Quick scores
- Abode
- 4.1/5 — The enthusiast’s DIY system
- SimpliSafe
- 4.6/5 — The DIY system that gets the fundamentals right
Abode vs SimpliSafe at a glance
| Feature | Abode | SimpliSafe |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Installation | DIY | DIY (professional available) |
| Contract | None | None |
| Monitoring | Optional professional, including on-demand | Optional professional or self-monitoring |
| Monthly cost | $0–$25 | $0–$32 |
| Equipment cost | $200–$600 | $250–$700 |
| Video storage | Cloud with local option | Cloud |
| Works with | Z-Wave, Zigbee, Apple Home, Alexa, Google, Matter | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Watch |
| Trial / returns | 30-day returns | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Best for | Tinkerers who want one system to talk to everything | Most people — the default recommendation for a first security system |
Interoperability against simplicity
Abode speaks Z-Wave, Zigbee and Matter, and works with Apple Home. Existing sensors, locks and switches can join it directly, and it can act as the automation hub for the whole house.
SimpliSafe is proprietary. Its sensors, its ecosystem, no third-party devices. That is a limitation — and also why it is so reliable: SimpliSafe controls every variable.
The trade is straightforward. Abode does more and asks more. SimpliSafe does less and asks almost nothing.
On-demand monitoring is Abode’s best idea
Most households do not need professional monitoring 365 days a year. They need it for the fortnight they are away.
Abode sells monitoring by the day or week — switch it on before a holiday, off when you return, at a few dollars a day. SimpliSafe is month-to-month, which is flexible, but not this flexible.
For someone who self-monitors most of the year and travels a few times, Abode’s model can be substantially cheaper.
Where SimpliSafe wins
Live agent intervention. Agents view outdoor cameras during alerts, speak through them, and give police eyewitness confirmation. Abode has no equivalent, and it is arguably the most useful monitoring feature either company offers.
Setup time. An hour against an afternoon.
Company scale. Larger support organisation and lower long-term vendor risk.
Cameras. Both are mediocre; SimpliSafe’s are slightly better.
Which should you choose?
Choose Abode if you use Apple Home; you own Z-Wave or Zigbee devices; you want on-demand monitoring; or you want the alarm integrated into real automation.
Choose SimpliSafe if you want the least demanding system; agent intervention appeals; or you would rather not think about pairing protocols.
Most people are better served by SimpliSafe. Abode is genuinely better for the specific person who wants it.
Frequently asked questions
Does Abode work with Apple Home?
Yes, natively — one of very few security systems that does. SimpliSafe does not.
Is Abode harder to set up?
Yes. Allow an afternoon against an hour for SimpliSafe, plus time tuning automations.
Which is cheaper?
Similar on hardware and continuous monitoring. Abode is cheaper if you only want monitoring while travelling, thanks to on-demand plans.