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SimpliSafe

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5.7

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: March 24th, 2023

SimpliSafe is a do-it-yourself security provider offering basic security features, including burglary alarms, fire detectors, carbon monoxide sensors, freeze sensors, and flood sensors. SimpliSafe equipment can be ordered online with packages ranging from $229 to $489. You can usually find seasonal promotions that will lower the overall cost of the system. SimpliSafe does not offer any equipment for lease.

SimpliSafe offers one of the lowest monthly monitoring fees in the industry, with monthly fees starting at $17.99 per month. The company uses cellular signal monitoring through COPS Monitoring Service, a CSAA-certified central monitoring station.

SimpliSafe is one of the only home security providers that does not attach a contract to any of its equipment.

Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of purchasing a SimpliSafe home security system or check out the SimpliSafe customer reviews.

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The Good

  • Low Monthly Fees
  • Industry Innovations
  • No Contract or Moving Fees
  • 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • Separate Devices for "Brain" and Keypad 
  • 100% Wireless Equipment
  • Free and Easy Installation Process
  • Customizable Security Systems

Low Monthly Fees

SimpliSafe's low monthly fees and absence of a contract are clear standouts in the home security industry. The company's top monitoring package, the Interactive Plan, is priced at $27.99, far below most professional security providers' most affordable option. 

The Interactive Plan includes around-the-clock professional monitoring, lifetime equipment warranty, flood and temperature monitoring, professional verification of alarm triggers, emergency dispatch, and unlimited camera recording for up to 10 cameras. Customers who subscribe to the interactive monitoring plan will also 10 percent off future add-on devices. 

The most typical SimpliSafe monitoring package is standard monitoring at $17.99 per month. This is similar to the Interactive Plan but does not include unlimited camera recordings, video verification, hazard monitoring, and add-on discounts. The standard plan includes a one-year equipment warranty.

Customers can also choose a self-monitoring option that includes a live view and unlimited recordings for up to five cameras for $9.99 per month. This is a unique offering from SimpliSafe. Most home security companies require that the customer purchase a monthly professional monitoring plan. 

Industry Innovations

SimpliSafe is a pioneer in offering do-it-yourself home security systems. SimpliSafe recently redesigned its system to look more sleek and attractive. Sensors including motion detectors, window sensors, door sensors, security cameras, and even the wireless keypad control panel have a modern and user-friendly interface. 

You can also arm and disarm your alarm system through the SimpliSafe app on your mobile phone, along with viewing Simplisafe camera footage.

No Contract or Moving Fees

Something truly remarkable about SimpliSafe's price structure is that it does not attach contracts to its equipment; all customers pay on a month-to-month basis and can cancel at any time without penalty. Basically, no long-term contracts. 

Moving your alarm system is simple and easy. If you plan to move with your equipment, unplug all your devices and disarm your system. Remove all the adhesive strips from your walls. You can also pause service if you have time between homes where you don’t plan on using your security system. 

Once you get to your new home, be sure to update your address in the SimpliSafe mobile app so the monitoring center knows where you are located. 

You can also leave your system for the new residents. The new owners will just need to create an account to activate their one service. Just be sure to cancel your current subscription at your old address. 

60-Day Money-Back Guarantee

In addition, SimpliSafe customers have 60 days to try out equipment and if unsatisfied, can return it to SimpliSafe for a full refund plus return shipping costs. As 30 days is considered a great guarantee in this industry, a 60-day guarantee truly stands out. 

Separate Devices for "Brain" and Keypad 

For an added layer of safety, the "brain" of SimpliSafe's system is located in a device separate from the keypad. If burglars destroy the beeping keypad, the brain will quietly alert the monitoring center.

100% Wireless Equipment

Because the SimpliSafe system is 100 percent wireless, no hard wiring or drilling is required. This is an appealing feature for renters and apartment owners, and also contributes to the aforementioned lack of moving fees.

Free and Easy Installation Process

The free and easy installation process can also be completed without assistance and, in most cases, takes less than 15 minutes. Once the system and sensors are in place, an alarm will sound whenever the control panel is armed and sensors detect burglars breaking in.

