SimpliSafe Abode Security Review 2022

Nosotros've lived with the SimpliSafe organisation for over 120 days, and it's a deal home security option

SimpliSafe

4.5 out of 5 stars

four.5

Mindy Woodall

Managing Editor, Home Security & Smart Dwelling

Read More

Is SimpliSafe right for you?

SimpliSafe is a well-priced, DIY habitation security system that has a lot to offer to renters and homeowners alike. Information technology doesn't have whatever contracts, and you can buy both your security equipment and a 24/7 professional person-monitoring subscription for a lot less than y'all'd pay for other alert systems.

Merely SimpliSafe is not good for dwelling house automation. Its express smart home integrations tin't practice very much, and information technology probably won't work with your other smart devices.

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet Affordable equipment

Pro Bullet Professional monitoring

Pro Bullet DIY installation

Pro Bullet Online ordering

Pro Bullet Alexa and Google integrations

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet Limited smart home integrations

Con Bullet No continuous video recording

SimpliSafe Home Security monitoring programme comparison

Monitoring plan Self-monitoring Standard Interactive
Cost

$9.99

/mo

$17.99

/mo

$27.99

/mo

24/seven professional monitoring

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Mobile app access

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Smart home integrations

Icon Yes  Dark No

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Aye

Text or email alerts

Icon No  Dark Yes

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Hush-hush alerts

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yeah

Environmental monitoring (smoke, overflowing, etc.)

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Learn more

We recommend SimpliSafe's Interactive plan

SimpliSafe's Interactive plan is more expensive than the Standard, but yous become a bunch of extra features for your money.

Without the Interactive plan, y'all can't use SimpliSafe's mobile app to control your security organisation. You besides can't connect your SimpliSafe organization with your Amazon Alexa or Google Nest smart speaker.

The Interactive plan gives you a few other perks too, including a lifetime warranty on equipment, 10% disbelieve on equipment add-ons, fire protection, and unlimited video recording for your SimpliSafe security cameras.

Banner advertising latest deals for SimpliSafe - Click to learn more

SimpliSafe pricing and monitoring

SimpliSafe has 2 professional monitoring plans: the Standard, which costs $17.99 per month, and the Interactive, which costs $27.99 per month. Unfortunately, the Standard plan skips a lot of the most useful features, so we recommend shelling out the extra $10 per month for the Interactive plan.

SimpliSafe security organisation plans and pricing

Professional monitoring means there'south always someone fix to respond if an intruder triggers your alarm system. If your alarm system goes off, SimpliSafe's monitoring centre will attempt to call you start in case it's a faux alarm. If they don't become an answer, they'll call constabulary enforcement to become check out your house.

If y'all opt out of professional monitoring, so your SimpliSafe system will function as a "local alarm." That means if someone trips a sensor, it will still set off a siren. But that'southward it.

Without a monitoring service, no one will contact yous. You won't become a notification. No one will telephone call the constabulary for you. The only affair deterring a burglar from stealing your Tv set is a loud noise.

Info Box

A underground warning sends you a notification if a particular sensor is tripped, but it doesn't trigger the actual alarm. You can set any sensor to secret alert mode with the app. This characteristic is great for protecting liquor cabinets and gun safes from curious kids.

SimpliSafe security equipment

SimpliSafe equipment is cheap compared to a lot of other home security companies, particularly big names similar ADT and Vivint.

Because of SimpliSafe's DIY installation and no-contract model, y'all do take to buy all your security equipment upward front end. All the same, you'll all the same pay less for SimpliSafe's equipment than you would for equipment from most other security companies.

SimpliSafe equipment package comparison*

* Does not represent all equipment packages SimpliSafe offers

Bank check out this affordability comparison: SimpliSafe's most basic equipment package costs even less at a mere $244. In comparison, Vivint's smallest and near basic equipment packet will price you $599.

Vivint bated, SimpliSafe'south pricing is roughly on par with other DIY home security systems similar Habitation and Band Alert. But y'all'll pay less for SimpliSafe than you would for Frontpoint.

