Alternatives to SimpliSafe: 5 Other DIY Options

Overview

Out of every home security company, you chose or considered choosing SimpliSafe to protect your home and family. But now the bloom is off the rose, and you’re looking for something different.

While we like a lot of things about SimpliSafe, it does have its downsides:

• SimpliSafe has limited home automation.
• SimpliSafe mobile access costs a minimum of $24.99/mo.
• SimpliSafe doesn’t have self-monitoring.
• SimpliSafe sells just one camera.
• SimpliSafe doesn’t offer any outdoor cameras.

We’ve identified some SimpliSafe alternatives that you can use to cover these gaps.

Scout has better home automation, cheaper remote access, and more cameras than SimpliSafe. And, unlike with SimpliSafe, you can self-monitor your system.

You can’t get mobile access or add third-party equipment with Scout’s $9.99 self-monitoring service. But if you’re willing to spend $19.99, you get both those things for a whole five bucks cheaper than with SimpliSafe. That’ll save you $60 a year.

Scout makes fewer pieces of equipment than SimpliSafe does, so you’ll have fewer branded options. But with Scout’s broad compatibility, you’re sure to find a third-party device to match everything you could get from SimpliSafe.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: Scout will cover just about any problem you’re having with SimpliSafe.

>>Learn more: Read our full Scout review.

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Ring has cheaper remote access and more cameras than SimpliSafe. You can also self-monitor with Ring.

The Ring alarm system app is free to access, even remotely, so you can self-monitor as needed at no additional cost. Ring’s also known for its sweet security cameras for both indoor and outdoor use.

Ring’s basic package is about $30 cheaper than SimpliSafe’s, so you’ll save a bit of money up front.

Like we’ve said, Ring’s alarm system can be self-monitored for free. But if you want professional eyes on your home, you can get professional monitoring service for just $10 a month or $100 a year. That’s unheard of in the home security industry.

A basic Ring package comes with one more piece of equipment than a basic SimpliSafe package does. You pay less, but you get more.

Ring’s equipment selection is a bit limited, although it’s expanding all the time. And while Ring’s compatibility is pretty minimal, it does work with Z-Wave, so you’ll have some third-party options.

Before tackling whole security systems, Ring was a camera-only brand. Previously, the company sold a variety of doorbell cameras and stick-on cameras for indoor and outdoor use. In summer 2019, Ring released several new Ring cameras, including a doorbell camera designed for renters and a selection of motion-activated floodlight cameras. These additions make Ring’s security camera offerings extremely competitive.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: Unlike SimpliSafe, Ring doesn’t cost very much, lets you self-monitor, and has a bunch of security cameras for you to choose from.

>>Learn more: Read our full Ring alarm system review or our Ring video doorbell review.

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Frontpoint has better home automation and more camera options than SimpliSafe.

If you don’t like that SimpliSafe has just one camera, you could always swing the other way to trying one of Frontpoint’s three camera options. Frontpoint also has better compatibility with third-party equipment than SimpliSafe does.

Frontpoint’s remote access monitoring plan is far more expensive than SimpliSafe’s. In other words, if SimpliSafe is already sucking your wallet dry, Frontpoint isn't the alternative for you.

If you want cameras more than anything else, try Frontpoint. The brand's Ultimate package bundles home security with video surveillance.

If you’re looking for better compatibility than what SimpliSafe offers, Frontpoint has its disadvantages. It’s compatible with less brands compared to Scout’s seven, but it gets the job done. You can hook your system up to your Echo, your Google Home, and any Z-Wave device. That should be enough to create a connected home.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: Although its offerings are more expensive, Frontpoint has the perfect system for users craving camera control.

>>Learn more: Read our full Frontpoint review.

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Abode has cheaper remote access and self-monitoring than SimpliSafe. It’s easy to switch between self-monitoring and professional monitoring to meet your needs.

Abode's remote access doesn't cost anything, so you can self-monitor for free. You'll pay only for professional monitoring.

Abode offers a bigger range of devices than SimpliSafe, from multiple types of motion detectors to a siren. Its equipment works with Z-Wave and Zigbee and with Philips Hue light bulbs. But the only smart speaker Abode talks to is Google Home—so while you can build a connected home with Abode, you won’t have voice control with an Echo or Apple Homepod.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: Abode’s a convenient option that lets you choose your price point and switch seamlessly between self-monitoring and professional monitoring.

