Is Vivint doorbell camera better than Ring?
Vivint and Ring are two of the top home security providers on the market today. Both offer a large array of features, everything from home automation tools to 24/7 professional monitoring and multiple customization options. And while these two providers stand apart from their competitors in terms of quality, effectiveness, reliability and technology, which one is best? Everywhere you look you can find praise from current and past customers for both companies, so that’s not likely to tell you which one is best. A cursory glance shows you that there are many similarities between the two, but if you dig a little deeper you quickly find that there are a number of differences as well. In this article, our goal is to display the facts for you plainly so we can see clearly which company has the most to offer.
Ring Doorbell camera
Ring offers four different video doorbells: the Video Doorbell, Video Doorbell 2, Video Doorbell Pro, and Video Doorbell Elite.
Pros
- Good video quality
- Comes with both wired and wireless installation options
- Reasonable prices
- Professional monitoring not required
- Two-way communication
Cons
- Installation can get complicated and is completely DIY with very minimal instructions provided by Ring
- Prices increase for more advanced camera models, so you’ll have to pay more to get more features
- Poor speaker quality can make it hard to use
- Large, bulky design may not match home decor
- Poor battery life will have you constantly replacing batteries
Vivint Doorbell camera
Vivint offers a high-tech doorbell camera with an elegant design, package protection and the latest technology features.
Pros
- 1080p video resolution with HDR will let you see every detail
- Infrared LED night vision keeps you covered 24 hours a day
- 180-degree field of view – the widest and tallest available on the market so there’s nowhere to hide
- Smart Detection alerts you to people and packages, not pets and cars to prevent unnecessary notifications
- Professional installation, so you don’t have to do any guess work
- Crystal clear two-way communication
- Modern design that blends in with any home décor
- Facial recognition capabilities
Cons
- Higher costs upfront (you get what you pay for)
- Required monthly monitoring
These pros and cons provide a brief overview of both doorbell cameras. Now let’s compare the two side-by-side to highlight the major similarities and differences between Vivint and Ring.
Similarities between Vivint and Ring doorbell cameras
- Both Ring and Vivint doorbell cameras will set off a loud alarm as soon as the camera detects any unusual or suspicious activity. They also both offer smart phone apps, which can notify you of these alerts immediately.
- Vivint and Ring provide many options for home security customization. Vivint’s representatives will work with you to create a package that perfectly fits your needs, while Ring allows customization, but you have to do it yourself through their website.
- The Vivint doorbell camera does require you to pay a monthly fee for professional monitoring. However, the monitoring team works 24/7 to ensure your home is protected at all times. Ring also offers its professional monitoring service for a monthly fee, but it’s not required.
Differences between Vivint and Ring doorbell cameras
- Both security systems have a control unit, but Vivint’s unit is much more advanced and offers more features than Ring, including many options for home automation. Vivint’s monitor also had a more modern design that blends well into any home.
- Vivint’s home security system requires professional installation, which means that a technician will come to your home to set up the Vivint doorbell camera for you. These experts can troubleshoot any unique challenges presented during installation and make sure you feel 100% comfortable with the device before they leave. Ring allows you to install the doorbell camera yourself, but if you need help, professional installation will cost extra. Ring does not offer a guided walkthrough or many detailed instructions, which can lead to a frustrating process of trial-and-error if you hit a roadblock.
- Though both Vivint and Ring offer professional monitoring services, Ring’s monthly fee is slightly cheaper. However, you get what you pay for- Vivint’s monitoring services come with a 24/7 support team that can be reached at any time for emergency or medical help.
Summary: Vivint Vs. Ring
So in summary, both companies offer good products. Both use impressive technology and both companies offer professional monitoring, customer service and other advanced security features. But a few things set them apart.
First off, installation. Are you a certified electrician or home security installation tech? Probably not. And if you’re not, then chances are you may not feel real comfortable cutting open your walls and ceiling and digging around in electrical wires, trying to get your new doorbell wired up just right. Then if you do get it figured out, how are you going to be sure you did it right? Vivint bypasses every bit of this with simple, free in-home professional installation. You literally don’t have to do anything but point and tell the installer where you want it, and they’ll take care of the rest. Then when they’re finished, they’ll make sure it’s working right, show you how to use it and you’ll be on your way. So the advantage here obviously goes to Vivint.
Secondly, Vivint’s camera quality is second to none. Ring offers fine cameras, but Vivint has the only 1080p camera in the industry with a 180 degree field of view, which gives them a strong advantage in a very competitive home security market.
So in the end, the only real advantage Ring has over Vivint is that yes, the startup cost is a little cheaper. But here’s the deal- why are you buying a home security system? More than likely, your answer has something to do with you and your family’s safety. And if that’s the case, then is that really something you want to go cheap on? It really puts things in perspective when you look at it that way. So yes, Ring is a little cheaper in the beginning. But if “cheap” is your main concern, why are you even getting a security system?
So ultimately, Vivint is the clear play here. The only drawback is that they’re a little more expensive than Ring, and that’s really not a factor in the decision making process if your family’s safety is the concern. So when it comes down to these two, Ring is fine, but we highly recommend Vivint’s home security offerings ten times out of ten.
