and doors lock, the garage closes and the thermostat sets back. The outdoor camera acts autonomously on a lingering visitor. This is what professional commissioning buys.
Cost over five years
| Setup | Upfront | Five-year total | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest: doorbell + 2 cameras + thermostat | ≈ $700–$1,000 | ≈ $1,300–$2,200 | Self-monitored (Nest Aware) |
| Vivint mid package, financed | ≈ $1,200–$1,900 yr 1 | ≈ $3,500–$5,500 | 24/7 professional |
Which should you choose?
Choose Nest if you self-monitor; you want the best notification filtering; you use Google Home; or you want to spend far less.
Choose Vivint if you need professional monitoring; you want genuine automation; you want it designed and installed; or you have a larger property.
If you want Nest devices and professional monitoring, ADT is the path — see our ADT review.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nest replace a security system?
No. Nest Secure was discontinued and there is no first-party alarm. Nest devices provide cameras and notifications, not monitored security.
Is Vivint worth twice the price of a Nest setup?
If you need professional monitoring and genuine automation, yes. If you want good cameras and a smart thermostat, Nest costs far less and does that well.
Can I use Nest cameras with Vivint?
Not natively. Vivint uses its own cameras. Nest devices integrate with ADT systems instead.