SimpliSafe Security System Review 2024

Overall, customers haven’t had a lot of complaints over the years. We have to say it again, though: other customers aren’t you. So, let’s get to it. What’s in a SimpliSafe system, and is SimpliSafe right for you?

About the SimpliSafe App

Adding equipment to my system through the SimpliSafe App.

It might seem odd to start a home security system review by talking about the system’s app, but in the case of SimpliSafe, it’s the thing that ties the system together. Yes, there is a physical hub – we’ll get to that later – but the app is where you’ll control your system most of the time. And fortunately, the app is really functional. In addition to arming and disarming your system, it can also:

• Add new pieces of equipment to your system
• Change the settings of particular pieces of equipment
• Check the status of your equipment
• Receive real-time alerts
• Dismiss or confirm alarms
• Watch live video feeds from your cameras
• View recordings from your security cameras
• Schedule system activities

All of these controls are packaged in an intuitive interface that makes it easy to operate your system, whether you want to disarm it to let the dog walker in or you need to fine-tune camera sensitivity settings.

The SimpliSafe app is also the starting point for installing equipment. Not only does it let you connect new devices at the touch of a button, but it also offers useful instructions for setting up and using those devices.

On that note, let’s get into all that equipment and the setup process.

Expert Examined

From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant

“I was on patrol when an out-of-state victim called 911 saying that someone suspicious was hanging outside his home. The homeowner activated his alarm using the app which scared away the would-be intruder. Since the homeowner gave a detailed description of the suspect, we were able to quickly find him. As a police officer, we are routinely called by homeowners who are self-monitoring their systems. Sensors and motion detectors that alert the homeowner via the app make it easy to self-monitor as long as the homeowner is paying attention.”

Enough about the app, though. Let’s talk about the equipment itself — you know, the fun stuff.

SimpliSafe Equipment: First Impressions, Setup, Features, and Stats

The app gave us a great first impression, and the system’s physical components did too. Everything felt substantial and looked well-designed. SimpliSafe clearly went for a modern vibe. It was also clear that SimpliSafe designed the system with user experience in mind. Well, except for the keypad. I would have preferred a touch screen. But, I have to remember that this specific version of SimpliSafe was released in 2018. Half a decade later and it’s still up to par with most security systems today. I think that’s impressive.

Would I say that it’s due for an upgrade? Not really. SimpliSafe did great keeping up with the times by launching new components to add to its system instead of phasing it out entirely. It’s modular, and thus future-proof. I wish they’d launch a touch screen keypad though.

All that aside, let’s discuss the individual components of our SimpliSafe security system.

Base Station

The SimpliSafe Base Station sitting on my mantle. Please ignore the plant I need to water.

First Impression

We were impressed with the SimpliSafe base station’s sleek design with its cool blue wrap-around light. In fact, it’s sophisticated-looking enough that you can put it pretty much anywhere in your home. We put it on a decorative table near our front door so visitors knew the moment they came in that they were visiting a high-tech smart home.

Of course, the SimpliSafe base station doesn’t give you the kind of direct control over your system that the app does. There are no buttons to push, and it’s not voice-controlled. Still, it’s the foundation of your system. All of your SimpliSafe devices connect back to the base station, and it serves as the system’s connection to the outside world. It provides a cellular connection if your Wi-Fi should go down (as long as you’ve signed up for a professional monitoring plan), it includes a 100-decibel siren, and it can direct traffic for up to 100 different individual system devices.

Setup and Install

You want to set up your base station first since every other component of your system has to connect to it. Likewise, it allows your system to communicate with your mobile app.

We had a bit of trouble with the instructions here. Our instructions insisted that we could install the base station anywhere in our house, and ultimately, that was true. Initially, it has to be in the same room as the router to make a stable Wi-Fi connection. For a while, we thought the base station was defective since it couldn’t pick up a Wi-Fi signal. We finally got it working by setting it next to the router, but then we thought we’d have to leave it there for it to hold that connection. Luckily, a call to customer service sorted everything out. Rita let us know that now that it was working, we could move it back to the front hallway, where we wanted it in the first place. No harm, no foul, but we think this is a step SimpliSafe should add to its instructions.

