Simplesafe Camera Costs: Monthly Fees Or One-Time Payment?

SimpliSafe offers a range of customizable equipment packages and monitoring options, making it a popular home security option. The company does not require customers to sign a long-term contract, which is often cited as its greatest competitive edge. The monthly cost of a SimpliSafe home security system depends on the monitoring plan chosen by the customer. The Self-Monitoring with Camera Recording plan, which includes unlimited camera recordings and 30 days of cloud storage, costs 9.99 per month. The Standard Monitoring plan, which includes 24/7 emergency dispatch and a cellular connection for homes without landlines, costs 19.99 per month. The Fast Protect Monitoring plan, which includes all the features of the other two plans and saves recordings from up to 10 cameras for 30 days, costs 29.99 per month.

Self-Monitoring with Camera Recording

The Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings package from SimpliSafe offers several benefits for alarm systems. For a monthly fee of $9.99, users gain access to 30 days of unlimited video storage for up to five SimpliSafe cameras. This plan also includes advanced SMS and custom private phone notifications, allowing users to stay informed about any security events. Additionally, users can download recordings to their phone or computer using the SimpliSafe mobile or web app.

It is important to note that this self-monitoring plan does not include professional monitoring services. However, users can still access basic features such as a live video feed from their cameras and the ability to remotely arm or disarm their system using the SimpliSafe app. For those who require professional monitoring, SimpliSafe offers the Standard Monitoring and Fast Protect™ plans, which provide additional features such as 24/7 emergency dispatch and cellular connection backup.

SimpliSafe's self-monitoring plan is ideal for those who want to monitor their security system themselves and take advantage of camera recording capabilities without incurring high costs. It provides a cost-effective solution for home security while still offering essential features for peace of mind.

Standard Monitoring

SimpliSafe offers a range of equipment packages and monitoring options, including Standard Monitoring, that make it a popular home security option. The absence of a long-term contract may be its greatest competitive edge.

The Standard Monitoring plan is a little more expensive at $19.99 per month, but it's worth the splurge. It monitors water leaks and temperature changes. It also includes 24/7 professional monitoring, fire monitoring, and a cellular connection for homes that don’t have landlines.

This also means that you’ll always be able to call the police or emergency services, even when traditional phone services are interrupted. So if a tree falls on your phone line, or you forget to pay your bill, you’ll still be able to get help in an emergency.

The Standard Monitoring plan comes with 24/7 police, fire, and medical dispatch, as well as HD live view on all cameras and an extended equipment warranty. It costs $0.66 per day, or around $20 per month.

The Standard Monitoring plan does not include camera support; no recordings are made, and video verification of tripped sensors is not available. While those interested in truly comprehensive security may see this as a drawback, those who are uncomfortable with video surveillance and recording will be pleased to see this option.

SimpliSafe is a good option for full-on self-monitoring too. If you don’t want to pay a subscription fee, you can monitor the system on your own. However, if you choose to self-monitor, you’ll lose access to certain features such as call centre access during an emergency, cloud storage for videos, and the ability to remotely arm and disarm the system through the SimpliSafe app.

Fast Protect Monitoring

The Fast Protect Monitoring plan provides the maximum amount of coverage, with 24/7 emergency services dispatch, intruder deterrence with live two-way agent audio, video verification, cellular backup, and a lifetime equipment warranty as long as the customer subscribes to this plan.

SimpliSafe offers a range of customizable equipment packages and monitoring options, making it a popular home security option. The absence of a long-term contract may be its greatest competitive edge. The average monthly cost for a SimpliSafe home security system is between $0 and $27.99, depending on the monitoring plan chosen.

SimpliSafe's professional monitoring helps protect your home against various types of alarms, including burglary/intrusion, life safety (smoke and carbon monoxide), and environmental (water, extreme temperature). Plans are paid monthly, with no contracts or hidden fees.

