SimpliSafe has spent years making the case that home security doesn’t need a technician visit, a drilled-in control panel or a multi-year contract to work well. Its wireless, self-installed systems pair door and window sensors, motion detectors, indoor and outdoor cameras and a video doorbell with 24/7 professional monitoring that can be added, changed or canceled on the homeowner’s own terms.
Shopping directly at simplisafe.com means free shipping on system orders, a 60-day return policy and a first month of professional monitoring included free, so a new household can test a full setup before deciding whether to keep it. SimpliSafe has also been recognized by US News among the best home security systems for multiple years running, alongside awards for its customer service.
Who is SimpliSafe?
SimpliSafe built its reputation on wireless, do-it-yourself security systems that skip the drilled-in panel and multi-year commitment common to older alarm companies. The Boston-based company’s current lineup centers on a base station, entry sensors, motion detectors, an indoor camera, an outdoor camera and a video doorbell, all managed from one mobile app and backed by an optional 24/7 professional monitoring team.
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The brand’s newest push is SimpliSafe Active Guard Outdoor Protection, which pairs AI-powered camera detection with live, US-based monitoring agents. When an outdoor camera or video doorbell flags a possible threat, an agent can assess the situation in under 30 seconds, speak through the camera, trigger a spotlight or siren, and request priority police dispatch with video verification of a crime in progress.
What SimpliSafe does best
AI cameras backed by live agents
Outdoor cameras and the video doorbell don’t just record; with Active Guard Outdoor Protection, a live agent can intervene before a break-in happens, not just document it afterward.
No contracts, ever
Monitoring plans run month to month with no cancellation fees, letting households scale protection up or down without being locked into a multi-year agreement.
Reliable connectivity
Systems are Wi-Fi connected with built-in network backup and up to 24 hours of backup battery life on select plans, so a power outage or internet drop doesn’t leave a home unprotected.
Real financial protection
The Anti-Theft Guarantee can reimburse eligible subscribers up to $500 toward their insurance deductible after a covered burglary, a meaningful backstop most self-installed systems don’t offer.
Hardware that’s built to last
Subscribers on select monitoring plans get a lifetime warranty on their equipment plus a 10% discount on future hardware, keeping long-term ownership costs down.
Products and pricing at a glance
| Product or plan | What it is | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Base system | Hub, keypad and starter sensors for DIY installation | Systems from around $200 |
| Outdoor Camera (Series 2) | AI-powered outdoor security camera | Add-on, priced separately |
| Video Doorbell | Wired, always-on 2K video doorbell | Add-on, priced separately |
| Wireless Indoor Camera | Indoor camera with privacy shutter | Add-on, priced separately |
| Professional monitoring | 24/7 monitoring with optional Active Guard Outdoor Protection | Monthly plan, first month free |
| ADT Pro Installed | Professionally installed option with contract | Separate pricing, contract required |
What customers say
Customers frequently describe setting up a SimpliSafe system as one of the easiest home security installs they’ve done, often crediting the clear instructions and wireless sensors for getting a full system running the same day it arrives. The ability to cancel or change a monitoring plan without penalty is another point buyers consistently bring up as a reason they chose SimpliSafe over a traditional installed alarm company.
The newer Active Guard Outdoor Protection feature also earns praise for the added peace of mind of a live agent watching outdoor cameras, with many households saying it makes them feel genuinely safer rather than just recorded. SimpliSafe’s straightforward return policy and included first month of monitoring are also commonly cited as reasons the system felt like a low-risk purchase.
Who SimpliSafe is best for
SimpliSafe is a strong fit for homeowners and renters who want real, professional-grade security without signing a long-term contract or waiting for a technician appointment. Its wireless sensors and self-install process also make it a practical option for apartments and rentals, where a permanently wired system isn’t realistic.
Households that want an extra layer of active protection, not just recorded footage, will get the most out of Active Guard Outdoor Protection, while anyone who prefers a fully professional installation can opt into the ADT Pro Installed path instead. First-time security system buyers also tend to appreciate how approachable the whole process is, from taking the brand’s short quiz to match a system to their home, to building a custom kit sensor by sensor on the site.
Price and value
With systems starting around $200 and no requirement to sign a contract, SimpliSafe keeps the upfront commitment low compared with many traditional installed alarm companies. The free first month of monitoring, 60-day return window and free shipping on system orders all add up to a purchase that’s easy to evaluate before fully committing.
The lifetime hardware warranty and 10% equipment discount available to subscribers on select plans also help offset the cost of expanding a system over time, making SimpliSafe a reasonable long-term investment rather than just a one-time purchase. Because the base system, cameras, doorbell and monitoring plan are all sold separately, households can start small with core sensors and a basic plan, then add outdoor cameras, a video doorbell or Active Guard Outdoor Protection later as their budget and needs grow.
Verdict
SimpliSafe combines simple self-installation, genuinely useful AI-powered monitoring and a no-contract structure that few competitors match. For anyone who wants real protection without the hassle of a traditional alarm company, it’s a dependable, well-rounded choice.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for homeowners and renters who want professional-grade security without a long-term contract, SimpliSafe's DIY installation and flexible monitoring plans make it an easy, low-risk system to start with.
SimpliSafe ships system orders free and backs them with a 60-day return policy, so a new setup can be tried risk-free before committing.
Subscribers on select professional monitoring plans get a lifetime warranty on their hardware along with a 10% discount on future equipment purchases.
No. SimpliSafe systems come with no long-term contracts or hidden fees and can be canceled anytime, aside from the optional ADT Pro Installed option.
SimpliSafe is built around self-installation and no-contract monitoring plans, while still offering 24/7 professional monitoring and AI-powered outdoor protection, giving it more flexibility than many traditional installed systems.
SimpliSafe is a Boston, Massachusetts-based home security company that has focused on wireless, self-installed systems since its founding.
It pairs AI-powered outdoor cameras and video doorbells with live monitoring agents who can see, speak to and help deter an intruder in real time, and request priority police dispatch when a threat is confirmed.
Eligible subscribers on select monitoring plans with an enrolled outdoor camera can receive up to $500 toward their insurance deductible after a covered burglary, under SimpliSafe's Anti-Theft Guarantee program.
