Ring vs SimpliSafe
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about each company's pros, cons, pricing information, and more.
Overview
Ring
$20.00
Undisclosed
Undisclosedx
Undisclosed
Professional, DIY
Yes
Undisclosed
SimpliSafe
$27.00
None
Undisclosed
Undisclosed
Professional, DIY
Yes
18 Years
Ratings
Ring
SimpliSafe
Pros & Cons
Ring
PROS
- Low monthly fees
- No professional installation necessary
- Customizable add-ons
- Mobile app access
CONS
- Limited sensors
- Short warranty
SimpliSafe
PROS
- Low monthly fees
- No contract or moving fees
- 60-Day money-back guarantee
- 100% wireless equipment
- Free and easy installation process
- Customizable equipment packages
CONS
- High upfront equipment costs
- Short three-year warranty
- Basic security equipment
Reviews
Ring
Reviews
SimpliSafe
Reviews for Ring
Helpful Favorable Review
SC
July 18th, 2024
DETAILS
Review Source
I purchased the Ring Doorbell late last year. I really love the doorbell and have had no issues with the device. We had to purchase the ring yearly service to get the most out of the device. I was hoping to only use the device without a paid service. Overall, I am very happy with our purchase and would purchase additional ring devices for our home.
Helpful Critical Review
Toria
August 31st, 2023
Brooklyn, NY
Review Source
Ring Doorbell is not that great! Ring doesn't capture what's important. For example! Someone hit my neighbor car and Ring missed that capture. Ring Door Bell is not worth the price they charge for it.
Reviews for SimpliSafe
Helpful Favorable Review
James Price
November 7th, 2023
DETAILS
You get what you pay for. Its Simply Safe. Name says it all. I have set the alarm off by accident a few times over the years. I had the panic button on silent and the cat sat on it had the cops show up quickly. (Don't do silent anymore). Whenever I have forgot it was armed, I got fast response from monitoring service to cancel. It does what it claims, is cheap, and I feel SAFE.
Helpful Critical Review
M Cohrs
November 24th, 2024
DETAILS
Until today, I have had positive experiences with SS. I woke up this morning and found that my garage door was wide open all night. I had armed the alarm from the bedroom, with apparently no problems or notifications that a door was open. The system allows arming with any door or window open with only a brief message from the base which may be in another room and unheard. My expensive ADT system, whatever other faults it had (mostly rising prices) was much better at this. It allowed the arming with open doors, but with explicit commands.
The Final Word
Contract (Winner: SimpliSafe)
If you prefer a month-to-month option and do not want to sign a contract, SimpliSafe is the better choice.
| Ring's Contract | SimpliSafe's Contract |
| One Year | Month-to-Month |
Risk-Free Trial (Winner: SimpliSafe)
| Ring's Risk-Free Trial | SimpliSafe's Risk-Free Trial |
| 30 Days | 60 Days |
Monthly Monitoring Cost and Upfront Fees (Winner: Ring)
| Ring's Professional Monitoring Cost | SimpliSafe's Monthly Monitoring Cost |
| $10 per Month | $14.99 per Month |
Basic Security Package (Winner: Ring)
Ring's basic security package includes one control panel, one keypad, one contact sensor, one motion detector, and one z-wave range extender. The package costs $199. SimpliSafe's basic security package includes one control panel, one keypad, one contact sensor, and one motion detector. SimpliSafe charges $229 for this package.
| Security Equipment Included | Ring's Basic Security Package — $199 | SimpliSafe's Basic Security Package — $229 |
| Control Panel | ✔ | ✔ |
| Keypad | ✔ | ✔ |
| Contact Sensor | ✔ | ✔ |
| Motion Detector | ✔ | ✔ |
| Z-Wave Extender | ✔ | - |
Advanced Security Package (Winner: Ring)
| Security Equipment Included | Ring's Advanced Security Package — $419 | SimpliSafe's Advanced Security Package — $489 |
| Base Station | ✔ | ✔ |
| Keypad | ✔ (2) | ✔ (1) |
| Keyfob | - | ✔ |
| Contact Sensor | ✔ (8) | ✔ (4) |
| Motion Detector | ✔ (2) | ✔ (2) |
| Freeze Sensor | - | ✔ |
| Water Sensor | - | ✔ |
| Smoke Detector | - | ✔ |
| 105dB Siren | - | ✔ |
| Panic Button | - | ✔ |
| Z-Wave Range Extender | ✔ | - |
If you're looking for a cheaper price point and prefer to have more contact sensors, Ring has a better advanced package. However, if you don't mind paying a bit more and you want specialized sensors rather than just contact sensors, SimpliSafe is the better choice. However, keep in mind that even though Ring's basic package doesn't come with specialty sensors, you can still purchase them a la carte. You can find pricing for individual equipment below.