Something You Should Know

The base station has an onboard battery to keep your system working in the event of a power outage, but it’s not for everyday use. The battery only lasts about 24 hours. It’s best to place it near an outlet so you can keep it plugged in and fully charged at all times. Also, note that battery backup is a common security system feature. Any security brand worth its salt has power backup to keep their systems running through power outages.

Motion Sensor — Gen 2

Here I am installing the new and improved SimpliSafe Motion Sensor.

First Impression

The motion sensors from SimpliSafe weren’t anything like those bulky motion sensors I’m used to testing. But again, lots of security systems these days are modernizing the design of their sensors.

The first thing I noticed was the weight – it felt lighter than typical motion sensors, but not too light that it feels cheap. Unfortunately, that led us to believe that we won’t have any problem simply sticking its adhesive backing to the wall. Boy were we wrong. It crashed to the floor that same day. Fortunately, it worked fine after that. It was – as Bob Ross would say – a happy little accident. I didn’t want the $35 motion sensor to fall from a height of seven feet, but it did, and it proved to me how high-quality these sensors are.

Oh, but don’t try that at home.

Setup and Install

The installation itself is easy if you actually follow the instructions. On the app, it says to remove the adhesive backing and firmly press it against the wall for 30 seconds. I got a little impatient and pressed it for about five, which caused the sensor to immediately fall down. Unfortunately, that ruined the command strips SimpliSafe uses, and I had to peel them off and replace them with my own. Can’t fault SimpliSafe here, really. That was my mistake. Once it’s on the wall, hit the sync button, and your home base will recognize it and pair it to your system.

Something You Should Know

This isn’t something to know about SimpliSafe, or at least just about SimpliSafe. The fact is, most motion sensors – no matter who makes them – are better at picking up motion moving across their field of view rather than toward them or away from them. In addition, they tend to see more and to see better when they’re around six to eight feet off the ground.1 Something to think about when you’re installing a SimpliSafe system…or a system from anyone else for that matter.

Entryway Sensor

Installing an Entryway Sensor on my front door

First Impression

SimpliSafe’s entry sensors aren’t quite as slim as the company’s other devices, but they’re not bad. We’d call them average-sized. That is, they’re smaller than Frontpoint’s sensors – a lot smaller, in fact. They’re bigger, though, than abode’s. On the plus side, they’re easy enough to work with. It also helps that they have a light that indicates they’re connected. That helped with installation.

Setup and Install

Having learned our lesson with the motion detector, we made sure to press the peel-and-stick command strips to the door and the door frame for a full thirty seconds. We even timed it. We didn’t have any trouble with the entry sensors falling – funny how that works. If you’ve got standard doors and windows you probably won’t need a ladder to get these up. That means once they’re stuck in the entry space, all you have to do is hit the sync button. Easy peasy.

Something You Should Know

Our house is over a hundred years old, and the doors aren’t exactly standard. We spent a lot of time worrying about whether the two sides of the entry sensor were lining up perfectly. Turns out, we didn’t need to. SimpliSafe’s sensors aren’t triggered unless they’re more than two inches apart. This is quite a bit of space, so don’t worry if, like us, your door isn’t flush with the frame.

Keypad

SimpliSafe’s Keypad installed next to my front door.

First Impression

The keypad feels solid and looks good. I can’t really decide if I liked the analog push-buttons or would have preferred a touch screen. Feels a little dated. For context, Ring and Vivint both offer touch-screen control panels that feel a little more modern.

Setup and Install

We’ll admit that we pulled the battery tab out before the instructions told us to do it. Big surprise, right? Even so, this particular piece of equipment was more trouble to install than the others. As with the base station, the keypad had to be in a very specific location in order to make that initial connection. In this case, it had to be in the same room with the base station. That wasn’t intuitive, and I was right on the point of calling customer service when I finally figured it out. Once again, though, as soon as I’d made the connection, I was able to move the keypad to another room and after the usual routine with the peel-and stick command strips, the keypad was officially installed.