>>Learn more: Read our full Abode review.

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Cove’s quite similar to SimpliSafe. The most significant difference is customer service.

Cove is very similar to SimpliSafe. Cove has a bit more smart speaker compatibility than SimpliSafe and an in-house financing option, but the monitoring price for remote access is the same. They both sell just one kind of indoor camera, and neither offers self-monitoring.

That's actually the reason we recommend Cove as an alternative. Cove is for those who like SimpliSafe overall but have had a bad customer service experience. Cove's customer service is better-rated than SimpliSafe's, so if that's all you're concerned about, Cove's a perfect switch.

Again, Cove’s pricing is the same as SimpliSafe’s for professional monitoring with remote access. Getting our recommended package is about $40 more expensive with Cove, although you won’t pay that much for monitoring if you choose to go the financing route.

Cove’s another super customizable brand. The package we recommend includes two door or window sensors versus SimpliSafe’s one. It also has a key fob, three window stickers, and a yard sign⁠—none of which you get with SimpliSafe’s basic package. On the other hand, SimpliSafe’s overall equipment selection is bigger than Cove’s.

In terms of compatibility, Cove can connect to Amazon Echo and Google Home but not much else.

The biggest reason to switch to Cove is to get better customer service. If you like your SimpliSafe system but are up to your collarbone in customer service issues, Cove’s a great next stop.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: Cove is almost identical to SimpliSafe, but it’s a better fit if you’re searching for a more pleasant customer experience.

>>Learn more: Read our full Cove review.

We looked at gaps in SimpliSafe’s equipment and services and researched systems that would make up for those issues. We started with the best-known home security brands and also looked at security companies that we’ve recommended as SimpliSafe equivalents in the past.

We also considered iSmartAlarm, Link Interactive, and Canary as top contenders in this review.

If you’re interested in other comparisons to SimpliSafe, look at SimpliSafe vs. ADT. Or you can read this review of SimpliSafe compared to Iris, a now-obsolete system.

iSmartAlarm has an inexpensive starter package ($199) with no monthly fees. You self-monitor it remotely, but other than that, it’s on the same level as SimpliSafe. It’s compatible with only Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, and none of its multiple Spot and iCamera cameras are suitable for outdoor use.

Still, it’s worth considering if you’re looking for easy self-monitoring. To learn more, check out our iSmartAlarm review.

A Canary security camera records video when it senses motion, and you self-monitor the clips to look for security threats.

Canary’s cameras are at the same price point as Ring’s. You don’t even have to buy a subscription to use them, although if you don’t, you’re limited to just 12 hours of video storage.

Canary doesn’t sell full security systems, so you’ll have to go elsewhere if you also need an alarm, a smoke detector, or door or window sensors. For those reasons, we don’t think this is as good an option as Frontpoint or Ring.

It’s natural to have questions when you’re looking for a new home security system. We’ve got answers to some of your most pressing concerns.

To cancel SimpliSafe, call customer service. You can’t cancel through your online account, and when you talk to the customer service rep, you’ll need your safe word. Using this word confirms that it’s really you calling and that you’re canceling your service voluntarily.

You may have to call multiple times—as you might already know, SimpliSafe can be chancy in picking up the phone.

If you’re looking for a SimpliSafe replacement that’s easy to set up yourself, we think Frontpoint is the overall best DIY option.

When it comes to contracts and a lack thereof, Cove is the best option (after SimpliSafe).

As a reminder, here are our top five recommendations to replace SimpliSafe.

• Scout: With Scout, you’ll get everything that SimpliSafe lacks.
• Ring: Ring’s inexpensive professional monitoring is the industry’s lowest-priced option.
• Frontpoint: The Frontpoint Ultimate plan brings you security plus surveillance.
• Abode: Abode’s ultra-convenient monitoring structure lets you switch between self-monitoring and professional monitoring at will.
• Cove: Cove is practically SimpliSafe 2.0—but with better customer service.

If you’re having second thoughts about choosing something else and would like to review SimpliSafe and its benefits, this SimpliSafe review may help.