Best Home Security Companies in 2023: Vivint vs Nest Secure vs Link Interactive
Today we will be comparing three of the top home security providers in Vivint Smart Home, Nest Secure, and Link Interactive. So let’s dive right in and see how they stack up! We’ll go over equipment, monitoring plans, and more!
We acknowledge that the process of shopping for a home security system can be challenging, given the vast amount of information that needs to be sifted through. To simplify this process for you, we've analyzed the products and services offered by some of the leading security companies. In this article, we'll evaluate and compare the services provided by Vivint, Nest Secure, and Link Interactive.
Vivint Smart Home Control Panel
Vivint aims to provide its customers with more than just home security by offering a multifunctional control panel. The Smart Hub control panel from Vivint not only ensures your home's security but also helps to convert your home into a smart one. This control panel boasts a 7-inch full-color touchscreen that displays system status, current time, and temperature. You can easily manage all the features of your system and any connected devices through the touchscreen control panel. The Vivint Smart Hub transmits data through a secure wireless signal, and all security-related data is transmitted via its inbuilt cellular chip. This means that a landline or internet connection is not necessary for the Vivint Smart Hub to function, though it does connect to your home's Wi-Fi network as a backup. The Smart Hub is powered by an AC power source, so ensure that a power source is nearby. In case of a power outage, the Smart Hub has a 24-hour backup battery. You can communicate with Vivint's monitoring station via the Smart Hub's 2-way audio feature, enabling you to receive prompt assistance in case of emergencies. If the Smart Hub detects a security event, it triggers an internal siren. Additionally, the Smart Hub is highly expandable, thanks to its Z-Wave protocol that allows you to integrate other branded security and home automation devices with it.
See our cutting-edge control panel by Qolsys >>
Nest Secure Control Panel
Nest gained popularity initially for their security cameras, but their product line has since expanded, and they now offer a home security system, known as Nest Secure. The Nest Guard serves as their control panel, which comes with some notable features. It is a wireless control panel that connects directly to your home's Wi-Fi network, with the option to add a cellular chip. The Nest Guard has a compact design, making it easy to place. Its top features a push-button keypad that enables you to create custom user codes for different purposes and quickly arm and disarm your Nest Secure system. One standout feature of the Nest Guard is its inbuilt motion sensor, which triggers the system if motion is detected around it. The Nest Guard has a backup battery that lasts for up to 12 hours, ensuring it works even during a power outage. The built-in indicator light changes color to indicate different system statuses, and chime alerts notify you of system status and connected device triggering. If the Nest Secure system is triggered, the 85-decibel internal siren sounds. The Nest Guard is highly expandable and works with Z-Wave enabled devices.
To see an alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option, check out our home security system at Link Interactive >>
Link Interactive Control Panel
Link Interactive provides you with a range of control panels to choose from. Their top-selling panel is the Qolsys IQ Panel 2, which boasts a sleek, slim design and the most features. It is a wireless and cellular system that can also connect to your home's Wi-Fi, providing a double connection. The IQ Panel 2 is powered by AC, with a backup battery included. You can control your system and connected devices directly from the 7-inch, full-color touchscreen. The screen displays your system's status, local temperature, and current time. The 5 MP front-facing camera takes a snapshot when the system is armed or disarmed. The IQ Panel 2 features Bluetooth arming and disarming, which automatically arms and disarms your system when you leave or return home. One standout feature of the IQ Panel 2 is its built-in glass break detector that listens for the sound of breaking glass. The panel also includes an internal siren that sounds if your system or connected devices are triggered. The IQ Panel 2 is highly expandable, thanks to its Z-Wave protocol, allowing for use with a variety of other branded smart home automation devices such as smart locks.
See our cutting-edge control panel by Qolsys >>
Vivint Smart Home Equipment
To provide comprehensive coverage for your home, Vivint offers a range of wireless and battery-operated sensors for intrusion and environmental safety. They offer door/window, motion, and glass break sensors to protect the entryways to your home. The door/window sensors will alert you when a door or window with a sensor is opened or closed, while the motion sensors detect motion in rooms and are pet immune for smaller pets. The glass break sensors listen for the sound of breaking glass, triggering your system and notifying you. If you have garage doors, you can use Vivint's tilt sensor to alert you to their status. Keychain remotes are available for quick system disarmament and armament. Vivint also offers smoke, CO, and flood sensors to safeguard your home from environmental hazards, which have built-in audible alerts to inform you of rising danger levels. All equipment is installed by professional security technicians to ease your mind and avoid the hassle of self-setup.
Recommended: An alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option called Link Interactive >>
Home Automation
Vivint's Smart Hub control panel does more than just protect your home, thanks to its built-in Z-Wave protocol. With a variety of home automation and video surveillance options available, Vivint allows you to customize your system to fit your needs. Among the many devices they offer, Vivint has a selection of smart home automated locks that feature a sleek design and push-button functionality. These locks can be remotely unlocked via the Vivint app, and custom user codes can be enabled or disabled at any time. Vivint's garage door controller allows you to remotely open and close your garage doors, ensuring that you never leave them open again. You'll receive an instant notification whenever your garage door is opened or shut. Vivint also offers a range of smart thermostats that help reduce your home's energy consumption by turning on and off based on temperature or custom timers. You can control your Vivint smart thermostat remotely through the Vivint app. Additionally, if you're looking for smart lights that you can control remotely and set on custom timers, Vivint has those as well.