SimpliSafe equipment pictured spread out on a granite countertop next to the user guide for the system

If you want to save some extra cash, SimpliSafe also offers refurbished equipment. Used equipment costs around 20% to thirty% less than new, and information technology comes with the aforementioned warranty equally the new stuff.

What equipment SimpliSafe offers

Truthful to the proper name, SimpliSafe equipment looks simple. The design is nice-looking only basic, and the organisation isn't going to turn your home into a Jetson-esque, fully automated smart home.

Withal, SimpliSafe offers a lot of equipment. Yous can become the following pieces direct from the company:

  • Entry sensor
  • Motion sensor/movement detector
  • Glass pause sensor
  • H2o sensor
  • Temperature sensor
  • 105 dB siren
  • Keypad
  • Fume detector
  • Carbon monoxide sensor
  • Panic button
  • Key fob/keychain remote
  • Smart lock
  • SimpliCam
  • Outdoor camera
  • Video Doorbell Pro
  • Chiliad sign

The current SimpliSafe system is an improvement over previous versions. The old SimpliSafe organisation was a lot less stylish. (It looked like something you'd see in your parents' firm in the 90s.) And SimpliSafe didn't offer a smart door lock or a video doorbell.

SimpliSafe equipment security features

SimpliSafe has a bunch of features to make its equipment more secure:

  • Simultaneous cellular and Wi-Fi connections. And so if your internet goes out or you lose a prison cell bespeak, your system will nevertheless work.
  • "SmashSafe" back-up. If an intruder destroys your wireless keypad or base station, your system will send out an warning to the monitoring center.
  • Base station bombardment backup. If your base of operations station loses power, information technology still has 24 hours' worth of battery backup juice.

Perhaps the biggest tech highlight to SimpliSafe's equipment is that it'southward a cellular arrangement. That means you don't need to connect everything to a landline or rely on a Wi-Fi signal for your prophylactic--SimpliSafe uses a cell signal the same style your smartphone does.

Cellular is the most secure connection a habitation security arrangement can offer, so as long as your location has a strong plenty jail cell signal, we can't recommend a improve option.

SimpliSafe base station features

SimpliSafe base station shown on a granite countertop in between a kitchen knife block and a paper towel holder

A lot of security systems use a primary command panel to communicate with sensors and sound the alarm should someone crack a window and pitter-patter into your living room at ii a.m. But SimpliSafe uses something a little different: a tower console chosen the base station.

How many sensors tin yous add on to a SimpliSafe organization?

Light Bulb

A single SimpliSafe base of operations station supports up to 100 devices--that's more than you lot should e'er need.

The base station communicates with all your sensors and devices. (SimpliSafe'southward wireless keypad is simply there to turn things on and off.) When you set up your SimpliSafe system, you lot'll take the base station out of the box and plug information technology in. Easy peasy.

The base station does have a pretty vivid light on the lesser that stays on all the time, so keep in mind if you put it in your living room, it might annoy y'all during movie dark. You tin can plow the calorie-free off in Settings, either through the keypad or through the mobile app.

SimpliSafe cameras

SimpliSafe has three cameras:

  • SimpliCam indoor camera
  • Video Doorbell Pro
  • Wireless outdoor camera

SimpliSafe's cameras aren't the best security camera options. But the company did recently debut its first true outdoor security camera. And all of SimpliSafe's cameras have bones features you'll need to keep an eye on your business firm and talk to visitors on your porch.

SimpliSafe Doorbell Camera Pro shown installed on a house next to a front door

Both the SimpliCam and the Video Doorbell Pro have person detection, so SimpliSafe can notify you only when the photographic camera spots people, rather than telling yous about every squirrel running down your debate.

Merely person detection only works if the camera has light. Both cameras have nighttime vision, but person detection turns off. So overnight you lot'll go alerts about any motion at all, exist it car, commitment truck, or racoon.

SimpliSafe'south cameras also don't accept many artificial intelligence features. These cameras can't tell the divergence between an animal and a parcel. They don't have facial recognition, and they don't ship smart alerts. Even if the photographic camera spots a person, it will send you a generic notification that simply says "motion detected."

