Vivint
American smart-home and residential-security brand offering connected devices, installation, and professional monitoring.
Last updated October 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Vivint is an American smart-home and residential-security brand based in Provo, Utah. The business began in 1999 as APX Alarm Security Solutions, founded by Keith Nellesen and Todd Pedersen to sell and install security systems. It subsequently expanded from conventional alarms into an integrated connected-home platform combining professionally installed hardware, software, automation, and monitoring services. The company adopted the Vivint name in February 2011, reflecting a broader ambition beyond alarm installation. Vivint's product ecosystem includes a central smart-home hub, doorbell and indoor and outdoor cameras, intrusion and safety sensors, smart locks, thermostats, lighting controls, and related automation features. These products are generally sold as part of configured systems supported by installation and professional monitoring rather than as a purely do-it-yourself retail assortment. The platform is designed to let customers manage security, access, climate, lighting, and selected integrations through a unified interface. Vivint has also developed integrations with third-party services and connected-home platforms, including initiatives involving Airbnb hosts and Google Home devices. The company pursued several major strategic and ownership changes during the 2010s and early 2020s. Blackstone acquired Vivint in 2012. Vivint also created Vivint Solar in 2011 as a separate solar-energy business; that company went public in 2014 and was later acquired by Sunrun. Vivint itself became publicly traded in January 2020 through a merger with Mosaic Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company. Its public-company period ended after NRG Energy announced an agreement in December 2022 to acquire Vivint for approximately $2.8 billion. Following completion of the transaction, Vivint became an NRG subsidiary rather than an independently listed company. Vivint has positioned itself around professionally managed smart-home security: a customer can combine equipment, installation, remote control, and monitoring in one service relationship. Its competitive set includes traditional alarm companies, telecommunications providers, do-it-yourself smart-home ecosystems, and other professionally installed security brands. Customer and industry recognition has included favorable placements in home-security satisfaction studies and editorial rankings, although the company has also faced regulatory actions, customer-acquisition disputes, and litigation concerning sales practices and credit-reporting procedures. The brand has maintained a substantial presence in the United States and Canada. Reference material describes more than two million customers in the United States and management of approximately 27 million connected devices as of 2026. Vivint has also pursued community and sports-related visibility through Utah Valley University support, an Autism Speaks safety sponsorship, naming rights for the Utah Jazz arena from 2015 through 2023, and employee volunteering under the Vivint Gives Back program. Its present identity is that of an NRG-owned connected-home and security business serving residential customers through an integrated technology-and-monitoring model.
History
Vivint traces its origins to 1999, when Keith Nellesen and Todd Pedersen co-founded APX Alarm Security Solutions in Utah. The original business sold and installed residential security systems, operating in a market traditionally centered on alarms, sensors, and recurring monitoring contracts. Over time, APX expanded its product and service scope and began pursuing a more integrated model in which security equipment could be combined with home automation and remote control. In February 2011, APX adopted the Vivint name. The rebrand marked a strategic transition from an alarm-focused identity to a broader smart-home proposition. That same year, the company launched Vivint Solar as a separate solar-energy business. Vivint Solar later became a publicly traded company in October 2014 and was subsequently acquired by Sunrun; the solar operation should therefore be distinguished from the Vivint smart-home brand. The Blackstone Group acquired Vivint in November 2012. During the following years, Vivint continued broadening its connected-home portfolio. It added or promoted products such as smart locks, thermostats, cameras, lighting controls, and safety sensors, while retaining professional installation and monitoring as central elements of the customer proposition. In 2015, former chief executive and co-founder Todd Pedersen appeared on CBS's Undercover Boss, giving the company additional mainstream visibility. Vivint pursued third-party integrations as connected-home platforms became more important. In 2017, it announced a partnership with Airbnb intended to help hosts connect Airbnb accounts with Vivint products. In 2018, it collaborated with Google to include two Google Home Mini devices in selected starter kits. The company also expanded its security range: it introduced car-security products and outdoor home-security cameras in 2019. In January 2020, Vivint completed a merger with Mosaic Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company, and became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The transaction gave the company access to public capital markets while it continued to develop a subscription-oriented, professionally managed smart-home platform. Its public-company period was accompanied by continuing attention to customer satisfaction and sales practices. Vivint was ranked highly in the 2017 J.D. Power home-security satisfaction study, while its 2020 result placed it second in that study behind AT&T Digital Life. The business also faced legal and regulatory challenges. It settled lawsuits or claims involving Arkansas, Oregon, Ohio, and Nebraska, as well as class-action claims concerning alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. In 2018, ADT agreed to a $10 million settlement with Vivint after alleging that ADT agents had misled approximately 1,000 customers into signing up for service. In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission announced a $20 million penalty involving allegations that Vivint representatives used the identities of other people in credit-related customer onboarding and sold resulting debt to collectors. In 2022, Vivint paid $400,000 in penalties and restitution following Arizona allegations concerning deceptive marketing and unauthorized contract extensions. CPI Security also alleged that Vivint representatives falsely claimed that Vivint had acquired CPI. In December 2022, NRG Energy announced an agreement to acquire Vivint for approximately $2.8 billion. After the transaction, Vivint became an NRG subsidiary and ceased to be an independently listed public company. Under NRG ownership, the brand has continued operating as a residential smart-home and security provider. Reference material describes more than two million U.S. customers and approximately 27 million managed devices as of 2026. Vivint has supplemented its commercial activities with community and brand-building initiatives. In 2014, it donated $1 million to Utah Valley University, alongside a separate $1 million investment from its chief executive, to support a professional sales program and a smart-lab facility. It became an official safety sponsor of Autism Speaks in 2015 and held naming rights for the Utah Jazz arena from 2015 through 2023. In 2018, it added a sensory room at the arena for children on the autism spectrum. In 2023, employees packed and delivered 40,000 meal kits through Vivint Gives Back in partnership with the Granite Education Foundation.
