SimpliSafe and Guardian Protection are two very different companies. Guardian has been in home protection since 1950 and SimpliSafe is a newcomer, starting in 2006. As the more traditional company, Guardian comes with a long contract and a much higher monthly fee, while SimpliSafe emphasizes flexibility and affordability. They come from different eras, but they both offer a quality service.
Compare SimpliSafe vs. Guardian
![(D)_SimpliSafe_vs_Guardian_Protection[1]](https://cdn.safety.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/D_SimpliSafe_vs_Guardian_Protection1.png)
Price
Winner: SimpliSafeOver time, SimpliSafe’s monitoring service is a huge bargain compared to Guardian. SimpliSafe monitoring will cost you $14.99/mo. and Guardian will cost you a whopping $45.99/mo. Guardian’s basic package starts at $99.00 for equipment with its contract, while Simplisafe's Foundation Package costs $183. In the long run, we’d recommend SimpliSafe for price.
Contract
Winner: SimpliSafeSimpliSafe wins this round simply because it requires no contract for its monitoring service. Its month-to-month plan is great for anyone who isn't sure how long they want to continue. Guardian, on the other hand, has contract lengths of three to five years, which is definitely the old way of doing things.
Trial Period
Winner: SimpliSafePut another check in the win column for SimpliSafe. SimpliSafe offers a generous 60 days to make up your mind, with a full money-back guarantee. Guardian Protection offers no trial period. Couple that with locking you in for three to five years, and Guardian simply doesn’t compete in this area.
Installation
Winner: SimpliSafeWhen it comes to installation, SimpliSafe wins again. Its systems are simple enough to allow do-it-yourself installation, but if you’re not into doing the work, you can opt for a professional install. Guardian only offers professional installation.
Warranty & Guarantees
Winner: GuardianOne area where Guardian does outshine SimpliSafe is in its guarantee. The company will pay up to $500 toward your insurance deductible if your home is burglarized while being monitored. SimpliSafe has no such guarantee.
Availability
Winner: SimpliSafeIt’s worth noting that Guardian may not even be an option where you live. The service is only available in certain states. SimpliSafe, on the other hand, is available to anyone. If you don’t live in one of the states Guardian services, the decision has already been made for you.
Our Pick: SimpliSafe Security
 SimpliSafe Security | ||
|---|---|---|
Monthly monitoring starting price | $14.99/mo. | $45.99/mo. |
Minimum contract length | No contract | 3-5 years |
Trial Period | 60 days | None |
Installation | DIY & Professional | Professional |
Guarantees and Refunds | None | $500 Theft Protection |
BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
Frequently Asked Questions About SimpliSafe and Guardian Protection
SimpliSafe has a number of packages, including the basic Foundation Package, Essentials Package, Haven Package, and the Hearth Package. The basic package starts with the base station, keypad, three entry sensor, and a motion sensor.
Guardian has a wide array of packages geared toward different situations, such as the Bachelor(ette) Pad Package, Burglar Buster Package, and the Healthy (Green) Home Package. Each of these include various combinations of door/window sensors, motion sensors, touchpads, doorbells, smart locks, and more.
SimpliSafe offers professional monitoring at $14.99/mo. on a month-to-month basis. Guardian’s award-winning professional monitoring costs $45.99/mo. with a contract that lasts three to five years.
SimpliSafe allows self-monitoring, and you can even purchase its equipment without using its professional monitoring service. Guardian is strictly a professional monitoring provider with no option to self-monitor.
Both SimpliSafe and Guardian have packages suitable for renters, using less intrusive, wireless technology. SimpliSafe’s plans and DIY availability make it a more flexible solution, which may appeal to renters more than Guardian’s more robust and professional approach, but either service can work for renters.