Ring vs SimpliSafe

Kalicia Bateman
Kalicia Bateman | Contributor
Ring and SimpliSafe are do-it-yourself home security solutions with a variety of security systems ranging from basic to extensive. Both companies have equipment that is easy to install, and they also offer professional monitoring and give customers the option to add equipment to their chosen security packages to further customize the systems. 

When comparing Ring vs SimpliSafe, they are similar in their overall security offerings but differ the most in these areas: contract, price, and warranty, equipment variety and quality, and customer reviews. 

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about each company's pros, cons, pricing information, and more. 
Ring logo
#1 Ring
9.0 Overall Score
4.5
star star star star star_half
(327)
SimpliSafe logo
#38 SimpliSafe
5.5 Overall Score
1.6
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
(279)

Overview

Ring

Monthly Monitoring Price

$20.00

Contract Length

Undisclosed

Money-Back Guarantee

Undisclosedx

Cancellation Fees

Undisclosed

Installation Options Offered

Professional, DIY

Security Camera Included

Yes

Time in Business

Undisclosed

SimpliSafe

$27.00

None

Undisclosed

Undisclosed

Professional, DIY

Yes

18 Years

Ratings

Ring

Overall Score
9.0 of 10
Review Score
4.5
star star star star star_half
Value for Money
4.5
star star star star star_half
Quality of Product or Service
4.4
star star star star star_half
Company Trustworthiness
4.4
star star star star star_half
Likely to Recommend
8.5 of 10

SimpliSafe

5.5 of 10
1.6
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
3.6
star star star star_half star_border
3.3
star star star star_half star_border
3.1
star star star star_border star_border
5.1 of 10

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

Number of Reviews
327
Review Breakdown
4.5
star star star star star_half
1 star
6%
2 star
2%
3 star
6%
4 star
14%
5 star
72%

SimpliSafe

279
1.6
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
1 star
30%
2 star
9%
3 star
4%
4 star
14%
5 star
42%

Reviews for Ring

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star_border

SC

July 18th, 2024

DETAILS

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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

star star star_border star_border star_border

Toria

August 31st, 2023

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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

star star star star star

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

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Magnus Ojert

September 1st, 2024

DETAILS

if it had 0 stars i would have rated them 0. I have reset every possible camera, wifi, router, etc...works for 1 hours while I am in the house (when i really dont need it)...then no cameras work. Technical support was of no help....nice, but no help. I think there is a fundamental flaw w their system. I am going someplace else.

The Final Word

Contract (Winner: SimpliSafe)

Most home security providers lock customers into three-year agreements. Unlike most home security companies, Ring and SimpiSafe do not require long-term contracts. SimpliSafe's contract is month-to-month, and Ring's contract lasts for one year.

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)

SimpliSafe has a 60-day money-back guarantee, while Ring only has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you decide within this time frame that you no longer want SimpliSafe's or Ring's security services, both companies will refund your money and you can cancel your contract free of charge.
 
Ring's Risk-Free Trial SimpliSafe's Risk-Free Trial
30 Days 60 Days
 

Monthly Monitoring Cost and Upfront Fees (Winner: Ring)

Ring has SimpliSafe beat in the pricing department for monthly cost as well as upfront fees. Ring's monthly monitoring service starts at $10, while SimpliSafe monitoring starts at $14.99. Ring's upfront cost is also cheaper because its security packages are at a lower price point when compared to SimpliSafe. However, Ring requires a one-year contract and SimpliSafe works on a month-to-month basis.
 
Ring's Professional Monitoring Cost SimpliSafe's Monthly Monitoring Cost
$10 per Month $14.99 per Month
 

Basic Security Package (Winner: Ring)

Ring's and SimpliSafe's basic security packages are similar, but Ring's package includes more equipment and costs less.

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)

Ring's advanced security package is 14 pieces and costs $419. The security kit covers about 2,000 square feet; it is ideal for three-bedroom houses. The package includes real-time alerts and notifications straight to your Ring mobile app, a 24-hour backup battery, optional cellular backup, and optional 24/7 monitoring. 
 
SimpliSafe's most advanced security kit is called The Haven and includes 14 pieces of security equipment. It's priced at $489.86.
 
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 -
 
While Ring and SimpliSafe both include 14 pieces of security equipment with their advanced security packages, their equipment differs. Ring focuses its equipment on contact sensors, while SimpliSafe offers fewer contact sensors but adds on specialty sensors: freeze sensor, water sensor, and smoke sensor.

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)

Ring and SimpliSafe both offer build-your-own packages. If you want to select your security equipment a la carte rather than purchase an entire home security package, both companies allow you to do so.

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)

Ring alarm has an equipment warranty that is only good for one year, while SimpliSafe's warranty is good for three years. If anything happens to your equipment within this time period, SimpliSafe and Ring will repair or replace the products free of charge.
 

Camera Variety and Quality (Winner: Ring)

SimpliSafe only offers one indoor security camera, and it is not as advanced as Ring's variety of indoor cameras. Currently, SimpliSafe also does not offer outdoor cameras. Ring's cameras, on the other hand, function as indoor or outdoor cameras, making setup and placement options more convenient for customers. 
 
SimpliSafe's Indoor Camera SimpliCam — $99
  • Stainless steel privacy shutter
  • 120-degree diagonal field of view
  • Internal microphone
  • Status light
  • Night vision
  • HD video
  • Motion detection
Ring's Indoor/Outdoor Stick-Up Camera Wired — $179
  • Indoor/outdoor camera
  • Motion-activated notifications
  • Micro-USB or power over ethernet
  • 1080p HD
  • Customizable motion detection
  • Two-way audio
  • Night vision
  • Versatile mounting options
  • 10–15 minutes install time 
Ring's Indoor/Outdoor Floodlight Camera — $249
  • Indoor/outdoor camera
  • Motion-activated notifications
  • Ultra-bright LED floodlights
  • Smart zoom
  • Siren
  • 110-240 VAC
  • 1080p HD
  • Customizable motion detection
  • 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)

Ring is a newer company and doesn't have as many customer reviews backing up its security systems as other providers do. SimpliSafe, on the other hand, has plenty of reviews but doesn't have a great star rating from consumers. Common complaints from SimpliSafe reviews focus on poor customer service and defective equipment.

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're looking for the cheapest option of the two, Ring is definitely the way to go. Your upfront fees and monthly cost will be quite a bit cheaper, however, you'll have to sign a one-year contract. Ring also has more variety in its security equipment and it is more high-tech when compared to SimpliSafe.

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

Top Choice

Ring Logo
Ring

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. 

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