Link Interactive vs. SimpliSafe Review

Link Interactive and SimpliSafe are two DIY home security systems, but that’s about where the similarities end.

SimpliSafe is super affordable and great for basics, like door and window sensors and even a smart lock. But Link Interactive has more types of equipment so you can customize the heck out of your system. Plus, Link Interactive has smart home support, whereas SimpliSafe’s smart home support is limited to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Let’s dig into the details and find out which of these two DIY security systems is best for you.

SimpliSafe’s monitoring prices are a better deal compared to Link Interactive. Along with a lower price point, two out of three of SimpliSafe’s plans come with video monitoring and recording.

But if you’re looking for home automation support, Link’s plans may be worth the extra cost.

Link Interactive doesn’t offer a self-monitoring plan, but you’ve got your choice of three levels of professional monitoring. Link uses Avantguard Monitoring Centers for its professional monitoring services.

All three plans offer two-way voice communication, plus intruder and fire alarms. If you want video recording, you’ll need to fork over for the most expensive plan, Elite. It’s not ideal, and we’d prefer to see recording included with all of Link’s plans.

Additional Link Interactive monitoring plan features include the following:

• Two-way voice communication to your monitoring station
• Intruder and fire alarms
• Smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detection

• Two-way voice communication to your monitoring station
• Intruder and fire alarms
• Smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detection
• Home automation support, including app control for smart locks, lights, and thermostats

• Two-way voice communication to your monitoring station
• Intruder and fire alarms
• Smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detection
• Home automation support, including app control for smart locks, lights, and thermostats
• HD video monitoring (either on-demand, scheduled, or movement-activated video recording)

View Link Interactive Plans | Read Full Link Interactive Review

At just $10 a month, SimpliSafe’s self-monitoring plan is by far the cheapest option between these two home security systems.

But you’ll be doing all the monitoring yourself—no monitoring center will call you if you’re away and your alarm goes off. Instead, it’s up to you to notice that something’s not right at home.

If professional monitoring is what you’re looking for, both SimpliSafe’s Standard and Interactive plans offer that. So if an alarm trips at home, you’ll get a call right away—even if you’re still in the driveway. (Speaking from experience.)

Two of SimpliSafe’s plans come with video recording while Link’s cheapest and mid-level plans come with no recording—you’ll need the most expensive Link Interactive plan to record any footage your cameras pick up.

Video recordings let you collect evidence of a break-in or other events, which can be helpful to share with the authorities or your insurance company if you have to file a claim.

And speaking of the authorities, SimpliSafe’s Interactive plan includes video verification. This means the monitoring center can access 30 seconds of live camera footage to double-check that it’s not a false alarm before they alert the emergency services.

Here’s a summary of all the perks that come with each SimpliSafe monitoring plan:

• HD live video view
• Unlimited recordings for up to five cameras

• HD live video view
• 24/7 police, fire, and ambulance dispatch

• HD live video view
• Unlimited recordings for up to 10 cameras
• 24/7 police, fire, and ambulance dispatch
• Video alarm verification
• Water damage and temperature monitoring
• Cellular connection

View SimpliSafe Plans | Read Full SimpliSafe Review

Link Interactive offers far more choices when it comes to equipment. You can pick and choose between five different touchpad panels, two different indoor cameras, and three types of doorbell cameras. That means you can customize your home security system based on your exact needs.

We should note, though, that Link’s equipment is made by Alarm.com, while SimpliSafe makes its own equipment. That’s not to say one is better than the other, but it does result in more expensive equipment if you go with Link Interactive.

SimpliSafe’s equipment is pretty pared down. You’ve got your base station and keypad, then the standard set of sensors and cameras. There’s also a handful of add-on equipment, like a carbon monoxide detector, flood sensor, a smart lock, and doorbell camera, which let you keep tabs on other potential home hazards.

• Pick and choose your equipment setup
• Includes smart home products like a thermostat, garage door controller, and door locks
• Equipment can be a bit pricier compared to SimpliSafe

• Offers pre-packaged equipment kits or you can pick and choose
• Only two smart home equipment add-ons: video doorbell and smart lock
• Cheaper equipment costs compared to Link Interactive

When it comes to cameras, Link Interactive is best for the sheer number of choices it gives you. But SimpliSafe could be the better option if you’re looking for a cheaper yet still high-quality camera for your security system.

Link Interactive offers three different indoor and outdoor cameras, all with high-definition (HD) resolution and motion detection.

You may be wondering if the high cost of the Premium Indoor Camera is worth it—the answer is yes, if you’re looking for Z-Wave home automation features and a larger field of view. The Premium Indoor Camera lets you use the Z-wave automation language to trigger events—like turning on a light when motion is detected, which could deter a potential intruder.

If you don’t need any fancy features, the regular Indoor Camera still helps you keep tabs on activity at home, like making sure your kiddo got home safe or your dog isn’t destroying the couch.

Link’s V724 Outdoor Camera gives you a 140-degree diagonal field of view, and can be tilted to focus in on a specific area of your backyard, front porch, or driveway. This is a great feature to have if you really want to focus in on a certain spot, like your front walkway, to watch for packages. (And avoid triggering alerts for other areas, like the backyard where the neighborhood kids like to play.)

