Ring vs SimpliSafe

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.

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.

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's monitoring service 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.

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 entry sensor, and one motion sensor. SimpliSafe charges $229 for this package.

Advanced Security Package (Price Winner: Ring; Variety of Equipment Winner: SimpliSafe)
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. The following equipment is included with Ring's advanced security package:

SimpliSafe's most advanced security package is called The Haven and includes 14 pieces of security equipment. It's priced at $489.86. Here's a list of the provided equipment:

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.

SimpliSafe's a la carte pricing is as follows:

Ring offers the following equipment in addition to a variety of others not listed. Pricing for equipment is below:

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 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 details are as follows:
SimpliCam — $99

Ring's indoor/outdoor camera details are below:
Stick Up Cam Wired — $179

Spotlight Cam Battery — $199

Floodlight Cam — $249

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 focus on poor customer service and defective equipment.

With Ring having minimal customer reviews and SimpliSafe's reviews being negative, 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 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.