Compare iSmartAlarm vs. SimpliSafe Home Security Systems

When comparing any two home security companies it’s important to first make a list of the areas in your home that need the most protection.

These are usually the most easily accessible entry points, but some homeowners may also want to monitor more remote parts of the home, such as the room of an elderly family member, or conversely, of the youngest.

After making a list of the areas you wish to protect in your home, duly prioritized, it’s time to consider which home security features matter the most to you—essentially, what you’re willing to pay for, and just how much.

For instance, some budget-conscious consumers may prefer to carry out their own monitoring. Others, on the other hand, may prefer to rely on the dependability of 24/7 monitoring from trained personnel at a professional center.

At first glance, SimpliSafe and iSafeAlarm share much more than just part of their name.

Neither company requires contracts or an expensive, professional installation. Both companies feature systems that are completely wireless, allowing renters to move them easily in case of a move…or maybe simply wanting to prioritize another part of the house’s security.

Another thing they have in common is the companies’ proprietary apps, which enable users to monitor their homes from virtually anywhere (as long as they have good signal, that is).

However, this is where the similarities end. To learn more about comparing SimpliSafe vs iSafeAlarm, across features such as equipment, devices and packages, monitoring, and reputation, read on.

If we begin by evaluating how SimpliSafe stacks up to iSmartAlarm as regards their equipment offerings, as mentioned above, we find that both companies expect their customers to install their own equipment.

As all their devices are wireless, this is fairly easy. SimpliSafe installation is simply plugging in the base station, placing the different sensors you’ve purchased around your home, and then adjusting the settings on your computer, finetuning how you’d like each device to perform.

There’s even a five-minute set-up video on the company’s website to help you in case you get stuck.

Likewise, the installation for iSmartAlarm follows much the same straightforward process: after plugging in the CubeOne™, users place their sensors and tags around the home, and then perform a basic set-up. This CubeOne™ device is a central hub, essentially the same as SimpliSafe’s base station, included in all packages.

Since both SimpliSafe and iSmartAlarm devices all communicate wirelessly, they can easily be moved or transported.

Both companies also allow customers to either purchase a pre-chosen bundle of hardware, or build their own.

Let’s delve into the differences between SimpliSafe and iSmartAlarm.

SimpliSafe does not allow customers to self-monitor their systems, whereas iSmartAlarm is premised on this very principle, and doesn’t offer any professional monitoring.

Instead, the CubeOne™ sends instant emergency notifications with phone calls, SMS messages, push notifications, and email; all via their Android or iOS apps.

Though iSmartAlarm’s apps allow customers to control many features of their system, such as arming and disarming, keeping track of who’s at home, when members have left or returned, and even some home automation features; in the event of a power outage or internet interruption, the whole system collapses, simply sending a notification of the situation, and another when service is re-established.

SimpliSafe, for its part, is always under 24/7/365 professional monitoring, which guarantees that any time something goes wrong, it will be responded to adequately.

Additionally, as a extra safeguard, the company’s equipment also keeps working for over 24 hours on battery power, even in the case of a power outage or interruption of your internet service.

When we get down to the nitty-gritty of comparing the actual equipment offerings between Simplisafe vs iSmartAlarm, it’s clear that SimpliSafe offers a much larger hardware selection.

Aside from the standard door/window sensors and motion sensors, SimpliSafe customers can also purchase sensors for their garage door and recessed doors, as well as crash and smash protection and glass break protection.

SimpliSafe also provides the option of incorporating environmental sensors, to monitor carbon monoxide levels, temperature changes, smoke, or flood.

While this may not be on everybody’s priority list, as some of these issues may have their own, existing devices in the home (smoke alarms, etc), the advantage to having these changes monitored by your security system is the ability to be notified in real time, rather than discovering your house has flooded only after you get home.

Both SimpliSafe and iSmartAlarm have the same equipment offerings for indoor and outdoor cameras, live surveillance, and event-triggered surveillance.

However, SimpliSafe again goes beyond the industry standard, by also providing panic buttons and medical alerts. Again, while these may not be on everybody’s list of must-haves, they can literally be lifesavers in families with elderly or infirm family members. 

Additionally, since the company manufactures its own equipment, customers can choose both the color and finish of their devices, matching them to their home’s color scheme and décor.

iSmartAlarm does incorporate a smart home feature in its SmartSwitch, a simple plug which allows customers to turn lights or appliances on and off remotely, thereby helping people save money or time.

For example, if you regularly come home late, instead of leaving a light on all day so that you can return to a well-lit home, the SmartSwitch would allow you to switch on a lamp from anywhere.

Or use it for a more casual reason, to turn on your coffee maker in th morning while you get ready.

When looking at the devices that both companies offer, remember to look at those lists you made at the beginning of the process, where you determined what your priorities were.

These will be extremely helpful in deciding what equipment is actually essential for your needs, rather than getting excited about adding extra, non-necessary features.

Ideally, consumers look for companies who offer monitoring from UL-certified centers or those with certifications from the Central Station Alarm Association, as these are indicators of excellence in the fulfillment of their responsibilities.

SimpliSafe’s centers, though outsourced to COPS, a national security monitoring company with headquarters in New Jersey (U.L.-Listed, F.M. Approved, and Five Diamond-Certified) and regional offices throughout the country.

While some companies prefer to own their own monitoring centers, thereby retaining complete control over the quality and efficiency of the service, it’s common practice to outsource the service.

There are some advantages to ownership, but consumers shouldn’t be scared by learning that a company they’re considering outsources their monitoring—this doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a significant difference in quality.

Handling security threats or alarms quickly and efficiently can be said to be essential in how satisfied a customer may be with any given home security company.

