SimpliSafe Pricing and Package Costs

You might have heard that SimpliSafe is one of the most affordable security systems, and you heard right. We recently finished testing a SimpliSafe system – the one in the photo below – and it cost us less than half of what we paid to buy a Vivint system. We kept all the receipts, too. Literally! So if you’re curious how much a SimpliSafe system costs, keep reading.

We’re going to discuss everything from how much the equipment costs to how much you’ll pay for monitoring. We’ll say this right off the bat: SimpliSafe is one of the best security systems around. It’s a good value for your money compared to the competition. But whether it’s the right option for your home and your budget remains to be seen. Keep reading to see what SimpliSafe offers.

How Much Does SimpliSafe Cost?

We’ve been testing security systems for almost a decade, and usually, the systems we test come with three required fees. There’s the equipment fee, the installation fee, and the monitoring fee. All that adds up to about $1,000 in the first year – that’s how much a security system typically costs.

With SimpliSafe, only one of those fees was required – the equipment fee. That’s what sets it apart from the competition like ADT and Vivint. Professional installation and monitoring were not mandatory, so if you choose to, you can DIY those parts to cut costs.

>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. ADT

But we’re here to discuss how much SimpliSafe could cost, so let’s say you want a SimpliSafe security system installed in your home by professionals and you also want professional monitoring. What will the damage be?

• Equipment fee: Starts at $207 for refurbished, $250 for brand-new
• Installation fee: Starts at $125; scales with how many pieces of equipment you own
• Monitoring fee: $19.99 per month for Standard monitoring; $29.99 per month for Fast Protect

Let’s dig a little deeper.

Equipment Packages

First things first, SimpliSafe’s equipment pricing changes all the time because of discounts. Of all the security systems we’re keeping track of, SimpliSafe has special offers and deals most frequently. At a minimum, you can get a 20-percent discount almost all year round, but the discounts can go as high as 60-percent during special holidays. Around Thanksgiving last year and during the holiday season, for example, prices dipped to as low as $100 for a basic security system that usually costs $250.

On top of the discounts, SimpliSafe offers freebies, usually either one of its four security cameras: the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera, the SimpliCam wired indoor camera, SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro, or SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro.

Smart Alarm (pictured below) is the newest and it has a special feature that works exclusively with the Fast Protect plan, so SimpliSafe is always advertising it. We got ours for free thanks to a special deal.

The easiest way to get started with a SimpliSafe system is through a pre-customized package, but aside from that, you can also build your own SimpliSafe system. If you’re looking for an apartment security system or a system for a small house, for instance, it may make sense to purchase just a base station, a few entry sensors, and a motion sensor. That way, you’re buying just what you need — nothing more and nothing less.

We’d recommend checking out SimpliSafe deals before customizing though, especially SimpliSafe Black Friday deals and SimpliSafe Prime Day deals. Like we said, SimpliSafe loves throwing deals, and you might just be able to score better prices if you buy around shopping holidays. For now, check out SimpliSafe’s packages and their regular pricing.

The Beacon— $699.90
Components: Base station, keypad, four entry sensors, two motion sensors, two outdoor cameras

The Lighthouse— $464.93
Components: Base station, keypad, three entry sensors, motion sensor, outdoor camera

The Haven— $509.86
Components: Base station, keypad, key fob, four entry sensors, two motion sensors, auxiliary siren, panic button, freeze sensor, smoke detector, water sensor

The Knox— $469.87
Components: Base station, keypad, key fob, six entry sensors, two motion sensors, auxiliary siren, smoke detector

The Hearth— $394.91
Components: Base station, keypad, key fob, three entry sensors, motion sensor, auxiliary siren, smoke detector

The Essentials— $274.95
Components: Base station, keypad, three entry sensors, motion sensor

The Foundation— $244.96
Components: Base station, keypad, an entry sensor, motion sensor

Refurbished System— Starts at $206.20
Components: Base station, keypad, two entry sensors, two motion sensors

SimpliSafe Equipment List

Whether you plan to buy a package or customize your own, you’ll have the option to buy additional components as you see fit for your home security. Below is the regular pricing of SimpliSafe’s add-on equipment.

To see exactly what we thought of SimpliSafe’s components in practice, read our full SimpliSafe security system review or check out our SimpliSafe FAQs.

Monitoring Options and Pricing

We have a rule that whenever a security system offers professional monitoring, we always go for the most expensive option to see what the security system offers. We did the same with SimpliSafe and opted for the Fast Protect plan that costs $29.99 per month. But after testing it for a couple of months, we broke our own rule and used SimpliSafe without a monthly fee – that is, the self-monitoring option.