- 2023
Vivint Arena naming period ends
[1]The naming-rights period associated with Vivint's Utah Jazz arena concluded after running from 2015 through 2023.
- 2022
NRG announces acquisition
[2]NRG Energy announced an approximately $2.8 billion acquisition of Vivint.
- 2020
Vivint becomes a public company
[1]Vivint completed its merger with Mosaic Acquisition Corp. and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 2015
Todd Pedersen appears on Undercover Boss
[1]Vivint co-founder and former chief executive Todd Pedersen appeared on the CBS reality television program Undercover Boss.
- 2014
Vivint Solar becomes publicly traded
[1]Vivint Solar completed its public offering, remaining separate from the core Vivint smart-home business.
- 2012
Blackstone acquisition
[1]The Blackstone Group acquired Vivint.
- 2011
APX adopts the Vivint name
[1]The company rebranded as Vivint as it expanded from traditional alarm systems into broader smart-home services.
- 2011
Vivint Solar launched
[1]Vivint established Vivint Solar as a separate solar-energy business.
- 1999
APX Alarm Security Solutions founded
[1]Keith Nellesen and Todd Pedersen co-founded the Utah security-system sales and installation company that later became Vivint.
Products and positioning
A professionally installed and monitored smart-home platform combining residential security, automation, connected devices, and service support.
Smart-home control
Vivint Smart Hub
The Smart Hub is the central interface for a Vivint installation. It is intended to unify control of security functions, cameras, locks, thermostats, lighting, and other connected devices. Its role reflects Vivint's emphasis on an integrated, professionally configured system rather than a collection of unrelated standalone gadgets.
Home security · 1999
Vivint Security Systems
Vivint's core security systems combine intrusion detection, entry and motion sensors, safety sensors, alarms, professional installation, and remote monitoring. Packages can be configured for residential properties and connected to cameras, locks, climate controls, and automation features.
Security cameras
Vivint Cameras
The camera range includes doorbell, indoor, and outdoor products. These devices extend Vivint's security proposition from intrusion alerts to visual awareness, enabling customers and monitoring personnel to observe activity around entrances, rooms, and exterior areas.
Access control
Vivint Smart Lock
Vivint smart locks provide connected access management within the broader Vivint system. They are designed to let residents control or monitor entry while linking door access with security routines and other home-automation functions.
Climate control
Vivint Smart Thermostat
The smart thermostat adds connected climate management to Vivint installations. It is positioned as part of a wider automation platform, allowing climate control to sit alongside security, lighting, and access functions in the same customer environment.
Outdoor security · 2019
Vivint Outdoor Camera
Vivint's outdoor camera products broaden surveillance beyond the interior of the home, covering approaches, yards, and other exterior areas. The outdoor range was specifically announced as part of the company's product expansion in 2019.
Vehicle security · 2019
Vivint Car Guard
Vivint expanded into vehicle-security products in 2019, extending its connected-security concept beyond the house. The vehicle offering was presented as an additional component of a broader household and property-protection ecosystem.
Monitoring service
Vivint Professional Monitoring
Professional monitoring is a central service component of Vivint's business model. It supports installed security equipment and provides an ongoing service relationship in addition to the physical devices and smart-home software.
Controversies
2022
Arizona deceptive-marketing settlement
Arizona authorities alleged that Vivint representatives made false statements about Vivint services, claimed that customers' existing security companies were being acquired, and extended contracts without consent. Vivint paid $400,000 in penalties and restitution.
2021
Federal Trade Commission credit-reporting case
The FTC alleged that Vivint sales representatives used the names and identities of people without consent when processing customers who failed credit checks, and that related debt was later sold to collectors. Vivint agreed to pay a $20 million penalty.