Screenshot of the SimpliSafe doorbell camera's live view showing a driveway at night

The load time for SimpliSafe's camera feed is also a bit slow. Every time you get a doorbell notification, the app takes about five seconds to pull upward. That sounds short, but it'south pretty slow if you want to catch the delivery person and ask them to hibernate your new Amazon box.

Nosotros tested some Eufy outdoor cameras at the same time every bit the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, and despite being on the same Wi-Fi network, Eufy always loaded up faster than SimpliSafe--even though our Eufy camera was technically farther from our internet router.

There are enough of doorbell cameras out there that tin can do more than the SimpliSafe version, such equally the Google Nest Doorbell and the Arlo Video Doorbell. But these models won't integrate with your SimpliSafe security system, and you'll take to use dissever apps for them.

For more than info on the SimpliCam and the Video Doorbell Pro, check out our SimpliSafe Cameras Review.

SimpliSafe dwelling house automation

Nosotros're big fans of the smart domicile tendency around hither, and we honey when alarm systems integrate with smart habitation technology. Unfortunately, SimpliSafe is a picayune behind the times on that front.

A lot of alarm systems come with either Z-Wave or Zigbee integration (or both if you're Abode or Sentinel), which lets you lot add together in 3rd-party devices like smart locks and lights. SimpliSafe comes with . . . neither of those. It also doesn't work with IFTTT or SmartThings.

SimpliSafe has just 3 smart home integrations:

  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Assistant
  • August door locks

SimpliSafe Alexa and Google integration

The Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integrations allow you lot arm your SimpliSafe arrangement with just your voice, then you don't have to get out of your comfy bed at night when you realize you lot forgot to plough the system on.

But arming your system and request nigh your organisation'southward status are all you can do with SimpliSafe through either an Amazon Repeat or a Google Home device. You can't disarm your SimpliSafe system, you tin't control your SimpliSafe door lock, and you can't view your SimpliSafe photographic camera'south livefeed.

Not sure how to connect SimpliSafe to Alexa or Google?

Light Bulb

SimpliSafe smart locks

SimpliSafe debuted its own smart door lock in 2019. The SimpliSafe Smart Lock modifies your existing deadbolt and so you don't have to supplant the whole thing. Information technology works a lot like the Baronial Wi-Fi Smart Lock, except that August has manner more smart habitation integrations and features.

But adept news, y'all tin can employ an August Smart Lock and sync information technology with your SimpliSafe organisation to lock and unlock your doors depending on your security system'south status. You tin gear up information technology so that when you leave for piece of work in the morning time and arm your security arrangement, your front door locks automatically.

SimpliSafe mobile app

If y'all desire SimpliSafe's mobile app (and we think you lot exercise), then you have to subscribe to SimpliSafe'south Interactive monitoring programme.

SimpliSafe monthly monitoring plans:

  • Standard: $17.99 per month
  • Interactive: $27.99 per month (This is the one you lot need to get the mobile app.)

SimpliSafe monitoring plans are pretty cheap--especially by industry standards. Only we all the same don't like the mobile app beingness treated like an "actress" y'all pay a premium for. You demand the mobile app to control your arrangement from your smartphone and to get mobile alerts virtually whatever incidents.

It'southward particularly annoying to pay actress for the SimpliSafe app considering the app is cypher special. It'due south pretty basic, and we experienced some glitches from time to time, similar the SimpliSafe app crashing when we tried to access it by borer on a camera notification. It doesn't seem worth $ten more per month.

SimpliSafe installation

SimpliSafe installation is totally DIY, and it'south easy. No drilling or punching holes in your walls (which is great for renters). Besides, the equipment comes with adhesive strips, and then you only peel off the cover and stick the sensors where you want them.

Even setting up the base station and arming the system are no big bargain. Merely follow the instructions in the setup guide or go through the SimpliSafe app. We used the app, and it gave us step-past-pace directions to get everything connected and set up to go.

Our whole system was up and running within fifteen to 20 minutes.

SimpliSafe client feel

Aside from its lack of smart dwelling house integrations and photographic camera features, we don't have many bad things to say about using the SimpliSafe system. Information technology'southward exactly what it tries to exist: a bones home security organisation that will help protect your firm.

