SimpliSafe Security System Review 2025

That said, ADT still has more monitoring centers and Vivint’s equipment is more advanced. SimpliSafe offers active monitoring options, though, which is missing from both of those providers. We had to give these new monitoring features a try, so we recently spent two months with a SimpliSafe system in our home. Here was our experience.

Expert Examined

From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant

“In a study on burglars from the University of North Carolina, it was found that 83% of burglars admitted to looking for security systems before they attempted the burglary. If they found security measures in place, half the burglars left. As a police officer myself, I believe most, if not all, burglars look for surveillance systems including cameras, which explains why most victims of home burglaries are the ones without visible signs of home protection.” Read more about Joshua Lee →

SimpliSafe has some new and improved equipment to test. Here it is sitting on my dining room table.

Just to add a little more context, let’s also consider what other customers have to say about SimpliSafe.

You’re not like everybody else, and what works well at your home may not be the same as what works at your neighbor’s home. Even so, it’s worth noting that SimpliSafe customers don’t complain much about their systems. That’s gotta count for something.

About the SimpliSafe App

Adding equipment to my system through the SimpliSafe App.

SimpliSafe’s app is crucial to controlling your devices and monitoring your system. It’s also the first interface you encounter when your equipment arrives. The app offers step-by-step instructions for getting them set up, it lets you connect devices with the push of a single button, and with access to a vast database of help articles, it’s where you go if you’re looking to troubleshoot your system.

Once you’ve installed everything, your SimpliSafe app transitions into your primary control device. You can use it to arm and disarm the individual components or the entire system. It also lets you:

• Check the status of your equipment
• Change the settings of particular pieces of 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
• Add new pieces of equipment to your system

Best of all, the app’s interface is intuitive. That means no searching for tools or functions and no endless scrolling when you need to fine-tune your cameras’ sensitivity settings. Everything’s available at the press of a fingertip.

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.”

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

Even just unpacking the boxes, we were impressed. Every piece had a heft and weight that made it clear just how sturdy it was. At the same time, the design was sleek and contemporary enough to suit any home.

We do have one small complaint: the SimpliSafe keypad. Nothing wrong with the look of it. It fits right in with all the other equipment. The thing is, it relies on push buttons. These days most of the industry has converted to digital screens, and it felt a little clunky having to press in our arm and disarm codes.

So much for first impressions. Let’s look more in-depth at each of our system components.

Base Station

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

First Impression

Every component of SimpliSafe’s system communicates through the hub. It’s a required component, but that’s typical of home security systems. We could tell SimpliSafe put some thought into their too with voice-activated commands and a clear LED light on the bottom that shows the status of our system.

The hub is ready to go right out of the box–perfect, since it’s the key to setting up the rest of your system. Plug it in and it immediately picks up on any SimpliSafe equipment in the vicinity. It can add up to 100 separate devices, and with a cellular backup connection and a 24-hour backup battery, you can be sure it’ll keep you safe even if your power should go down.

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. It said we could install the base station anywhere, so we put ours in the living room and plugged it in only to notice a weak Wi-Fi signal. Eventually, we brought it to our office and placed it right next to our router. That got it to connect and start the setup process.

At that point, we were convinced that’s where we’d have to leave it. 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 a power backup to keep its systems running through power outages.

Motion Sensor — Gen 2

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

First Impression

SimpliSafe motion sensors feature a square design with soft, rounded edges. They’re light enough to stay where you put them, as long as you use the included adhesive strips according to instructions. At the same time, they have a weight that suggests they’re well-built, and, in fact, one of ours managed to survive when we dropped it while trying to install the system.

Setup and Install

As we mentioned, the SimpliSafe app guides you through the entire process. It’s not exactly rocket science, but you do want to do what it tells you. Basically, we peeled the backing off the adhesive strip and pressed the deivce firmly against the wall. It says press for 30 seconds, and we recommend doing that. We tried letting go after just 15 and down it came. Once we got it onto the wall, though, we hit the synch button and it immediately paired with the base station.

Something You Should Know

These motion sensors pick up motion better when the subject is moving laterally, across their field of view. People or objects moving straight towards them sometimes evade detection. What that means is that they should be placed to the side of entryways rather than facing them head-on. In addition, they pick up more motion when they’re six to eight feet off the ground. This gives them a broader perspective on the space they are monitoring.

