SimpliSafe Installation
Having started out as a DIY security system for apartments, SimpliSafe’s experience here really shows. All in all, we were able to get our entire system up and running in about 20 minutes. And that’s after we had an issue with our reading comprehension.
You see, SimpliSafe specifically says to press the adhesive backing on their equipment against the wall for 30 seconds. We decided to go rogue and let go after 10 seconds only for the motion sensor to come crashing down moments later. For a two-bedroom apartment, getting the entire system set up shouldn’t take any longer than 15 minutes so long as you follow the directions.
>> Learn More: How to Install a Home Security System: It’s Easier Than You Think
SimpliSafe Professional Monitoring
With the new Fast Protect monitoring that SimpliSafe rolled out recently, you can’t get much better professional monitoring. Although ADT’s six monitoring centers give a bit more redundancy, the video verification feature in SimpliSafe’s premium monitoring solution comes in handy. As a premium option, it does bring up the monthly cost of your SimpliSafe system though.
For instance, we had our friend check in on our houseplants while on vacation. Since we were on vacation, we weren’t near our phones and didn’t see the alert. But, thanks to SimpliSafe Fast Protect monitoring, they used the two-way audio in our indoor camera to ask our friend what they were doing in our house. Well, we gave them the safe word we set up while installing our SimpliSafe system. They could then confirm they were just there to water our plants — all without us needing to rush for our phones while on vacation.
Fast Protect monitoring isn’t the only subscription plan SimpliSafe offers though. They also offer a basic professional monitoring plan, a DIY monitoring plan. Here’s an overview of SimpliSafe’s monitoring plans and their costs:
Features |
Free |
Self-Monitoring |
Professional Monitoring |
Fast Protect Monitoring |
Cloud storage for 30 days of recordings |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Smart platform compatibility |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Cellular backup |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
24/7 professional monitoring |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Video verification and live guard |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Equipment warranty |
1-year |
3-year |
3-year |
Lifetime |
Price |
Free |
$9.99 per month |
$19.99 per month |
$29.99 per month |
SimpliSafe Video Doorbell
Kudos to SimpliSafe for making a video doorbell with options. When we tested the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, we were impressed by how easy it was to set motion sensor sensitivity. We find that to be an important tool, since it can mean the difference between getting alerts every time a leaf falls on the front doorstep and getting alerts only when they matter.
You’d think that with the ability to include tools like that, SimpliSafe could manage to produce a doorbell that doesn’t require hardwiring. You’d be wrong. For now, SimpliSafe only offers a hardwired version of its video doorbell, and that means you’ve got to disconnect your existing doorbell and attach this new one. It also means you have to go through the whole process in reverse when you move. And if you don’t have an existing doorbell? Well, you may need to consider other options altogether. Ring makes a nice peephole camera.