In the old days, having a security system meant that you would have to get a professional team inside your house to install everything.
All devices and sensors are wired, which means your security provider would have to drill holes into the ceiling or have unsightly wires running all over the room. SimpliSafe, as well as a host of other do-it-yourself security system providers, took care of that nightmare.
If you are looking to start from the beginning, you can check out:
- Our guide to the top smart home security system
Main Differences Between Ring Alarm vs Simplisafe
The main differences between Ring Alarm vs Simplisafe are:
- Ring alarm has a 5 to 14 piece kit for complete home protection, whereas Simplisafe is one device with multiple functions to tell you what’s going on in your home.
- Ring alarm offers a 14-piece kit for $250, whereas Simplisafe offers 14 piece kit for $367.
- Ring offers a 30-day test period and you can return the products for a full refund, whereas Simplisafe allows 60 days test period and you will get a full refund including shipping.
All New SimpliSafe
Using wireless devices, the SimpliSafe system allows you to just buy the sensors that you need and place them where you need them. To make it even easier, SimpliSafe offers several kits that allow you to get all the sensors that you would require without having to think about it. And because SimpliSafe is modular, you can just add more sensors if you need them.
Another advantage of working with SimpliSafe is that they have sensors and a smart device for every threat you want to cover. They have a range of entry sensors (windows and door sensor) to prevent break-ins, they also offer environmental sensors that would tell you if the basement is leaking or if there is smoke somewhere around the house.
SimpliSafe recently came out with an upgraded system, the All New SimpliSafe, which is smaller than the original but does things a whole lot better. It has twice the range of the original SimpliSafe device, its siren is 50% louder, and it also comes with new devices and safeguards that you would love.
SimpliSafe packages
SimpliSafe has five packages that offer you an easy way to adequately protect your home without having to spend much. If you have a small house, you can buy the Essentials package that includes three entry sensors and a motion sensor.
If you have a big home, you might want to buy the Knox, which includes six entry sensors, two motion sensors, a smoke detector, and a siren. If you want to be protected from environmental threats, get the Haven. All SimpliSafe system packages come with the base station/control panel and the keypad.
If you want to build your own system, you can buy the Foundation, which has the base station, keypad and one entry sensor. You can just add the devices and the sensors that you need. Or you can just custom-build your own home automation DIY security system from scratch. A side-by-side comparison of SimpliSafe packages shows you what to buy and what you get with each.
| Haven | Knox | Hearth | Essentials | Foundation | |
| Price | Most expensive | Most expensive | Mid-range | Least expensive | Least expensive |
| Base station | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Keypad | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Key fob | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Entry sensors | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Motion sensors | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 105 dB siren | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Panic button | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Freeze sensors | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Water sesnsors | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Smoke detector | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Customizing your system
SimpliSafe also allows you to buy only the smart device and sensors that you need. It is all a matter of choosing from a menu of devices and knowing what you can protect with each.
Burglaries and general home monitoring
| Sensor/device | Price |
| Entry sensor | |
| Motion sensor | |
| SimpliCam security camera | |
| Glass break sensor | |
| Panic button |
Environmental hazards
| Sensor | Price |
| Smoke detector | |
| Carbon monoxide detector | |
| Temperature sensor | |
| Water sensor |
Professional monitoring
SimpliSafe works without having to pay for a monthly professional monitoring service.
But if you want to be extra safe, you can choose the standard monitoring for an affordable price, which will give you round-the-clock monitoring of security system and cellular backup. Or you can opt for the Interactive monitoring for at a higher price point which would give you standard monitoring features plus SMS and e-mail alerts, secret alerts, and the ability to arm or disarm your home automation security system from anywhere.
What you would like about SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe takes its name seriously, allowing you to be… simply safe. The devices and sensors work together right out of the box, and all you need to do is to put them where you want them and the system would be up and running. Just add the professional monitoring plan you want and you are good to go.
Everything you want to monitor is provided by SimpliSafe, and it continues to work even when the keypad is smashed. Plus, there are no wires to cut so burglars wouldn’t be able to disable your alarm system with a pair of scissors.
You also do not have to worry about long-term contracts for the monitoring, as well as not having to think about termination costs or lock-in periods. You can also take SimpliSafe with you when you move.
How does Simplisafe compare to other security systems?
Ring Alarm
Ring (my full review here!) has been at the forefront of the video doorbell business since it started offering the Ring Video Doorbell. One of the biggest advantages of its video doorbells has been security.
Ever since introducing its video doorbell products, Ring have dabbled into other security devices such as floodlights and outdoor camera. Now, you have Ring Doorbell Alarm, which faces SimpliSafe and other DIY home security systems head on.
