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Straight answer first: SimpliSafe confirms directly that the Video Doorbell Pro does not require a monitoring subscription to use. The follow-up question is what you actually get without one — and that’s a shorter list than you’d expect from a doorbell camera.
| Spec | SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro |
|---|---|
| Price | $169 |
| Video | 1080p HD, 162° field of view |
| Power | Wired only, existing doorbell wiring + mechanical chime |
| Detection | Smart person/vehicle/animal detection |
| Optional monitoring | $9.99/month, 30-day video history, up to 10 cameras |
What Actually Works Without a Subscription
Live view through the app, instant alerts when someone approaches, and two-way audio all work with no subscription attached.
What you don’t get without paying: recorded video saved to a timeline. Without a plan, you can see who’s there in real time, but there’s no clip to look back on afterward.
What the Subscription Actually Unlocks
$9.99 a month gets you 30 days of recorded video history across up to 10 cameras, plus Video Verification — footage professional monitoring agents can use to confirm a real break-in for faster police dispatch.
For comparison, Ring’s equivalent $9.99/month plan covers unlimited cameras with 180 days of history — SimpliSafe’s plan is genuinely more limited on both fronts for the same price.
Installation and What to Know Before Buying
This is a hardwired-only doorbell — it needs an existing wired doorbell setup with a mechanical chime and a compatible transformer. It’s explicitly not compatible with digital chimes.
Because it’s wired rather than battery-powered, it stops working during a power outage — a real trade-off against battery doorbells that keep running when the grid doesn’t.
Smart home integration is also more limited than most competitors — reviewers consistently note the standalone doorbell doesn’t offer the same Alexa/Google skill-level integration that Ring or Nest provide.
The Video Verification Angle
One feature worth understanding on its own: Video Verification lets SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring agents actually look at doorbell footage during an alarm event to confirm whether it’s a real break-in.
SimpliSafe frames this as leading to faster police dispatch, since verified alarms are generally prioritized over unverified ones by dispatchers — but this only applies if you’re on a professional monitoring plan, not the basic self-monitoring tier.
It’s a genuine security benefit if you’re already paying for professional monitoring anyway — it’s not a reason on its own to add a monthly plan you’d otherwise skip.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Core hardware genuinely works with no subscription | No recorded video history at all without paying |
| Sharp 1080p video with a wide 162° field of view | $9.99/month plan is more limited than Ring’s equivalent tier |
| Reliable wired power, no battery to maintain | Stops working during power outages |
| Limited smart home integration compared to competitors |
Best for: Existing SimpliSafe system owners who want a matching doorbell and don’t mind paying for recorded history — not the best fit if genuinely subscription-free recording is your priority.
SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro
This works as a real-time doorbell camera without paying anything ongoing, but the moment you want recorded footage instead of just a live look, the subscription becomes the point of the purchase.
It’s a reasonable pick if you’re already inside SimpliSafe’s ecosystem — less compelling as a standalone, no-subscription doorbell on its own.
Full details and current price: SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro on Amazon
For a doorbell built to record locally with no subscription at all, see our Reolink Video Doorbell WiFi review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a SimpliSafe monitoring plan to use the Video Doorbell Pro?
No — SimpliSafe confirms the doorbell works without one, but you won’t get recorded video history without a subscription.
What does the SimpliSafe monitoring subscription cost?
$9.99 per month, covering up to 10 cameras with 30 days of video history.
Does it work with a digital doorbell chime?
No — SimpliSafe explicitly states it’s not compatible with digital chimes, only mechanical ones.
Will it still work if the power goes out?
No, it’s hardwired only with no battery backup, so it stops functioning during an outage.
Is there a genuinely subscription-free wired doorbell alternative?
Yes — the Reolink Video Doorbell WiFi records locally with no subscription required for core recording, unlike the SimpliSafe.
Final Verdict
The Video Doorbell Pro’s hardware works fine without a subscription — the catch is that “working” here means live view only, with no recorded footage to fall back on. If recorded history without a monthly fee is what you actually want, look elsewhere.