SimpliSafe Home Security Systems | 5 Piece Home Security Camera & Alarm System with Entry & Motion Sensor - Optional Monitoring Subscription - Compatible with Alexa

EDIT: For the reasons outlined below, I packed away my SimpliSafe system in favour of Ring (purchased on sale). For most use cases I think Ring is a far more suitable option. I’ve had SimpliSafe installed in my new flat for over a month now. The system itself is pretty excellent. The keypad is nice to use and user friendly, and there is a high amount of customisation around component configuration, volume levels, exit and entry delays, etc. I enjoy using the device. However my main qualm as commented by others are the paywalls and monitoring services. I completely understand the need to pay for active monitoring and the company’s efforts to place ‘premium’ features under subscription as a revenue model. However, as others have commented, the inclusion of push notifications in this category is, in my view, a step too far. The alarm is of very little practical use if you cannot be aware it is going off without a subscription, and is very much behind the times for following this model. This is very much a conscious design decision - although the system has cellular connection, you are prompted to connect to a WiFi network, so there is no good reason a simple push notification couldn’t be sent on activation. Given I live in a fairly secure apartment block, my actual security risk is quite low, but I would be more concerned about false activations that I am not aware of and therefore go on to disturb my neighbours for several hours. I’m therefore effectively forced to pay a subscription. If I could I would return the alarm for the likes of Ring or similar, but unfortunately I bought it a while before moving in during a sale so will be well out with the 60 day period. I may look to sell it and buy a different unit in the new year, which is a shame because - as I say, it’s really good - but paying ~£240 a year to receive push notifications is not viable in the long term.

The system itself works very well and is very easy to install. However...I bought the "system only" as I didn't want the remote monitoring and response service which SimpliSafe pushes - I just wanted an isolated, stand-alone system, which on the face of it is exactly what I got - no contract, and SEEMINGLY no connection to SimpliSafe or the outside world. WRONG. It turns out that by connecting the base unit to your home WI-FI (which of course you have to do to make the system actually work) you are also allowing the base unit to send your sensor information back to SimpliSafe, regardless of whether you want to or not, and, if as in my case you haven't signed up for a monitoring contract, regardless of whether you need to or not! Basically the base unit sends information back to Simplisafe - whether this is continuously or on demand I don't know. This may not be a worry for you if you have no cameras attached to your system (like me), but if you do have cameras who knows? Also, if the status of each individual sensor can be reviewed by SimpliSafe remotely I'm pretty sure the overall system setting can be seen as well - as in whether the alarm is set or not or, to put it another way, whether you are in the house or out of it, or on holiday.... I've had to resort to blocking the MAC address of the base unit from internet access in my router firewall, which means that the SimpliSafe app stops working but the system itself can be armed and disarmed, without broadcast to the outside world, by using the supplied keypad. Disappointing, if not a bit worrying, that without some pretty drastic self applied network blocking, the system can't operate in isolation when no monitoring contract is bought. If you buy the monitoring service and/or are happy for SimpliSafe to monitor your system remotely regardlessly, then go for it - because the system itself is pretty good. If you're not comfortable with that then maybe think twice.

So easy to use, and set up . System is much more than expected. Absolutely 10 out of 10 . English speaking voice too! Can’t fault it . ❤️

I set up the system with no problems until I tried to register my account this proved impossible as when I tried to register my credit card I received a C5 error. After a few attempts all with the same result I contacted Simplisafe and they were able to register my account. I think the problem was that I set up the camera before trying to register my account and the serial number from the camera was linked to my account rather than the base system so I would recommend if your setting up the alarm do not set up the camera before you register your account with the app. I was impressed with the help I received from Simplisafe and the simplicity of the hardware installation.

On the positive side you can run this via an app on the phone without monitoring services. Just keep the phone close and it you are good to go. The camera is a different story. It is poor in low light, and there is no automatic footage save during an intrusion, unless you pay for monitoring. It‘s an issue with the app, as you can see a live view. So close, but there are better alternatives. 2.5 would be the right score. Only because of the camera app issue.