SimpliSafeHome Security Systems | 5 Piece Home Security Camera & Alarm System with Entry & Motion Sensor - Optional Monitoring Subscription - Compatible with Alexa

Removed my old system and replaced with this modern simple to install home alarm. Easy to use and installed in minutes

EDIT: For the reasons outlined below, I packed away my SimpliSafe system in favour of Ring (purchased on sale). For most use cases I think Ring is a far more suitable option.I’ve had SimpliSafe installed in my new flat for over a month now. The system itself is pretty excellent. The keypad is nice to use and user friendly, and there is a high amount of customisation around component configuration, volume levels, exit and entry delays, etc. I enjoy using the device.However my main qualm as commented by others are the paywalls and monitoring services. I completely understand the need to pay for active monitoring and the company’s efforts to place ‘premium’ features under subscription as a revenue model. However, as others have commented, the inclusion of push notifications in this category is, in my view, a step too far. The alarm is of very little practical use if you cannot be aware it is going off without a subscription, and is very much behind the times for following this model. This is very much a conscious design decision - although the system has cellular connection, you are prompted to connect to a WiFi network, so there is no good reason a simple push notification couldn’t be sent on activation.Given I live in a fairly secure apartment block, my actual security risk is quite low, but I would be more concerned about false activations that I am not aware of and therefore go on to disturb my neighbours for several hours. I’m therefore effectively forced to pay a subscription.If I could I would return the alarm for the likes of Ring or similar, but unfortunately I bought it a while before moving in during a sale so will be well out with the 60 day period. I may look to sell it and buy a different unit in the new year, which is a shame because - as I say, it’s really good - but paying ~£240 a year to receive push notifications is not viable in the long term.

The system itself works very well and is very easy to install. However...I bought the "system only" as I didn't want the remote monitoring and response service which SimpliSafe pushes - I just wanted an isolated, stand-alone system, which on the face of it is exactly what I got - no contract, and SEEMINGLY no connection to SimpliSafe or the outside world. WRONG.It turns out that by connecting the base unit to your home WI-FI (which of course you have to do to make the system actually work) you are also allowing the base unit to send your sensor information back to SimpliSafe, regardless of whether you want to or not, and, if as in my case you haven't signed up for a monitoring contract, regardless of whether you need to or not!Basically the base unit sends information back to Simplisafe - whether this is continuously or on demand I don't know. This may not be a worry for you if you have no cameras attached to your system (like me), but if you do have cameras who knows? Also, if the status of each individual sensor can be reviewed by SimpliSafe remotely I'm pretty sure the overall system setting can be seen as well - as in whether the alarm is set or not or, to put it another way, whether you are in the house or out of it, or on holiday....I've had to resort to blocking the MAC address of the base unit from internet access in my router firewall, which means that the SimpliSafe app stops working but the system itself can be armed and disarmed, without broadcast to the outside world, by using the supplied keypad.Disappointing, if not a bit worrying, that without some pretty drastic self applied network blocking, the system can't operate in isolation when no monitoring contract is bought. If you buy the monitoring service and/or are happy for SimpliSafe to monitor your system remotely regardlessly, then go for it - because the system itself is pretty good. If you're not comfortable with that then maybe think twice.

On the positive side you can run this via an app on the phone without monitoring services. Just keep the phone close and it you are good to go. The camera is a different story. It is poor in low light, and there is no automatic footage save during an intrusion, unless you pay for monitoring. It‘s an issue with the app, as you can see a live view. So close, but there are better alternatives. 2.5 would be the right score. Only because of the camera app issue.

Worth every penny. Simple to organise and set up. No tools required. You can get everything up and running in under an hour. Everything you need once set up is all in one app. Amazing product & service. Great peace at mind whilst away from home knowing my home is getting professionally monitored with pro premium subscription. And I can pop in on the cameras and see what my cats are up to whilst away (bonus).