We were able to do that because SimpliSafe doesn’t require contracts. You can upgrade or downgrade your subscription anytime. That makes SimpliSafe a flexible security system for renters. More importantly, we think SimpliSafe offers enough features even without a professional monitoring subscription. We were able to do things like:

• Receive alerts through the SimpliSafe app
• Automatically or manually trigger sirens
• Livestream security camera footage on our phones
• Control SimpliSafe using the app
• Customize our arming modes to some degree

And because SimpliSafe offers that many features right out the box, we consider it one of the top security systems without a monthly fee. That said, we would recommend at least getting a cloud subscription for your SimpliSafe cameras. They don’t record unless you have one and it starts at $4.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 per month for five cameras. It’s a little more expensive than Ring’s cloud plans ($10/month for unlimited cameras), but it’s better than nothing.

>> See Also: Ring Security Camera Pricing and Video Storage Options

Also note that while we liked what SimpliSafe offers with its free self-monitoring plan, we still recommend getting professional monitoring if it’s within your budget. It starts at $19.99 per month for the Standard plan, but we thought the $29.99 Fast Protect plan was a better value for our money because of its features (more on that below).

We also love the fact that the Fast Protect plan includes cellular backup. SimpliSafe is an internet-reliant security system. If your internet is not working, it won’t be able to send you alerts. If you’re not on any professional monitoring plan, only the base station’s siren will work in case of an intrusion.

With a professional monitoring plan, SimpliSafe will activate the base station’s cellular chip. This is like a SIM card connected to either an AT&T or Verizon network and can generate alerts without Wi-Fi. Add that to the base station’s 24-hour backup power supply and you get a resilient security system that can stay on no matter what.

SimpliSafe Monitoring Breakdown

SimpliSafe offers two professionally monitored plans, namely, Standard and Fast Protect. Being the cheaper of the two, the Standard plan is a pretty barebones monitoring plan. It includes cellular backup (continuous monitoring in case your internet goes down) and professional monitoring itself, but nothing else. You won’t be able to integrate smart home devices, create secret alarms, or get video-verified alarm responses. Those features are reserved for the slightly more expensive Fast Protect plan. Here’s what those advanced features do:

Secret Alarms

Secret alarms notify only certain people when the system detects a problem; the base station’s siren doesn’t go off. This is useful in case of home invasions, when you don’t want the intruders to know that you have an alarm system that can call the cops.

Video Verification

Next, video verified alarms provide you and the monitoring center with a video clip along with your notification. Because they’ve verified that there’s a crime in progress, police response can be sped up. This feature is also called Fast Protect™, and where things are headed, it seems that SimpliSafe is adding extra perks to this feature. For example, users can now receive text alerts and verify or cancel alarms by replying to the text, making the process a lot more streamlined.

24/7 Live Guard

24/7 Live Guard has to be the most intriguing of the Fast Protect plan features. It works exclusively with the new indoor camera released by SimpliSafe, the Smart Alarm, and it gives SimpliSafe’s monitoring center temporary access to live feeds and recorded videos when an alarm is triggered.

Of course, that may raise privacy concerns, especially since the Smart Alarm is an indoor camera. However, the live response only triggers after meeting a couple of criteria. First, there has to be motion. Second, the motion has to have been verified by the camera’s on-board AI as a person-triggered event. If both criteria are met, live agents will be able to verify the motion event and use two-way talk to stop intruders in their tracks.

Now, a company called Deep Sentinel offers a similar feature for $100 per month, but due to privacy concerns, it offers only outdoor cameras. (See our Deep Sentinel review for more info.) If you’re also concerned about possible privacy risks of live video monitoring, there might be good news on the horizon. SimpliSafe recently announced that it’s bringing Live Guard monitoring to its outdoor cameras. It’s only for select early access users for now, but we might see it roll out more widely in the future.

One advantage of outdoor live video monitoring is since there’s less expectation of privacy outdoors than indoors, SimpliSafe will be able to more freely monitor the outdoor cameras. In fact, it’s also rolling out A.I. facial recognition. You will create face profiles of household members, and when the outdoor camera detects movement, it uses A.I. to see if the subject matches any of the profiles. If it doesn’t, only then will the camera contact the monitoring center.

Cloud Storage

Cloud storage, as we discussed earlier, allows up to 10 cameras to record to the cloud. If you want cameras included in your security monitoring, this is a solid feature that you’ll surely need.

