Ring vs SimpliSafe: Which is Best? | Pros, Cons, & Pricing

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	$40	$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.

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.

Ring vs SimpliSafe

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