SimpliSafe Home Security System Review

SimpliSafe Video Review

Reading about home security systems is one thing, but viewing 4K footage from a security camera tells a better story. Our video review also shows how easy it is to set up a SimpliSafe system, hopefully giving you the confidence to take the DIY route and save a few bucks in the process.

SimpliSafe has rolled out a few big updates since we filmed our review, but the core experience remains unchanged. However, all the latest information is listed throughout this written review. Here’s a summary of the changes.

• SimpliSafe increased its Standard plan pricing from $14.99 to $22.99 per month, and Core (previously known as Fast Protect) rose from $24.99 to $32.99 per month.
• Features have been added to the Core plan, such as the Intruder Intervention feature (formerly Live Guard Protection) that gives monitoring center agents video and audio access to cameras in emergencies.
• A new wireless indoor camera was released called the Wireless Indoor Camera. It’s the only camera fully compatible with Intruder Intervention.
• A new version of the outdoor camera launched, featuring AI-powered detection that accurately identifies potential security threats.
• There are now two additional plan tiers: Pro and Pro Plus. These tiers incorporate Active Guard Outdoor Protection – a feature similar to Intruder Intervention but for outdoor cameras. The Pro plan offers this protection overnight, while the Pro Plus plan offers around-the-clock protection for $79.99 per month.

What You Get / Unboxing

We’ve tested several generations of SimpliSafe products, and each generation has been a major improvement over the last. With this Gen 3 system, we found it had significantly upgraded cameras and sensors. The indoor camera, outdoor camera and video doorbell were all improvements over the last generation. All of these devices impressed right out of the box, with superior design aesthetics. We also found they had longer Wi-Fi ranges than the last generation.

SimpliSafe also delivers great value at approachable prices. The equipment is high-quality, yet cheaper than premium options like Vivint. The Vivint security system we reviewed set us back over $1,200. With SimpliSafe, you’ll find the priciest system runs $733 at full price, though the company frequently offers discounts of 30 to 60 percent. If you’re new to this and want to get a better grasp on package prices, check out our guide on how much a home security system costs.

Once you’ve built your home security system, you need to decide how to pay for it. SimpliSafe lets you pay the total price upfront or apply for financing through Affirm. We found financing options available for 3, 12, or 24 months. Monthly payments for a basic system start around $12.50 over 12 months and $6.25 with a 24-month payment plan.

SimpliSafe Equipment Overview

Though SimpliSafe has expanded into a full-service home security provider, it maintains its DIY roots that first made it popular with apartment dwellers. The company started by focusing on DIY apartment security, and even though it has expanded its ranges of products and services, SimpliSafe is still a go-to choice for people who want to handle some aspects themselves.

What sets this generation apart is the flexibility in customizing your setup. Instead of being locked into predetermined packages, you can start with a basic system and add more devices to your collection gradually. In fact, you can even use the Video Doorbell Pro as a stand-alone device. That customization is a big shift from the compartmentalized nature of the last SimpliSafe generation.

We bought eight motion sensors to cover our first-floor doors and windows, motion sensors for the hallways, and a glass break sensor for the door to our patio. Finally, we got security cameras for the living room, backyard, and front porch. Let’s take a closer look at our system.

Base station

The base station is the brains of every SimpliSafe system that connects everything from the sensors to the security cameras. This essential device also connects to SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring center and emits a loud siren when the system has been triggered.

While the siren is loud, it becomes less audible when you’re outside or on a different floor. It’s also harder to hear when you have the volume up on your TV or you’re in the shower. If not being able to hear the siren ends up being a major concern, we suggest adding auxiliary sirens, which is what we did during our tests. In fact, SimpliSafe’s auxiliary sirens are actually a bit louder than the base station.

We found the base station to be one of the most stylish alarm hubs we’ve tested. Standing about eight inches high with a four-inch rounded base, its tower-like design saves valuable space, particularly when compared to the Frontpoint Hub (see our Frontpoint review) that looks more like a router. Plus, it gives a blue underglow at night, which can be a soothing reminder to users that SimpliSafe is protecting their homes. We even use it as a night light, since we placed our base station in the living room.