Something You Should Know

The keypad has a panic button on the top of it. If you need immediate assistance, you can press and hold that button. Your alarm will sound, and, if you’re signed up for a SimpliSafe monitoring plan, authorities will be summoned if you don’t dismiss the alert. Most of the time, the police will be at your house in less than 10 minutes, depending on how far you live from the nearest station.2 Keep in mind, though, that SimpliSafe also offers self-monitoring, if that’s your thing. We don’t recommend it, since you can never tell when you may get an alert at an inconvenient moment, when you don’t have time to check it. We’ll say this, though: self-monitoring is free and SimpliSafe doesn’t make you sign any contracts. In fact, SimpliSafe is actually one of our favorite no-contract, self-monitored home security systems.

Smoke/CO Sensor — New

SimpliSafe’s new smoke detector and carbon monoxide monitor ready to be installed in my upstairs hallway.

First Impression

The smoke/CO detector looks and feels like a…well, like a smoke detector. OK, like a high-end smoke detector – smallish, slimmish, and a little sleeker than some low-end models. But, it has some important advantages over the smoke detectors you might pick up at Ace Hardware. Because it’s integrated into the SimpliSafe system, you can control it through the app. More importantly, you get alerts through the app, so if you’re not at home, you can respond to emergencies.

Setup and Install

I installed the unit on an interior wall, and I had a devil of a time installing it how I wanted it. Turns out the button and speaker holes are horizontal. I had to break out a pencil to mark the drill holes, and there was a level involved. I may have a problem with obsession, though. If you’re the average, everyday homeowner, you can probably get it up in a couple of minutes. Pair it with the app, and you’re done.

Something You Should Know

Most people know how important smoke detectors are, but very few people know just how dangerous carbon monoxide is. If your home has fuel-burning appliances like water heaters, stoves, or clothes dryers, you absolutely need one of these in your home. Luckily, SimpliSafe’s sensor monitors both smoke and CO and will alert you any time it detects either in your home.

Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera — New

SimpiSafe’s new wireless indoor security camera on my mantle.

First Impression

SimpliSafe only just introduced this new Wireless Indoor Camera. Don’t worry, you can still get the SimpliSafe’s original wired camera for $99.00. Why would you want to, though, when the wireless version is sleeker, with a privacy shutter and two-way audio that lets security professionals speak directly with intruders. It’s also got a clever mount you can twist to make wall installation easier. And oh, by the way, it’s wireless. OK, it’s fifty dollars more than the original, but trust me, it’s totally worth it.

Setup and Install

The installation process for this new camera was as easy as any other camera I’ve ever worked with, if not easier. Make sure it’s fully charged, hit the sync button, and bingo. All set. Now it does take a few minutes to connect to Wi-Fi and update the firmware, but at the end of the day, I was up and running from box to mantle in about 10 minutes flat — save for the five-hour charge time.

Something You Should Know

This is a relatively new entry on SimpliSafe’s equipment list, and it’s leaps and bounds above the company’s previous indoor camera model, so it’s worth taking time here to dive into its many features.

In terms of specs, it provides 1536p HD resolution. That’s not quite 2K – more like 1.5K – but it’s sharper than the industry standard of 1080p. This camera also features a 125-degree field of view and the option for up to 10x digital zoom. As we’ve said more than a few times already, video feeds are easily accessible through the SimpliSafe app. When we couldn’t find our keys one afternoon, it occurred to us to check the front porch. We pulled up a live image and discovered them right there on the porch swing where we’d left them.

Checking out the privacy screen on SimpliSafe’s new wireless indoor camera.

Now, privacy. As you might know, a certain major manufacturer of security equipment was recently busted for not taking enough measures to protect their customers from the prying eyes of their field agents.3 While you may think allowing third parties to monitor your camera feed is a little intrusive, SimpliSafe assuages that concern with a snap-up privacy shield. When that’s up – as in, when the alarm system is deactivated or in “home” mode — you’ll know no one’s looking in.

Finally, day-to-day functionality-wise, I couldn’t find much to complain about. It’s super responsive, it captured everything it needed to in my tests, it’s easy to adjust the settings in the app for optimal performance, and the audio quality and minimized latency are some of the best I’ve seen in a camera in this weight class. During my testing period, there was only one time when the audio malfunctioned, but that was easily solved by turning the live feed off and on again.

