Compatible with Amazon and Google home
Overview
Simplisafe provides complete yet customizable security solutions for homeowners. The brand has a wide variety of product offerings to protect your home from unwanted visitors or monitor flooding, fire, and other hazards. The devices from SimpliSafe are easy to use and can be managed with a cellular network or WiFi connection. They also provide 24/7 professional monitoring.
Highlights and Features
Simplisafe designed its home security solutions to provide homeowners ease of use and the assurance that they can depend on their security system. Their solution revolves around redundancy which means a second device will be ready to step in if the main device stops working.
Custom Security System
Among all the features that Simplisafe offers, the best is probably the ability to create a wholly customized security system that suits the needs of your home. Each system will come with a wireless keypad and a base station and you can purchase cameras, sensors, and motion detectors on an as-needed basis.
If you’re not particular about customizability, there are also security packages offered based on different home sizes. This is a great option for homeowners who are not yet sure what they need but still want to protect their homes. It is easy to add more cameras and devices in the future.
Products from SimpliSafe
Home Security Camera
SimpliSafe’s collection of security cameras includes indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. Indoor cameras have a 120-degree viewing field and send notifications if it detects motion. You can also record footage on demand using your phone. However, the camera doesn’t record automatically when it detects motion. Simplisafe cameras need a WiFi connection to work. Indoor cameras start at $99, outdoor cameras $169.99, and doorbell cameras $169.
Outdoor cameras are loaded with a bunch of features such as a spotlight, a siren, and a two-way voice that allow you to scare off anyone who might be targeting your home. You can recharge the battery and have it full in 5 hours while battery life lasts 6 months. The outdoor cameras can survive -4°F temperature.
Home Security System
The wireless keypad and the base station let you connect all the sensors in your system and arm or disarm them. You can get various types of sensors to add to the main devices such as glass-break sensors, entry sensors, motion detectors, hazard sensors, and many more.
The sensors have an excellent design and some are actually innovative. The entry sensors, for example, utilize magnets to determine if a window or door is open. There are two components to the entry sensor which can be placed two inches apart so it can be used on almost all your windows and doors.
Life Safety Alarm
The life safety alarm is a tiny panic button that fits your pocket. You can also leave it in the most common area of your house so you can immediately access it to send an alert to the monitoring center if you need emergency responders. You can also customize the panic button if you have medical concerns so that the center will know if they need to send an ambulance. A panic button will cost you $19.99.
There is also a 105dB siren that goes off when it detects a break-in. This might be too loud but it does the job of alerting your neighbors that there’s something wrong. You can get the siren for $59.99.
Smart Home Compatibility
You can integrate your Simplisafe security system with smart devices such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa. You can command your voice assistant to arm or disarm the whole system, switch between away and home modes, and lock the doors. You do need to subscribe to 24/7 monitoring if you want to enjoy smart home integrations.
Although compatibility with smart home devices can be useful, Simplisafe is not as well connected compared to other providers. The system can communicate through Wi-Fi only and is not compatible with Apple Home Kit or 5G networks. There is also the lack of an option to customize the settings if you want to turn on the lights in a room if the door is unlocked.
Available Plans and Prices
Simplisafe has security packages starting at $196 and all the way to $404. You can also create a custom-built system starting at $150. You do not need to pay installation fees, however, you need to pay an additional $28 for 24/7 monitoring.
| Foundation | Essentials | Hearth | Knox | Haven | |
| Price | $195.97 | $219.96 | $311.93 | $371.90 | $403.89 |
| Installation Fees | None | None | None | None | None |
| 24/7 Professional Monitoring | $27.90/month | $27.90/month | $27.90/month | $27.90/month | $27.90/month |
| Mobile Access | Requires monitoring plan | Requires monitoring plan | Requires monitoring plan | Requires monitoring plan | Requires monitoring plan |
| Video Surveillance | None | None | None | None | None |
| Access, Smoke, CO Detector | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Home Integration | Requires monitoring plan | Requires monitoring plan | Requires monitoring plan | Requires monitoring plan | Requires monitoring plan |
| Medical Alert | None | None | None | None | Yes |
What to Expect with Simplisafe’s Services?
Simplisafe has a variety of security package offers that can fit different home sizes. All of their systems come with a wireless keypad and a base station. You can then add as many cameras and sensors as you want. They also give you a yard sign for free to ward off intruders or trespassers.
Monitoring
Simplisafe employs several monitoring centers across the country so you are continuously protected even if one of their centers goes down. An active alarm will continue to send signals to the monitoring center until it is confirmed that the signal is received. If an alarm is triggered, the monitoring center reviews the live camera footage to confirm the alarm.
They will dispatch the appropriate responders whether fire, police, or emergency medical personnel based on the situation they examined. They will also call or text you and other people named in the plan.
Mobile App
The mobile app has an Android and iOS version but is only accessible to those who subscribed to the 24/7 monitoring service. You can use the app to unlock or lock your doors with your Simplisafe smart lock as well as arm or disarm the security system. You can also view the live camera feeds or record footage from cameras around your house.
