Link Interactive and SimpliSafe both rank in our top ten home security companies, and for good reason. Both offer fantastic professional monitoring and portability. Despite its simple installation and lack of contract, SimpliSafe is overshadowed by Link Interactive’s more robust equipment selection and home automation offerings.
Pricing and packages
Link Interactive offers three monitoring packages compared to SimpliSafe’s two, but each company offers slightly different features in their more advanced plans.
| Company | |||||
| Package Name | Standard | Gold | Elite | Standard | Interactive |
| Monthly Price | $30.99 | $35.99 | $40.99 | $14.99 | $24.99 |
| View Plans | View Plans | View Plans | View Plans | View Plan | View Plan |
| 24/7 Monitoring | |||||
| Mobile app control | |||||
| SMS alerts | |||||
| Secret alarms | |||||
| Home automation | |||||
| Video streaming and recording | |||||
| Night vision capabilities |
SimpliSafe allows users to set up “secret” alarms in areas like drawers, medicine cabinets, and more. When these alarms are triggered, you will be notified through a text message. This feature can be useful for discovering if party guests (or the babysitter) like to snoop. Link Interactive offers far more surveillance options, but the monitoring costs are higher.
Contract
One of SimpliSafe’s main selling points is its total lack of a contract. Customers can cancel their plans at any time without penalty. SimpliSafe also offers a 60-day free trial; if you aren’t completely satisfied with the service, SimpliSafe will issue a full refund and pay return shipping costs.
In comparison, Link Interactive’s shortest contract is 12 months, with 24-month and 36-month options as well. Link Interactive offers a 30-day trial, but after that period is up, the contract is binding. If you cancel the contract early, you’ll be responsible for paying 75% of the remaining balance.
When it comes to contracts, SimpliSafe takes the victory. There’s just no way to beat the trial period and the contract cancellation. It’s one of the few times we’ve seen “no strings attached” mean exactly that.
Installation
SimpliSafe and Link Interactive are both DIY installation systems, and as such, both are designed for simple installation.
All SimpliSafe components are peel-and-stick, eliminating the need for tools. SimpliSafe contains a keychain remote that doubles as USB drive. Inside the drive is an animated instruction video that demonstrates exactly how to install the system, including details like where to place each component, how to personalize your settings, and more.
Link Interactive installation is also easy, but the control panel requires a few standard tools rather than relying entirely on peel-and-stick components. You may also have to synchronize any add-on equipment you purchase.
When it comes down to it, SimpliSafe provides the easier installation process of the two, but only by a slight margin. More home security companies are moving toward peel-and-stick installation, and it’s easy to see why: the entire system can be set up within ten minutes of opening the box.
Equipment
Link Interactive offers a wide range of security and home automation equipment, but SimpliSafe’s offerings are more limited. Most notably, SimpliSafe doesn’t offer security cameras, which we see as a major flaw. Both companies offer customization so that you can choose the components you need.
SimpliSafe equipment
If you don’t want to build your own system, SimpliSafe has five equipment packages to choose from.
- Starter Package with five pieces of equipment: $229.96
- Economy Package with seven pieces of equipment: $259.95
- Classic Package with nine pieces of equipment: $349.92
- Master Package with 14 pieces of equipment: $449.87
- Ultimate Package with 16 pieces of equipment: $539.85
SimpliSafe offers the option to purchase refurbished equipment packages at anywhere from 20 to 30 percent off the normal price. SimpliSafe’s equipment comes with a 3-year warranty.
Link Interactive equipment
Link Interactive’s custom equipment package begins with one piece of equipment (the Go!Control panel) plus three window stickers and a yard sign. From this baseline, you then select the equipment you want from five separate categories: home security, life safety, home automation, cameras, and add-ons. Link Interactive partners with 2GIG to produce its equipment, which comes with a 2-year warranty.
Link has a variety of home automation options with Z-Wave integration, so users can sync up and control multiple devices like smart locks, lights, and thermostats.
Link Interactive’s range of equipment options is broader than SimpliSafe’s. Most importantly, Link Interactive provides cameras as one of the options (something SimpliSafe doesn’t provide, though it’s recently announced a beta version). Link Interactive’s equipment looks a lot more modern and up to date than SimpliSafe’s as well.
In terms of equipment, Link Interactive is the clear winner. Despite SimpliSafe’s longer warranty, Link’s equipment options are far more vast. SimpliSafe doesn’t offer cameras, while Link Interactive does. As a final bonus, Link Interactive can use the existing equipment in your home from a previous security system.
Mobile apps
SimpliSafe’s mobile app doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it gets the job done. One noteworthy aspect is the VoiceOver feature; it allows those with visual impairment to interact with the app via voice controls and connect easily to the customer service center. Beyond that, the SimpliSafe app doesn’t provide push notifications, and alarm sounds cannot be customized, leading to frustration for users who want more than just basic control.
Link Interactive has an app through Alarm.com. The app has a high rating in the app stores and allows users to control both their home security system as well as their home automation settings from their phone. It also provides the ability to search through the entire event history of your system; this means that any alert, notification, or change you’ve made is searchable.
Customer service and reputation
Link Interactive and SimpliSafe both command enormous amounts of customer loyalty. Both companies have so much customer loyalty, in fact, that finding any basis to compare them was difficult.
SimpliSafe’s customers love the lack of contract and the free trial. The major complaints originated from customer service issues and high upfront costs.
Link Interactive’s customers consistently praise the customer service team, whether the team helped with the installation process or with basic maintenance. Link is also quick to respond to online reviews and comments in forums.
It’s close, but in terms of customer service we have to nod to Link Interactive. Its customer loyalty is proof of how the company cares for its customers, and the way Link Interactive goes above and beyond to help and accommodate its customers gives it the victory.
The bottom line
Link Interactive is the better choice for a home security system, hands-down. Link’s equipment selection provides the ability to expand your system to home automation and energy management. Conversely, SimpliSafe doesn’t offer security cameras, and its equipment lacks the sleek appeal of Link’s. Although Link’s upfront cost is high (and one of the main points of hesitation for new customers), it is still lower than SimpliSafe’s upfront cost.
Link Interactive is one of our top rated home security companies, and for good reason. Between its powerful security systems, immersive home automation options, and fantastic customer service, the company provides fantastic value to its customers.