Home safety systems: SimpliSafe (latest generation) vs. Brinks Home Complete

Quick Verdict

SimpliSafe is a better choice for those who prefer flexibility with no long-term contracts and value high mobile app ratings. Brinks Home Complete may be suitable for users deeply invested in the Z-Wave ecosystem and willing to commit to a 3-year contract, but they should be aware of potential customer service issues.

SimpliSafe offers more flexible contract options with month-to-month service, while Brinks Home Complete typically requires a 3-year contract.
SimpliSafe has higher mobile app ratings on both iOS and Android compared to Brinks Home Complete (where iOS rating is not available).
Both systems include cellular backup and integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
SimpliSafe provides a wider range of sensors, including water and temperature sensors, which are not explicitly mentioned for Brinks Home Complete.
Brinks Home Complete integrates with Z-Wave devices, offering broader smart home compatibility beyond Alexa and Google Assistant.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	SimpliSafe (latest generation)	Brinks Home Complete
Professional Monitoring Cost	$21.99 to $79.99 per month (self-monitoring option available). Core plan: $31.99/month, Pro plan: $49.99/month, Pro Plus plan: $79.99/month.	Ranges from $39.99 to $49.99 per month
Equipment Cost	Packages: $250 to $730. Individual equipment: Outdoor Camera: $199.99, Indoor Camera (SimpliCam): $149.99, Entry Sensor: $14.99, Motion Sensor: $34.99, Smart Lock: $119.99	Packages range from around $360 to $800. Full home security systems can start around $500, and protecting a 2-3 bedroom home could cost $1,000 to $1,500.
Contract Length	Month-to-month, no long-term contracts	Typically requires a 3-year (36-month) contract.
Mobile App Rating (iOS)	4.8 out of 5 stars	Not available
Mobile App Rating (Android)	4.5 out of 5 stars	3.7 stars on the Google Play Store
Battery Backup Duration	24 hours (base station)	24-hour battery backup
Cellular Backup Included	Yes, in all active monitoring plans	Yes
Smart Home Integration	Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, August Smart Locks. No integration with Apple HomeKit or IFTTT.	Integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It also works with Z-Wave devices.
Types of Sensors Offered	Entry, motion, glass break, water, temperature, smoke, carbon monoxide	Door and window sensors, motion sensors, garage door tilt sensors, glass break sensors, flood detectors, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors.
Installation Options	DIY installation. Professional installation available for an additional fee, starting at $124.	DIY and professional installation are both available
Warranty Length	1-year limited hardware warranty. Limited lifetime warranty with Pro Plus, Pro, or Core monitoring plan. Up to 3-year warranty with Standard Monitoring plan or Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings plan.	2-year warranty on equipment
Customer Service Quality	Phone, email, live chat, and user forums	Mixed reviews. Some sources note difficult customer service and long hold times.

Overall Comparison

SimpliSafe: iOS App Rating 4.8/5, No Contract. Brinks Home Complete: 3-Year Contract, Android App Rating 3.7/5.

Pros and Cons

SimpliSafe (latest generation)

Pros:

Easy DIY installation
Reliable sensors
Pet-friendly motion sensors
User-friendly mobile app
Cellular backup included
Integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
No contract

Cons:

Doesn't have a touchscreen control panel
Doesn't have a garage door alarm
Doesn't have a humidity sensor
Doesn't have a smart plug
Doesn't have a smart light
Doesn't have a smart thermostat

Brinks Home Complete

Pros:

Generally simple to install (DIY with technician guidance)
Pet-immune motion sensor settings
Tamper detection features on sensors
User-friendly mobile app for arming/disarming and viewing data
Cellular backup included in every plan
Integrates with over 100 smart home devices and Z-Wave technology
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

Cons:

3-year (36-month) contract required
Inconsistent customer service quality with potential difficulties and long hold times
Cancellation before contract end may result in significant fees (potentially 80% or more of remaining monthly costs)

User Experiences and Feedback

SimpliSafe (latest generation)

What Users Love

Easy to install
User-friendly app
Fast response times
Reliable sensors
Effective cellular backup

Common Complaints

Not available

Value Perception

Sensors battery life: Entry sensors: Up to 10 years, Other burglary sensors (motion, glass break): 3-5 years, Hazard sensors (smoke, CO): 3-5 years, Keypad and Smart Lock: 8-12 months

User Recommendations

SimpliSafe is committed to lightning-fast professional response times.
With video verification, SimpliSafe aims to get emergency personnel to your home as fast as possible.
SimpliSafe's monitoring services can be canceled at any time without penalty.

Brinks Home Complete

What Users Love

Brinks Home systems are generally simple to install.
The Brinks Home app is generally user-friendly for arming/disarming the system and viewing sensor data.
Cellular backup is included in every plan, ensuring the system can communicate with the monitoring center even if the Wi-Fi is down.

Common Complaints

Customer service quality is inconsistent, with some sources noting potential difficulties and long hold times.
If you cancel before the end of your contract, you may have to pay a significant portion (potentially 80% or more) of the remaining monthly service costs.

Value Perception

Response times from the monitoring center range from 40 to 65 seconds.
Brinks motion sensors have pet-immune settings to avoid false alarms caused by pets up to 40 lbs.
Brinks Home integrates with over 100 smart home devices and works with Z-Wave technology.