Entryway Sensor

Installing an Entryway Sensor on my front door

First Impression

SimpliSafe’s entry sensors aren’t quite as sleek as the rest of the company’s equipment. They’re not exactly bulky. They’re smaller, for instance, than Frontpoint’s sensors. They’re not quite as compact as abode’s devices, though, and that may turn some customers off. We get it – you don’t want your home security equipment to draw attention to itself. The upside is that installation was a breeze. Their relatively larger size made them easy to handle. Plus part of their size is taken up with an indicator light that let us know they were working properly.

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. And what do you know? 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

Keypads with buttons are sort of…20th century? These days everything is touchscreen. So, this particular device felt a little clunky, especially when sitting next to our other SimpliSafe equipment. But there’s no question that the device is solid and hardy. More importantly, it functioned perfectly, letting us turn our system on and off and make adjustments with the push of a few buttons.

Setup and Install

The keypad was a little trickier to install than other pieces of equipment. Here’s the problem: we just couldn’t seem to get the keypad to pair with the base station. We moved it from one room to the next, and nothing seemed to work. Finally, in desperation, we set it next to the base station. Presto, magic. Initially, we thought that meant the base station’s range was only a foot or two. Not ideal. Turns out, the two devices just needed to be together in order to pair. Once we’d done that, we were able to move the keypad wherever we wanted it – in our case, near the front door.

The thing is, this extra step wasn’t mentioned in the instructions. Since it’s not an intuitive step, it probably should have been. We wonder how many users leave their keypads with their hubs because they don’t realize they can move them once the two devices are paired. At any rate, the rest of the process was easy enough – more peel-and-stick command strips, and we were done.

Something You Should Know

The keypad has a panic button on the top of it, handy in case of an emergency. Any time you press it, an alarm sounds, and you’d be amazed how quickly that can ward off potential intruders. If you’ve signed up for a SimpliSafe monitoring plan, that panic button also summons authorities. In our own tests, police showed up in an average of ten minutes, though obviously that can vary depending on how far you live from the station.

Note that SimpliSafe also offers self-monitoring. In that case, you’ll have to dial 911 yourself. That’s just one more reason why we always recommend professional monitoring plans. Sure, keeping an eye on your own system can save you money, but what do you do in the middle of a burglary if you don’t happen to have a hand free for dialing? Still, if you’re looking to DIY your home security, SimpliSafe offers one of our favorite 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. This isn’t your average smoke detector, though, the kind 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 even when you’re not at home, you can respond to potential emergencies.

Setup and Install

We installed the unit on an interior wall and had a devil of a time installing it how we wanted it. Turns out the button and speaker holes are horizontal. We had to break out a pencil to mark the drill holes, and there was a level involved. We may have a problem with OCD, 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

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

First Impression

We’ve reviewed all of SimpliSafe’s security cameras over the years, but the Wireless Indoor Camera stands out for its AI motion detection features, activity zone settings, and the privacy shutter that only opens after detecting intruders.

More importantly, it’s packed with features that can exponentially improve your home’s security. Purchase a monitoring plan, and two-way audio allows SimpliSafe agents to talk directly with potential home invaders. On its own, a voice coming out of a security camera will startle most burglars away. In the event your bad guys are a little more stubborn, agents are trained to convince them they’re better off fleeing than waiting around for the police to arrive.

That last bit is especially important. SimpliSafe monitors are now trained to talk down home invaders in the event of a break-in. That adds a whole new layer of protection to your home, though you do have to sign up for a monitoring plan in order to access this feature.

Setup and Install

The installation process for this new camera was as easy as any other camera we’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, it was up and running from box to mantle in about 10 minutes flat — save for the five-hour charge time.

Something You Should Know

The Wireless Indoor Cam’s resolution maxes out at 1536p HD resolution – higher than the industry standard of 1080p, but less than some 2K models on the market. In addition, it comes with a 125-degree field-of-view and up to 10x digital zoom, enough to decipher the label on one of our porch packages. And, as we’ve mentioned more than once, live footage is available via the SimpliSafe app 24/7. Add a cloud storage plan or professional monitoring, and you have access to stored footage as well.

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

A snap-on privacy shield means you don’t have to worry about hackers spying on you when you’re home. It also ensures your home security company isn’t spying either. SimpliSafe has a stellar reputation in that regard, but there are one or two companies out there who’ve been busted for prying into their customers’ lives.

Finally, day-to-day functionality-wise, we couldn’t find much to complain about. It’s super responsive, it captured everything it needed to in our 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 we’ve seen in a camera in this weight class. During our 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. For outdoor protections, opt for SimpliSafe’s new Wireless Outdoor Camera with AI threat detection. When it detects a threat, SimpliSafe’s Active Guard Outdoor Protection allows their monitoring agents to use the camera’s two-way audio, spotlight, and siren to ward off the threat. This feature put it on our list of the best outdoor security cameras.