Keep in mind, this camera is for indoor use only, and don’t think that pointing it out the window is going to keep burglars from coming on your property. For that, you might want to invest in one of SimpliSafe’s Wireless Outdoor Cameras. It comes with a built-in spotlight so you get clear images at night. Of course, you can also check out our list of the best outdoor security cameras if SimpliSafe’s offering doesn’t suit you.

A quick demonstration of the audio and video quality of SimpliSafe’s new indoor camera.

Finally, I didn’t order any of SimpliSafe’s several add-on products. I was definitely intrigued though by the stand-alone panic button, the extra siren, and the key fob. The fob lets you easily disarm your system as you approach your house. No codes to remember. In addition, if you have a larger yard, I recommend ordering extra yard signs. Burglars are definitely turned off when they see that your home is protected.

The Day-to-Day with SimpliSafe: Running Some Tests

Testing out SimpliSafe’s keypad.

If you’re anything like me, once you’ve set everything up, you’re going to want to test each piece of equipment to make sure it’s functioning properly. You might be a little hesitant to do this, though, especially if your system is connected to dispatch authorities. SimpliSafe thought about this and gives you a three-day “practice mode” where you can trigger as many alarms as you like just to see how everything works.

And trigger I did, much to my wife’s dismay.

Pretending to break into my own home is always entertaining, but I was stopped dead in my tracks every time by my SimpliSafe system. In my pre-testing research, I read complaints about faulty equipment issues, but at no point did any piece of equipment malfunction. Even if it did, there were two more pieces of equipment that would have caught me immediately (motion sensor, indoor camera, etc.) — this is how every security system should function, by the way.

When I tested the system, the monitoring center contacted me in about 20 seconds. As far as response times go, 30 seconds is the industry average, so I felt like SimpliSafe was especially snappy. Remember — every second counts in emergency situations, so you want a responsive system to keep the thieves and burglars at bay.

Bottom line, I felt completely safe using this system, and I was confident that in a real emergency, I would have been protected — especially since I signed up for their Core (formerly Fast Protect) Monitoring plan. More on that in just a bit. First I want to talk about the highlights of this system.

What I Liked

SimpliSafe isn’t perfect, but most homeowners will find a lot to like about it. I certainly did. I was particularly impressed with how well all the various pieces of equipment communicated with one another. A home security system shouldn’t just be a collection of components. All those components need to work in concert to provide a complete web of security. Entry sensors, cameras, motion detectors, and emergency alarms all worked seamlessly together – not so much as a hiccup. Best of all, I was able to control everything from the SimpliSafe app, even when I was away from home. I used the indoor camera to check on the cats while I was at the grocery. And I used the video doorbell to chat with the postal person about a package they were delivering. When I forgot to arm the system one morning, I used the app to check it, and when I found it was turned off, I used the app to turn it on.

I also like how thoughtfully all of the pieces of equipment were designed. I know I made the “simple” joke already, but this really is an extremely user-friendly and easily accessible system. A lot of folks might be too intimidated by the term “do it yourself” to think about trying to set up a DIY security system, but trust me — this couldn’t be easier. The only power tool I used was a drill to sink two screws into some drywall for the smoke alarm/CO sensor mounting bracket.

What I Didn’t Like

At the risk of seeming wishy-washy, one of the things that worried me most about the SimpliSafe system was the simplicity of the installation process. I know, I know, I just complimented that same process. And there’s no doubt that it was quick and easy. That’s great in the short term. I worry a little, though, that in the long-term command strips just aren’t heavy-duty enough. What happens to them in a year or two when they’ve been through a couple of humid summers and cold, dry winters. My guess is that they’ll shrink and swell and ultimately my equipment will all wind up on the floor.

I will say SimpliSafe does provide mounting hardware in the box with some of their equipment, although it’s kind of on the user to figure out how to make it work. The trick is to use the battery housing as a mounting bracket.

The Command Strips on the back of SimpliSafe’s motion detector.

I also have to say I wasn’t a huge fan of the keypad. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a fine piece of equipment and does what it needs to do, but it just felt like it needed some upgrading. Maybe it does need to be a touch screen like Rob tested out in his review of Vivint security system. Maybe it should have some more advanced functionality built in.