Keypad

We have mixed feelings on the keypad. On one hand, it’s convenient to mount close to the front door so you can easily arm and disarm your system. On the other hand, its chunky design feels dated compared to sleeker alternatives, but it does feel rugged. It also supposedly triggers an alarm when smashed, though we didn’t get to test that.

The keypad comes across as particularly lackluster compared to systems controlled by a touchscreen tablet. While ADT offers one as an upgrade, the Vivint Smart Hub described in our Vivint review is the gold standard. It can control your alarm system and smart home devices, as well as stream live video. SimpliSafe’s keypad can’t do any of that, but it is simple.

Entry sensors

SimpliSafe’s entry sensors are small and inconspicuous – just how we like them. Despite the sleek design, they are reliable and alert you the moment a door or window opens.

We decided that the ground level was the best spot for our entry sensors, as that was where intruders were most likely to enter. The sensor alerted us when the two components moved about two inches apart. We don’t think anyone could shimmy through a two-inch crack, so the door sensor passed our test.

Motion Sensors

Our SimpliSafe motion sensors did exactly what they were intended to. They detected motion.

More importantly, they detected the right motion. Our pets were able to move about undetected. When our cats hopped around our living room furniture, the motion detector didn’t bat a digital eye. When our expert tester took a stroll past the detector, however, it worked as expected.

On the other hand, though, we found the motion sensor’s 90-degree field of view a bit limited. You have to be very specific in where you place the sensor to get the most value out of it. In our experience, the best placement for the sensor is in the far-side corner of a room so it can quickly catch when someone walks in and to eliminate large blind spots.

The 35-foot detection range impressed us. It makes these sensors ideal for monitoring long hallways and spacious rooms. We placed one of the sensors at the far-end of the second-floor hallway leading to our bedrooms, and as soon as anyone reached the top of the stairs, we got notified.

Expert Take

From Gene Petrino, Retired SWAT Commander and Law Enforcement

“I recall one homeowner who installed the system themselves to save money. The sensors were not properly affixed, and so they continuously activated the system. The homeowner became accustomed to the false alarms, and became complacent with reviewing the activity (like the boy who cried wolf). Sadly, his home was burglarized and he didn’t notify law enforcement for over an hour after the event.”

Glass Break Sensors

Largely self-explanatory, glass break sensors are very useful if an intruder or vandal smashes your window. These sensors don’t need to be placed directly on the glass to detect a smash because it is designed to detect the sound of breaking glass. To test ours, we played a recording of glass breaking and the sensor responded as we had hoped.

We recommend installing these devices in rooms with multiple windows or large glass doors. That way, the glass sensor can monitor an entire room without much help from other sensors. It also makes sense to get the glass break sensor if you have large glass doors, because again, some burglars might find it easier to break a glass door to gain entry than tamper with a door lock.

Wireless Indoor Camera

SimpliSafe’s Wireless Indoor Camera delivers 1536p resolution (almost 2K quality) and includes a built-in siren that can be triggered remotely to deter intruders. We’re not thrilled about the camera’s design though. We find it bulky and boxy, and not discreet. But perhaps being conspicuous is by design.

The standout feature here is Intruder Intervention, which is available with Core, Pro, or Pro Plus subscriptions. When the security system detects a potential intruder, it alerts the monitoring center. Then, a live agent will access the camera’s live feed and two-way audio. If there is an intruder, they’ll tell the intruder to scram, call police, and continue to monitor the situation. This paid feature put SimpliSafe on our list of the best security cameras of 2025.

During our tests, SimpliSafe’s response time was remarkable. Within seconds, an agent was communicating through the camera’s speakers, issuing warnings about being recorded, and threatening police involvement. We apologized and explained what we were doing, and after giving them our SimpliSafe secret code, they dropped the line.

