Security Systems

SimpliSafe Reviews (2024): Camera, Doorbell, Smart Lock, Smoke Detector, Customer Reviews, And More

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Simplisafe 'The Essentials' security system components on a white background.
Simplisafe ‘The Essentials’ security system components: hub, door/window sensors, motion sensor, keypad, and camera.

You’ve seen the SimpliSafe alarm system commercials — low cost, no commitment, etc. — too good to be true? There’s no long-term contract, and you can easily relocate the system if you move homes.

While the equipment itself costs more than competitors, you’ll save on monthly monitoring fees, which are some of the most competitive in the industry. We’ll help you decide if SimpliSafe can help keep your family and property safe from break-ins.

SimpliSafe Review
SimpliSafe Logo (250)

Product Name: SimpliSafe

Product Description: SimpliSafe offers a DIY home security system with a self-monitoring as well as pro monitoring option.

Summary

SimpliSafe offers one of the “simplest” home security solutions. It’s easy to install and has one of the lowest monthly pro monitoring fees on the market. Their technology is good, but not as current or sophisticated as what the competition offers.

Overall
4
  • Customer Service
  • Technology
  • Ease Of Use
  • Overall Value

Pros

  • Has 6 monitoring stations
  • Excellent customer service
  • Self-installation
  • Low monthly pro monitoring fee
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
  • 60-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Self-monitoring functionality is tied to a monthly payment plan
  • Equipment costs are higher than competitors
  • Website and app do not indicate low battery alert
  • No outdoor security cameras

View SimpliSafe Packages

Consumer SimpliSafe Security Reviews

This is the aggregate score of reader reviews we’ve received. Have a good or bad experience with SimpliSafe? Feel free to leave your own SimpliSafe home alarm system review in the comments. Please note that only ratings with valid review content will be published and counted.

8 Key SimpliSafe Features

  1. 6 monitoring stations, so if one goes down (e.g., due to a natural disaster), another is there as a backup
  2. Wireless via cell network — no landline or internet needed to function
  3. Protects home security and safety, including motion sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and more
  4. SimpliSafe system supports up to 100 sensors
  5. No contract required
  6. Professional monitoring starts at $14.99 per month
  7. BBB rating: A+ (and accredited)
  8. SimpliSafe’s monitoring station, COPS, contacts you within 60 seconds

Battery Backup

If the power goes out in your home, the battery backup will keep your SimpliSafe system on and your home protected. SimpliSafe has a 24-hour battery backup, which is the standard in home security.

SimpliSafe sends a notification when there’s a power outage to keep you up to date on the status of your system. The backup battery is rechargeable, so once power is restored, the battery will recharge back to 24 hours, so it’s ready for any future needs.

Unfortunately, many online forums state that the battery backup lasts less than 10 hours, so it’s not the most dependable

SimpliSafe App Review

Android App | iOS App

We demo the SimpliSafe mobile app and take you through its capabilities. You’ll find a video of the interface, features compared to other home security apps, pros/cons by users, and more in our SimpliSafe app review.

SimpliSafe Camera Reviews

We review SimpliSafe’s camera offerings, including the Video Doorbell Pro, the indoor SimpliCam, and the available outdoor kit add-on. The camera integrates with the SimpliSafe security system, or you could even use it as a stand-alone camera.

Pricing

SimpliSafe offers package bundles for savings, or you can build your own system a la carte.

Visit SimpliSafe’s website to learn more.

Monitoring Options

SimpliSafe has three options for monitoring. The standard and interactive monitoring comes with police and fire dispatch as well as a base station cellular backup and video verification. Interactive also has more cameras included and smart home integration.

  • Self-Monitoring (camera-recording only): $9.99/month
  • Standard: $14.99/month
  • Interactive: $24.99/month

Consumer Feedback

Praise

This system, SimpliSafe, appears at the outset to be somewhat intimidating to install (self), but is very friendly. I am very happy with my system and the self install was actually fun. I chose the $25.00/mo plan. There is a one time purchase of hardware (various plans and peripherals) and no service contract. Customer service is also great. Highly recommended.

Roger, Consumer Affairs 8/6/2019

Best customer service i have ever received from a company. easy to get a hold of and love the services provided.

Katlynn M., BBB 2/22/2020

Complaints

Company is total jerks to deal with. Have plan with them. They cannot get entire system to work. They have replaced one of my cameras 3 times and it still does not work. This is a web based system and if cameras do not stay connected to internet how confident should we be that any of the system is connected. This leads to the question of how safe are you. The best they could offer today was to cancel monitoring. That is great after you have bought their inferior equipment.

Steve, Consumer Affairs 5/5/2020

Simplisafe does not truthfully advertise their doorbell camera. They fail to mention that you need a mechanical doorbell system and that it doesn’t work with digital doorbell systems. However, the packaging says “Requirements: Existing doorbell setup.” “Works with 8-24VAC.” I’ve met both of these requirements. I was unable to meet the last requirement because it was never mentioned. I’ll be returning this and getting my money back; never spending another dime with Simplisafe.

