You can use SimpliSafe without Wi-Fi if you choose any professional monitoring plan. They all support cellular backup. However, you would need Wi-Fi to support any video cameras on the
In the event of a power outage, your SimpliSafe® Base Station is equipped with a backup rechargeable battery supply that will keep your Base Station powered for up to 24 hrs. It also features a cellular module and with a professional monitoirng plan will operate on a cellular network instead of Wi-Fi.
The system operates on a cellular network and will automatically switch to battery power, meaning that it's still able to operate and keep your home secure, even in the event your WiFi goes down.
Integrating SimpliSafe with other smart home brands requires a subscription. Professional monitoring costs have gone up three times in four years. Limited selection of security cameras.
Not all alarm systems require internet access for operation. Some alarm systems run on traditional phone lines or cellular signals, while others require an internet connection through an Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi signal or voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Most wireless contact sensors send information to the hub over sub-2.4 GHz radio waves whether the Wi-Fi is online or not. That means the alarm may still work in an internet outage, but don't count on it. You may not be able to arm your system without Wi-Fi.
Another way criminals may try to defeat burglar alarms is through wireless alarm jammers. These very expensive devices are sometimes able to block cellular signals, such as the ones used in wireless home security systems. But due to the high cost of cell jammers, wire cutters are still the tool of choice for thieves.
According to Andrew Zonenberg, a researcher with security consultancy firm IOActive, attackers can easily disable SimpliSafe alarms from up to 30 meters away, using a device that costs around $250 to create a replay attack.
The best SimpliSafe alternative depends on the reason you're looking for an alternative to SimpliSafe. If you want better professional installation and monitoring, we recommend ADT. For better smart home capabilities, Vivint offers some of the most advanced smart features available.
If a potential threat is detected, SimpliSafe's professional monitoring agents can: View a live feed and communicate with potential intruders using two-way audio.
If it's unplugged or the power goes out, the 24-hour backup battery keeps you covered.
Generally, an offline error message means that the battery in your sensor needs to be replaced and then put into Test Mode to clear the message. To put your system into Test Mode: Using your Keypad go to Menu > Enter Master PIN > Test Mode. Press the release the button on your sensor.
Complete Control
Entirely wireless and smash-safe. Arm and disarm in one click. If an intruder smashes the Keypad, we still get the alert so we can request police dispatch upon visual verification. You can even customise the Panic Button to send a silent alarm.
SimpliSafe cameras don't support continuous recording, but we prefer cameras that only record events otherwise reviewing footage ends up taking too much of our time.
If there's ever an emergency, you can trigger an alarm by pressing the Panic Button down for 2 seconds. You'll know that the Panic Button has sent the signal to our monitoring center* when the red LED on the upper right corner flashes.
Network Requirements:
1080p or higher - 2 Mbps per camera.
SimpliSafe is a home security company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Standard Monitoring plan is $21.99 per month and comes with 24/7 emergency dispatch, among other useful features. We'll get into more detail on SimpliSafe's monitoring plans later.
SimpliSafe is a solid choice for affordable home security. Its equipment quality isn't as high as ADT's, but its monthly monitoring plans are a lot more flexible. Plus, step-by-step instructions make it so easy to install (and uninstall) your system that you can pack it up and take it with you if you move.
1. Alarm Systems. Burglars hate alarm systems - and for very good reason! Any indication that your home has a security system, such as yard signs, window stickers and a big alarm box, can act as a burglar deterrent and help prevent your home from being burgled.
Such vulnerabilities were brought to light in a demonstration by a YouTuber, showcasing how a SimpliSafe wireless home security system could be jammed using inexpensive devices.
Vulnerability of Security Systems to Hacking
Specifically, ADT, SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm have all experienced hackings to varying degrees, and although each company has taken steps to address these attacks, we still want our readers to be informed about their complicated history.
Most Burglars Admit Alarm Systems Deter Them
60% of the burglars claimed an alarm would change their minds. “The benefit of a security alarm comes more from deterring crime and limiting loss if a burglary does happen,” says Bill Nelson, owner of Nelson Alarm in Indianapolis.
Poor signal quality
The first thing a jammer affects is the quality of the signal. Hence, if you suddenly feel a sudden drop in signal quality, it's a clear sign of a decline, even if you are sitting next to the router. Remember, in normal conditions, your WiFi signals stay consistent.
For instance, SimpliSafe, a two-time winner of our Editors' Choice distinction, utilizes a proprietary algorithm that's capable of separating incidental RF interference from targeted jamming attacks. When the system thinks it's being jammed, it'll notify you via push alert on your phone.