The short answer

To cancel Vivint you have to call their account team, verify you're the account holder, and submit a written Notice of Cancellation - and you must pay off any remaining equipment balance to actually stop service. You can't keep making equipment payments while dropping monitoring; the financed equipment has to be cleared first.

If you're still inside your 42-60 month contract, expect an early-termination fee on top of the equipment payoff. Below is the exact step-by-step, the fees to plan for, the few ways out without a penalty, and the cheaper no-contract systems worth switching to.

Vivint's contract terms (why cancelling is hard)

Person reviewing security billing paperwork at a kitchen table
Two balances drive the cost of leaving: the monitoring contract and the financed equipment.

Vivint bundles two commitments, and both matter when you cancel:

  • Monitoring contract: typically 42 to 60 months, and professional monitoring is required for the term.
  • Equipment financing: the hardware is usually financed over the same period. That balance must be paid in full to discontinue service - you cannot cancel service and keep paying monthly for the equipment.

So "cancelling" really means settling both: clear the equipment balance, and cover any early-termination fee if you're still under contract.

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How to cancel Vivint, step by step

Person on the phone reviewing account details on a laptop
Vivint requires a phone call plus written notice - there's no one-tap cancel in the app.
  1. Gather your account details - account number, the name on the account, and your service address. Only the account holder can cancel.
  2. Call Vivint's account/loyalty team (the number is on your bill and at vivint.com). Expect a retention offer - be clear and firm that you want to cancel.
  3. Ask for two figures in writing: your remaining equipment balance and any early-termination fee. You need both to know the real cost of leaving.
  4. Submit a written Notice of Cancellation (NOC). Vivint generally requires cancellation in writing and may ask for a signed paper copy - not just a phone request.
  5. Pay off the equipment balance to stop service, and get written confirmation that the account is closed and billing has stopped.

Tip: keep a dated record of every call and letter. Disputed "still-active" accounts are the most common Vivint cancellation complaint, and your paper trail is what protects you.

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The fees to expect (and ways to avoid them)

What leaving typically costs:

  • Remaining equipment balance - paid in full to end service. This is unavoidable if you financed the gear.
  • Early-termination fee - if you're still under contract; the amount varies with your terms and time remaining.

A few ways to reduce or avoid the penalty:

  • Account takeover: if a friend, family member or the buyer of your home takes over the agreement, you're generally released from future fees - including early-termination.
  • Hardship or military relocation: Vivint may waive or reduce fees with documentation (for example, PCS military orders).
  • Contract end: once the term is complete and equipment is paid off, you can cancel with no penalty - just still in writing.

What to switch to (no-contract options)

No-contract DIY security kit laid out: base station, keypad, sensors and camera
The whole reason most people leave Vivint: a system they own outright, with no multi-year lock-in.

Most people leaving Vivint want the opposite of what they had - no contract, no financed equipment, and a lower monthly bill. The strongest switches:

  • SimpliSafe - DIY, no contract, monitoring about $21.99-$32.99/month, cellular backup included. See our SimpliSafe monthly cost breakdown.
  • No-monthly-fee cameras - if you mainly want cameras, local-storage models cost $0/month. See home security with no monthly fee.
  • Other DIY systems - month-to-month monitoring, own the equipment, cancel anytime.

Leaving Vivint and not sure what's next? Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you with a top-rated, no-contract provider for a free, no-obligation quote - so you're covered the day Vivint switches off.

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Cancelling Vivint FAQs

Can I cancel Vivint for free?

Only if your contract term is complete and your equipment is paid off, or if someone takes over your agreement. Otherwise you'll owe the remaining equipment balance and, if you're still under contract, an early-termination fee.

How long is a Vivint contract?

Typically 42 to 60 months, with professional monitoring required for the term.

Can I cancel Vivint over the phone?

You start by phone, but Vivint generally requires a written Notice of Cancellation - often a signed paper copy - to actually close the account.

Do I have to pay off the equipment to cancel?

Yes. You can't drop service and keep paying monthly for the equipment - the financed balance must be paid in full to discontinue service.

What's the best system to switch to?

For most former Vivint customers, a no-contract DIY system like SimpliSafe - lower monthly cost, no lock-in, and you own the equipment. Get a free match to compare options.

Cancellation details reflect publicly reported Vivint policy as of 2026. Terms vary by contract and change over time - confirm your specific terms directly with Vivint.