Link Interactive vs. Vivint Home Security

Our Analysis

Link Interactive and Vivint have always been fierce rivals, being two of the most technologically advanced home security companies in the country. Link Interactive's brand of home security is centered on providing users a reliable security system with smart features and remote access. Vivint, on the other hand, is known to innovate their own products and add a touch of smarts to their security devices. As an example, they are the only traditional alarm company in the country that providers AI-backed security cameras.

If you're on the fence between the two alarm companies, this comparison guide will help you make a wise decision. Below, we'll tackle their pricing, features, and customer service.

Their Similarities

• Nationwide Availability
• Touchscreen Control Panel
• Wireless Equipment
• Home Automation
• Cellular Monitoring

Their Differences

• Sales Process — You can buy Link Interactive products online, but you'll need to speak to a sales rep to get a quote from Vivint.
• Contract — Link Interactive has one-year, two-year, and three-year contracts. Vivint requires a four-year or five-year contract.
• Equipment Purchase — You must buy your security system upfront from Link Interactive. Vivint providers financing options.
• Security System — Link Interactive offers security systems designed and manufactured by Alarm.com. Vivint produces their own security systems.

Sales & Pricing Comparison

Sales Process

When buying form Link Interactive, you can do everything in the comfort of your couch. Simply go to Link Interactive's website, choose your security systems components, fill out a few details about you, select a monitoring package, and then place your order. With Vivint, you need to speak to a sales rep for a free consultation. They might even pay you a visit in your home so they can help you pick out your security system components.

Winner: Link Interactive

Pricing

Link Interactive's pricing plans start at only $30.99 per month. This is one of the most affordable plans in the market, considering that it includes features like smartphone access and cellular monitoring. If you want additional features, you can upgrade your plan to get smart home features and video monitoring. Link Interactive's highest monitoring rate is $44.99. With Vivint, pricing is a little higher. Their entry-level plan will set you back $39.99 per month, while their most expensive monitoring plan will cost you $49.99 per month. However, Vivint's entry-level plan already includes home automation features. A similar plan from Link Interactive will cost you the same.

Winner: Link Interactive

Equipment Purchase

The main difference between Vivint and Link Interactive, when it comes to equipment purchase, is the availability of financing. With Link Interactive, you must pay for your security system upfront. With Vivint, you can divide the equipment cost to 48 monthly payments with no interest.

Winner: Vivint

Installation

The installation process of Vivint and Link Interactive are also different. Vivint requires pro-installation and an installation fee will be charged to you. Link Interactive offers self-installed equipment. They will ship your security system to you and then you'll be the one to install it. Once it's installed, you can simply call them up so they can activate professional monitoring.

Winner: Link Interactive

Key Features & Tech

Standard Equipment

Link Interactive's standard equipment is built around a basic touchscreen control panel. This control panel is offered for free. However, it's a little outdated and has limited features. Link Interactive has another control panel — the Qolsys IQ Panel 2. You can replace the standard control panel with the IQ Panel 2 by paying an additional $200. Beyond the control panel, Link Interactive offers security sensors and accessories. Vivint's security systems are centered on the Vivint Sky Control touchscreen panel. It's a highly-innovative control panel with intuitive controls, allowing you to access your security system conveniently. In addition, this control panel works with Vivint's security sensors as well as home automation products and cameras.

Winner: Vivint

Home Automation

Link Interactive and Vivint both offer different types of home automation products, from light automation, door automation, and even temperature automation. Link Interactive offers smart home products from third-party brands that are compatible with their security system, while Vivint offers products specifically designed for them, which is a huge advantage for Vivint as it allows them to continuously innovate their smart home products.

Winner: Vivint

Cameras

Link Interactive and Vivint also both have cameras. Link Interactive offers two indoor cameras (one standard and one premium camera), an outdoor camera, and several video doorbells from the SkyBell brand. Their highest monitoring package also provides video monitoring features like cloud recording and remote streaming. Vivint also has indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. Interestingly, their outdoor camera is capable of using Artificial Intelligence to detect suspicious behavior. For example, if it sees a lurker within your property, it can alert you and even proactively try to deter possible intruders. Additionally, Vivint offers cloud storage and video monitoring if you subscribe to their highest monitoring plan. They also sell a cloud DVR with up to 1 TB storage if you'd rather save your videos locally.

Winner: Vivint

Smartphone Access

Smartphone access is a welcome addition to any security system. it allows you to control, monitor, and access your security system using your smartphone via an app designed specifically for your system. All Link Interactive and Vivint customers can access their respective apps. For Link Interactive users, there's the Alarm.com app. For Vivint users, there's the Vivint Smart Home app.

Winner: Tie

Customer Service Experience

Contracts

Contracts or service agreements are standard in the alarm industry. It's a legal document where the terms of service is written, including the lock-in period. During the lock-in period, cancelling your service subscription will mean hefty penalties. Usually, the lock-in period is three years. However, with Link Interactive, you have the option to choose between a one-year, two-year, or three-year lock-in period. Choosing a longer period will land you bigger equipment discounts. With Vivint, the lock-in period is longer than usual. They have four-year and five-year contracts only.

Winner: Link Interactive

Early Termination Penalty

Each company has a different policy regarding terminations of service during the lock-in period, but most alarm companies base the penalty on the number of months remaining in the contract. With Link Interactive, the penalty is 75% of your monthly rate multiplied by the number of remaining months. For example, with a $40 per month rate and six months remaining, your penalty will be $180. The same computation is used by Vivint, but instead of 75%, they charge the entire amount.

Winner: Link Interactive

Return Policy

Fortunately, Link Interactive gives their customers a few days to test their products and services before enforcing the full terms of their service contract. You have 30 days to test your security system, and if you find it unfit for your, you can return it and get your money back. There are no penalties imposed as long as you return your system within 30 days after signing the contract. Vivint lacks a return policy similar to Link Interactive's. However, the federal law of the United States gives consumers a 3-day provision to cancel after signing a contract.

Winner: Link Interactive

The Bottom Line: Who Wins?

Link Interactive and Vivint are both in our top picks, so they are both winners. However, each has its own strengths that can probably help you in making a decision. Vivint clearly has better technology than Link Interactive. They do well in innovating their products, and as a result, they are now capable of offering high-tech security and home automation equipment. However, Link Interactive has a better pricing and policies than Vivint. Their products and services are more affordable plus they are easier to deal with thanks to their customer-friendly policies.

If your heart is set on Vivint, you can learn more about them in our Vivint review. If you're leaning more towards Link Interactive, here's our full Link Interactive review.