Jeremy M., BBB 4/25/2020

Our Experience With SimpliSafe

Two members of our team purchased a system for their home and want to share their first-hand experience:

Setting up SimpliSafe was a breeze! The stickies were pre-applied, and removing a tag activated the battery and made it immediately recognizable by the hub. Even more helpful — the stickies are applied in a way that allows for easy removal. You can pull down, and the sensor comes off without leaving residue on the wall. Great for re-positioning, and they included extra stickies for this purpose.

Getting the keypad up and running was also simple. The hub is constantly talking to you and telling you what to do next as you go through the SimpliSafe alarm setup process. The manual is easy to read and straightforward and includes helpful explanations of what each sensor does as well as setup instructions. The way the manual is laid out makes it easy to skip over sections that don’t apply (e.g., sensors you may not have as part of your system).

Any New Equipment On The Horizon From SimpliSafe?

SimpliSafe doesn’t release new equipment as often as some competitors, but recently, their app and website got a facelift. The new SimpliSafe is more modern and sleek looking. And while it took some time, they finally offer robust camera support with an indoor, outdoor, as well as video doorbell option. Not to mention home automation features and upgrades to the app and website.

SimpliSafe vs Other Companies

See the key differences between SimpliSafe and other leading home security companies.

SimpliSafe vs Abode

  • SimpliSafe has 6 monitoring stations and uses cellular monitoring with broadband as a backup, while Abode has only one monitoring station and uses broadband with cellular as a backup.
  • SimpliSafe’s panel has 24-hour battery backup; Abode’s is only 6 to 7 hours.
  • Abode is compatible with Z-Wave and Zigbee; SimpliSafe is not.

Compare SimpliSafe and Abode

SimpliSafe vs ADT

  • ADT offers a wider variety of equipment than SimpliSafe, including an outdoor camera.
  • ADT has no equipment fees for introductory systems but requires professional installation with a fee. SimpliSafe charges for its equipment and has a DIY installation.
  • All of SimpliSafe’s plans use cellular monitoring, while ADT requires you to upgrade.

Compare SimpliSafe and ADT

SimpliSafe vs Frontpoint

  • Neither SimpliSafe nor Frontpoint requires long-term contracts, so you can cancel whenever you want.
  • Frontpoint’s equipment lineup is more extensive than SimpliSafe’s.
  • Frontpoint has exceptional customer service.
  • SimpliSafe’s monitoring plan is $20 cheaper per month than Frontpoint’s.

Compare SimpliSafe and Frontpoint

SimpliSafe vs Ring Alarm

  • SimpliSafe has a 3-year warranty, while Ring’s is only one year.
  • Ring is compatible with Z-Wave and Zigbee devices; SimpliSafe is not.
  • All of SimpliSafe’s plans use cellular monitoring, while Ring’s is limited to broadband.

Compare SimpliSafe and Ring

SimpliSafe vs Vivint

  • SimpliSafe installation is DIY, while Vivint’s installation requires a professional.
  • Vivint has a more extensive list of equipment options and offers more advanced technology than SimpliSafe.
  • Vivint requires a 4-year contract, while SimpliSafe has no long-term commitments.

Compare SimpliSafe and Vivint

About SimpliSafe & Its History

SimpliSafe was founded in 2006 by two Harvard Business School students, Chad and Eleanor Laurans. They were inspired to build the brand after friends experienced break-ins but couldn’t find a security system that worked for renters. It wasn’t until 2009 that SimpliSafe launched with its initial funding. Hellman & Friedman LLC bought a controlling interest in SimpliSafe in 2018.

Is SimpliSafe The Best Security System?

View SimpliSafe Packages

SimpliSafe is widely known because of its advertisements heard on the radio, in podcasts, on TV and in magazines. But does that mean it’s better than what the lesser-known competition has to offer?

Just because SimpliSafe is a household name doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best fit for you. You may opt for SimpliSafe over the competition because of its DIY installation, no long-term contracts, and low monitoring fees. But if you want an outdoor camera and lower equipment fees, for example, you may want to consider other options. Our experts review over a dozen competitors in our home security provider reviews.

Was our SimpliSafe alarm review helpful? Think you’ll give them a try? Let us know in the comments!

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Kimberly Alt

Kimberly received her Bachelor of Arts from Simpson College with a major in multimedia journalism and a minor in marketing. She has been writing about business solutions since 2014, covering subjects such as tax software, email marketing, office equipment and more. Her work has appeared in many notable brands, including The New York Times' Wirecutter, Reader's Digest, Forbes, People, Woman's World, and Huffington Post. In 2015, she started her own business and continues to learn how to run it more efficiently thanks to her work on We Rock Your Web. Her natural curiosity helps her research as she seeks the truth when learning about, comparing and personally testing products and services. With every piece she writes, her goal is to help our readers find the best fit for their unique needs.
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