Correction · September 9, 2026: Official voice integrations support arming and status, not voice disarming. Push notifications require an active monitoring subscription. Optional paid professional setup is available. Sources: voice-control requirements, notification requirements, installation options. Other prices retain their stated review dates.
SimpliSafe offers DIY home security and optional paid professional setup. No-contract professional monitoring from $22.99/month, DIY or optional paid professional setup, with service features that should be matched to your equipment and needs.
The Big Picture
Select recording and professional alarm monitoring separately. The $9.99 recording plan does not provide professional dispatch, while $22.99 Standard does not include camera recordings. Core combines alarm monitoring with recording features. Higher Active Guard tiers have additional equipment, power and arming requirements. No firsthand hardware or app-performance comparison is published here.
Who It's For
Key Specs
Pricing verified April 2026 · No long-term contract required
See current packages →Another place to buy: Amazon
Compare the SimpliSafe 8-piece equipment kit with the package you need. Kit contents and retailer return terms may differ from buying direct; monitoring is selected separately.
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Last updated: April 2026 · Pricing verified April 2026 · How we evaluate · Review method
Written by Taylor Smith · ~4 min read · Editorial standards · Methodology
Research basis
This is a research-based review. Direct setup, app, camera and outage observations are identified separately where documented. Numerical ratings are under review; use the specific product facts, source dates and trade-offs when comparing your options.
How we evaluate → · Research and testing status →Specs at a glance
The Bottom Line
Compare SimpliSafe if you want DIY alarm equipment and optional professional monitoring. Select the recording and monitoring functions you need; no comparative performance ranking is established here.
Affiliate disclosure: SecurityCompassHQ may earn commissions from some links on this page, including as an Amazon Associate when you purchase through Amazon links. Commercial compensation is not evidence of product quality or a review criterion. See full disclosure →
How we evaluate
Compare published product information, written terms and source dates. Numerical ratings are under review. Read our review method →
All affiliate relationships are disclosed transparently. Read our disclosure →
SimpliSafe separates camera recording, professional alarm monitoring and agent-assisted camera services across its current plans. Choose the functions you need before comparing the monthly price.
Before you buy: Standard remains a current plan name. Confirm the present price, included recording and eligible camera services for the plan you select. A price in an older review may describe a different offer.
Sources checked for this update
Update frequency: quarterly, or when a significant product change occurs. Corrections policy →
Starting from $230 · No contract
Check current SimpliSafe pricing →Before you buy, consider whether SimpliSafe is the right fit:
We include this section on every review because honest evaluation means telling you when a system isn't the best fit — not just when it is. Our editorial standards →
Not sure SimpliSafe is right for you?
Compare it side-by-side with alternatives — equipment, pricing, and contract terms.
Self-Monitoring with Camera Recordings
$9.99/month
Camera recording service; you respond.
Standard
$22.99/month
Professional alarm monitoring.
Core
$32.99/month
Professional alarm monitoring plus camera recordings.
Pro / Pro Plus
$49.99 / $79.99 per month
Adds eligible Active Guard Outdoor Protection.
Active Guard requires at least one Outdoor Camera Series 2 and supports up to three enrolled cameras. Video Doorbell Pro can be added after activation. Outdoor cameras require continuous power through the Outdoor Camera Power Cable and an outlet; battery or solar alone does not qualify. Coverage is limited to the selected plan’s monitoring hours.
Plan facts checked September 11, 2026: SimpliSafe plan features · Active Guard equipment · Active Guard power and arming.
Separate service cancellation from equipment ownership and financing
Check the monitoring agreement, cancellation procedure and equipment return policy separately. The review describes month-to-month monitoring and a 60-day equipment return window; confirm which terms apply to the offer you select.
Read the contract terms checklist →| Founded | 2006 (Boston, MA) |
| Monitoring centers | US-based, CSAA Five Diamond certified |
| Cellular network | AT&T LTE |
| Battery backup | Up to 24 hours; conditions apply |
| Smart home | Alexa, Google Home |
| Trial period | 60-day money-back |
Does SimpliSafe work without a monitoring plan?
A local alarm is different from paid monitoring and app notifications. Do not assume all app features remain available without a plan: SimpliSafe says push notifications require an active monitoring subscription. Check your system generation, selected plan and the particular function you need.
Does SimpliSafe work without Wi-Fi?
Supported alarm equipment can communicate with the monitoring center over cellular with an active eligible professional-monitoring plan, working power and coverage. Cameras and app features have separate internet requirements; do not assume alarm cellular backup supplies camera internet.
Can I take my SimpliSafe system when I move?
Some alarm components can be moved, but installation and power requirements differ by device. Check adhesive mounts, fasteners, doorbell wiring, camera power and lease permission for the new home. Do not assume every SimpliSafe product is wireless or can be reinstalled without tools.
How long does SimpliSafe take to install?
