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SimpliSafe Home Security Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.2 / 5 (Excellent)
27 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Boston-based SimpliSafe is a home security company founded in 2006. The company sells home security systems that are self-installed and don't require a contract or landline. SimpliSafe systems communicate wirelessly, are professionally monitored 24/7 via cellular, and are fully customizable. Their keypad has smash-proof protection, which alerts authorities even if it is damaged.
 
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How is SimpliSafe rated?

Breakdown

4.0/5
Equipment
4.0/5
Monitoring Options and Technology
4.0/5
Value
4.5/5
Contract Flexibility

Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5 (Excellent)

SimpliSafe offers wireless home security solutions with 24/7 monitoring by their certified call centers. In addition to their hardware offerings, which includes an array of sensors, detectors, and cameras providing protection for the whole home, SimpliSafe offers smart home integration with Alexa, Nest, and the Apple Watch.

With no-contract, month-to-month plans starting at $15 per month, SimpliSafe offers one of the more flexible and inexpensive monitoring plans in the market and comes recommended especially for consumers who do not want to be tied down to a monitoring contract.

How does SimpliSafe work?

Equipment - 4 / 5

As of 2018 SimpliSafe has updated their hardware and has improved its connectivity and operability. Their starter system includes a base station, wireless keypad, motion sensor, entry sensor, and keychain remote. From there, options can include additional sensors, panic buttons, an extra siren, freeze sensor, and smoke, water and CO detectors.

The starter system has 4 pieces of equipment and their more comprehensive "Summerfort" package has 19 devices. There's also the option of building a fully customized system.
Installation
Self-Install (DIY)
Equipment Manufacturer
SimpliSafe
Ability to Reallocate System
Wireless Sensors
Control Panel
Event Triggered Siren/ Alarm

Security Monitors, Sensors, & Devices

Intrusion Protection

  • Door & Window Sensors
  • Garage Door Sensors
  • Glass Break Protection
  • Motion Sensors
  • Recessed Door Sensors
  • Crash & Smash Protection

Environmental Protection

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Temperature Change
  • Smoke

Surveillance

  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Live Surveillance
  • Event-triggered Surveillance

Life Safety

  • Panic Button
  • Medical Alert

Monitoring

Monitoring Options and Technology - 4 / 5

SimpliSafe outsources their 24/7 professional monitoring to COPS, a national security monitoring company with headquarters in New Jersey and regional offices throughout the country. They offer two different monitoring plans: Standard and Interactive.

Both monitoring plans feature cellular connections to the monitoring center. The "Interactive" monitoring plan includes everything from the "Standard" plan with the addition of mobile app control of your system with alerts from text, email, and push notifications to your app from anywhere in the world. The COPS central station is U.L.-Listed, F.M. Approved, and Five Diamond-Certified.
Monitoring Options
Professional Monitoring
Self Monitoring
Monitoring Technology
Cellular
Broadband
Number of Monitoring Centers
6
Monitoring Center Type
Outsourced
Professional Monitoring Services
24/7 Professional Monitoring
Police Dispatch
Fire Department Dispatch

How much does SimpliSafe cost?

Contract Flexibility - 4.5 / 5

Access to 24/7 monitoring from their award-winning call centers, is available with either the Standard ($15/month) or Interactive ($25/month) plans. SimpliSafe's monitoring service does not require a contract and can be cancelled at any time. And although their devices can be self-monitored, there is no access to their mobile app without a subscription to their $25/month "Interactive" plan.

The ordering process begins with choosing an equipment packages beginning at $230 for the base system and reaching $700 for the Summerfort package. SimpliSafe also offers the option of fully customizing your system, building from a four-piece base system and adding sensors, detectors, and cameras as needed.
Monthly Fee (min)
$14.99
Monthly Fee (max)
$24.99
Number of Available Packages
6
Installation/ Activation Fee
$0.00
Equipment Starting Cost
$230.00
Contract Required
Minimum Contract Length
0 months
Cancellation Policy
60-day money-back guarantee: If you're still not satisfied, return your system within 60 days for a full refund. We'll even send you a postage pre-paid return label, making SimpliSafe security truly a risk-free purchase. Once we receive your returned system, we'll issue you your full refund.
Warranty
THREE YEARS: All SimpliSafe Home Security Systems and accessories are warranted to be free of defects for 3 years from the time of purchase.

