Home safety systems: SimpliSafe (Gen 3) vs. Ring Alarm (2nd Generation)

Quick Verdict

Both SimpliSafe (Gen 3) and Ring Alarm (2nd Generation) are strong contenders for DIY home security. SimpliSafe excels with broader smart home integration and a wider array of included sensors. Ring Alarm stands out with its affordability, especially regarding professional monitoring, and seamless integration with Amazon's ecosystem. The best choice depends on your smart home preferences and budget.

Both SimpliSafe (Gen 3) and Ring Alarm (2nd Generation) offer DIY installation and no long-term contracts.
SimpliSafe integrates with a broader range of smart home devices, including Google Assistant and August smart locks, while Ring Alarm focuses on Amazon Alexa and Z-Wave.
Ring Alarm's professional monitoring is more affordable, starting at $10/month, compared to SimpliSafe's $21.99/month.
SimpliSafe offers a wider variety of sensors included in their standard packages, whereas Ring sells some sensors separately.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	SimpliSafe (Gen 3)	Ring Alarm (2nd Generation)
Professional Monitoring Cost	$21.99 to $79.99 per month	$20 per month or $200 per year (Ring Protect Pro), $10 per month (Ring Protect Plus)
Equipment Cost	Approximately $250 to $730	5-piece kit starts at $200, 8-piece kit costs $250, 14-piece kit costs $330
Contract Length	No long-term contracts	No contracts, can cancel anytime with prorated refunds
Cellular Backup	Yes, with professional monitoring plans	Included with a Ring Protect plan
Battery Backup Duration	Up to 24 hours	24-hour battery backup for the base station
Smart Home Integration	Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, August smart locks	Integrates with Amazon Alexa and Z-Wave devices, does not integrate with Google Assistant
Mobile App Rating (iOS)	4.8 out of 5	Not available
Mobile App Rating (Android)	4.5 out of 5	Not available
Ease of Installation	Easy DIY installation with adhesive strips and app guidance; professional installation available for a fee (starting at $125)	Designed for DIY installation, typically takes about an hour
Types of Sensors Offered	Motion sensors, entry sensors (door and window sensors), glass break sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, water sensors, temperature sensors	Contact sensors, motion detectors, glass break sensors (sold separately), flood and freeze sensors (sold separately), smoke and CO listeners
Warranty Period	One-year warranty; extended with certain monitoring plans	One-year limited warranty
Geofencing Capabilities	Some geofencing-like functionality through app control and smart home integrations	Offers geofencing to remind you to arm the system when you leave home

Overall Comparison

SimpliSafe (Gen 3): Monitoring from $21.99/month, iOS App Rating 4.8/5. Ring Alarm (2nd Generation): Monitoring from $10/month, Equipment from $200.

Pros and Cons

SimpliSafe (Gen 3)

Pros:

Easy DIY installation
Reliable cellular backup
User-friendly mobile app
No long-term contracts
Wide variety of sensors
Integrates with smart home devices

Cons:

Some users have reported issues with customer service
Long-term costs include battery replacements and potential service fees

Ring Alarm (2nd Generation)

Pros:

Easy DIY installation
Cellular backup included with Ring Protect plan
Integrates with Amazon Alexa and Z-Wave devices
User-friendly mobile app
Tamper-resistant sensors
Loud siren (104 dB)
Geofencing capabilities
No contracts

Cons:

Does not integrate with Google Assistant
Requires subscription for professional monitoring and cellular backup
Potential service fees for false alarms
Battery replacements for sensors

User Experiences and Feedback

SimpliSafe (Gen 3)

What Users Love

Easy to install and set up without professional assistance
Mobile app is generally considered user-friendly and straightforward

Common Complaints

Some users have reported issues with customer service
SimpliSafe has increased its Standard plan pricing a couple of times from $14.99 to $21.99 per month and Core (formerly Fast Protect) from $24.99 to $31.99 per month.

Value Perception

Cellular backup is reliable, ensuring the system communicates with the monitoring center even when Wi-Fi is down
SimpliSafe has taken steps to reduce false alarms. Measures include improved sensor accuracy, pet-friendly motion detection, and a 30-second entry delay
SimpliSafe includes tamper alerts. The system uses encrypted communication and other security measures. The keypad is designed to be smash-proof

Ring Alarm (2nd Generation)

What Users Love

Easy to install and set up
Reliable cellular backup
Effective at detecting and preventing false alarms (with customization)
User-friendly mobile app

Common Complaints

Long-term costs include battery replacements and potential service fees
Customer support primarily through online guides and community support

Value Perception

Provides peace of mind with professional monitoring (optional)
Offers a range of sensors for comprehensive coverage
Affordable professional monitoring plans

User Recommendations

Designed for easy, DIY installation. The app provides step-by-step instructions, and most users can set up the system within an hour.
Ring provides cellular backup with a Ring Protect plan, ensuring the system stays online during internet outages.
The motion detectors are designed for human detection and to avoid triggering false alarms from pets.