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SimpliSafe and Ring are the two big names in DIY home security, and both sell starter kits for around $200 to $300. Both also want a monthly fee for the best features.
So the real question isn’t which hardware looks better. It’s what you’ll pay every month, and what you still get if you pay nothing. Here’s the breakdown.
| Feature | SimpliSafe | Ring Alarm |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | None | None |
| Free tier | Self-monitoring with no plan | Live view, alerts, and two-way talk on Ring devices |
| Camera recordings | Plan needed (about $10/month) | Plan needed (from about $5/month) |
| Professional monitoring | From about $23/month | About $20/month |
| Smart home | Alexa and Google | Alexa (no Google Home without a third-party app) |
| Installation | DIY, pro install optional | DIY, pro install optional |
What You Pay Every Month
SimpliSafe’s plans range from free self-monitoring to about $10 a month for camera recordings, then about $23 for professional monitoring and about $33 for monitoring plus camera recordings. Higher tiers add active theft prevention for $50 or more.
Ring’s plans start at about $5 a month for one device and about $10 for unlimited devices. Professional alarm monitoring is around $20 a month. Ring is the cheaper way to get a monitored alarm.
Prices change often and both brands run promotions with free trials, so check each plan page before you buy. Neither one requires a contract, so you can cancel any time.
What You Get If You Pay Nothing
This is where both fall short for a no-fee setup. With Ring, you keep live view, motion alerts, and two-way talk, but you can’t review past footage. NerdWallet also reports that remote arming and disarming needs a paid plan.
SimpliSafe lets you use the system with no monitoring plan. You can often watch a live camera feed, but recordings and smart home features like scheduled arming need a plan.
The bottom line: both work as a basic local alarm for free, but neither gives you free recordings the way a local-storage camera does. For that, see our SimpliSafe vs. subscription-free security comparison.
Cameras and Doorbells
Ring has the bigger lineup, with many doorbells and cameras at different prices, including battery, wired, and solar models. SimpliSafe offers fewer devices, and its cameras and doorbell are meant to work with a SimpliSafe system.
If the doorbell matters most, Ring has the edge on choice. Read our Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 review and our SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro review to compare them.
The Two Starter Kits
SimpliSafe 6-Piece System With Outdoor Camera
This kit includes an outdoor camera, so you can start with both an alarm and video. SimpliSafe is known for simple setup and no-contract plans, and you can add sensors later as your home needs them.
You can run it without a plan, but you’ll miss camera recordings and scheduled arming. Buy it knowing which features you plan to pay for.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Includes an outdoor camera in the box | Monitoring plans start higher than Ring’s |
| No contract, and you can start with no plan | Recordings and scheduling need a paid plan |
| Works with Alexa and Google Assistant | Smaller range of cameras and doorbells |
Best for: Buyers who want an alarm and an outdoor camera in one kit and plan to use only the features they pay for.
Full details and current price: SimpliSafe 6-Piece Wireless Home Security System on Amazon
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit (2nd Gen)
This is Ring’s entry-level alarm. Ring’s range of cameras and doorbells is the widest, so you can add exactly what you want. NerdWallet calls Ring’s professional monitoring the lowest-priced among the systems it has reviewed.
The catch is that the kit has no camera, and remote arming needs a plan. It also works with Alexa but not Google Home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lower-priced professional monitoring | No camera in the kit |
| Widest range of cameras and doorbells | Remote arming and recordings need a plan |
| Easy to expand with Ring devices | No Google Home support without a third-party app |
Best for: Buyers who want the cheapest monitored alarm and plan to add Ring cameras or doorbells over time.
Full details and current price: Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit (2nd Gen) on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SimpliSafe or Ring cheaper?
Ring costs less per month for professional monitoring (about $20, versus about $23 or more for SimpliSafe). Hardware prices are close, so the monthly plan usually decides it.
Can I use either without a subscription?
Yes, but with limits. Both work as a basic alarm, and Ring gives you live view and alerts. Recordings, remote arming, and automation need a paid plan.
Do SimpliSafe or Ring require a contract?
No. You can start, change, or cancel plans any time.
Which works better with smart home devices?
SimpliSafe works with Alexa and Google Assistant. Ring works with Alexa, but not Google Home without a third-party app.
What if I want no monthly fee at all?
Choose cameras with local storage. See our best security cameras without subscription guide, or compare Ring vs. Reolink.
Final Verdict
| System | Best For |
|---|---|
| SimpliSafe 6-Piece With Outdoor Camera | An alarm plus a camera in one kit, with flexible plans and Google Assistant support |
| Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit | The lowest monthly cost for monitoring, and the widest choice of add-on cameras and doorbells |
If you want a monitored alarm at the lowest monthly cost, go with Ring. If you want an alarm and an outdoor camera in one box, SimpliSafe is the simpler start. And if you don’t want to pay a monthly fee at all, neither is the best fit.