Live agents being able to access your camera is a cause for privacy concerns. For your protection, the camera has a physical privacy shutter you can close. That shutter flips open if your system has been triggered by a sensor or other device. You can also edit the settings to customize when you want it to send alerts and live feeds to the monitoring center.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera

The outdoor camera from SimpliSafe is actually a battery-powered camera similar to the Arlo Pro 3 we tested. It doesn’t work without a SimpliSafe system, so if you’re looking for just an outdoor camera and nothing else, see our list of the best outdoor cameras. The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro is reserved for those who want a SimpliSafe system in their home with an outdoor camera they can integrate.

We think the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro delivers the right balance of specs and functionality. The device offers 1080p resolution, 140-degree field of view, color night vision, and a motion-triggered spotlight for $199.

• Video Monitoring: The camera is compatible with Active Guard Outdoor Protection, which is similar to the indoor camera’s Intruder Intervention feature. It activates when the camera’s AI identifies a possible threat. You will need the Pro subscription ($49.99 monthly) for overnight coverage or Pro Plus plan ($79.99 monthly) for round-the-clock protection.
• Video: At 1080p HD, the video quality on the SimpliSafe outdoor camera was decent, but it had the added bonus of 10x digital zoom. 1080p is the current industry standard, and for outdoor video recording, it helps with capturing finer details like an intruder’s face or a critter in your garden. We were able to watch our backyard throughout the day without any problem, so although it wasn’t the best video on the market, it got the job done.

• Audio:  We loved using the camera’s speaker and microphone to talk to people remotely. We pulled out our SimpliSafe app and spoke to them directly. The sound was loud and clear, even for an outdoor camera. That’s a good thing if you’re planning to use the Live Guard Protection feature.
• Night vision: We also liked that the outdoor camera has built-in spotlights. That means it can see in full color at night when the light is on. By the way, the spotlight is motion-activated. We’d say it’s similar to the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery, which is one of our favorite outdoor cameras.

• Storage: We prefer to back our footage up in two ways: locally, on a micro-SD card or hard drive, and through cloud storage, as a secondary backup. While none of the SimpliSafe cameras currently include local storage, cloud storage was available on its own or lumped with professional monitoring.

Panic Button

SimpliSafe’s panic button enabled us to contact emergency services with just the click of a button. If we couldn’t reach our alarm or call 911, we weren’t left to deal with a tricky or dangerous situation on our own. Instead, we could simply reach for our panic button.

Once we pressed the button, the system alerted SimpliSafe’s monitoring center, and the center turned our alarm on. In the end, the panic button had the potential to get us help just as quickly, if not sooner, than calling 911.

Key fobs

Another backup option was the key fobs, which combined the panic button and the keypad. The panic button and keypad allowed us to arm and disarm our system, minus the passcode, of course. We found that the fob came in handy particularly when we were on a different floor of our home from the keypad.

The key fobs are slim and easy to carry around. We attached one to our car keys, and we found it great for arming and disarming the system as we enter or leave the house. It may also work as a necklace pendant, especially if you’re living with an aging loved one who might someday need convenient access to emergency help. It works anywhere within 30 feet of the base station.

Siren

The Extra Siren can supplement the base station siren, and this device is a big reason why we think SimpliSafe is one of the best security systems for larger homes. Emitting a 105-decibel audible alarm, this siren is as loud as a table saw, which means you can hear it down the street. The Extra Siren is also water resistant, meaning we could use it outside.

We used the siren upstairs and found that it was a great way to stay connected to the base station and main parts of the larger security system while we were a floor away.

SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro

The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is unique in that it’s the only SimpliSafe device that will work on its own. Every other camera and device requires a base station. To be clear, we tested this device as part of our SimpliSafe system. As with other video doorbells, it sent us notifications about visitors, let us watch a live stream, and allowed us to communicate through two-way audio.

To use SimpliSafe’s Video Doorbell camera, we needed to have an existing doorbell setup, so it was fortunate that we did. After hardwiring it into our home, we took a closer look at its performance.

• Video:  We were very impressed with the Doorbell Pro’s video. Not only did it have a 1080p HD display with a 162-degree field of view, but it also had HDR, which helped limit distortion from outdoor light. You can see below that even though it was bright outside when we took the photo, even the shadowy areas remained clear.

