Sunrun vs Vivint Solar
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top solar panel companies picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Sunrun
Ranked #3 of 15 in this directory
America's largest residential solar and battery storage company
Vivint Solar
Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory
Smart home integrated solar from the Vivint ecosystem
Our pick: Sunrun. Our editors rank Sunrun higher overall in Solar Panel Companies — but Vivint Solar can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Sunrun | Vivint Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Residential Install | Residential Install |
| Editorial rank | #3 of 15 | #4 of 15 |
Strengths
Sunrun
- ✓Largest dedicated residential solar installer with massive scale advantages
- ✓Multiple financing options including lease, PPA, and purchase
- ✓Brightbox battery storage for backup power during outages
- ✓Handles all permitting, installation, and maintenance
- ✓Available in over 20 states with strong national presence
Vivint Solar
- ✓Seamless integration with Vivint smart home security systems
- ✓Multiple financing options including no-money-down lease
- ✓Professional installation with dedicated project management
- ✓Energy monitoring through Vivint smart home platform
- ✓Now backed by Sunrun's scale and resources
Watch out for
Sunrun
- !Lease agreements lock customers into 20-25 year contracts
- !Leased systems can complicate home sales and refinancing
- !Installation quality can vary between regional crews
- !Customer service experiences are inconsistent in some markets
Vivint Solar
- !Availability limited to Sunrun service areas post-merger
- !Long-term lease commitments can be difficult to exit
- !Pricing may not be as competitive as independent installers
- !Equipment choices may be limited compared to custom solar companies
Best use cases
Sunrun
- →Homeowners who want solar with no upfront cost through leasing
- →Families wanting battery backup for power outage protection
- →Customers who prefer a large national company to handle everything
Vivint Solar
- →Vivint smart home customers wanting to add solar to their ecosystem
- →Homeowners interested in a connected smart home and energy platform
- →Customers wanting professional installation with lease financing
About each tool
Sunrun
Sunrun is the largest dedicated residential solar company in the US, having installed solar on hundreds of thousands of homes. The company offers both purchase and lease options, making solar accessible at various budget levels. Sunrun's Brightbox battery storage adds backup power capability to solar installations.
Vivint Solar
Vivint Solar, now part of Sunrun, offers solar installations that integrate with the broader Vivint smart home ecosystem. The company provides lease, PPA, and purchase options with a focus on creating a connected energy-aware home. Existing Vivint smart home customers benefit from a unified platform experience.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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