Video Monitoring/Cameras
Vivint provides various types of video surveillance equipment including indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell cameras, which are commonly found in the market. The cameras connect to your home's WIFI network and are capable of capturing video in high resolution. They also feature night vision, motion sensors, and two-way audio.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
Nest Secure Equipment
The Nest Secure system may have a minimalistic approach, but its components are cutting-edge, wireless, and battery-powered. The Nest Detect serves as the primary entryway sensor, functioning as a door/window and motion sensor in one. You'll be notified when your doors/windows are opened, as well as when motion is detected. Another way to arm and disarm the system is with the Nest Tag, a battery-powered and wireless RFID tag that you can tap on or near the Nest Guard. Currently, Nest only provides one environmental safety sensor, the Nest Protect, which is also wireless and battery-operated. The Nest Protect monitors smoke and CO gas levels and alerts you audibly if they rise dangerously. Additionally, it has a light-up feature that illuminates its location. All Nest equipment is DIY, but they provide step-by-step instructions to guide you through the setup process.
Recommended: An alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option called Link Interactive >>
Home Automation
Nest offers a premium selection of add-on equipment, thanks to their partnerships with many great companies over the years. While we will only discuss a few of these devices today, you can find a complete list of add-on equipment on their website. The Nest X Yale Lock is a smart lock produced in partnership with Yale. It features a touch-screen keypad that illuminates and allows for easy one-touch locking. You can create custom user codes for the lock that can be enabled or disabled at any time. It is powered by four AA batteries, eliminating the need for doorbell wiring. It connects to your home's WIFI network wirelessly and can be controlled through the Nest app. To help make your home more energy-efficient, Nest offers their smart thermostats, with the Nest Learning Thermostat being our top pick. This rechargeable battery-powered thermostat connects to your home's WIFI network and comes with temperature sensors that can be placed in different rooms. It learns your preferred temperature settings and automatically adjusts while also reducing your home's energy consumption each month. You can also remotely control the Nest Learning Thermostat through the Nest app. Additionally, the Nest Secure system is compatible with smart bulbs and switches from companies like Phillips and GE.
Monitoring/Cameras
When it comes to video surveillance equipment, Nest has a huge variety. They offer indoor, outdoor, video doorbell, and other varieties of video surveillance equipment. Generally, their video surveillance cameras can capture video in HD, have advanced motion sensors and advanced night vision, and include 2-way audio.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
Link Interactive Equipment
Link Interactive has designed their basic equipment to allow for a total coverage of your home. All the basic equipment provided by Link Interactive is battery-operated and wireless. They offer a variety of intrusion sensors such as door/window, gate, tilt, glass break, motion, and image sensors. The gate sensor is specifically designed for the gates/doors outside of your home, while the image sensor can take snapshots when motion is detected in its placed area. Tilt sensors are used for garage doors and notify you when they are opened or closed. Link Interactive also offers a secondary full-colored touchscreen remote that can control all the basic functions for your IQ Panel 2. A panic button is available to trigger your system immediately. For protection against the elements, Link Interactive provides a temperature/smoke sensor and a CO sensor. The temperature/smoke sensor detects smoke and changes in temperature while the CO detector monitors for dangerous levels of CO gas, and both of these sensors will trigger an audible alert while triggering your Link Interactive security system. Link Interactive offers DIY equipment, but a step-by-step setup guide is included for a quick and easy installation process. For more information on their additional equipment, you can visit their website.
Recommended: An alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option called Link Interactive >>
Home Automation
Link Interactive offers an extensive range of home automation and video surveillance equipment that can be used with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2. We will be discussing a few of these items today, but for a complete list, please visit their website at https://www.linkinteractive.com. Link Interactive has a variety of smart locks with push-button keypads that enable one-touch arming. You can create customized user codes and control the smart locks remotely through the Link Interactive app. Additionally, Link offers smart lights and modules that allow you to set custom timers for when they turn on and off. These devices reduce your home's energy consumption and can be remotely controlled through the Link Interactive app. For remote control of your garage doors, Link Interactive offers a garage door controller. You will also receive push notifications whenever your garage doors are opened or closed. To make your home more environmentally friendly, you can add a smart thermostat from Link Interactive to your system. The smart thermostat is compatible with most HVAC heating and cooling systems and includes features such as custom timers and remote control.
Monitoring/Cameras
Link Interactive also offers a huge selection of indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell cams. The basic features for all the cameras include HD video resolution, motion sensor, 2-way audio, and advanced night vision. Due to the IQ Panel 2 having a Z-Wave protocol you can also use other home automation equipment not listed or offered by Link Interactive with your Link Interactive security system.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
Vivint vs Nest Secure vs Link App
Each of these companies provides professional, self, and video monitoring services. The mobile apps for self-monitoring are available for free download and can be used on both Apple and Android devices. With these apps, you can remotely control your system and all connected equipment, as well as receive push notifications when your system is triggered. Additionally, you can view and stream video using the apps. For professional monitoring, a monitoring station will oversee your home around the clock.
Recommended: For the best way to control your safety, look at our security system here at Link Interactive. Our system comes complete with Crash and Smash protection, and all the bells and whistles of a modern day home security system!
Vivint vs Nest Secure vs Link Interactive
The winner: Link Interactive. A Link Interactive system is one of the few Alarm.com powered security systems on the market (the gold standard in home security), that not only fits your budget, but blows every other security system on the market out of the water in terms of features and reliability. Don’t believe us? Try a Link system for yourself, hassle-free and with no obligations for 30 days. Click here to see Link Interactive’s offer >>
We encourage you take a look at Link’s offer here, get a quote and compare. You can also call direct at 1-877-826-5443 for further details and speak with a rep!
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