• Audio: A standard feature of all video doorbells, the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro had two-way audio, so we got to have conversations with our guests remotely. This really came in handy in preventing package theft when we needed to give instructions to delivery people.
• Night vision: We appreciated the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro’s infrared night vision, which allowed us to see clearly at night. It used infrared night vision, and although it turned the videos into black-and-white, it resulted in clearer imagery that allowed us to see fine details like the plate numbers of cars passing by.
• Storage: Storage options with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro were essentially the same as they were for other SimpliSafe cameras: $9.99 a month for 30 days of recording on up to 10 cameras. This cloud storage is also included in the Core , Pro, and Pro Plus plans.
• Artificial intelligence: Like our Wireless Indoor Camera, the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro had person detection, which was really helpful for a camera facing the street. We weren’t notified about every car that passed, just human visitors. We had fewer false notifications with the Video Doorbell Pro than with the Wired Indoor Camera, too, which made staying on top of our visitors much easier.

All in all, we were very pleased with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, and it was very reasonably priced at $169.

Environmental Sensors

Simplisafe also offered environmental monitoring, such as smoke detectors and CO detectors, freeze and water sensors, and a smart lock. We controlled all of these items remotely through the SimpliSafe app. When we used the Standard Plan or Core Plan, our system notified us of any activity.

How Well It Worked

SimpliSafe was one of the easiest systems for us to get up and running for daily use, even as we added various new components like the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro. Nearly everything was wireless and connected with the base station, which conveyed information by speaking out loud, sending notifications to our app, and even changing the color of the LED strip at its base.

Once we’d installed the system, the firmware updates were automatic, so it didn’t require any maintenance post-installation. We were so impressed with SimpliSafe, we added it to our best home security system roundup.

You don’t have to be tech-oriented to manage a SimpliSafe system. We recommend SimpliSafe for anyone wanting an uncomplicated system with minimal learning curve. It’s also perfect if you’re living with seniors who may not be comfortable with touchscreen control panels or overly advanced home security technology.

Just take the arming and disarming process, for instance. You can arm the system with just a couple of button presses on the keypad, and then disarm it by entering a passcode through the physical number pad. So really, one just has to remember the passcode to use SimpliSafe. Using the smartphone app is completely optional.

And then, there are the remote control devices like the panic button and key fob. With one press of a button, you can call for help, arm the sensors, or turn off the system. Overall, the name SimpliSafe aptly describes the security system.

Smart Home Features

Although they’re simple, SimpliSafe systems aren’t outdated or low-tech. They can connect to both the internet and virtual assistants, such as Alexa and Google Assistant. This unlocks all kinds of “smart” security features.

We enjoyed using the voice assistants to control SimpliSafe. We were impressed that we could use just a brief statement to Alexa and set our system in the home or away mode. Likewise, we used our voices to check the system’s status and to arm it. SimpliSafe didn’t allow us to disarm our system with our voice due to security concerns.

As far as smart home compatibility goes, however, SimpliSafe is a long shot away from Vivint, one of the best smart home security systems. Vivint can integrate with dozens of other brands from Nest thermostats to Philips Hue smart lights. It can even pair with Zigbee and Z-Wave. SimpliSafe offers none of that, but it is compatible with August (smart locks), so that’s something.

Still, you can make a lot of smart home integrations using Alexa or Google Assistant. SimpliSafe won’t be at the center, but it will at least work with third-party devices. For example, you can set up an Alexa routine that arms your system at a certain time at night, or disarm the system and turn off your smart lights when you say “Good morning” to Alexa.

Monthly Costs

When we purchased our SimpliSafe system, we wanted to see what it was like to use it without paying any additional monthly fees. We found that it was pretty robust. Comparing SimpliSafe with Ring Alarm, for instance, we found the two were quite similar. Like Ring Alarm’s free plan, we were able to control our system remotely and receive notifications. We also got full smart platform integration plus a seven day history timeline.

With SimpliSafe, we went for the Core Plan, which included 24/7 professional alarm monitoring, Intruder Intervention, video verification, cellular backup, remote control, notifications, smart platform integrations, and more.