2021
CPI Security customer-solicitation dispute
CPI Security alleged that Vivint representatives used deceptive tactics to obtain CPI customers, including falsely stating that Vivint had acquired CPI.
2021
Vivint agrees to $20 million FTC settlement over credit-report allegations
Vivint agreed to pay $20 million as part of a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over allegations that its sales representatives fraudulently used consumers' credit reports and personal information to help customers obtain financing. The settlement also provides for employee training and an identity theft program. The agreement resolves the allegations without further stated terms in the source.
2018
ADT settlement concerning customer solicitations
ADT agreed to a $10 million settlement with Vivint after allegations that ADT agents misled nearly 1,000 customers into signing up for service.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Vivint Gives Back meal-kit program
United States · Utah
Vivint employees packed and delivered 40,000 meal kits in cooperation with the Granite Education Foundation.
Outcome. The program supported children and families through a regional food-assistance initiative.
- 2018Google Home starter-kit collaboration
United States
Vivint collaborated with Google to include two Google Home Mini devices in selected starter kits.
Outcome. The collaboration strengthened Vivint's smart-speaker and voice-assistant ecosystem positioning.
- 2017Airbnb host integration
United States
Vivint announced a partnership intended to let Airbnb hosts integrate Airbnb accounts with Vivint products.
Outcome. The initiative targeted short-term-rental hosts as a connected-security customer segment.
- 2015Autism Speaks safety sponsorship
United States
Vivint became the official safety sponsor for Autism Speaks, linking the brand to autism-awareness and safety initiatives.
Outcome. The sponsorship supported Vivint's community-safety positioning.
- 2015Utah Jazz arena naming rights
United States · Utah
Vivint acquired naming rights for the Utah Jazz's home arena, which was known as Vivint Arena from 2015 through 2023.
Outcome. The agreement gave Vivint prominent regional sports visibility; the naming period ended in 2023.
Brand decisions
2022
Sale to NRG EnergyM&ABackground
NRG Energy sought to add a residential smart-home and security platform to its portfolio.
Action taken
NRG announced and completed an approximately $2.8 billion acquisition of Vivint.
Aftermath
Vivint became an NRG subsidiary and was no longer an independently listed company.
announced acquisition value. $2.8 billion (2022)
2020
Merger with Mosaic Acquisition Corp.M&ABackground
Vivint pursued access to public equity markets through a special-purpose acquisition company.
Action taken
Vivint completed a merger with Mosaic Acquisition Corp. and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Aftermath
Vivint operated as a public company until its acquisition by NRG Energy.
2011
Rebrand from APX to VivintStrategyBackground
The original alarm-installation business was expanding into home automation and connected devices.
Action taken
The company changed its operating brand from APX Alarm Security Solutions to Vivint.
Aftermath
The Vivint identity became associated with an integrated smart-home and security platform rather than only conventional alarm systems.
2011
Launch of Vivint SolarStrategyBackground
Vivint sought to extend its residential-services presence beyond security and home automation.
Action taken
The company launched Vivint Solar as a separate solar-energy business.
Aftermath
Vivint Solar went public in 2014 and was later acquired by Sunrun.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Vivint agrees to $20 million FTC settlement over credit-report allegations[6]
Reported:
Vivint agreed to pay $20 million as part of a settlement with the FTC over allegations that its sales representatives fraudulently used consumers’ credit reports and personal information to help customers obtain financing. The settlement also provides for employee training and an identity theft program.
Vivint reaches FTC settlement over customer credit information[7]
Reported:
Vivint Smart Home reached a settlement announced Thursday requiring it to pay $15 million in civil penalties and $5 million to compensate consumers. The FTC alleged that Vivint improperly obtained credit reports to qualify potential customers for financing and violated the Red Flags Rule. Vivint said the practices were historical and that it had begun compliance changes before the FTC review.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
- Unconfirmed
Vivint completes merger with Mosaic Acquisition Corp.[8]
Reported:
Vivint announced that it had completed its merger with Mosaic Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company.
- Unconfirmed
Vivint Smart Home begins trading on the NYSE[8]
Reported:
The combined company, Vivint Smart Home, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VVNT. The source says this occurred earlier in the week but does not state a calendar day.
Sources8 sources
- 1Vivinten.wikipedia.org
- 2NRG to acquire Vivint Smart Homenrg.com
- 3FTC settlement concerning Vivint credit-reporting practicesftc.gov
- 4Arizona settlement concerning Vivint deceptive sales practicesazag.gov
- 5Vivint official websitevivint.com
- 6Vivint agrees to $20 million FTC settlement over credit-report allegationssltrib.com
- 7Vivint agrees to $20 million FTC settlement over credit-report allegationsksl.com
- 8Vivint完成与Mosaic Acquisition Corp.的合并securityinfowatch.com
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/vivint · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled