How SimpliSafe fits together
For households that want a choice of monitoring levels. Compare the equipment you need with the monthly plan: camera recordings and professional emergency dispatch are different services.
SimpliSafe sells home security equipment and offers several ways to monitor it. You can choose a package or build a system with cameras, sensors and sirens. Monthly service is separate from the hardware purchase. The key decision is what should happen after an alert: manage it yourself, review a camera recording, or use a plan with professional emergency dispatch. The right comparison starts with that response, then adds equipment and any chosen installation to the cost.
Four things to compare
Published service options checked November 2, 2026. The monthly plan and the equipment purchase are separate decisions.
Choose your equipment
Packages and custom systems are available.
Cameras, sensors and sirens are separate from the monthly service price. Confirm the equipment list for your home before comparing plans.
Monthly service
No long-term monitoring contract.
SimpliSafe describes monitoring as monthly service that you can cancel at any time.
Recording is a separate feature
A live camera feed is not a saved recording.
Standard includes a live feed without camera recordings. Core includes camera recording as well as emergency dispatch.
An outdoor monitoring tier
Pro Plus adds Active Guard Outdoor Protection.
The published $79.99 monthly tier provides this service around the clock and requires compatible equipment.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Monthly monitoring without a long-term contract.
- Standard and Core both include 24/7 emergency dispatch.
- A separate $9.99 recording plan serves households that manage alerts themselves.
- You can select an equipment package or build a system around your needs.
Cons
- The monthly service price does not include the equipment purchase.
- Standard does not include camera recordings.
- The camera-recording plan does not include professional monitoring.
- Pro Plus costs $79.99 per month and needs compatible outdoor equipment.
Monthly service options
Prices checked November 2, 2026. Equipment is separate. Compare the service included in each plan before adding installation, taxes or local fees to your budget.
SimpliSafe plans at a glance
| Plan | Price (USD) | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Camera recordings | $9.99/ month | Self-monitoring. Recordings for up to 10 cameras for 30 days. No professional monitoring. |
| Standard | $22.99/ month | 24/7 emergency dispatch, app control and live camera feed. No camera recordings. |
| Core | $32.99/ month | Emergency dispatch, camera recording and expanded app and alert functions. |
| Pro Plus | $79.99/ month | Around-the-clock Active Guard Outdoor Protection. Compatible equipment required. |
Camera recordings
Self-monitoring. Recordings for up to 10 cameras for 30 days. No professional monitoring.
Standard
24/7 emergency dispatch, app control and live camera feed. No camera recordings.
Core
Emergency dispatch, camera recording and expanded app and alert functions.
Pro Plus
Around-the-clock Active Guard Outdoor Protection. Compatible equipment required.
SimpliSafe at a glance
| What matters | Published terms |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Packages or a custom system; purchased separately |
| Contract | Monthly monitoring without a long-term contract |
| Basic use | Unmonitored operation with basic functions |
| Camera-recording plan | $9.99 monthly; no professional monitoring |
| Standard | $22.99 monthly; emergency dispatch without camera recordings |
| Core | $32.99 monthly; dispatch and camera recording |
| Pro Plus | $79.99 monthly; compatible outdoor equipment required |
| Installation | Options available; confirm the method and quote |
Build the system around the response
List the places to cover
Identify the doors, windows and areas where you want an alert or camera view. Use that list to compare an equipment package with a custom system.
Choose who manages alerts
Decide whether you will respond yourself or want professional emergency dispatch. This determines which service options belong on your shortlist.
Decide whether recordings matter
Separate saved camera footage from a live camera feed. Standard and the recording plans do not offer the same functions.
Confirm the installation plan
Check the installation options for your chosen equipment. Add any selected installation service to the equipment quote.
Review the complete order
Check that the equipment supports the service you selected. Keep the hardware total and monthly service charge visible as separate amounts.
What Core monitoring adds up to
This example covers Core monitoring only. It excludes equipment, any chosen installation, taxes and local fees. It is not the total cost of a security system.
- First year12 months × $32.99
- $395.88
- Second year12 months × $32.99
- $395.88
- Equipment and installationAdd the quote for the system and any selected installation service
- Separate
$791.76 / 24 months
Core monitoring onlyAssumes the $32.99 monthly price stays unchanged for 24 months. This calculation is not a price guarantee. Published plan price checked November 2, 2026.
Which setup fits your household?
Compare service, not just the monthly price
Unmonitored use
- Basic system functions
- You manage the situation
- No professional emergency dispatch
- Confirm functions for your equipment
Self-monitoring
- $9.99 per month
- Camera recordings for up to 10 cameras
- 30 days of recordings
- No professional monitoring
Core
- $32.99 per month
- Professional emergency dispatch
- Camera recording included
- Equipment purchased separately
These are different SimpliSafe service choices. A recording subscription is not a substitute for a professional monitoring plan.
Use the same equipment list when you compare service levels. Otherwise, a lower monthly price can hide a difference in the cameras or sensors you still need to buy.
Before you order
Sources and editorial notes
We compared published information. We did not purchase or test this product. Ratings are editorial estimates. Checked November 2, 2026.
- SimpliSafe monitoring options — Monthly plan prices and included monitoring features. Checked November 2, 2026.
- SimpliSafe home security — Custom equipment systems and installation options. Checked November 2, 2026.
- SimpliSafe monitoring — Current monitoring categories and cancel-anytime terms. Checked November 2, 2026.
Alternatives
Ring
ADT Pro Install
VivintFrequently asked questions
Does SimpliSafe require a long-term contract?
Its published monitoring terms describe monthly service that you can cancel at any time. Confirm the terms of the plan you select before ordering.
Does the camera-recording plan include emergency dispatch?
No. The $9.99 self-monitoring plan includes camera recordings, not professional monitoring. Standard and Core include professional emergency dispatch.
Can the system work without a monitoring plan?
SimpliSafe supports basic unmonitored use. Do not expect professional emergency dispatch from that setup. Check the functions available with your chosen equipment.
Is equipment included in the monthly price?
No. Equipment is purchased separately. Include the package or custom system, any chosen installation, and applicable charges in your comparison.
What is the difference between Standard and Core?
Standard includes emergency dispatch, app control and a live camera feed, without camera recordings. Core adds camera recording and expanded app and alert functions.