As it stands, though, the push-button keypad felt like a piece of equipment from 15 years ago working to keep up with a modern system that outpaced it. During my testing period, I barely used it at all, since everything was easily controlled by the app. I will say I appreciated the inclusion of the integrated panic button, though. I’m very thankful I didn’t have to use it, but I was glad it was there.

Drawbacks aside, I do have to say I was satisfied overall with the functionality and quality of the SimpliSafe system. It felt comprehensive, and most of all, I felt very secure using it. A big portion of that had to do with the equipment, but an even bigger portion of that had to do with the monitoring.

Let’s talk about that next.

SimpliSafe Monitoring

Early on, SimpliSafe’s claim to fame was that it allowed users to DIY their home security. Back then, there weren’t companies offering that option. Fast forward to today, SimpliSafe set new standards on the professional monitoring side of the industry.

SimpliSafe’s Core (formerly Fast Protect) monitoring is one of the system’s biggest selling points. When an alarm is triggered, SimpliSafe agents can access your Smart Alarm indoor camera and speak with you to verify there’s an emergency. If you provide them with the safeword you established during the setup process, they disable the alarm. Easy enough. If no one responds, an intruder is spotted or another emergency situation is detected, they alert first responders. Those first responders respond more quickly because monitoring agents can verify what’s happening at your home. They even send video evidence to emergency personnel.

In the meantime, two-way voice controls let security personnel speak directly to intruders and let them know they’re on camera and that the police are on the way. This usually stops intruders in their tracks, before they can do any serious damage to your home or get away with anything valuable. In the security world, this type of monitoring – which SimpliSafe calls Live Guard Protection – is the gold standard.

Expert Examined

From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant

“I remember responding to a call where the homeowner watched a suspect break into his home via a live security-camera feed. While the suspect was rummaging through the victim’s home, the victim remoted in and said “I can see you. Leave my stuff and get out.” The suspect dropped everything, ran outside, and was arrested by responding officers. The victim called the police first but used his alarm system to communicate with the suspect to leave his property alone.”

The price for this protection? Not bad, at around $30 per month. Both ADT and Vivint charge more. ADT, for instance, charges $35 per month for comparable features.

You can get professional monitoring without these extra features for $20 a month, comparable to what Ring charges. And, SimpliSafe still offers its original DIY monitoring plan. For free, you get real-time alerts every time a sensor picks up activity at your home, and you can pull up live video feeds to see what exactly is going on. In fact, we like SimpliSafe’s DIY monitoring so much we put it at the top of our favorite security systems with no monthly fee. much we put it at the top of our favorite security systems with no monthly fee. If all those options weren’t enough, you can also pay $10 per month and get cloud storage for all your camera feeds.

Confused? Let’s break these options down for you:

Premium Monitoring at a Price: Live Guard Outdoor Monitoring

When you first look at the chart above, you might have a hard time finding the difference between the Core plan and the Pro and Pro Plus plans. But, there’s a pretty big difference with a brand new feature specifically for the wireless outdoor camera. It expands Live Guard Monitoring for the Smart Alarm indoor camera to the outdoor camera with a few extra tricks. Here’s how it works:

1. Your outdoor camera uses A.I. to detect when someone is approaching your home.
2. Next, it uses facial recognition to see if the approaching person matches any of your saved profiles.
3. If they’re a stranger to the camera’s A.I., SimpliSafe’s monitoring center will be contacted and an agent will be available to speak with the potential intruder.

Since there’s less expectation of privacy outdoors, SimpliSafe was able to throw facial recognition into the mix. I believe it’s also a nice feature to thwart criminals before they can even gain access to your home.

For now, live guard outdoor monitoring is available only to existing customers. But, don’t worry, if you don’t have a SimpliSafe system yet, you can upgrade to a Pro or Pro Plus plan as soon as you install your system.

SimpliSafe Pricing

Overall, the system I was using – one home base, one keypad, two entryway sensors, one motion sensor, one wireless indoor camera, and one smoke/CO sensor — cost $484.93. Not bad in my opinion, especially for how protected I felt during the test period.

