SimpliSafe vs. Ring Alarm Home Security

I tried both of these security systems in my own home. In this face-off, SimpliSafe trumps Ring Alarm and lives up to its name with simple installation and functions. Ring has a lot going for it, like competitive pricing and lots of smart home compatibility. Both brands are contract-free home security systems, but SimpliSafe still takes the cake.

Wondering which system is best for your smart home? Let’s break it down.

• Choose SimpliSafe if you want professional monitoring and more affordable virtual security guard services.
• Choose Ring if you want an entire ecosystem of smart devices that work together and can be run with one app.

Here's a quick comparison of the two home security brands:

In the UK? Check out our SimpliSafe UK Review.

SimpliSafe offers a strong lineup of benefits, including professional installation, flexible monitoring options (both self and professional), and a virtual security guard feature. Customers also get extended warranty coverage, ranging from one year to a lifetime, depending on your monitoring package. The main drawback is its limited home automation features compared to Ring.

Read our SimpliSafe review to learn more.

Ring stands out for its affordability and offers both self-monitoring, professional, and virtual security guard monitoring options, plus extended warranties when you choose professional monitoring.

Ring has a massive selection of outdoor security cameras and video doorbells that outperform the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera on pricing and features. 

Read our Ring Alarm review to learn more.

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As big players in the DIY home security space, SimpliSafe and Ring have plenty in common:

• DIY installation: Both DIY wireless systems are easy to install and uninstall.
• No contracts: since neither brand has long-term contracts, cancelling SimpliSafe or Ring Alarm doesn't cost a penny.
• Affordable equipment: SimpliSafe and Ring are priced comparatively lower than professionally installed brands like ADT. 
• Self-monitoring: Both have self-monitoring options, so you can access your system, receive motion detection notifications, and monitor your cameras through a mobile app.
• Low monitoring fees: Ring’s professional monthly monitoring fee is low at $19.99, but SimpliSafe costs just a little more at $21.99.
• Similar basics: They both offer similar features like crash-and-smash protection and cellular backup.
• Video doorbell: Although Ring is well known for its line of Ring Video Doorbells, SimpliSafe has its own model, the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro.
• Smart home integration: SimpliSafe and Ring both offer smart home integration, although Ring offers more. Both connect with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
• Mobile apps: Both companies have mobile apps. Some app features may not be available in all plans.

But you’re here to find a winner. Next, we’ll outline the distinct—and possibly deal-breaking—differences between the brands.​

Generally, Ring has better equipment, but SimpliSafe is more affordable and has a better warranty. I did the homework to see which brand wins in important categories so you can pick your deal-breakers and choose your favorite:

If you’re solely looking for a deal, SimpliSafe is the way to go. Simplisafe offers pretty straightforward monitoring packages at lower prices.

Ring's are, well, confusing. You can pay a fee for self-monitoring with cloud storage, then add on $10 for professional monitoring, another $5 for 24/7 smoke and CO professional monitoring, and another $99 if you want the virtual security guard service.

So, the highest monthly fee you could pay for SimpliSafe is around $79.00, while the highest you could pay with Ring is a whopping $114. That's one of the highest monitoring fees we've seen from top brands.

Here's a comparison of their different monitoring plans and what you get for your money:

SimpliSafe offers a one-year limited warranty, unless you opt for the Core, Pro, or Pro Plus monitoring plans. If you go with one of those, you get a lifetime warranty.

Ring also offers a one-year limited warranty. Through Ring's Standard and Premium monitoring plans, you get an extended warranty through Allstate insurance for as long as you have that plan. You can see a sample Ring/Allstate warranty contract here.

SimpliSafe has a 60-day return policy (compared to Ring’s 30-day return policy). Both offer full refunds for returns, but Ring charges for return shipping. Like its monitoring fees, Ring made things complicated. For orders under $48.99, Standard shipping costs $3.99, and Expedited shipping costs $12.00. Orders of $49.00 and above get free shipping, and orders made on Ring.com get free shipping, always. 

Even though SimpliSafe can’t beat Ring’s 24/7 customer service (SimpliSafe’s hours are 8 a.m. to midnight EST), it gets better customer service ratings and reviews, just barely.

If you need help with your system, SimpliSafe's customer service options include email support, online help forums, live chat, and a customer service phone line. Ring also offers those same options, minus the email support.

When it comes to customer reviews, well, they sadly both tanked. On Trustpilot, SimpliSafe gets a miserable 2.6 out of 5 stars. Ring is even sadder with just 1.3 stars.

Ring is the better choice if you want to add smart home devices to your alarm system. Ring offers several security cameras—including the Ring Floodlight Cam, the Ring Spotlight Cam, and the indoor-only Ring Stick Up Cam—and home automation through Z-Wave and Zigbee functionality. Read our Ring equipment and compatibility guide to learn more.

Ring Alarm devices are compatible with a variety of third-party devices, too, including these:

•  Amazon Alexa smart assistant
• Door locks by Schlage, Yale, and Kwikset
• Lights, plugs, and switches by GE and Leviton
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by First Alert

SimpliSafe is a better fit for smaller spaces that don’t need home automation. SimpliSafe’s current smart home options are limited, but they’ve been growing. The SimpliSafe system is currently compatible with August Smart Locks, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.

Even though SimpliSafe gets higher app ratings on the Apple App Store and Google Play, Ring’s app is more feature-rich. Plus, it has the nifty Neighbors feature where you can communicate about safety concerns with people in your area.

Ring’s high smart home connectivity and Neighbors-app consolidation makes its mobile app worthwhile. You can sync your Ring with Alexa devices to control the system with your voice and get notifications 

The Ring app will send you push notifications to help you self-monitor your system. You can access your cameras’ live feeds, use the two-way talk feature on the cameras and smart doorbell, and receive motion alerts without paying subscription fees. However, if you want video storage, you need a Ring Protect subscription plan.

When it comes to SimpliSafe vs. Ring, SimpliSafe comes out on top. SimpliSafe's easy to install, affordable, and offers a better warranty. It also has customer-friendly policies and lots of à la carte options. But, of course, the choice is yours:

• Go with SimpliSafe if you're looking for professional monitoring paired with a more budget-friendly virtual security guard option.
• Opt for Ring if you want a fully connected smart home setup where all your devices work seamlessly together through one app.