We thought the Core Plan was well worth its $32.99 per month price. Plus, we could pay for a single month, so we didn’t have to make any long-term commitment, which was great for renters like us (or commitment-phobes).

Find more pricing details on the SimpliSafe price overview page.

Core Plan Features

We recommend the Core plan for its proactive monitoring features. Rather than simply reacting to alerts, it prevents false alarms and actively intervenes during real break-ins. To do that, it incorporates several features, including video verification, alert texts, critical alarms, and Intruder Intervention.

• Video verification: If you have security cameras, SimpliSafe’s monitoring agent will access its livestream briefly after an alarm is received to verify the incident. This process also helps speed up police response, as verified alarms are prioritized over tripped systems that could turn out to be false alarms.
• Intruder Intervention and Active Guard: With the Core plan, SimpliSafe’s agents use your Wireless Indoor Camera to deter crime during active alarms. This can extend to the outdoor camera with an upgrade to the Pro or Pro Plus monitoring plans.
• Alert texts: In addition to calling the homeowner, SimpliSafe will notify them through an instant text. The homeowner can then respond to the text to confirm or cancel the alarm. This feature is dual-purpose. In case of real security incidents, alert texts give users a more efficient way to confirm alarms than through a phone call. In case of false alarms, it lets users quickly cancel the alarm without having to talk to a monitoring agent.
• Critical alarms: This feature is optional, but when turned on, this lets the SimpliSafe app bypass silent and Do Not Disturb modes so critical alerts can still go through. This ensures that the homeowner never misses an alarm. This is one of many reasons why we deemed SimpliSafe as one of the best home security systems for the deaf.

SimpliSafe offers two higher tiers of protection that add on the Active Guard Outdoor Protection feature. The Pro plan offers it overnight for $49.99 per month, while the Pro Plus plan offers Active Guard around the clock for $79.99 per month.

Expert Take

From Gene Petrino, Retired SWAT Commander and Law Enforcement

“I have seen self monitored systems be effective and ineffective. Self monitoring has the benefit of eliminating the middleman. When the alarm is activated, the homeowner is notified directly, and they can confirm the validity of the activation to notify law enforcement if needed. This can save upwards of 10 minutes. The downside is that you need to be available to accept the notification and determine if it is a crime or false alarm.”

System Installation

SimpliSafe is perhaps best known for its DIY qualities. You can get it up and running yourself, without help from professionals. As a matter of fact, it’s one of our favorite DIY security systems. So how hard was it to install?

Installation was straightforward. We had everything up and running in less than an hour, including the hardwired video doorbell. We started with the base station. We plugged it in, turned on the wireless keypad, and waited for the two to connect. We also downloaded the SimpliSafe app to create an account with a Master PIN. The rest of the process – connecting the sensors, activating the monitoring service, testing and naming our devices – was guided by the same app. All in all, it took us less than an hour to set up everything, including the wired SimpliSafe video doorbell mentioned earlier.

If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, SimpliSafe offers installation services beginning at $125. The cost increases based on how many devices you need set up.

>> Also See: The Best Professionally Installed Systems

The SimpliSafe App

The SimpliSafe app, which worked with every plan including the free plan, was where we armed and disarmed the system, live-streamed footage, and got alerts. The self-monitored camera plan and the Core plan also let us view our recordings and set up smart platform integrations.

The app had awesome ratings, a 4.8 for iOS1 and a 4.5 for Android2, and we definitely agreed with the ratings. It was easy to stay on top of our home using SimpliSafe’s app.

Customer Service

SimpliSafe had a few options for reaching customer support, including a phone line, user forum, email address, and a new live chat. A few user manuals were available online, as well. Support was available via phone and email every day from 9 AM until midnight, EST. The live chat is available 24/7.

We reached out to customer support via live chat, phone, and email. For the most part, we felt SimpiSafe’s email customer support was timely in response. Once, they responded within the same day. Another time, it took a day to respond, and once it took five days, so the average stood at two days, which was not bad.

However, for the fastest support, we had to call SimpliSafe directly or use their live chat. That considered, the email responses we received were very friendly and thorough, so, overall, we had a good experience with SimpliSafe’s customer support team.