That said, SimpliSafe offers different packages, and all of them offer great value. Even better, SimpliSafe is almost always running a deal, whether it’s for Prime Day, Black Friday, Valentine’s Day, or the Fourth of July. You can sometimes get packages for up to 60 percent off, plus freebie cameras and monitoring. Keep an eye out, and you can rack up some savings.

SimpliSafe Packages

You can also build your own system. Here’s a complete breakdown of SimpliSafe’s equipment and their costs.

SimpliSafe Required Equipment

 SimpliSafe Sensors

SimpliSafe Cameras

SimpliSafe Hazard Sensors

SimpliSafe Add-Ons

As you can see, none of this equipment is really going to break the bank, even when you’re buying multiple pieces to outfit your home comprehensively. SimpliSafe’s costs are among the best in the industry, and their protections are too. More on that in the next section.

How SimpliSafe Compares to Other Security Systems

When you’re considering which security system will protect your family, it helps to shop around. We offer a number of head-to-head guides, like our SimpliSafe vs. Ring Comparison guide. Here’s a quick snapshot, though, of a few other options. Then, I’ll talk about safety and give you my final verdict.

Security System Side-by-Side Comparison

*ADT does offer a DIY option, but when I reviewed ADT Self-Setup, I found that their focus was still primarily on professionally-installed systems.

So now that you’ve got a good idea of how SimpliSafe stacks up, let’s talk about things from a different perspective…

Will SimpliSafe Deter Burglars?

Above all, you want a security system that’s going to protect you and your family from burglars and home invaders. Bonus points if it convinces the bad guys not to try your home in the first place. So does SimpliSafe get the job done in this regard?

I’ve been lucky – knock on wood – that to date no one’s tried to break into my house. Unfortunately, that means I can’t tell you with certainty how the SimpliSafe system would perform if it were put to that particular test. What I can tell you, is that the super-loud alarm and the new Core monitoring system would deter me from trying to break in. In fact, having a professional monitor try to talk me down through two-way camera speakers would be unnerving, I think.

You want to remember to put out your yard signs, though. Criminals keep up with changes in the industry, and we bet most thieves avoid a SimpliSafe house, but they have to know it’s a SimpliSafe house to make that decision.

Does SimpliSafe Call the Police?

So let’s say the unthinkable happens — you’ve installed your SimpliSafe security system, you’ve made it clear you have one with a yard sign and window stickers, you keep your routine dynamic, and you take care to make sure there aren’t good hiding spots on your property. What happens if a burglar still decides to break in?

Well up until very recently you would have been on your own. SimpliSafe was a self-monitored system for most of its life, but they’ve recently changed that — as I discussed above. With the new Core monitoring system, SimpliSafe will not only be able to alert authorities to an emergency at your residence, they’ll be able to confirm what’s going on through your indoor camera and relay important details to the police like the number of intruders, and descriptions of them. This is really powerful functionality, here, and well worth the $31.99 per month, in my opinion. Adding that functionality to the outdoor camera wasn’t worth the price tag for my home, but if I had valuables in my yard, it would be.

I mentioned it above, but let me reiterate it here: I felt very safe using this system to protect my family. So let’s get on to the final word.

The Verdict on SimpliSafe’s New Equipment

Here’s a quick recap in video form of what I thought about SimpliSafe’s security system.

Let’s bottom line this. SimpliSafe is high on our list of the best video systems – number two – because it’s reliable and customizable. If you’re looking for a system that you can install yourself, you can’t do better. If you’re looking for a system that gives you the option to self-monitor or sign up for professional monitoring, it’s tops again. Its new Core monitoring system is setting a new standard for the industry at a price that’s reasonable.

While its equipment selection isn’t quite as wide as some other companies, you can count on SimpliSafe devices. Put that together with an easy-to-use app and strong customer service, and, SimpliSafe might not be for everyone, but it will be for a lot of you.

How We Test Security Systems: Our Methodology

We spend countless hours testing security systems, but the evaluation actually starts before we have equipment in our hands. We conduct exhaustive research on manufacturers to make sure they’re up to our standards — and the standards of our readers. Only then do we install them in our own homes to see what it’s like living with them day-to-day to give you our honest insights, experiences, and recommendations.

SimpliSafe FAQs