Setup time depends on your equipment and home. SimpliSafe supports DIY installation and optional paid professional setup through OnTech. Check which sensors and cameras the setup package covers and whether additional installation charges apply.
Does SimpliSafe work with Google Home?
With a Gen 3 SimpliSafe system and an eligible subscription, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa can arm the system and check its status. The official integrations do not support disarming by voice. Check the supported plans and commands before relying on voice control.
What happens if SimpliSafe loses power?
The Base Station has battery backup, but actual runtime depends on its condition and use. Professional alarm communication also depends on an eligible active plan and cellular coverage when home internet is unavailable. Camera power and Wi-Fi are separate; this review has not measured real outage performance.
Is SimpliSafe good for large homes?
Coverage depends on the layout, construction, device placement and system limits. Check the exact Base Station and sensor requirements before relying on a quoted open-air range. Do not assume adding another Base Station simply extends one system or monitoring subscription.
Can I add cameras to SimpliSafe later?
Compatible cameras can be added, but their recording and monitoring features depend on the plan. Active Guard Outdoor Protection is on Pro or Pro Plus, with eligible equipment, enrollment, continuous camera power, the system armed Home or Away and the plan’s monitoring hours. Core does not include Active Guard Outdoor Protection.
How does SimpliSafe compare to ADT?
Compare equivalent equipment and monitoring packages, including installation and contract terms. SimpliSafe offers DIY or optional paid professional setup. ADT has self-setup and professionally installed offerings with terms that vary by package. Request the total equipment, installation and service cost for each option.
What is SimpliSafe's cancellation policy?
Check service cancellation and equipment returns separately. SimpliSafe provides a cancellation process for monitoring; any equipment financing remains a separate obligation. For purchases directly from SimpliSafe, its return policy provides 60 days from delivery, subject to the stated conditions. Retailer purchases follow the retailer’s policy.
Ready to buy SimpliSafe?
Compare the SimpliSafe 8-piece equipment kit with the package you need. Kit contents and retailer return terms may differ from buying direct; monitoring is selected separately.
Check SimpliSafe kit on AmazonAmazon affiliate link. Check the selected kit, seller, current price and included components before buying.
This section separates verified product claims from hands-on findings. Where we have not yet completed direct testing, we label the item as pending hands-on verification rather than presenting it as a firsthand observation. Learn about our testing process →
Setup experience
Pending hands-on verificationSimpliSafe publicly documents its DIY setup as taking 15–30 minutes using adhesive mounts and no tools. The system communicates wirelessly between sensors and the base station. We have not yet published firsthand setup timing or onboarding notes for this review — when we conduct direct testing, we will document actual setup time, pairing reliability, and first-arm experience here.
App quality
Pending hands-on verificationSimpliSafe's app handles arming and disarming, live camera view, and plan management. Per brand documentation, the app is available on iOS and Android. We have not yet published direct hands-on app testing notes — interface responsiveness, notification delivery speed, and reliability of remote arm/disarm remain pending firsthand evaluation.
Camera observations
Pending hands-on verificationCamera services depend on the model and plan. Indoor Intruder Intervention uses the eligible Smart Alarm Indoor Camera. Active Guard Outdoor Protection requires an Outdoor Camera Series 2 and the conditions listed above for Pro or Pro Plus. We have not published firsthand image-quality, motion-detection or intervention tests.
Outage behavior
Verified from product documentationAlarm backup and camera operation are different. Confirm the Base Station battery condition, active eligible monitoring plan and cellular coverage. Camera recordings and remote viewing require the supported power and internet configuration. Firsthand outage and failover testing remain pending.
What changed in this review
Editorial updateSeptember 11, 2026 correction: camera-history length, Standard versus recording-plan features, Active Guard prerequisites and direct-purchase return timing. Setup, app, image-quality and outage tests remain pending.
Sources checked for this update
Storage model
Cloud-first. Video recordings stored on SimpliSafe servers. No local storage option.
Account dependence
App features and monitoring both require an active SimpliSafe account. Self-monitor tier still requires account login.
Ecosystem lock-in
Low-moderate. Equipment is proprietary but system functions independently of Amazon, Google, or Apple. Monitoring is cancelable any time.
Privacy strengths
Points to know
All privacy information on this page reflects publicly available brand documentation. We do not make independent security or technical judgments beyond what the brand discloses.
How to read the evidence
Primary evaluation method: Desk research. Direct observations are identified separately where documented. Research and testing status →
Pricing verified
April 2026 — confirm current rates before purchase as prices change frequently.
Last reviewed
April 2026
Review method
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See full pricing →Related reading: SimpliSafe pricing & costs · Best no-contract systems · Best systems for renters · Best for vacation homes · Switching away from SimpliSafe? · Read the contract terms checklist → · Three-year cost report: assumptions and worked examples · Compare home security value and full ownership costs · SimpliSafe vs Ring vs Vivint — three-way comparison · SimpliSafe vs Cove — which no-contract system wins on 3-year total cost? · Head-to-head comparisons · All brand reviews
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