TL;DR: Vivint does not have a permanent buyout program for competitor contracts, but sales reps sometimes offer switching credits as a promotion. If a rep promises to cover your old contract, get the exact dollar amount written into your agreement before installation day. Vivint’s own contracts run 42 to 60 months. You have 72 hours after installation to cancel penalty-free. After that, early termination typically means paying 100% of your remaining balance. To cancel, call 1-833.420.4510
You have a contract with ADT, Brinks, or another security company, and Vivint is offering you a shiny new smart home system. But you are wondering: will Vivint actually pay off what you still owe your current provider to get you in the door? That is the real question behind “does Vivint buyout contracts,” and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
This article breaks down whether Vivint offers competitor contract buyouts, when they do and do not cover switching costs, and what to watch out for before you sign anything. We also cover how Vivint’s own contracts work, because once you switch, you will want to know exactly what you are getting into.
How Does a Vivint Contract Actually Work?
Vivint contracts typically run 42 to 60 months. That is anywhere from three and a half to five years. The length depends on how you finance your Vivint equipment. If you choose a shorter financing plan, you get a shorter contract. If you spread payments over 60 months, you are locked in for five years. These are binding agreements, not casual month-to-month arrangements.
The key thing to understand is that the contract exists primarily because of equipment financing, not just the monitoring service. Vivint’s smart home hardware can easily run over $1,000 once you add cameras, sensors, and smart locks. The loan for that hardware is essentially built into your contract terms. That is why the contract sticks around even if you feel like you are just paying for monitoring.
There is one major exception: if you pay for your Vivint equipment upfront, you do not have to sign a long-term contract. Your only monthly obligation is the monitoring fee, and you can cancel with 30 days notice. It is a significantly better position to be in, though not everyone can afford to pay everything at the installation appointment.
Does Vivint Buyout Contracts?
Here is the direct answer: Vivint does not have a formal, structured buyout program where they pay off your existing contract to win your business. What people typically mean when they search “vivintbuyout” is whether Vivint will absorb costs to get a new customer to switch, or whether Vivint itself will forgive what you owe. Neither happens automatically.
Some competing security companies occasionally run a promotion or sales incentive to cover switching costs, but Vivint is generally on the receiving end of that, not the giving end. If a sales representative tells you that Vivint will cover your old contract to get you to sign, get that in writing before anything else. Verbal promises from a sales agent do not appear in your agreement, and they will not hold up later.
There is, however, a third-party website called vivintbuyout.com that some consumers have encountered. This is not affiliated with Vivint. It is an independent service designed to help people navigate the buyout process or connect with resources related to ending Vivint contracts. Always read any third-party terms carefully before sharing account information.
How to Get Out of a Vivint Contract Without Paying?
This is the question everyone wants answered. The short version: it is very difficult but not always impossible. Vivint has an Exceptions Review Team that evaluates hardship cases on an individual basis. If your situation qualifies, they can waive or reduce your early termination fee. Qualifying circumstances include the death of the account holder, bankruptcy, active military deployment, or a move to an assisted living facility. You will need documentation to support any of these claims.
There is also the right of rescission window. You have exactly 72 hours after your installation appointment to cancel your Vivint service without penalty. That is only three days. Most home security companies offer a 30-day trial period, but Vivint’s window is much shorter. If you are over 65, the window extends to 60 days under certain state consumer protection laws. If you are within that period right now, act immediately. Call Vivint customer service and get the process started.
Outside of those paths, you are looking at paying to get out. The standard policy is that you owe 100% of your remaining contract balance. That can be thousands of dollars depending on how far into the agreement you are. Some customers have reported negotiating a reduced payoff, sometimes around 50% of the remaining balance, but this is not guaranteed and depends heavily on your specific situation and who you speak with at Vivint support.
Has Anyone Successfully Canceled Vivint?
Yes, plenty of people have. It is not easy, but it is doable. The most important thing is to go through the right channel. Vivint customer service can be reached at 1-800-216-5232, extension 5020. That extension goes directly to the cancellation department. Other methods like email and live chat have a mixed reputation, with some customers reporting that written cancellation requests get lost or ignored. If you do send a written Notice of Cancellation, send it via certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
When you call to cancel your Vivint service, be direct. State clearly that you want to cancel, and do not get pulled into retention offers or upgrade packages unless they actually benefit you. Representatives are trained to offer discounts and new package deals to keep you from leaving. If you have already made up your mind, stay focused on getting the cancellation confirmed in writing afterward.
