About SimpliSafe
Founded in 2006 in Boston, SimpliSafe pioneered peel‑and‑stick DIY alarms that anyone can install without drilling walls. Today the Fast Protect™ monitoring plan delivers live agent two‑way audio and 24/7 dispatch in seconds, all without long‑term contracts.
PROS
- No contracts—month‑to‑month monitoring
- 60‑day money‑back guarantee
- Fast Protect™ 8‑second average police dispatch
CONS
- Limited home‑automation compared with Vivint
- Outdoor Cam requires subscription for cloud video
SimpliSafe Overview
SimpliSafe ships pre‑programmed sensors labelled by room, so setup rarely takes more than 45 minutes. The system runs on a secure 24‑hour backup battery and comes with built‑in cellular LTE so alarms reach monitoring even if Wi‑Fi or power fail.
The mobile app lets you arm/disarm, watch live camera feeds and get push alerts for entry, motion, glass‑break and environmental sensors (smoke, water, temperature). Alexa and Google Assistant skills allow voice arming and status checks.
Key Features
Every SimpliSafe kit includes a base station with 95dB siren, a wireless keypad and entry sensor. Choose from more than a dozen add‑ons including hazard sensors, HD cameras and a smart lock.
- Fast Protect™ professional monitoring (police, fire & medical)
- 8‑second average live‑agent response time
- Peel‑and‑stick DIY installation
- Built‑in cellular + Wi‑Fi with automatic failover
- Alexa & Google Assistant voice control
- Environmental protection: smoke, CO, water & freeze sensors
- Optional Self‑Monitoring with unlimited camera recording ($9.99/mo)
- 60‑day risk‑free return and free shipping
Pricing
SimpliSafe sells equipment upfront (financing available) and offers two monitoring tiers:
Reviews
Fast Protect delivers lightning response
SimpliSafe impressed us with its new Fast Protect™ professional monitoring that averaged 8‑second alarm responses in our tests.
Best DIY‑install system of the year
No contracts, strong app, and optional pro install make SimpliSafe a clear winner for renters and homeowners alike.
User sentiment: 4.2/5 average
Most customers praise quick setup and responsive monitoring; complaints centre on camera subscriptions.
Top pick among DIY systems
SimpliSafe tops our list for easy setup, transparent pricing, and the longest equipment trial in the industry.
Reliable basics, now with smarter cams
While camera AI still lags Vivint, SimpliSafe’s refreshed Outdoor Cam and Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Cam provide solid video for most users.
All the essentials in one affordable bundle
SimpliSafe remains our Editors’ Choice for budget home security, though advanced home‑automation fans will want more integrations.
Fast Protect upgrade keeps SimpliSafe ahead of rivals
After testing the refreshed Outdoor Cam, we found video verification reduces false alarms and speeds police dispatch.
Best contract‑free protection
With a 60‑day risk‑free return and month‑to‑month monitoring, SimpliSafe offers unparalleled flexibility for cost‑conscious shoppers.
Sleek hardware, speedy setup
Installation was genuinely under 30 minutes, and the redesigned keypad is the slickest we’ve seen in a DIY kit.
A Contract-Free Favorite for Renters
SimpliSafe’s month-to-month monitoring and 60-day return policy make it our “Best for Apartments” pick.
