SimpliSafe vs. Smith Thompson

You can access your SimpliSafe system remotely through the app or control it with verbal commands using Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa. Whereas SimpliSafe doesn’t pair with smart devices, Smith Thompson offers smart locks, smart thermostats and smart lighting devices. If you already have smart home devices, you can control them all from Smith Thompson’s app and set up home automation tasks. 

Both providers offer competitive prices, but SimpliSafe’s equipment and professional monitoring are cheaper. Its equipment packages start at $259.95, and its home monitoring starts at $14.99 per month. Smith Thompson’s equipment packages start at $183 and require an additional $79 for installation. However, if you already have compatible equipment, you can save money by subscribing to professional monitoring only, starting at $16.95 per month.

Both Smith Thompson and SimpliSafe allow you to customize your home security system based on the equipment you need. You can purchase home environmental monitoring from either provider, as well as outdoor cameras and doorbell cameras. However, Smith Thompson offers a more extensive line of equipment, including smart home automation devices and touch screen control panels. Both companies have indoor cameras with night vision that capture video in HD that can live-stream the feed to your mobile device. However, only Smith Thompson’s indoor cameras have a two-way talk feature.

SimpliSafe has award-winning home monitoring services provided from six different monitoring centers. If your alarm system goes off, SimpliSafe verifies it’s a real threat to speed up police dispatch time. Professional monitoring is optional with SimpliSafe, whereas Smith Thompson requires it. While SimpliSafe only monitors homes with SimpliSafe equipment, Smith Thompson monitors homes and businesses even if they have existing equipment from any of the major brands, such as Honeywell, ADT, and DSC.

SimpliSafe’s DIY-friendly equipment requires no professional installation, but you have the option for professional installation for an additional cost. Some of Smith Thompson’s packages require professional installation with technician fees. Other packages have professional installation included without the fee, but DIY installation isn’t an option.

There’s no free trial or money-back guarantee when you get started with a Smith Thompson home security system. SimpliSafe doesn’t offer a free trial either, but it does grant you a 60-day money-back guarantee. Smith Thompson has a strict return policy, giving you just three days to send back your purchase for a refund. SimpliSafe equipment comes with a three-year limited warranty, whereas Smith Thompson equipment has a one-year warranty for parts and labor.