Why You Can Trust CNET SimpliSafe vs. Ring: We Put Two Top DIY Systems Head to Head
Both of these home security systems have made it to the top of our lists, but which is the best?
For DIY systems you can install and expand yourself without getting locked into a contract, both SimpliSafe and Ring rate among our top picks. Both brands offer kits of varying sizes that are incredibly easy to choose and install -- and are pretty wallet-friendly, too. But if you’re picking a new home security system, you may be wondering just which option is best for you.
SimpliSafe and Ring are excellent wireless choices, especially for smaller homes and apartments. However, they do have a few major differences when it comes to products, customer service and pricing. We’ve tackled all the details so you can see which is the best for your home.
Note: Ring had a few turbulent years where we worried about its security practices, but in recent years the company has made a notable turnaround, and has even restricted its once-lax policy on sharing information with police. At this time, we aren’t hesitating to recommend Ring products, and we’ll keep you updated on any further developments.
Read more: The best home security systems for 2021
SimpliSafe is a highly rated home security company that combines affordable DIY security with professional monitoring services. The company has a lot to offer. It's been one of our favorite DIY home security systems for years.
Let's start by talking about SimpliSafe's equipment options. When you go to buy your SimpliSafe system, you'll have two options. You can either choose a predesigned package or build your own.
SimpliSafe offers all of the equipment you'd expect of a home security systems, including:
- Indoor-outdoor and doorbell cameras
- Door and window and glass break sensors
- Motion sensors
- Panic button
- Environment sensors for smoke, temperature and water
- Smart lock
- Siren
- Keypad
- Key fob (for disarming the system)
Systems start at $250 for a base station, motion sensor, door-window entry sensor and keypad. You'll probably want a kit with more than that: Packages sell for up to $730, including various combinations of devices or allowing you to pick and choose your own. The most expensive package includes a base station, four door/window sensors, two motion sensors, a panic button, a smoke detector, a keypad, a temperature sensor, a key fob, a siren and a flood sensor. SimpliSafe also offers a variety of recurring deals to cut down prices.
SimpliSafe used to offer self monitoring for free, but these days you'll need to pay for a self-monitoring plan, starting at $10, to get important benefits. Higher-tier monitoring subscriptions come with professional monitoring, emergency dispatch and fire monitoring and dispatch. These also give you more features -- such as push notifications and remote arming and disarming -- and may earn you insurance discounts depending on your provider's policies.
Ultimately, if you're looking for professional home security at DIY home security system prices, then you'll find that with SimpliSafe.
Ring first appeared as a video doorbell company, but expanded rapidly after Amazon bought it in 2018. In 2020, Ring introduced the second generation of its home security kit, Ring Alarm. We named it the best budget DIY security system.
The company offers three pre-designed security packages ranging from five to 14 pieces, each scaled for a different size home. You can also build your own kit. Available devices include:
- Keypad
- Door and window sensors
- Motion sensors
- Panic button
- Range extenders
- Environment sensors for smoke, carbon monoxide and water
Ring also offers solar panels, which can power your outdoor camera and floodlights, as well as small solar charges for your Ring doorbell. You can also connect smart lighting, smart locks, smart speakers and a slew of other devices -- both from Ring and third-party developers like GE and Kwikset -- to the larger Ring ecosystem.
Unlike SimpliSafe, Ring allows you to monitor your system for free -- you'll get access to your live video feed and motion-activated notifications, which is nice... except video storage and other key features are still locked behind a subscription, so we consider a monthly plan more or less necessary for both security systems unless you're not too concerned about security cameras.
Upgrading to Ring's basic plan, which costs just $5 a month, gives you access to video storage, saving and sharing. But it's not until you move to the most expensive plan, which costs $20 a month, that you get access to professional monitoring.
Which is best for you?
Both Ring Alarm and SimpliSafe are great DIY home security systems. The question is, which will work best for you? Well, depending on what you're most concerned about, the answer may differ. Here's how we break down the components of each system.
Equipment
You can't go wrong with the equipment options from either SimpliSafe or Ring. Both offer indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras, door and window sensors, motion sensors and environmental sensors. Both also offer select smart home products, like Ring's smart lighting and SimpliSafe's smart lock. Regardless of what you're looking for in a home security system, chances are you can find it with one of these companies.