The Fast Protect Monitoring plan includes the following features:

• 24/7 Emergency Dispatch (Police, Fire, Medical)
• Built-in cellular connection for backup coverage in the event of a power outage
• Control your system from your phone with the SimpliSafe® App
• Live video feed of your cameras from the SimpliSafe® App
• Unlimited camera recording and evidence capture, with the ability to download video recordings from the app to your phone
• Push notifications, SMS/Text Alerts, Secret Alerts, and Scheduled Arming
• Arm your system with Google Assistant or Alexa
• Access to homeowner’s insurance discounts
• Subscription lifetime warranty and 10% off additional hardware purchases

SimpliSafe also offers a 10% discount when you add the Fast Protect™ package to your purchase. The Fast Protect Monitoring plan is a good option for those seeking comprehensive security and protection for their home.

Self-Monitoring without Camera Recording

SimpliSafe offers a self-monitoring package without camera recording for $9.99 per month. This package includes smart home integration and advanced SMS alerts. However, if you are looking for ways to self-monitor your home security system without any monthly fees, here are some tips and things to consider:

• Equipment – You want equipment that is built to last, especially if the warranty period is tied to a monitoring subscription.
• Price – Unmonitored systems are generally cheaper as the price is not tied to a monthly fee. You can compare flat rates for equipment and cloud storage.
• Smart home compatibility – Integrating your security system with smart home devices can make self-monitoring easier.
• Self-monitoring capabilities – Some companies charge monthly fees for features like instant notifications and app access.
• Company reputation – As companies develop and change their packages, certain features may become locked behind more expensive subscription plans.

SimpliSafe's free unmonitored plan includes push notifications and remote arming/disarming of your system via the SimpliSafe app. However, activity alerts and smart home integrations are locked behind the self-monitoring subscription plan.

If you are considering self-monitoring, here are some additional tips:

• Sign up for cameras if possible, as they provide important visual information when alerts are triggered.
• Position your cameras carefully to maximise your field of view and minimise blind spots.
• Review all alerts to ensure you don't miss an emergency.
• Add recording to your cameras if possible, so you can review footage and provide evidence to the police if needed.

Professional Monitoring

SimpliSafe offers a range of professional monitoring plans for its home security systems. The monthly cost of these plans varies depending on the features included, and customers can choose the plan that best suits their needs and budget. Here is a detailed overview of SimpliSafe's professional monitoring options:

Self-Monitoring with Camera Recordings Plan:

This plan offers customers the ability to monitor their system while also providing additional features. It includes unlimited camera recordings for up to 5 cameras, 30 days of cloud storage, HD live view on all cameras, and an extended equipment warranty. The cost of this plan is $$9.99 per month. It is ideal for those who want to monitor their system themselves while also enjoying the benefits of camera recordings and cloud storage.

Standard Monitoring Plan:

The Standard Monitoring plan from SimpliSafe provides 24/7 emergency dispatch services, including police, fire, and medical support. It also offers HD live view on all cameras and an extended equipment warranty. The cost of this plan is $19.99 per month. This plan is suitable for those who want basic professional monitoring features without camera recordings or advanced functionalities.

Fast Protect Professional Monitoring Plan:

The Fast Protect plan is SimpliSafe's most comprehensive and popular monitoring option. It provides the maximum level of coverage, including 24/7 emergency services dispatch, intruder deterrence with live two-way agent audio, video verification, cellular backup, and a lifetime equipment warranty as long as the customer subscribes to the plan. The cost of this plan is $29.99 per month. This plan is ideal for those who want the highest level of protection and the most advanced features, such as cellular backup and video verification.

SimpliSafe's professional monitoring plans offer flexibility, allowing customers to choose the level of monitoring that suits their needs. The absence of long-term contracts is a significant advantage, as customers can cancel their plans at any time without penalties. Additionally, SimpliSafe offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, providing customers with peace of mind and confidence in their purchase.

Frequently asked questions