Simplisafe vs Nest (What You Need To Know – 2022)
How we reviewed: hands-on tests, hours studying Simplisafe and Nest’s sites, and reading 100+ customer reviews.
Winner – Simplisafe
Our Rating
Starts at $14.99/M
Runner Up – Nest
Our Rating
Starts at $19.99/M
Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Ratings / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Written By: John Fox | Security expert / Locksmith 30 Years Experience
05.18.2022
There is heated competition between the brands: Nest and SimpliSafe. Both of them have interesting features and their own pros and cons, so it can be tricky to choose which one to invest in. You can spend hours on the web reading reviews, but we’ve brought that all together for you here and already researched everything that’s worth knowing about SimpliSafe and Nest.
Quick Summary
Choose Simplisafe because:
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Inexpensive professional installation options
- Simple installation
- Long trial period
- Duress PIN: You can set a duress PIN so that the authorities know if someone forces you to deactivate the security system
- Custom Alerts: Your family and friends can help you monitor your home by setting a custom alert for them
- Guest Passcodes: This feature helps you to set passcodes for your guest & regular visitors to let them in & out without any hassle
Choose Nest because:
- Advanced video monitoring capabilities
- Working under the wings of the big tech-giant Google
- Keypad and door/window sensors capable of detecting the motion
- Most easy to use system among others
- Free self-monitoring option
- Friendly app to use it like connecting with family members and talking to them when they are outside your home
- Custom arming and disarming the system
- An incredibly loud 110db Siren can scare any burglar, even with the volume
SimpliSafe Security System
If you’re in search of a security system that’s both budget-friendly and easy to install, then SimpliSafe is the best choice. It installs without any hassle i.e. a plug-and-play system. It comes without contracts, so canceling it will always be an option.
SimpliSafe has all the different sensors and detectors you would need to make sure that your house is completely secure. Motion detectors, door/window sensors, a glass-break detector, and a smoke detector, all are available according to your needs. SimpliSafe has made the addition of detectors to your device as easy as possible.
SimpliSafe offers amazing customer service. Their helplines are available for their customers 24/7, if you have any questions or problems with your system, they’re always ready to help!
Nest Security System
What happens at home – stays at home. The Nest Secure Alarm System helps you look after your place in your absence and can scare off intruders with the helpful alerts feature, which sends a phone alert when it detects any sort of activity.
Nest’s alarm will sound whenever someone enters or exits your home, and you can also set a passcode to disarm the system. Bringing together both sensors and motion detectors, this security system creates a personal network that keeps an eye on things while you’re away.
One great feature of the Nest Security System is its own App provided & controlled by Google.
This app allows you to monitor and control your home from anywhere. It also helps you connect with family members and talk to them when they are outside, so there are no security concerns.
Simplisafe vs Nest: Pros and cons
Simplisafe
Nest
Simplisafe vs Nest: Features
New Users
SimpliSafe offers a variety of options. They’re flexible enough to work with those who are unsure of what they want or need. There are generous return and refund policies in place, to make new customers feel comfortable if they feel wrong and unsure about their initial purchase of the product. SimpliSafe is also adaptable—you don’t have to worry about being locked into a service if you don’t want it, and you don’t have to pay extra to get out of a contract. The price points are affordable as well, so everyone in your family can afford the equipment they need at all times without breaking the bank. (1)
Even though Nest is a favorite smart home device for many users, it is difficult for new users to navigate. In addition to that, the cancellation fee makes it more unwanted. So if you decide to discontinue the use of Nest, you will have to pay a fee anyway.
SimpliSafe Wins. If you’re inexperienced with modern security systems, then SimpliSafe is the better option over Nest for you.
Free Plan
| Free Plan | ||
| Coverage | All SimpliSafe Devices at 1 Address | All Nest Devices at 1 Address |
| Cellular Connection | No | No |
| 24/7 Live Alarm Monitoring | No | No |
| Remote Control | No | Yes |
| Environmental Monitoring | No | Yes |
| Secret Alarms | No | No |
| Notifications | No | Yes |
| Cloud Storage (in days) | N/A | 3 hours |
| Video Verified Alarms | No | No |
| Monthly Price | $0 | $0 |
| Smart Home Integrations | No | Yes |
| Annual Savings | $0 | $0 |
| Annual Price | $0 | $0 |
You can get all the same features that both SimpliSafe and Nest offer without paying for a monthly service plan. Nest does allow users to record video clips without a subscription, but SimpliSafe doesn’t let its users use any video recording facility for free.