You can also transfer your contract to another person, such as a home buyer if you are selling your house. There may be a transfer fee involved, and any outstanding equipment loan balance must be paid off first. But the monitoring portion of the contract can transfer. This is a legitimate way to exit without absorbing the full cancellation cost yourself.
Is There a Class Action Lawsuit Against Vivint?
Vivint has faced multiple legal complaints over the years. There have been class action filings related to their sales and cancellation practices, and the company has a substantial complaint history on the Better Business Bureau. Common issues include aggressive door-to-door sales tactics, misleading claims from a sales representative about contract length and fees, and difficulty canceling when customers try to leave.
If you believe Vivint has acted deceptively toward you as a consumer, consulting a lawyer is a reasonable step. Depending on your state and the nature of your complaint, there may be consumer protection laws that give you more leverage than you realize. Some states have strong rules around door-to-door sales and right-of-rescission periods that could make your contract easier to void. Document everything, save call records, and keep copies of all written communication with any Vivint representative or agent.
Do You Own Your Equipment from Vivint?
This depends entirely on how you paid for it. If you purchased your Vivint equipment upfront at installation, you own it outright. The alarm system hardware, the cameras, the sensors, all of it belongs to you. If you financed your Vivint’s equipment through their loan program, you technically do not fully own it until the financing is paid off. You are liable for the remaining balance if you cancel early.
One thing worth knowing is that Vivint’s hardware uses proprietary software in some cases, which means you cannot always just take your camera or panel and pair it with a different provider’s system. This is a form of lock-in that goes beyond the contract itself. If you are thinking about switching to a provider like SimpliSafe or another security company, factor in the cost of new hardware on top of any Vivint termination fees.
What Is vivintbuyout.com and Is It Legitimate?
Vivintbuyout.com is a third-party website that positions itself as a resource for people trying to navigate the process of exiting a Vivint contract. It is not run by Vivint and is not affiliated with the company in any official way. The site appears to offer services aimed at helping customers understand their options or connecting them with relevant resources.
Be cautious with any third-party service that requires you to log in with your Vivint account credentials or share payment information. Always verify a site’s legitimacy independently before handing over any personal account details. For official Vivint support, go through vivint.com directly or call their published customer service number.
What If You Are Switching From ADT or Another Provider to Vivint?
If you are leaving ADT or another provider to switch to Vivint, do not assume Vivint will cover what you owe on your ADT contract. Some security companies run limited-time promotions that offer credits for switching, but these need to be clearly spelled out in your new agreement before you sign anything. An ADT contract has its own early termination terms, typically around 75% of the remaining monthly fees, and that becomes your problem if Vivint does not formally agree to cover it in writing.
Before you sign with any new provider, ask exactly what they will and will not cover from your previous agreement. Ask for it documented in the contract, not just verbally from a sales rep. That one step prevents a huge amount of headaches down the road.
Vivint Customer Service Contact Information
If you need to reach Vivint directly, here is what you need. The main Vivint customer service phone number is 1-800-216-5232. For cancellations specifically, use extension 5020. For contract transfers, use extension 5025. These are the recommended contact points for account-level decisions. You can also manage basic account functions through the Vivint login portal at vivint.com, but anything involving cancellation or contract changes should go through a live representative and be followed up in writing.
Vivint support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for general issues. Response times vary, and wait times can be long. If you are facing a time-sensitive decision, such as being inside your 72-hour cancellation window, call immediately and do not rely on email or chat to meet that deadline.
The Bottom Line on Vivint Contracts
- Vivint contracts run 42 to 60 months and are tied to equipment financing.
- If you pay for hardware upfront, you can avoid a long-term contract entirely.
- Vivint does not have a formal buyout program for competitors’ contracts. Get any buyout promises in writing.
- You have 72 hours after installation to cancel without penalty (60 days if you are over 65).
- Early termination typically means paying 100% of your remaining contract balance.
- Vivint’s Exceptions Review Team may waive fees for death, bankruptcy, military deployment, or assisted living moves.
- You can transfer your Vivint contract to another person, which is useful when selling a home.
- To cancel your Vivint service, call 1-800-216-5232, extension 5020.
- vivintbuyout.com is a third-party site and is not affiliated with Vivint directly.
- Vivint has faced class action complaints related to sales and cancellation practices. If you feel wronged, consult a lawyer.
- Vivint equipment uses proprietary software in some cases, which limits its compatibility if you switch security companies.
- Always document all communications with Vivint, including call dates, representative names, and confirmation numbers.