Technology Integrations

Technology Integration - 4.5 / 5

SimpliSafe offers iPhone and Android apps, email and text alerts as part of their basic package. They can also offer mobile app control of the security system, with remote arming/disarming power, and secret alerts whenever private rooms, drawers, and safes are accessed. These advanced features are only available to those subscribing to the "Interactive" monthly monitoring subscription. SimpliSafe has also recently added basic support for control by Alexa, Nest, and the Apple Watch.

Compatibility

Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Google Home
IFTTT
Z-Wave
ZigBee
Z-Wave Plus

Mobile Access & Alerts

  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Live Surveillance Feed
  • Remote Arm/Disarm

Home Automation

  • Thermostat Control
  • Event-triggered Automation
  • Unique User Codes

SimpliSafe Reputation

Reputation - 4 / 5

As an accredited BBB business with an A+ rating, SimpliSafe has an excellent reputation of resolving customer issues and complaints. For alarm monitoring, SimpliSafe's uses C.O.P.S. call monitoring centers, who are certified by the Central Station Alarm Association and the Underwriter's Laboratory. "C.O.P.S." is an established monitoring company, proven to be a responsive and effective partner in contacting authorities in the event of an alarm. We have seen an above-average amount of complaints regarding the responsiveness of their customer care call centers.
Trust Pilot Rating
5.2 out of 5
BBB Rating
A+
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
8
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews
5
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
57
Date Collected
2018-07-23
Year Founded
2006

Certifications & Associations

  • Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA)
  • Underwriter's Laboratory (UL)

SimpliSafe Summary

In Conclusion

The advances in wireless technology have made the components in security systems more sophisticated and affordable. Consumers now have many different options when considering a system for their home -- from one of the national, established home security companies to options from their cable TV or mobile phone provider. But some of the most versatile and easy-to-use systems come from the new, smaller security companies.

SimpliSafe is one of those companies that is making security systems harnessing the power of the internet and wireless technology and nothing else. With hardware packages that are tailor-made for all kinds of spaces, as well as the ability to custom build a package yourself, SimpliSafe’s systems should be on the list of anyone searching for a DIY security system.

Consumers who are shopping for the most “bang-for-the-buck” in their networked security system will find SimpliSafe’s offerings very competitive. With hardware packages that start around $200, additional sensors and cameras that are reasonably priced, along with no-contract, professional monitoring starting at $15 per month, SimpliSafe’s price point is hard to beat. Without any monitoring contracts, SimpliSafe customers are not tied down to monthly subscriptions and have the freedom to turn the service on or off at any time.

Regarding SimpliSafe customer service, we have found an above-average amount of complaints regarding their customer care staff, mainly long wait times on their phone lines. Consumers who do not consider themselves tech-savvy and expect to have plenty of questions regarding the set-up and maintenance of their systems may be better off with a company whose customer care reputation is higher. And with hardware that is tied to the monitoring services, those who do not wish to pay for monthly monitoring fees and self-monitor their system will find SimpliSafe’s offerings do not give them the ability to be alerted without being tied to their live monitoring services.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
http://simplisafe.com/
Company Phone
(888) 957-4675
Headquarters Address
294 Washington St, Floor 9, Boston, MA, 02109

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27 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Pamela H
5/31/2022
Simply Safe does have affordable monthly plans but the only one worth anything is the most expensive plan. The equipment is very simple to install but very expensive. You can control it with an app on your computer/tablet/phone which is nice. What I don’t like about the system is I can’t go to my TV, select a past time period and look at the video. In fact no one can unless you have the most expensive plan. This is unacceptable for me. I’ve already got the devices installed so I’m not going to send the equipment back and cancel the whole thing but I did drag out my old Night Owl system and hook it up as well. Now I can pick any day, any time for months back and look at the recording. With... Read More

electrableu
9/1/2021
***BUYER BEWARE!!!! REPEATED FRAUDULENT CHARGES WITH NO SERVICE!!!***** The equipment is not effective, fails to capture movement and camera is awful. I notified the company in writing and by phone call to permanently CANCEL and DELETE my account from their system. They did so initially and I was not billed for over a year. Suddenly I noticed they had been fraudulently debiting my account again for the past 6 months with no warning and zero permission!! I called to get to the bottom of why, and they indicated that someone had plugged the base station in and thus they started the charges up again! I had painters doing work on my house who probably plugged it in unbeknownst to... Read More