Winner: Nest wins out over SimpliSafe in its free plan, as it provides three hours of video recording in the free option.
Security Basics
As far as home security is concerned, both companies provide good equipment for better security at home. Nest Secure focuses on turning your home into a “smart home” by including video doorbells and indoor cameras, while SimpliSafe offers environmental protection (carbon monoxide sensors), in addition to basic home intrusion protection. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Installation
Installing both systems takes only minutes, and detailed instructions are provided. Also, customer support is always available for any questions. (2)
Equipment and Sensors
SimpliSafe’s security systems are considerably less expensive than Nest’s. The $259 Essential package with three contact sensors, a keypad, a motion detector, and the base station is highly comparable to Nest Secure’s single offering at $399. The Nest’s package includes Nest Guard (a combination keypad, motion detector, hub, and Google Assistant smart speaker), two Nest Detects (motion detectors and door/window sensors in one), and two Nest Tags (a key fob that will be used to arm or disarm the system by touching it to the Nest Guard).
SimpliSafe also offers several other bundled systems with similar pricing as Nest Secure, plus you can build your own system. SimpliSafe has smoke, glass-break, temperature, and water/flood sensors; an additional 105 decibel (DB) siren; and a panic button. It also has two cameras: an indoor camera and a doorbell camera. Nest Secure offers Nest Protect smoke alarms, but the connection wasn’t seamless, and there was no professional monitoring available. However, you could control all these devices through the same app.
SimpliSafe offers a smart lock that works with its security system. The Nest x Yale smart lock is a deadbolt replacement with a $249 price tag. SimpliSafe’s retrofit lock costs $99 and goes on top of your existing deadbolt. It communicates only with its own wireless network, so it won’t affect your Wi-Fi. (3)
Winner: SimpliSafe is the winner as it provides almost the same quality & features at lower prices.
Intrusion Protection
| Intrusion Protection | ||
| Particulars | SimpliSafe | Nest |
| Garage Door Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Door & Window Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Sensors | Yes | – |
| Glass Break Protection | Yes | – |
| Crash & Smash Protection | Yes | – |
| Recessed Door Sensors | Yes | – |
The above Intrusion Protection chart shows that SimpliSafe is the winner.
Environmental Protection
| Environmental Protection | |
| SimpliSafe | Nest |
| Flood | Temperature Change |
| Carbon Monoxide | Carbon Monoxide |
| Smoke | – |
| Temperature Change | Smoke |
| Temperature Change | – |
| Carbon Monoxide | – |
| Smoke | – |
The above Environmental Protection chart shows that SimpliSafe is the winner.
Surveillance
| Surveillance | ||
| Particulars | SimpliSafe | Nest |
| Outdoor Cameras | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor Cameras | Yes | Yes |
| Event-triggered Surveillance | Yes | – |
| Live Surveillance | Yes | – |
The above Surveillance chart shows that SimpliSafe is the winner.
Life Safety
| Life Safety | |
| SimpliSafe | Nest |
| Panic Button | – |
| Medical Alert | – |
The above Life Safety chart shows that SimpliSafe is the winner.
Monitoring Services
SimpliSafe’s monitoring centers provide professional twenty-four-hour monitoring, police response, fire department dispatch, and emergency medical dispatch. Simplisafe offers a monthly package of $14.99 under the Standard Plan and monitors environmental hazards and home intrusion. Its Interactive plan for $24.99 per month provides remote alarm control and home automation capabilities. SimpliSafe customers can also forgo professional monitoring and use their system as a local alarm. Their monitoring centers take an average of 10 seconds to respond to an alarm event in your home.
