Simplisafe Monitoring: Switching From Interactive To Basic

how to switch from interactive to basic monitoring simplisafe

SimpliSafe offers a range of monitoring plans for its home security system, including the Standard and Interactive plans. The Standard plan provides 24/7 professional monitoring for burglary and environmental concerns such as smoke and carbon monoxide detection. It also includes a cellular connection from the base station to the monitoring service, eliminating the need for a landline. The Interactive plan builds on the Standard plan, offering additional features such as Smart Alerts, Secret Alerts, and Online Command. It provides more control over the system, including alerts and remote access through a smartphone app. The Interactive plan is recommended for those who want to explore all the features of the technology and make it work for their specific needs. However, for those who prefer simplicity and don't require a smartphone app, the Basic monitoring plan is a great introductory option. It's important to note that SimpliSafe also offers self-monitoring options, allowing users to avoid monthly fees by investing in the equipment upfront.

Characteristics Values
Monitoring plans 24/7 Live Monitoring for burglary and the environment (e.g. smoke and carbon monoxide)
Monitoring plans Two calls to primary contacts, dispatch of emergency services, and contacting up to five secondary contacts
Monitoring plans Cellular connection from the base station to the monitoring service
Interactive Monitoring Smart Alerts, Secret Alerts, and Online Command features
Smart Alerts Text messages and emails sent to you or your selected contacts regarding your alarm system
Secret Alerts Alerts that are perfect for places like a liquor cabinet, where you don't want your teenagers in, but don't need police dispatch
Online Command Control your system from anywhere with internet access
Self-monitoring Avoid monthly fees when you invest in the equipment upfront
Self-monitoring Limitations compared to the higher-tier professionally monitored plans, e.g. no 24/7 live guard monitoring and agent verification
Self-Monitoring with Camera Recordings Access to recordings from up to five cameras for up to 30 days, the ability to remotely arm or disarm your system through an app, etc.
Fast Protect Professional Monitoring 24/7 live guard protection and emergency dispatch, faster response after agents verify threats, whole-home protection for fire, floods, break-ins, and more
Standard Monitoring 24/7 emergency dispatch, confirm or cancel alarms via alarm texts, seven-day viewing of video recordings, instant alarm alerts via mobile app, remotely arm and disarm the system via app
Interactive Monitoring More control over your system, including alerts and the ability to control it anywhere

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Interactive Monitoring gives you more control over your system, including alerts and the ability to control it anywhere

Interactive Monitoring is SimpliSafe's premium plan, offering more features than the Standard Plan. Interactive Monitoring gives you more control over your system, including alerts and the ability to control it anywhere.

The Interactive Monitoring plan includes the basics that come with the Standard Plan, such as 24/7 professional monitoring, environmental monitoring (fire, CO, etc.), and access to the SimpliSafe app for remote control and notifications. However, the Interactive plan also includes additional features such as home automation, camera support and video recording, and visual alarm verification.

One of the standout features of the Interactive Monitoring plan is the ability to receive Smart Alerts and Secret Alerts. Smart Alerts are text messages and emails sent to you or your selected contacts regarding your alarm system. You can choose to receive alerts about alarms, errors, or activity, such as when your system is armed and who disarmed it. Secret Alerts, on the other hand, are private alerts on specific sensors that you set up around your home. These alerts are perfect for when you don't want to trigger an alarm but want to be notified when a sensor is tripped. For example, you can set a Secret Alert on your liquor cabinet to know when your teenagers are trying to access it.

Another advantage of the Interactive Monitoring plan is Online Command, which allows you to control your system from anywhere with internet access. This means you can disarm your system remotely to let someone in or add and remove sensors through your online account.

The Interactive plan also offers video monitoring and recording, allowing you to view and record live video streams from anywhere. This feature is especially useful if you want to keep an eye on your home while you're away.

Additionally, the Interactive plan provides access to home automation features. You can connect your Amazon Echo or Google Home to your system for hands-free voice control. With voice commands, you can arm and disarm your system, control smart lights and locks, and more.

Overall, the Interactive Monitoring plan gives you more control over your system, providing features such as alerts, remote access, video monitoring, and home automation. It is a great option for those who want to take full advantage of their SimpliSafe system and have more flexibility and functionality.

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Basic monitoring is perfect for those who don't have a smartphone

Basic monitoring also includes a cellular connection from your base station to the monitoring service. This means you don’t need a landline to connect to the monitoring service. A cellular connection is fast and safe. There’s no need to worry about a burglar cutting your landline before breaking in. The cellular connection is included in the basic monitoring plan for no additional charge.

With Basic monitoring, you can still access and control your system through the SimpliSafe app. Your cameras will not be able to save any recordings, but you will still be notified when they detect motion and can watch a livestream through them. You will also receive push notifications when there is an alarm or an error with your system.

If you only have an alarm and no cameras, you can still get push notifications through the app if an alarm is triggered without paying a monthly fee. You will receive push notifications whenever an alarm is triggered, but email notifications are not available with the free, Basic App Control plan.

With Basic monitoring, you can remotely arm and disarm your system through the app, view a live video feed of your cameras, snooze camera notifications, and receive push notifications when there is an alarm or an error with your system.

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The Basic and Interactive Monitoring plans include 24/7 Live Monitoring for burglary and your environment, such as smoke and carbon monoxide

SimpliSafe offers two monitoring plans: Basic and Interactive. Both plans include 24/7 Live Monitoring for burglary and environmental factors such as smoke and carbon monoxide. This service includes two calls to your primary contacts, dispatch of emergency services, and contacting up to five of your secondary contacts. You can select whatever persons or phone numbers you’d like as either your primary or secondary contacts. These numbers can be your family, your neighbours, your cell phone, and more. You can select what works best for you and change these numbers at any time.