It’s much more important to look at response speeds and customer satisfaction rates, as evidenced by testimonials from actual customers.

One good thing about SimpliSafe, specifically, is that it’s completely transparent with its customer reviews, leaving both negative and positive feedback available on its website and message boards.

However, these considerations are obviously only true for companies which provide professional monitoring.

SimpliSafe offers both the option of self-monitoring or professional services. iSmartAlarm, on the other hand, only concentrates on DIY-monitoring.

While this can be much less expensive, as it only requires that consumers invest in the initial equipment purchase, it can also leave your home unprotected, depending on how the system communicates and sends its notifications.

In the case of SimpliSafe, its devices can send alerts over both broadband and cellular networks, and they have independent battery backups—essentially, this means that even in the case of an interruption in internet service or a power outage, either you or the monitoring center will receive a notification.

iSmartAlarm’s equipment, conversely, only sends an automatic alert in these cases. This highlights the importance of having fail safes in place, with various types of monitoring, so that unexpected events don’t cause your coverage to fail or be interrupted.

When considering your available budget for a home security system, remember to take into account various things: contract, installation fees, activation fees, cancellation fees in the case of a contract, and of course, the actual cost of the equipment.

In the case of iSmartAlarm vs SimpliSafe, the breakdown of these price points is relatively simple.

Both companies prominently advertise their lack of long-term contracts, though the specifics are a bit different.

iSmartAlarm truly doesn’t require contracts or monthly fees, as customers simply purchase their equipment outright and then conduct their own monitoring.

Initial prices for iSmartAlarm equipment start around the two-hundred-dollar mark, which is comparable to the $230 starting price for SimpliSafe devices, although they do also offer the option of refurbished equipment, or of building your own system.

SimpliSafe, for its part, has a slightly more complicated format. Customers purchase their equipment outright as well, but can then choose the company’s professional, 24/7 monitoring option.

The standard monitoring plan has a low monthly cost of just $14.99 (less than $0.50 a day). The more premium Interactive monitoring plan is $24.99 a month (still less than $1 a day), and also includes SMS/Email alerts, as well as the ability to remotely arm and disarm the entire system.

Finally, there is a considerable difference in both companies’ warranties. Where SimpliSafe offers a three-year guarantee, iSmartAlarm’s cancels out after one year.

Essentially, the choice between SimpliSafe and iSmartAlarm is the choice between professional or DIY monitoring, with all that both choices imply in terms of your home’s relative security.

Home security companies are increasingly looking towards the future and moving towards the idea of the fully integrated, so-called “smart house,” the dwellers of which can essentially control almost every appliance, lock, and light, all with the touch of a finger.

While this trend seems like something out of the Jetsons, even the most traditional security systems usually have available smartphone apps, and the ability to integrate and control the system itself, at the very least, from a computer.

This unprecedented degree of flexibility and control allows homeowners to closely monitor their own homes without the services of a professional monitoring center, should they so choose. However, not all companies offer smart technology, or integrations with virtual assistants such as Google’s Alexa or the Amazon Echo.

In the case of SimpliSafe vs iSmartAlarm, both companies show a definite paucity of interest in technological integrations, though this may be something they explore further in the future.

Though both companies provide the fairly standard iOS and Android apps with email/text alerts, and the possibility of incorporating live surveillance feeds via cameras, as well as remote arm/disarm technology; neither company offers a wealth of smart home technology.

SimpliSafe, though, does offer thermostat control and event-triggered automation. Its ability to program unique user codes is also noteworthy, as it can give greater control over just who can do things in the home.

A home security company’s reputation is comprised of many different elements, including its financial standing, customer service, and monitoring services, should they have any.

Additionally, when conducting research, it’s also important to consider specifics, such as how the company handles claims, how easy the purchase experience is, and how well it handles complaints and questions.

When going over customer reviews, however, many consumers can become discouraged in their choices, due to the overwhelming amounts of negative feedback that can be found online.

However, it’s important to remember that disgruntled customers are usually the most vocal. This is certainly true of both SimpliSafe and iSmartAlarm’s poor ratings on TrustPilot, for instance.

The two company’s score of little more than 5 points out of ten is based on just 3-4 reviews- which is hardly a representative sample, considering that both SimpliSafe and iSmartAlarm’s customers number in the thousands, at the very least.

iSmartAlarm’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) score is also based on a tiny sample of 4 reviews and six complaints, and should therefore be taken with a grain of salt—SimpliSafe’s corresponding BBB score is quite good, and based on a much more proportional 75 reviews.

Another consideration, financial strength, can be hard to measure in the case of newer companies like SimpliSafe (2006) and iSmartAlarm (2012).

Though well-established companies can offer easy to find track records of dependability, newer companies can offer other advantages.

They’re generally quicker to embrace technology, offer more flexibility or more advantageous terms, and otherwise establish themselves in the consumer’s mind as a viable option for home security.

In the case of the two companies we’re comparing here, both provide a high degree of flexibility by allowing their customers to purchase home security systems for a much lower price point than traditional providers, and then customize these to their specifications, or even build out their own system.

Monitoring options are also flexible, and the lack of the standard home security long-term contracts gives customers additional freedom.

Finally, a look at the associations for each company can also be an indicator of reliability, an important aspect of reputation.

Since iSmartAlarm doesn’t offer professional monitoring, it isn’t certified by the Underwriter’s Laboratory or the Central Station Alarm Association (though technically, SimpliSafe isn’t either, rather their outsourced monitoring is).

However, iSmartAlarm has won a series of awards regarding design and excellence, suggesting it’s a good option for a multitude of home security needs.