Nest offers both professional and self-monitoring, with various pricing options to meet your needs. Customers who want to opt for professional monitoring can go for $29.99 monthly for a month-to-month agreement or even opt for a three-year contract at $19.99 monthly. Or, if you’re self-monitoring, choose from two monthly plans: one that includes cellular backup for $5.00 a month (or $50.00 a year), or another that does not include cellular backup for free. In case a sensor in your home is triggered, the monitoring center responds to your home’s sensors within 18 seconds on average.
Winner: While both systems give par monitoring services, SimpliSafe services are a little ahead due to their medical emergency dispatch & lesser responding time features.
Pricing
First of all, it is important to determine what a package is and what is a plan?. A package is a one-time payment for equipment and devices that a company will install in your home or concerned place. In contrast, a plan refers to a monthly service fee depending on the services you acquire.
SimpliSafe offers these five packages.
| Package | Amount |
| Foundation Package | $229.96 |
| Essentials Package | $259.95 |
| Hearth Package | $374.91 |
| Knox Package | $449.87 |
| Haven Package | $489.96 |
Along with the above five, customers have the option to choose between two plans:
| Plans | Amount |
| Standard | $ 14.99 |
| Interactive | $ 24.99 |
The Standard provides 24/7 monitoring over a cellular connection. This basic plan does not provide home automation capabilities or smartphone alerts. Those who want to remotely arm and disarm their home security system must pay for the Interactive monitoring plan, which also provides unlimited camera recording, video alarm verification, smart home integrations, and secret alerts and allows users to receive alerts on their phone.
While the Nest Secure base system costs $399.00, and additional sensors or devices can be added at varying costs. Customers have two monthly monitoring choices through Brinks Home Security: a month-to-month plan for $29.00 and an agreement lasting three years for $19.00 a month. Brinks provides 24/7 monitoring out of its Irving, Texas, monitoring centers, and a backup facility in the event of an extreme emergency.
Winner: Though it is difficult to choose one as both are at the same level but still if I have to choose one, then I’ll go for SimpliSafe because of the more robust pricing structure.
Compatibility
| Compatibility | ||
| SimpliSafe | Nest | |
| Amazon Alexa | √ | √ |
| Z-Wave | – | √ |
| Google Home | – | √ |
The above compatibility chart shows that Nest is more compatible than SimpliSafe.
Winner: Nest
Mobile Access & Alerts
| Mobile Access & Alerts | ||
| Particulars | SimpliSafe | Nest |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Live Surveillance Feed | Yes | – |
| Email & Text Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone App | Yes | – |
| Remote Arm/Disarm | Yes | – |
| Email & Text Alerts | Yes | – |
| Android App | Yes | – |
Mobile Access & Alerts chart shows that SimpliSafe provides more features than Nest.
Winner: SimpliSafe
Home Automation
| Home Automation | |
| SimpliSafe | Nest |
| Event-triggered Automation | Electronic Door Locks |
| Thermostat Control | Thermostat Control |
| Unique User Codes | Event-triggered Automation |
| – | Unique User Codes |
Our home Automation chart shows that Nest provides more features than SimpliSafe.
Winner: Nest
Wrapping Up
If you’re in the market for a DIY home security system and would like an integrated system that will work seamlessly with Google’s smart home products, the Nest Secure system might be the right choice. As it accomplishes more home security objectives with less equipment when compared to SimpliSafe.
However, if cost is a major concern for you, SimpliSafe offers a more traditional and low-budgeted DIY home security choice. Furthermore, SimpliSafe offers video verification and fire monitoring, ensuring that you are well protected in the event of a break-in or fire. It also has a greater selection of security equipment and more customizable options to fit your home.
Take a look at some of our related articles below.
References
(1) refund policies – https://www.nytimes.com/allbusiness/
AB4353479_primary.html
(2) customer support – https://www.zendesk.com/blog/customer-support-vs-customer-service/
(3) wireless network – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/wireless-network
Written by
John Fox
Senior Writer & Director
John Fox has been working as a security consultant for over 20 years. During his time in the industry, he’s learned about what it takes to ensure your home and family are always safe. With Safe Now, he’s tried to take those two decades of experience and share it with others. His goal now is to help others figure out how to make the right choices for their businesses and families.