Home Automation

Lastly, home automation integrations allow you to pair up SimpliSafe with smart home brands and ecosystems, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and August Locks.

SimpliSafe doesn’t require users to sign a long-term contract either, unlike the worst security systems that often force or trick customers into signing a contract. Of course, contracts aren’t all that bad. Reputable companies like ADT and Vivint have contracts too, but if you want to avoid contracts altogether (and we can’t blame you), SimpliSafe is a top choice.

Installation Pricing

SimpliSafe is a DIY security system, so there are no required installation fees. SimpliSafe will ship you a box containing your home security system and it will be up to you to set it up. But don’t worry, it only takes about 30 minutes to set up everything.

That said, if you want a more professional touch, you can get your security system installed by a third-party SimpliSafe partner called OnTech. The service starts at $125.

How Does It Compare?

In terms of equipment and monitoring costs, SimpliSafe is at the lower end of the pricing spectrum with professional monitoring and cellular backup costing around $30 a month. We’ve seen some more traditional brands range from $40 to $60 a month. Many of them require long-term contracts as well, with some contracts as long as five years.

In terms of both cost and term length, SimpliSafe is affordable and flexible. While its monitoring costs aren’t the absolute lowest on the market (we’ve also seen monitoring for as little as $10 a month), SimpliSafe is still very affordable. The brand also runs several specials and sales throughout the year, including the 20-percent discount on new systems that we mentioned above. But if you don’t catch the deal, don’t despair; SimpliSafe has deals all year round, sometimes going as high as 60-percent.

Our Favorite Features

• DIY or professional installation through an authorized third-party: SimpliSafe is easy to install, even if you’re not a security expert like us. Most of the system is wireless, so sensors are as easy as peel-and-stick. However, we like that professional installation is also an option, through a third-party installer, for just $125.
• 24/7 professional monitoring and cellular backup available: Around $30 a month gets you professional monitoring, cellular backup, unlimited cloud storage on 10 cameras, secret alarms, environmental monitoring, and more.
• Integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant: Those in the Amazon and Google smart home ecosystems can command their SimpliSafe system using their voices alone. One note: Alexa has a lot more capabilities than Google Assistant.
• Packages range from about $200 to $400: You can also create a customized system as well, but we recommend buying a package to access savings. As far as pricing goes, SimpliSafe is one of the more affordable companies around in terms of both equipment and monitoring costs.
• Works with Nest thermostats and August smart locks: Users can connect their SimpliSafe components with smart thermostats and locks from Nest and August, respectively, automating their smart homes.

Home Automation

SimpliSafe works with Alexa and Google Assistant, the two most popular voice assistants from Amazon and Google, respectively. Here’s exactly what users can do with each.

Alexa

Using Alexa, users can arm their security system in either home or away mode, or check the status of their security system. Here are the commands for each:

Away Mode

• Alexa, ask SimpliSafe to arm my system in away mode
• Alexa, tell SimpliSafe I’m going out
• Alexa, tell SimpliSafe I’m leaving
• Alexa, tell SimpliSafe to turn on

Home Mode

• Alexa, ask SimpliSafe to arm my system in home mode.
• Alexa, tell SimpliSafe to lock up.
• Alexa, tell SimpliSafe good night.
• Alexa, tell SimpliSafe I’m going to bed.

Check Status

• Alexa, ask SimpliSafe if my house is secure
• Alexa, ask SimpliSafe if I am protected
• Alexa, ask SimpliSafe for my current status
• Alexa, ask SimpliSafe what’s shakin’

These skills only work with the latest version of SimpliSafe and users must pay for the professional monitoring plan to use it.

Google Assistant

Those in the Google smart home ecosystem can have the Google Assistant arm their SimpliSafe security system in either home or away mode, the same as Alexa. You can say either “arm security” or “set security to arm”. Again, this integration is only available with the 24/7 professional monitoring plan1.

Aside from voice assistants, SimpliSafe works with Nest thermostats and August smart locks2 as well, allowing you to automate actions. For example, you can turn your Nest thermostat down automatically or have your locks close automatically when you put the system into away mode.

Overall Value

SimpliSafe is one of the more affordable smart home security brands on the market today, but its prices for professional monitoring aren’t the cheapest we’ve seen (that honor goes to ecobee Smart Security, which has a $10 per month professional monitoring plan).

In terms of both equipment and monitoring, SimpliSafe doesn’t break the bank. You can do quite a lot for no money at all, in fact. As for those that want 24/7 professional monitoring, SimpliSafe is reasonably priced.