SimpliSafe Monthly Cost: Full Pricing Breakdown for 2026

Security companies love to hide their real costs behind complex contracts and hidden installation fees. You might think you know what a system will cost, only to find out the bill doubles once you add video storage or professional monitoring. With SimpliSafe, a popular DIY home security provider founded in 2006 by Chad and Eleanor Laurans, the approach is different. They promise transparency with no long-term contracts.

But does that transparency hold up when you look at the actual monthly bills? The short answer is yes, but the range is wide. Depending on how much protection you want, your monthly cost can be absolutely $0 or as high as nearly $80. Understanding exactly what you get for each dollar is the key to not overpaying for features you never use.

The Real Monthly Costs: A Tier-by-Tier Breakdown

SimpliSafe doesn't just offer one plan. They have built a ladder of six distinct tiers. This structure lets you start small and climb up as your needs change. Here is exactly what you will pay in 2026 for each level of service.

You might see some older articles quoting prices like $14.99 or $19.99 for basic monitoring. Those are legacy numbers from previous years. As of mid-2025 and into 2026, the entry point for professional human monitoring has settled firmly at $22.99 per month. If you see lower prices, they are likely outdated or temporary promotional discounts that do not reflect the standard rate.

What Do You Actually Get for Your Money?

Pricing is only half the story. You need to know what changes when you move from one tier to the next. Let's break down the value proposition of each major step.

The Unmonitored plan is free because it requires zero effort from SimpliSafe's side. You get the app, you can arm and disarm the system remotely, and if you have cameras, you can watch live video. However, if an alarm goes off, nobody calls the police. It’s purely for peace of mind while you're away, relying on loud sirens to scare off intruders.

Stepping up to Self-Monitoring with Camera Recordings ($9.99) adds the digital evidence trail. Without this, your cameras don't save anything to the cloud. For $10 a month, you get 30 days of footage stored online for up to ten cameras. This is ideal if you trust yourself to check alerts quickly but want proof if something happens.

The jump to Standard ($22.99) introduces human intervention. This is the baseline for true security. When a sensor trips, a central station operator verifies the event and dispatches emergency services if needed. Crucially, this includes cellular backup. If someone cuts your internet or power, the base station uses its internal battery and cellular connection to still send the alert. Most users who want traditional alarm protection stop here.

Moving to Core ($32.99) bridges the gap between sensors and video. It adds "Intruder Intervention," which allows monitoring agents to view your camera clips during an alarm to better validate threats before calling police. It also unlocks unlimited video downloads and a lifetime warranty on your hardware. For households with multiple cameras, this tier often provides the best balance of cost and utility.

Understanding Active Guard: The Premium Tiers

The highest two tiers, Pro ($49.99) and Pro Plus ($79.99), introduce a feature called Active Guard. This is where SimpliSafe differentiates itself from competitors like ADT or Vivint. Instead of just reacting to alarms after they happen, Active Guard uses live agents watching your outdoor camera feeds to deter crime in real-time.

On the Pro plan, this service runs overnight, from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Agents monitor the feed. If they see suspicious activity, they can speak through the camera’s two-way audio to warn the intruder that police are being dispatched. This psychological deterrent aims to stop a break-in before it starts.

The Pro Plus plan extends this 24/7. Agents are watching your property around the clock. This is the most expensive option, costing nearly $80 a month. It is designed for high-value homes, properties in areas with higher crime rates, or homeowners who travel frequently and want maximum visibility. You must have at least one compatible outdoor camera to use these plans.

Hidden Costs and Hardware Considerations

While the monthly subscription is clear, the total cost of ownership includes the hardware. SimpliSafe sells starter kits ranging from about $250 for a basic setup to over $730 for comprehensive packages including cameras and smart locks.

Here is the catch: many of the advanced features in the higher-tier plans require specific hardware. To use Active Guard, you need an outdoor camera. To get the full benefit of the Core plan’s video features, you need indoor or outdoor cameras. If you buy a cheap kit with only door sensors and motion detectors, paying $79.99 for Pro Plus makes little sense because you lack the equipment to utilize the live monitoring.

However, there are ways to mitigate upfront costs. SimpliSafe frequently runs promotions, especially around holidays like Veterans Day or Black Friday, where kits can drop significantly in price. Some users report getting basic kits for under $100 during sales. Additionally, if you subscribe to the Core, Pro, or Pro Plus plans, you receive a 10% discount on future hardware purchases, which helps if you plan to expand your system later.

How SimpliSafe Compares to Traditional Providers

To put these numbers in perspective, consider the industry standard. Traditional professionally installed systems often charge $40 to $60 per month for monitoring alone. They usually require a three-year contract. If you cancel early, you face hefty termination fees.

SimpliSafe’s model is month-to-month. You can switch from Standard ($22.99) to Pro ($49.99) in the app today, and back again tomorrow. There is no penalty. This flexibility allows you to manage costs dynamically. For example, you might stay on the Standard plan during the year when you are home often, then upgrade to Pro during summer vacations when the house is empty and you want overnight Active Guard coverage. This ability to scale your spending based on your current risk profile is a significant financial advantage.

Compared to other DIY competitors like Ring or Abode, SimpliSafe’s pricing is competitive. Ring offers similar self-monitoring options but often pushes users toward paid plans for extended video history. Abode offers hybrid professional/DIY models but can be more complex to set up. SimpliSafe keeps the menu simple: six tiers, clear prices, no surprises.

Strategic Advice: Which Plan Should You Choose?

Choosing the right plan depends on your specific situation. Here is a quick decision guide:

• Renters or Budget-Conscious Users: Stick to Unmonitored ($0) or Self-Monitoring ($9.99). You get the benefits of sensors and video without the recurring high cost. Use the loud siren as your primary deterrent.
• Typical Homeowners: The Standard plan ($22.99) is the sweet spot for most people. You get 24/7 professional dispatch and cellular backup. It covers burglary, fire, and carbon monoxide alerts effectively.
• Camera-Heavy Setups: If you already have several SimpliSafe cameras, the Core plan ($32.99) is worth the extra $10. Unlimited video storage and Intruder Intervention add significant value when you have visual data to review.
• Frequent Travelers or High-Risk Areas: Consider the Pro plan ($49.99) for overnight peace of mind. The live agent deterrence can be invaluable when you are weeks away from home.
• High-Value Properties: Only choose Pro Plus ($79.99) if you have the budget and the hardware to support 24/7 active monitoring. For most average homes, this is overkill.

Remember, you can always change your plan later. Start with what fits your budget now. If your needs evolve, upgrading takes seconds in the app.