The biggest downside is that the camera needs to be plugged in, so you’ll potentially need to drill holes for its cord.

On top of indoor and outdoor cameras, Link also offers three different Wi-Fi video doorbells so you can keep an eye out for important deliveries. The $200 doorbell cam offers 4K resolution, but if you’ve got a large porch, you may want to go for the $167 doorbell cam with the largest field of view.

View Link Interactive Plans | Read Full Link Interactive Review

SimpliSafe may not offer the variety of cameras that Link Interactive does, but it charges a lot less for the three cameras it does offer.

Its Outdoor Camera is a step above Link’s outdoor camera thanks to its wireless capabilities. No need to drill holes to hide your power cord here—and if you’re worried about batteries running out, SimpliSafe also offers a solar panel made just for the camera.

Our testers noted that SimpliSafe’s doorbell camera notifications lagged a bit. If the doorbell rang, it took about five seconds for a notification to pop up on their phone. This may not seem like a long time, but it could mean the difference between telling your delivery person that you’ll be right down and them leaving a notice on your door to schedule a redelivery.

If you’re really looking for a deal, SimpliSafe also sells refurbished equipment at 20 to 30% off, and you keep the same warranty you’d get if you bought it new.

View SimpliSafe Plans | Read Full SimpliSafe Review

If you want your security system to work seamlessly with any other smart home products you already own, then Link Interactive is your best choice. If you grab the Gold monitoring plan or above, you get Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Z-wave home automation support.

SimpliSafe, on the other hand, works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It’s also worth noting that SimpliSafe’s system doesn’t come with many smart home accessories—just a smart lock and video doorbell for now.

So if you want to add smart plugs, light bulbs, or thermostats to your home security system, Link may be the better fit.

Both Link Interactive and SimpliSafe earned close to top marks from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and TrustPilot.

We’ve heard lots of great feedback from customers about Link Interactive. Some even said that Link’s technicians helped them install smart home devices that didn’t come with their Link Interactive system. One item we noted about Link, though, was that it’s website is a little difficult to navigate—and you’ll need to provide personal info in order to get a quote for your new security system.

SimpliSafe also has a great reputation, and we noted how easy it was for our parents to use. The monitoring representatives are professional, helpful, and kind when they call, and the SimpliSafe site is easier to get around on than Link’s.

• Link Interactive customer service number: 1-877-826-5446
• SimpliSafe customer service number: 1-888-910-1215

One more thing to note is that Link Interactive requires you to sign a one- to three-year contract, while SimpliSafe doesn’t require a contract at all. And if you suspect you may need to end your Link Interactive contract early, you’ll have to pay 75% of your remaining contract cost.

The best option out of Link Interactive and SimpliSafe really comes down to what you need.

Link is best for folks who own a large home or want to customize their security system with home automation and lots of different types of sensors. SimpliSafe is great for anyone on a tight budget who’s still looking for a quality home security setup.

• Prices and monitoring plans: SimpliSafe. You’ll find the best prices for monitoring plans and equipment with SimpliSafe. Even its most expensive monitoring plan costs less than Link Interactive’s cheapest plan, and SimpliSafe doesn’t require a contract like Link does.
• Security equipment: Link Interactive. You’ll get way more options when it comes to equipment with Link Interactive. And though it’s more expensive than SimpliSafe, you’ll find a sensor or device for pretty much anything you’d need to monitor.
• Cameras: Both Link Interactive and SimpliSafe offer a full range of cameras, from indoor to outdoor to doorbell cams. But Link has more options, while SimpliSafe’s cost less.
• Smart home integrations: Link Interactive. Both security systems work with Alexa and Google Assistant, but only Link lets you program smart home automations using Z-wave technology.
• Customer service: Both companies are known for friendly reps and helpful service, though we prefer the simplicity of SimpliSafe’s online ordering process over Link’s request-a-quote system.

Read Full Link Interactive Review | Read Full SimpliSafe Review

To compare the Link Interactive and SimpliSafe DIY home security systems, we took a close look at the following features:

• Price, and the value of what you get
• Equipment features, quality, and choices
• Cameras, including price and quality
• Home automation support
• Customer service and contract requirements

We conducted hands-on testing for the SimpliSafe security system, including living with it for a year. Our research for Link Interactive involved online research of its monitoring plans and prices, plus research of its Alarm.com equipment.

Still have questions about how SimpliSafe and Link Interactive compare? We’re here to help.

Link Interactive uses Avantguard Monitoring Centers in Utah and Idaho.

SimpliSafe has six monitoring centers located around the US.

Yes, Link Interactive offers a panic button equipment add-on for $34 that can be worn around your neck, wrist, or on your belt. When pressed, the button sends an alarm to your Link Interactive security panel—even if your security system is currently disarmed.

SimpliSafe also offers a panic button for $19.99.

Nope, neither Link Interactive nor SimpliSafe require a landline for home security monitoring. Link Interactive’s monitoring technology uses a cellular connection, while SimpliSafe’s monitoring technology uses either a cellular or internet connection.

Link Interactive integrates with Z-wave home automation technology, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Yes, Link Interactive can integrate with a Nest thermostat, an Amazon Smart Thermostat, and the Alarm.com Premium Thermostat.

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