Customizable Security Systems

SimpliSafe's equipment and monitoring services can be purchased on its website, eliminating the need to interact with often-pushy security salesmen. All packages come with a base station and keypad. Based on the size of your home and your desired level of security, you can then choose to add on the following devices: 

  • Entry sensors — Sensors used to protect ground floor doors and windows.  
  • Motion sensor — Detects motion in an entire room or hallway. Works great for rooms with more than three or more windows. 
  • Wireless outdoor camera — Video surveillance that works night or day to alert you when visitors approach your driveway or property. 
  • Indoor camera — Monitor your home with indoor cameras that sends an alert when the camera detects motion. 
  • Glassbreak sensor — This device sets off an alarm if it picks up the sound of a smashed window. 
  • Panic button — Contact the monitoring center in the case of an emergency with just a press of the panic button. 
  • Smoke detector — The smoke detector triggers system sirens if it detects smoke or fire. 
  • Temperature sensor — This sensor triggers if your home temperature drops below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Water sensor — The water sensor detects the beginning of a leak or flood to protect against severe water damage.
  • Key fob — This fob is used to arm and disarm your alarm system at the touch of a button. 
  • Extra 105dB siren — You can purchase an additional siren to place inside or outside the house. 
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The Bad

  • Upfront Equipment Costs
  • Basic Security Equipment
  • 3-Year Warranty

Upfront Equipment Costs

As with most do-it-yourself solutions, SimpliSafe requires consumers to buy equipment upfront. This can cost anywhere from $229 to $489. Fortunately, SimpliSafe offers five package options to fit a variety of budgets and needs.

Also important to note: you own this equipment forever after purchasing. Regardless, this price amounts to years of monitoring service from other top-rated alarm companies.

Basic Security Equipment

SimpliSafe equipment is extremely basic in both looks and functionality. The company doesn't offer touchscreen equipment or basic home automation services such as remote door locks, smart lighting/appliances, smart temperature control, and so on. 

Video surveillance is available but requires a Wi-Fi connection. Despite SimpliSafe's sleek new design and mobile app interface, the company needs to catch up to home automation trends.

3-Year Warranty

With SimpliSafe, you're getting basic, no-bells-and-whistles security equipment. And it's all covered with a three-year warranty, as opposed to the lifetime warranty many other providers offer. Most security systems from other companies will offer a lifetime warranty, so it's unfortunate to see SimpliSafe limiting their security systems to only three years.

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The Bottom Line

If you're looking for a basic do-it-yourself security option for a reasonable price, or if you're a renter who doesn't want to hardwire a security system or pay a fee each time you move, SimpliSafe is a viable option. 

But if you're looking for cutting-edge technology and want to turn your house into a "smart home," SimpliSafe is not the answer. Plenty of other alarm companies offer those services but expect them with higher prices and strict long-term contracts. Read Simplisafe reviews below before making your final decision.

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Star Rating

3.6

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234 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

46%

4 grade

17%

3 grade

4%

2 grade

9%

1 grade

24%

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Lily Jameson Columbia, SC

Not a good experience. I researched several companies before choosing Simplisafe. According to their website, they seemed to offer everything I needed at an affordable price. But once I got on the phone with the sales rep, he convinced me that I needed more than what I had figured I needed based on their online information. So I listened to him, and it cost quite a bit more (close to $800) for all the equipment he recommended. I then waited for the install. Ultimately, their equipment did not function in my home because I have metal doors and windows, and metal interferes with the signal to the equipment. So I ended up having to return everything and getting a refund. I feel that one of the most important things they should tell you before you waste time and money on their product is that their system is not compatible with metal doors and windows. It should be underlined, bold, and in all caps on the front page of their website!

5 months ago

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Tony Allen, TX

The SimpliSafe system is very simple. Almost too simple. We followed the directions for installation and everything seemed to work great...at first. The window and door sensors are attached with double stick tape and within the first week, 4 of them just fell off in the middle of the night causing the alarm to sound. Since then, several others have been accidentally knocked off or just fell off by themselves. They do give you extra double stick tape for this. After a few months (during COVID) I stopped paying for the monthly monitoring fee to save a bit of money. Little did I know that without the monitoring, many of the features and functions do not work. We have a couple of cameras which are now useless. Also, you cannot control or monitor your system with your smartphone. The only functions that still work are via the keypad. (basically you can turn on/off the alarm...that is it). They advertise, "no contracts, no gotchas, no hidden anything", but they do not tell you that most of your systems higher functions will not work without the monthly monitoring fee.

