4.1
4.6In this guide
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 with Pro | Optional professional or self-monitoring |
| Monthly cost | $0–$25 | $0–$79.99 |
| Equipment cost | $200–$600 | $250–$700 |
| Video storage | Cloud with local option | Cloud |
| Works with | Z-Wave, Zigbee, Apple Home, Alexa, Google (hub/device-dependent) | Alexa and Google Assistant on eligible paid plans; no Apple Home |
| 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’s Smart Security Hub and Iota support compatible Z-Wave, Zigbee and Apple Home devices. Check the exact hub and supported-device list before planning to reuse existing equipment.
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.
Compare the plan requirements
Abode no longer offers dedicated on-demand monitoring. Check its monthly and annual plan terms, then compare them with SimpliSafe’s monthly options.
Where SimpliSafe wins
Outdoor agent coverage. SimpliSafe’s Pro plan costs $49.99/month for 8pm–6am local coverage; Pro Plus costs $79.99/month for 24/7 coverage. Eligible cameras must be enrolled and the system armed. Standard and Core do not include this outdoor service. Compare the current monitoring options before budgeting for it.
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?
Consider Abode if your chosen hub supports the smart-home devices you want to combine with your alarm.
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?
Compare equipment, the features in your chosen plan and the renewal rate. Abode’s former day/week monitoring is no longer a basis for savings.
Full specifications and scores
Quick scores
- Abode
- 4.1/5 — The enthusiast’s DIY system
- SimpliSafe
- 4.6/5 — The DIY system that gets the fundamentals right