With the Ring Security System, you start off with the Home Security Kit. See here for the current price. The Ring Alarm Security kit has the base station, keypad, contact sensor, motion detection, and range extender. Ring plans to offer two sensors that would protect you from flooding and freezing, as well as a smoke alarm and carbon dioxide listener that would send you a notification when your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms go off.
The Home Security Kit has one of each device. If you need more, you can buy these sensors at these prices:
| Sensor | Price |
| Contact Sensors | (Check out the latest price here!)
|
| Motion sensor | (Check out the latest price here!) |
| Keypad | |
| Range extender | |
| Flood and freeze sensor | |
| Smoke and carbon monoxide listener |
Works well with others. Ring Alarm works rather well with other Ring products. You can monitor your Ring Alarm, Ring Video Doorbells, and Ring camera using just one mobile app.
You can even synchronize these devices to work together. For instance, if your Ring Alarm senses that a window has been opened, it will send you a notification on your mobile phone. But you can also have it set so that the Ring Floodlight Cam comes on, flooding the area near the open window with light to scare off would-be burglars while also helping you see the area at night.
Ring Alarm will also have integrations with other manufacturers. For instance, you can use a First Alert Z-Wave smoke and carbon monoxide alarm or a Dome Siren with your Ring Alarm.
But what makes Ring Security System products stand out is that it allows you to join a sort of digital neighborhood watch, where you can get alerts from neighbors about possible threats and inform them as well about threats happening at your home.
Ring offers the Neighbors app, which will keep you updated about alerts posted by your neighbors about suspicious activity around the area. This will help you get in touch with your neighbors as well.
For instance, if somebody alerted the neighborhood about a suspicious looking man, and you hear somebody’s ringing your doorbell, you can see from your smartphone what the Ring Video Doorbell is seeing, send a snapshot of the person outside your door to see if that was the person they were alerting everybody about.
Ring Protect
Ring offers video recording plans that allow you to record, store, and share videos. The Protect Basic is a cheeper alternative. But if you want to have more protection, you can get the Protect Plus, which is on the pricier side, but you are getting an unlimited number of cameras. On top of being able to record (cloud storage is unlimited) and share your videos, you also get round-the-clock professional monitoring plan.
FAQs
Yes. SimpliSafe works with Alexa, so you will definitely save a lot of time, especially if you are waiting for lots of people to show up at your place. You can also use Alexa to tell your Simplesafe device that you are going to bed, going out, that you need to turn on the protection, when you are living the home, or when you want the doors to be locked. It’s awesome, okay.
Besides purchasing the monitors, you will definitely need to pay $14,99 for regular maintanance and professional monitoring of the chosen devices.
This easy to install home alarm, is available for $10 a month whereas if you want video or audio on your doorbell, there is an additional $3 fee on monthly basis. If you decide to go with this type of device, you can get it for much cheaper, once you choose an anual plan.
If you press the SOS button, first of all, the company will call your emergency contact, and if no one picks up, the device will call the police, medical responders or fire dispatch depending on what you choose. In all cases, you will have to be connected with the app, so you can command the device on what to do next.
SimpliSafe vs Ring: Which is the better buy?
If you already have Ring’s video doorbells and cameras, then it would make sense that you buy Ring Alarm as it works well with other Ring products and a limited number of connected devices. SimpliSafe’s biggest weak point is that it does not integrate well with other connected devices.
In fact, after all these years, SimpliSafe only offers integration with Nest Thermostat, and even that is limited. The integration allows you to set your Nest Thermostat to home or away mode when you arm or disarm your SimpliSafe system.
However, if you do not care about these integrations, then SimpliSafe offers you the widest protection from both theft and environmental threats. Ring does not offer temperature sensors and glass break sensors. It also does not offer a smoke and carbon monoxide detector but a listener instead. Meaning, you need to have a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector for the listener to do its job.
When it comes to cameras, the SimpliCam works just like any ordinary security camera. Check the latest price here. At that price, you can buy the first generation Ring Video Doorbell and make your front door extra safe. Meanwhile, Ring also offers motion and sound triggered security cameras and floodlight outdoor camera for a little bit more.
It should be noted that the Ring Alarm is not the product that Ring wants to offer when it comes to home security. The company is currently embroiled in a legal battle with ADT because of its Ring Secure offering. Not much is known about Ring Secure, except that it goes against, and according to Ring supporters, beats out ADT. The Ring Secure was supposed to be out late in 2017.
Nevertheless, the Ring Doorbell Alarm is a worthy competition for SimpliSafe. It should be noted that these two are somewhat different from each other. SimpliSafe is more like your traditional home security system that’s upgraded and made even simpler, while Ring Alarm works best with videos, considering that it comes from the company that changed the world with its video doorbells.
Bottom Line: Both systems allow you to “sense” if there are threats, but with Ring Alarm System, you can use it with Ring cameras to also help you “see” what’s happening.
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