connwilliam50
10/27/2020
1) Multiple malfunctions on 2 motion detection sensors. 2) Customer service reps merely repeat company line with little to no understanding (or authority) for making changes. 3) Specific complaint: •left home vacant Oct 10, 2020; system "armed away" •pending alarm was reported Oct 24; owners out-of-state, no one available near home to check •police were dispatched; false alarm was filed •SimpliSafe does not absorb PD charge for false alarm; customer is charged ($100). Only alternative is to prove equipment is faulty to generate letter to PD requesting waiver. •Above process (equipment tested to be faulty, replacements sent, then re-installed, then retested) was... Read More

pberaud1940
5/30/2020
The system works OK. The customer service is absolutely awful. 2 people, who promised that they would call back as soon as they speak with a tech, never called back. Tried emailing them thru the contact page, no response. After reading all the wonderful things Simplisafe can do and how safe you would feel, I bought a system. BAD MOVE. Gave up Frontpoint to go to them. Well guess what? Going back. One phone call to Frontpoint and 15 minutes later, problem resolved.

sanjay700
1/30/2020
Simplisafe monitoring will not send the police unless they have a visual confirmation with a camera. We had a previous attempted break in so we installed simplisafe thinking it would notify police as it says it will on their site. Just got a call today from Securitas who simplisafe has partnered with to inform us there is an intruder alert. He said there was motion detected in my bedroom from a motion detector. No one was home and we had a previous attempted break-in so I asked him to notify the police. He refused saying he could not see an intruder in the cameras. That is idiotic on so many levels. 1. Why bother calling me if he wasn't prepared to take action? 2. All cameras... Read More

R
ron
11/16/2019
HUGE mistake! Had ADT for 21 years but got pricey. $50 a month. Switched to Simplisucks for $15. Trouble from the start. Faulty sensors, false alarms and TERRIBLE support. Says it wouldn't pick up pets. 8 lb kitty set off motion detectors. Told us to turn sensors upside down. Replaced base, entry sensors, siren and still had trouble almost every day. Loses wifi signal over and over. Takes 30 mins or more to get someone to answer phone at tech support. Local police ready to start charging for responding to false alarms. You get what you pay for.

aneekoo59
11/4/2019
If your tech are irresponsible and doesn’t keep or make appointments with me the client is that a good enough of a reason to dissolve our current contract.

G
Greg
8/13/2019
What an absolute waste of money Simplisafe is. I assembled the system as disclosed and the system worked for about 2 days then the issues began. The doorbell would not notify me of any issues neither motion, door bell ring, or video recording. I contacted the company to wait for a minimum of 1/2 an hour. The representative told me to merely reset the door bell by removing it from the wall and press the reset button. We hung up but reset did not work so again I contacted the company and they sent me a plug in booster for the Wifi. That didn't work and so it was call back again as I could not spend an hour on the phone so I left a phone number for them to return the call about 3 hours... Read More

alshaw22
7/24/2019
I wish I could give this company 0 stars. It is AWFUL AND A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY and worst of all I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AT ALL. I recently bought a house in a nice area but still wanted an alarm for safety since I am a single female living alone. I had one of the cameras in my front window viewing my front porch. The picture was crystal clear. I am paying $25 for the best monitoring you can get; however, I am not sure what exactly I am paying for. The first time I had an issue was shortly after moving in when I had a package. I immediately attempted to review the timeline but realized that I could not see any camera footage. I called the company and was informed that since the incident... Read More

T
Tara C
2/17/2019
SimpliSafe Home Security review On 7/31/2018 I upgraded an existing system we had from SimpliSafe, from a solicitation to upgrade for a reduced price by returning our old system. We purchased a camera as part of the package but could not get it to work. The cameras did not work and we switched out at least 5 of them. Two worked for about a week and then went off line and could not be reconnected. I have spent at least at least 648 minutes (which is 10.8 HOURS) over a minimum of 28 phone calls to rectify the situation. It took an act of congress to receive $59.40 refund for the non-functioning camera. I finally became so frustrated I cancelled both our personal and business accounts. We... Read More

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