1 year ago

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Christopher Cary, NC

After receiving my alarm system and setting it up, which was easy the test continued to fail to send. I moved the base toward my window per the suggestions. After calling your customer service, I was informed that the T-Mobile based stations were a general issue with connecting and could take hours. So five hours later and 3 retests, the system is still not working correctly. I am now the proud owner of a security system that offers no security. I have read that the T-Mobile stations were commonly producing the connection problem. Without the base station connecting I am unable to have monitoring and just get a loud noise if something were to happen. This will make me feel so much better to hear the beeping sounds as I am being robbed. I am sure the sounds will be calming especially since no one will be notifying the police since your inferior T-Mobile base stations do not work correctly. This will also be great for a legal fight since a company representative acknowledged there was a problem.

5 years ago

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Richard Germantown, TN

Purchased in 2015, then in Novembeer 2017,the system failed. Had even purchased new batteries from Simple Safe that month. Checked batteries...all ok. Key pad would not function correctly, then would not recognize the motion sensors (4). Took forever to get through to tech advisor. She did entry of all units on my account and system came up again...for two days and then crashed. Have been using E mail trying to get a technician to call me...suggested specific time and date so I would not miss any call. Been on telephone for over an hour trying to get someone. Nothing. No reply to my e mail. Over 30 days and counting asking for help and no response. Did get my monitoring bill this month. Sorry I got involved. with this system. UPDATE: I have cancelled Simple Safe. Had to go through the alarm monitoring service to reach them to cancel.

5 years ago

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Ken Tucson, AZ

Positives first: easy to install, customize. The system is relatively inexpensive and affordable compared to other systems. Negatives: Batteries for the key pad are very expensive when they wear out and have to be replaced. Quality of key chain clickers is very poor. The end caps fall off, so I've had to scotch tape them on. Have had to replace two when the device inside the clicker that holds the little silver battery in place fails, and no contact is made/clicker inop. I can't understand why S.S. can't make a durable clicker. Contrast that with the clicker for my 15 year old Dodge Durango which still works and has survived multiple years on a keychain. Twice I've gotten a "no connection to dispatch" error message which means the connection with their cell phone company they contract with for the base unit is having a problem. I was anxiously awaiting the release of their camera to add to the system, but when it came out I learned it can't be used outside. I've had a thief steal items out of my carport, including bolt-cutting padlocks, even with my S.S. signs up. (The house itself hasn't been broken into.) The point is I was hoping to add a system compatible camera to the outside of the house and was disappointed when the long-awaited release of S.S.'s new camera would not do the job.

5 years ago

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Shabs Hyattsville, MD

I have been a customer for two months now and while the product itself has been working ok their customer service is horrible. I have been hung up on at least three times each time I have called and every time I have called including the times I have been hung up on the average wait time to speak to a representative is at least 20 minutes no matter the time or day I have called. If this persists I may have to switch back to Frontpoint or look at another option

3 years ago

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Don Poughkeepsie, NY

Quality appears good however Simplisafe runs very close to the "Bait and Switch" line. One good example is you need to pay around $300 to "simpli" use the Alexa skill to arm the system among others. Also - compared to Ring the monitoring plans are also notably more expensive for simplisafe who touts lower cost solutions. I received simplisafe as a gift and may return it for Ring or other product.

3 years ago

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Bill D. Frankenmuth, MI

Customer service is terrible, expect long wait times on the phone to talk to a customer service rep. Motion detectors fail after 3-4 years- false alarms. We've had to replace 2 so far (covered under warranty) but had to argue with customer service to get replacements. Last night I waited over 30 minutes on hold and never talked to a person. I gave up and called today, took 15 minutes to get a person. The customer service rep was polite and apologetic once I did get to discuss the problem.

3 years ago

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R. Jamestown, NY

I had no problems with the system after they switched out the module in the main station. I quit SimplySafe because of their position regarding the NRA. I don't agree with everything the NRA says, but for Simply Safe to dump them was strictly a political decision because they were afraid they would lose customers....guess what?>. They did....but for the opposite reason! How can a company that's concerned about home security take a position like that? Sorry, but that's my position!

5 years ago

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Review Source

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Grace Annese Fairport, NY

We bought a few cameras and door alarms and were pretty happy. I was unhappy with their referral program. Whenever I sent links to friends and family who got SimpliSafe we never received the incentive advertised.

8 months ago