One of the biggest differences is that SimpliSafe works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa, while Ring (an Amazon company) only works with Alexa, which limits some smart home users but is great for those with an Echo Show or similar device. However, Ring has great compatibility with other smart home brands, including Level and Chamberlain, which is a big plus when mixing and matching systems.
Winner: Tie
Monitoring
SimpliSafe and Ring are similar when it comes to their monitoring options. Both companies offer free live view monitoring, which allows you to view your camera's live feed and receive notifications when there's movement in your home.
Both systems also offer two different paid monitoring subscriptions. Ring's $5 Protect plan includes features such as video storage, sharing, saving and rich notifications (especially important if you have a Ring camera). Upgrade to the $10 plan to get additional video services, or the $20 Pro plan for professional home monitoring services.
Simplisafe has a basic self-monitoring plan that starts around $10 a month for basic push notifications and alerts. The $20 plan adds a variety of services, notably 24/7 emergency assistance, but also takes away things like cloud storage. The $30 plan adds everything in plus SimpliSafe's live guard monitoring services, giving you the most options.
If price is your primary concern when choosing a home security system, then Ring is the way to go. If you're less interested in the smart home angle and more in the pure security side of things, SimpliSafe is the best option, although we'd advise going with either the self-monitoring plan or springing for the full $30 professional monitoring tier.
Winner: SimpliSafe (by a small margin)
Since Ring is owned by Amazon, it works well with Alexa -- though SimpliSafe cooperates with the voice assistant, too.
Installation
SimpliSafe and Ring both have excellent installation options. Both systems are designed for easy DIY installation, which means most homeowners should be able to set their systems up themselves. Both also offer the option of professional installation for those who can't or would prefer not to install their own systems.
Winner: Tie
Home automation
As we mentioned above, Ring is owned by Amazon and Amazon restricts smart home support primarily to its own Alexa platform. That means Ring works well with Alexa and Echo devices, but doesn’t support Google Home or anything Apple-related. However, the brand can interact with third-party devices from Schlage, Level, Yale, Chamberlain and other popular brands, which is a big plus.
SimpliSafe offers a different arrangement: It supports both Alexa and Google Home/Assistant, but doesn’t offer much interaction with third-party devices except for August smart locks. Also, you’ll need at least a Fast Protect plan to activate its smart home support, which isn’t required for Ring’s compatibility.
Overall, we’re putting Ring ahead on this one, but if you’re a Google Home enjoyer you’ll probably prefer SimpliSafe. Neither have integration with Apple at this time.
Winner: Ring
Customer service
J.D. Power ranked SimpliSafe as the top DIY home security system in its 2020 home security satisfaction study. Ring came in second place. Additionally, while both companies have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, SimpliSafe ranks slightly better in terms of customer reviews and complaints.
Winner: SimpliSafe
Warranty
SimpliSafe offers a three-year warranty on all of its products. If your product malfunctions and can't be fixed, it'll send you a new one. Ring, on the other hand, only offers a one-year warranty. If you want a longer one, you can get Ring Assist Plus, which comes with a two-year extended warranty.
Winner: SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe works well and it comes with lengthy warranties for all of its devices. If something malfunctions even a year or two after purchasing, you'll get a replacement.
Privacy and security
Privacy is a central concern for homeowners looking for a home security system. Ring has improved its policies greatly in recent years and limited how it shares data with police, strong steps that have corrected past issues and left us with no concern in recommending Ring products.
However, SimpliSafe consistently gets top marks for security, a key factor in an industry where data breaches can be unfortunately common. SimpliSafe's early start on what have become key industry standards like end-to-end 256-bit encryption is impressive, and the company continues practices like refusing to share data with law enforcement unless required by law. It has also managed to avoid internal data breaches, and is quick to address issues like the infamous LockpickingLawyer jamming video (for the record, you don't have to worry about burglars jamming your security system). That puts them a bit ahead of Ring.
Winner: SimpliSafe
The bottom line
SimpliSafe and Ring are two of the most highly rated DIY home security systems on the market. You can't go wrong with either option, but each system is better suited to a different type of customer.
If you're looking for the best deal, are interested in top-notch cameras or prefer great Alexa compatibility, Ring will likely be your pick. If you're more concerned about privacy or if you're looking for the best all-round DIY security system, SimpliSafe will be the safer bet.
If you’re ready to do even more research, don’t forget to stop by our guides on the best home security cameras, cheap home security systems and spots to never install a security camera.