Build Your Own Security Package (Winner: Ring and SimpliSafe)
For a la carte pricing, SimpliSafe has a cheaper price point for the majority of its equipment. However, Ring has a more robust variety with higher quality products.
| Equipment | Ring's Pricing | SimpliSafe's Pricing |
| Contact Sensor | $20 | $14.99 |
| Motion Sensor | $24.99 | $29.99 |
| Indoor Camera | $199 | $99 |
| Video Doorbell | $99 | $169 |
| Panic Button | $35 | $19.99 |
| Smoke Detector | $40 | $29.99 |
| Carbon Monoxide Detector | $49.99 | |
| Water Sensor | $35 | $19.99 |
| Alarm Keypad | $50 | $69.99 |
| Siren | $30 | $59.99 |
| Security Yard Sign | $49 | $3.99 |
The chart above is a cost comparison of all of the equipment that Ring and SimpliSafe both offer. However, there are a variety of prodcuts that Ring offers that SimpliSafe doesn't and vice versa. An entire breakdown of Ring's and SimpliSafe's equipment and prices are below.
SimpliSafe's Equpiment Pricing
- Contact sensor — $14.99
- Motion sensor — $29.99
- Indoor camera — $99
- Glass break sensor — $34.99
- Video doorbell — $169
- Panic button — $19.99
- Smoke detector — $29.99
- Carbon monoxide sensor — $49.99
- Temperature sensor — $29.99
- Water sensor — $19.99
- Alarm keypad — $69.99
- Key fob — $24.99
- 105bD siren — $59.99
- 9" x 9" yard sign — $3.99
- Professional installation — $79
Ring's Equipment Pricing
- Contact sensor — $20
- Motion sensor — $24.99
- Motion detector — $30
- Indoor/outdoor camera — $199–249
- Ring video doorbell — $99–$498
- Panic button — $35
- First alert z-wave smoke/CO alarm — $40
- Flood and freeze sensor — $35
- Alarm keypad — $50
- Dome siren — $30
- Security sign — $49
- Smart door lock — $139–249
- Alarm range extender — $25
Equipment Warranty (Winner: SimpliSafe)
Camera Variety and Quality (Winner: Ring)
SimpliSafe's Indoor Camera SimpliCam — $99
- Stainless steel privacy shutter
- 120-degree diagonal field of view
- Internal microphone
- Status light
- HD video
Ring's Indoor/Outdoor Stick-Up Camera Wired — $179
- Indoor/outdoor camera
- -activated notifications
- Micro-USB or power over ethernet
- 1080p HD
- Customizable
- Versatile mounting
- 10–15 minutes install time
Ring's Indoor/Outdoor Floodlight Camera — $249
- Indoor/outdoor camera
- -activated notifications
- Ultra-bright LED floodlights
- zoom
- Siren
- 110-240 VAC
- 1080p HD
- Customizable
- 15–25 minutes install time
Ring's Indoor/Outdoor Spotlight Cam Battery — $199
- Indoor/outdoor camera
- Motion-activated notifications
- Rechargeable battery pack
- LED spotlights
- Siren
- 1080p HD
- Adjustable motion detection
- 5–10 minutes install time
Customer Reviews (Winner: Neither Company)
With Ring having minimal customer reviews and SimpliSafe's reviews being mostly negative, comparing SimpliSafe vs Ring reviews is difficult. We suggest looking into other top-rated home security providers with positive feedback from consumers.
Ring vs SimpliSafe: Which is the Better Option?
If you want a month-to-month security solution with a longer equipment warranty and money-back guarantee and don't mind putting down a bit of extra cash, SimpliSafe is the better option for you. However, keep in mind SimpliSafe does not offer a smart lock or outdoor security cameras, so your outdoor security options are limited.
With limited and negative customer reviews, you may decide neither of these do-it-yourself home security companies are for you. If that's the case, you can find a list of the top 10 best home security companies here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Ring and SimpliSafe require long-term contracts?
No, SimpliSafe offers month-to-month services, and Ring only requires a 12-month contract — unlike many home security companies that require up to three-year contracts.
Do Ring and SimpliSafe offer a risk-free trial?
Yes, SimpliSafe offers its customers a 60-day money-back guarantee, while Ring provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Do Ring and SimpliSafe offer professional monitoring?
Yes, both companies allow customers to choose between a self-monitored plan and a professionally monitored plan. Ring's professional monitoring starts at $10 per month, while SimpliSafe's starts at $14.99.
Do Ring and SimpliSafe sell additional security equipment other than doorbell cameras?
Yes, Ring and SimpliSafe offer a wide variety of security products, including motion sensors, contact sensors, indoor cameras, alarm keypads, sirens, etc.
Do Ring and SimpliSafe have equipment warranties?
Yes, Ring has a one-year equipment warranty, and SimpliSafe has a three-year warranty.
Does Ring or SimpliSafe have the cheaper basic security package?
Ring's basic security package costs $199, while SimpliSafe's starts at $229.
Do Ring and SimpliSafe sell outdoor security camears?
You can purchse outdoor security cameras from Ring but not from SimpliSafe. SimpliSafe currently only offers indoor security cameras.
Does Ring or SimpliSafe have the cheaper doorbell camera?
Ring has the cheaper doorbell camera, priced at $99. SimpliSafe's doorbell camera costs $169.