Finally, we didn’t order any of SimpliSafe’s several add-on products, but we were definitely intrigued 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, we 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 us, 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, 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 we did.

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

Pretending to break into our own home is always entertaining, but we were stopped dead in our tracks every time by the SimpliSafe system. In our pre-testing research, we 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 us immediately (motion sensor, indoor camera, etc.) — this is how every security system should function, by the way.

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

What We Liked

SimpliSafe isn’t perfect, but most homeowners will find a lot to like about it. We certainly did. We were 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, we were able to control everything from the SimpliSafe app, even when we were away from home. We used the indoor camera to check on the cats while we were at the grocery. And we used the video doorbell to chat with the postal person about a package they were delivering. When we forgot to arm the system one morning, we used the app to check it and eventually turn it on.

We also like how thoughtfully all of the pieces of equipment were designed. We know we 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 us — this couldn’t be easier. The only power tool we used was a drill to sink two screws into some drywall for the smoke alarm/CO sensor mounting bracket.

What We Didn’t Like

At the risk of seeming wishy-washy, one of the things that worried us most about the SimpliSafe system was the simplicity of the installation process. We know, we just complimented that same process. And there’s no doubt that it was quick and easy. That’s great in the short term. We 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. Our guess is that they’ll shrink and swell and ultimately, your equipment will all wind up on the floor.

We 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.

We also have to say that we weren’t a huge fan of the keypad. Don’t get us wrong – it’s a fine piece of equipment and does what it needs to do, but it just felt like it needed some upgrading. We might suggest a touch screen like Rob tested out in his review of Vivint security system. Maybe throw in some advanced features as well.

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 our testing period, we barely used it at all, since everything was easily controlled by the app. We appreciated the inclusion of the integrated panic button, though. We’re very thankful we didn’t have to use it, but we are glad it’s there.

Drawbacks aside, we were satisfied overall with the functionality and quality of the SimpliSafe system. It felt comprehensive, and most of all, we 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, they were the only company offering that option. Dozens of copycats later – even ADT recently began offering a self-monitoring option – they’re still one of the best self-monitored systems on the market.

But…and this is important…SimpliSafe is currently setting new standards on the professional monitoring side of the industry.In fact, SimpliSafe’s Core (formerly Fast Protect) monitoring is now one of the system’s biggest selling points.

How does it work?

When an alarm is triggered, SimpliSafe agents use your Wireless Indoor Camera and speak with you and 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, the system spots an intruder, or it detects another emergency, agents alert first responders. Note that those first responders respond more quickly to your alerts because 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 $32 per month. Both ADT and Vivint charge more. ADT, for instance, charges $35 per month for comparable features – minus video verification and two-way talk.

If you’re not up for paying $32 per month, you can also get professional monitoring without those extra features for $22 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. 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., your system contacts SimpliSafe’s monitoring center, and an agent gets involved in the situation.

Facial recognition is only available with outdoor monitoring. Turns out, there’s less expectation of privacy outdoors.

SimpliSafe Pricing

Overall, the system we were 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 our opinion, especially for how protected we felt during the test period.

That said, SimpliSafe offers different packages, all of them great values. 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 70 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, we’ll talk about safety and give you our final verdict.

Security System Side-by-Side Comparison

*ADT does offer a DIY option, but when we reviewed ADT Self-Setup, we 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?

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

If you’re self-monitoring, you get an alert. You check your cameras and identify any potential threats, and you contact emergency personnel.

If, on the other hand, you’ve signed up with SimpliSafe’s new Core monitoring system, the company not only alerts authorities for you, but it uses cameras to verify what’s happening so emergency personnel know what’s going on before they arrive. That kind of protection is well worth the $31.99 per month SimpliSafe charges for it.

You can go even further, by adding a wireless outdoor camera to your setup and signing up for Outdoor Active Guard monitoring. In this case, AI determines whether or not someone on your property is a threat well before they make it into the house. If it doesn’t recognize the person on your lawn, it alerts a real live monitor who checks out the situation. They’re trained to talk with trespassers and, again, to alert authorities if necessary. That plan is a little pricier. The Pro plan, which protects you at night, costs just under $50 a month. Sign up for around-the-clock protection with the Plus plan, and you’re looking at just under $80 per month. That’s pricey, but for those who can afford them, these plans ensure no one even makes it close to you or your loved ones.

The Verdict on SimpliSafe’s New Equipment

Here’s a quick recap in video form of what we 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