If a sensor is triggered, you will receive an alert through the mobile app. There is also a history of all the alerts that were triggered in your mobile app.
Installation Process
Installing Simplisafe is easy and can be done on your own without professional help. Other devices in the system are wireless so you don’t need to worry about them too much, but you need to ensure that the base station is plugged in. The devices will include instruction guides on how to properly place and connect them to the base station. It takes an average of 30 minutes to set up your keypad, base station, and several units of motion sensors. You do not need fancy DIY skills to complete the process.
If you do need help because you do not have time or are simply worried you might botch the system, you can get your security system professionally installed for $99.
Warranty and Contract
There is no lock-in contract required if you want to get a security system from Simplisafe. Unless you subscribe to 24/7 monitoring, you don’t need to worry about monthly costs. The 24/7 monitoring subscription, however, is required if you want to integrate smart devices and access the mobile app.
If you’re subscribed to the monitoring service, you can cancel any time you want if you’re unsatisfied. Just call the customer support team and it will take a few minutes to terminate the subscription.
If you are unsatisfied with your Simplisafe equipment, you can get a complete refund if you return them within 60 days. SimpliSafe’s devices all come with one year warranty.
Client Service and Customer support
For those who need help, you can reach the customer support team via live chat, phone, and email. The live chat channel is available from 9 AM to 9 PM Monday to Sunday. It takes less than a minute to connect with an agent through live chat. Phone lines are open 8 AM to 12 AM ET, Mondays to Sundays.
You can check out the knowledge center on their website where you will find detailed explanations about their device, instructions on how to set up and troubleshoot your system, and more. There is no blog available on the website so far.
What Do People Say About SimpliSafe home Security?
Definitely recommending it to others! SimpliSafe is easy, quick, affordable and trustworthy. I installed it in my home and around the outdoor garden for adding extra security to my family. The security system is really easy to install and follow. The best thing about SimpliSafe is that they keep a track about all their clients. For instance, the security alarm in our home went off a couple of times in the past and they were really quick in calling us to know if everything was ok or whether we needed any help. So, yes I am definitely recommending them to all others who need a good security in and around their home.
Very easy and quick to set-up! The Simplisafe home security services has been a great solution to keep my home safe. They also give us an added sense of security, especially when you are alone at home during holidays. The system is easy to install and works absolutely flawlessly. They offer customisable devices and settings to match your needs. One of the most interesting features offered by them is the additional password setup service for your neighbors and relatives. Also, their smartphone app helps to track the system status and also make any changes needed on the cameras.
Scout Alarm Vs. Other Home Security Providers
| SimpliSafe | ADT | Vivint | Ring | Cove | |
| Highlighted features | DIY security system | Security system installed and monitored by professionals | Advanced technology | Remote control and monitoring | Simple installation and client support |
| Warranty period | 3 years | Extended warranty | Lifetime | 1 year | Lifetime |
| Money Back Guarantee duration | 60 days | 6 months | 3 days | 30 days | 60 days |
| Mobile Accessibility | iOS and Android | iOS and Android | iOS and Android | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
| Price | Starts at $9.99 | Start at $28.99 | Starts at $19.99 | Starts at $3 (Professional monitoring for $20) | Starts at $14.99 |
Simplisafe vs ADT
ADT, just like Simplisafe, provides a complete selection of equipment for home security. The biggest difference between the two is that professional installation is mandatory for ADT while it is optional for Simplisafe. Another feature that sets the two providers apart is that ADT has a variety of smart home features that allows you to automate and integrate with your other smart devices at home.
Simplisafe vs Vivint
Vivint has a great selection of advanced devices that give Simplisafe a run for its money. Vivint, notably, has a wider variety of camera options plus a secured hard drive for video recording storage. The downside with Vivint is that they only offer a moneyback guarantee for three days. But if you cancel your contract, you get a prorated fee.
Simplisafe vs Ring
Ring is one of the popular options for people who want security cameras but not a complete home security system. They have a decent collection of different indoor and outdoor cameras. You can get a plan with one camera for just $3 a month. if you want 24/7 monitoring, Ring also offers a subscription for $20 a month.
Simplisafe vs Cove
Cove brings the customizability game a step higher than Simplisafe. You can choose your monitoring devices and sensors individually and then you can also select the monitoring level you need. If you want to truly customize your security system, Cove is one of your best options. But if you are not looking to build a system from scratch, Simplisafe offers more user-friendly packages that you just install at home.
Bottom Line
Simplisafe provides homeowners with complete security systems as well as the freedom to create a system custom-built for their homes. The devices have an innovative design and you can also get more security with 24/7 monitoring. In addition, your home security system can run on both Wi-Fi and cellular connection so you know your cameras are working even when your router is not working. Simplisafe is not the most affordable system but they offer quality services and equipment at competitive prices.