The Basic and Interactive Monitoring plans also include a cellular connection from your base station to the monitoring service. This means you don’t need a landline to connect to the monitoring service. A cellular connection is fast and safe. No need to worry about a burglar cutting your landline before breaking in. The cellular connection is included in each monitoring plan for no additional charge.

The Interactive Monitoring service adds additional features to the Basic monitoring plan. These include Smart Alerts, Secret Alerts, and Online Command features. Smart Alerts are text messages and emails sent to you, or your selected contacts, regarding your alarm system. Secret Alerts are like Smart Alerts private alerts on specific sensors you set up around your home. Online Command is one of SimpliSafe's favourite Interactive Monitoring features, allowing you to control your system from anywhere with internet access.

The Interactive plan is a stellar option for folks who want around-the-clock home protection, remote arming and disarming, video support, and some home automation features. However, if you’re looking for a robust smart home ecosystem, there might be better plans out there.

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The Interactive Monitoring service adds additional features to the Basic monitoring plan, including Smart Alerts, Secret Alerts, and Online Command features

SimpliSafe offers two monitoring plans: Basic and Interactive. The Interactive Monitoring service adds additional features to the Basic monitoring plan, including Smart Alerts, Secret Alerts, and Online Command features.

Smart Alerts are text messages and emails sent to you or your selected contacts regarding your alarm system. You can select which alerts you would like to receive, such as alerts about alarms, errors, or activity. For example, you can receive notifications when your system is armed and who disarmed it, by seeing whose PIN was used. You can also be alerted when your pet sitter comes and goes, when your teenagers get home from school, or when there is an error with your alarm system.

Secret Alerts are like Smart Alerts but are private alerts on specific sensors that you set up around your home. When a sensor is set to Secret Alert, it will not trigger the siren or police dispatch, but it will send you a text message or email. Secret Alerts are perfect for places like a liquor cabinet, where you don't want your teenagers going into but don't need police dispatch. You can be creative with Secret Alerts. For example, you could place an entry sensor (set to Secret Alert) on your TV to know if your roommates have moved it.

Online Command is another feature of the Interactive Monitoring plan, allowing you to control your system from anywhere with internet access. This means you can disarm your system from your smartphone to let a family member in when they arrive for a visit. You can also remotely add and remove sensors through your online account and give nicknames to your sensors. With Online Command, you have complete control over your system, even when you're away.

The Interactive Monitoring plan is ideal for those who want to explore all the features of technology and make it work best for their needs or those with a busy home. The Basic monitoring plan, on the other hand, is perfect for those new to monitoring who appreciate simplicity and just want to know that their home is always protected without needing an app. SimpliSafe gives you the choice, and you can change your monitoring plan at any time.

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The Standard SimpliSafe monitoring plan is similar to Fast Protect, but you get less smart home support, automation, and video recordings

SimpliSafe offers a range of monitoring plans to suit different needs and budgets. The Standard SimpliSafe monitoring plan is similar to Fast Protect, but it comes with fewer smart home support features, automation, and video recordings.

The Standard plan offers 24/7 professional monitoring, environmental monitoring, and smartphone access via the SimpliSafe app. It provides basic home security features, including intrusion protection, environmental monitoring for smoke, heat, water/floods, and frozen pipes, and a nationwide cellular connection. However, it lacks some of the advanced features included in the Fast Protect plan, such as camera recordings, smart home integrations, and video verification.

The Standard plan is ideal for those who want basic home security features without the need for advanced smart home capabilities. It provides peace of mind with its professional monitoring and environmental sensors, ensuring protection against burglary, fire, and other emergencies.

On the other hand, the Fast Protect plan (previously known as Core) offers additional features such as intrusion protection, environmental monitoring, unlimited camera recording, alarm verification for priority dispatch, indoor active guard protection, the SimpliSafe app with mobile alerts, remote arming and disarming, and voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility.

The Fast Protect plan is a good choice for those who want more smart home capabilities and advanced features, such as video verification and voice control. It provides a more comprehensive solution for home security and automation, making it a popular choice among SimpliSafe users.

In summary, while the Standard plan offers basic monitoring and security features, the Fast Protect plan enhances the experience with smart home integrations, video capabilities, and remote control options. The choice between the two plans depends on individual needs and preferences, with the Standard plan catering to those seeking essential security features, and the Fast Protect plan appealing to those who desire a more feature-rich and interactive home security system.

Frequently asked questions

To change your monitoring plan, log in to your SimpliSafe account in a web browser or the SimpliSafe app. In the app, tap the hamburger icon in the top left corner, then navigate to "Plan & Billing" to change your current monitoring plan. In a web browser, click your current plan under "Monitoring" on the left-hand side of the screen, which will allow you to upgrade or downgrade your current account.

SimpliSafe's Basic Monitoring plan is perfect for those who don't have a smartphone or are new to monitoring. It includes 24/7 live monitoring for burglary and the environment, such as smoke and carbon monoxide, as well as a cellular connection from your base station to the monitoring service.

SimpliSafe's Interactive Monitoring plan gives you more control over your system, including alerts and the ability to control it anywhere. It includes all the features of the Basic plan, plus additional features such as Smart Alerts, Secret Alerts, and Online Command.

SimpliSafe offers two professional monitoring plans for $19.99–$29.99 a month and one self-monitoring plan for $9.99 a month.

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