Everything from ordering our SimpliSafe system online to setting it up at home went smoothly for united states of america. We got ane phone call from the SimpliSafe monitoring centre when we ran a exam signal for our system. They called us within seconds, and they were pleasant to talk to.

There are definitely smarter home security systems on the market, but if y'all just want the basics, and so SimpliSafe is a good (and affordable) selection.

How does SimpliSafe compare to other companies?

SimpliSafe is cheaper than a lot of other home security companies, peculiarly the ones that require professional installation and multi-twelvemonth contracts. SimpliSafe has DIY installation, and it'south contract-free.

SimpliSafe pricing compared to other home security systems

Production

Monitoring cost

Installation type

Contract length

Learn more than

SimpliSafe

$17.99–$27.99/mo.

DIY

No contract

ADT

$27.99–$62.99/mo.

Professional person

three years

Vivint

$29.99–$44.99/mo.

Professional

No contract, or 5 years

Frontpoint

$49.99/mo.

DIY

No contract

Ring

$10.00/mo. OR $100.00/yr.

DIY

No contract

Blue by ADT

$19.99/mo.

DIY

No contract

Cove

$17.99–$27.99/mo.

DIY

No contract

Even compared to other DIY dwelling house security companies, SimpliSafe's all the same pretty cheap. But if you want something that costs less than SimpliSafe, we recommend the Band Alarm security organisation.

Recap: Is SimpliSafe expert?

As DIY security systems become, nosotros retrieve SimpliSafe is a skillful choice. We see it as a cheap, reliable pick for home security. The online ordering is super convenient, the DIY installation is easy, and the organization worked well during our tests.

  • Pricing: All the podcast ads are truthful: SimpliSafe is affordable. It's not the cheapest security organization on the market, but it'southward pretty shut. And it has a well-known brand proper name that potential intruders will recognize on your yard sign.
  • Equipment: SimpliSafe has a range of security and environmental sensors to assist protect your dwelling house from both human and non-human events. Information technology doesn't have a lot of smart-home devices, and each Simplisafe camera is pretty bones, but its security equipment is proficient.
  • Home automation: SimpliSafe falls brusque on the home automation front. It works with Alexa and Google, merely you lot tin't do much with either. And the system doesn't integrate with any smart lights.
  • Installation: SimpliSafe installation is a piece of block. Nosotros had our system up and running in about 15 minutes.
  • Customer experience: SimpliSafe monitoring contacted us chop-chop, and the monitoring rep we talked to was friendly. Overall, the system is easy to use.

Our rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars

4.v

Monthly toll:

$17.99-$27.99

Data effective 02/01/2022. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

SimpliSafe FAQ

Does SimpliSafe crave Wi-Fi?

No, SimpliSafe doesn't need Wi-Fi to work. It has a cellular connexion you can use to connect the organisation wirelessly without an cyberspace connection. If you tin employ Wi-Fi though, SimpliSafe recommends it for faster updates.

Does SimpliSafe accept outdoor cameras?

Yep, SimpliSafe recently introduced a wireless outdoor security camera called, accordingly plenty, the SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera.

The outdoor photographic camera runs off batteries, which makes it really like shooting fish in a barrel to install. And it has a built-in spotlight, which is helpful if y'all don't accept motion-activated security lights in your yard.

We'll be writing more virtually the new SimpliSafe outdoor security camera soon. Keep an eye on our reviews for updates.

Does SimpliSafe offer cocky-monitoring?

Yep, SimpliSafe currently offers self-monitoring. If you desire a unlike security organization you can monitor yourself and command from your smartphone, then we recommend Dwelling house or Ring Warning.

Methodology

Nosotros bought and installed the SimpliSafe system ourselves and lived with it every twenty-four hours for over half-dozen months to write this review. We also tested both the SimpliCam indoor camera, and the Video Doorbell Pro, and nosotros connected SimpliSafe to both an Amazon Echo Dot and a Google Nest Mini to test smart habitation functionality.

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Mindy Woodall

Written past

Mindy Woodall

Mindy has been writing about engineering science for seven years. She covers all things smart home for Reviews.org, and keeps runway of the latest robot gadgets. Mindy attended the University of Utah and her work has been featured on the likes of Parents.com, Digital Care, Hostfully, and more than.

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