Scout vs. SimpliSafe Review

Scout vs. SimpliSafe is a tough comparison. Both are DIY, no-contract systems that require you to pay for mobile access. They’re also really different in some ways. SimpliSafe is a better-known service with lots of equipment, while Scout is cheaper and has more home automation.

Let’s talk more about which you should choose.

As the table states, neither system requires a contract. You can begin and end service at any time.

Scout’s self-monitoring option isn’t free, but it lets you take home safety into your own hands. For $9.99 a month, you get access to the Scout app to keep eyes on your system.

If you go up a tier, Scout’s Always On+ monitoring gives you 24/7 professional monitoring and cloud storage for one camera. Always On+ users still have access to the app, so you can check in yourself if you want to.

Also, if you want cameras, you have to pay extra. It’s $4.99 per camera per month to record and/or download video clips. That adds up fast!

Scout has some competitive stuff, but SimpliSafe has more proprietary devices and package options than Scout. A SimpliSafe package currently comes with a free camera, and you can even pay a small fee for professional installation. SimpliSafe also recently enhanced benefits for customers of the Interactive Monitoring plan by offering a 10% discount on equipment add-ons and a lifetime warranty on equipment as long as they maintain their subscription.

Just know that Scout doesn’t have all the bells and whistles in its equipment selection. Don’t get us wrong; Scout has a few more options than it did previously. For instance, you can get a Yale door lock as part of a Scout package, which is great . . . but you still can’t get a garage door opener or a smoke alarm. You’ll have to bring in some third-party equipment for a full smart home experience (more on that later).

FYI: Scout relies mainly on RFID for device communication and also uses cellular backup. If your home loses its Wi-Fi connection, you should still be good to go.

A SimpliSafe system comes with the following features:

• Simultaneous cellular and Wi-Fi connections so you never lose communication
• SmashSafe backup to keep you safe after damage to your base station or keypad
• Base station 24-hour battery backup for power outages

At checkout, you may receive an offer for a free SimpliCam (SimpliSafe’s indoor security camera). The camera normally retails for $99, so it’s a pretty sweet deal.

Scout’s signature black-and-white systems integrate with more products than SimpliSafe’s.

Scout has some of the best compatibility we’ve seen in a home security system. It integrates with four of the most important protocols/brands: Amazon, Google, IFTTT, Z-Wave, and Zigbee.

Scout also works directly with certain smart home products, like some Nest, Yale, Kwikset, LIFX, and Philips Hue devices.

This high compatibility level means that you can connect your Scout system to a lot of third-party smart devices. You can add this system to a smart home full of locks, lights, thermostats, and environmental sensors, to name a few.

SimpliSafe’s compatibility is a lot less impressive than Scout’s. You can connect with a Google Home or Amazon Echo. That’s super useful, and you can build a nice smart home by connecting a lot of different brands through your smart speaker.

But it’s not quite the same as connecting your security system directly to your other devices. You have to take that extra step of running everything through Google Assistant or Alexa first.

Of course, because SimpliSafe has more proprietary equipment than Scout, there’s less need to connect to third-party products.

No matter which alarm system you use, you’re responsible for setting it up—unless you’re willing to pay SimpliSafe a little extra to send an installer.

Scout is completely DIY. Each piece has adhesive backing, so it should be relatively easy, even if you’ve never installed a home security system before.

By contrast, you can install a SimpliSafe DIY system yourself, but if you’re not up to it, you can also contract a professional through the SimpliSafe website. Just select the option at checkout.

Both companies provide installation guides, so you’re never really alone during setup.

There are more recent reviews of SimpliSafe than of Scout, making it easier to judge SimpliSafe’s strengths and weaknesses.

Scout’s been around for seven+ years, but there are hardly any reviews of its customer service. It doesn’t even have any BBB complaints. So it’s hard to judge what you’re gonna get with Scout.

There are plenty of SimpliSafe reviews. The chief complaint that we see is that it’s hard to get ahold of SimpliSafe reps. It also apparently takes a while to process returns or refunds.

We really like SimpliSafe because of its equipment selection and flexibility. But if you aren’t a fan, Scout is an excellent alternative. Its low prices and high level of home automation make it a solid choice.

Here’s a more detailed recap.

• Pricing: The pricing is very similar, but you may get a little more bang for your buck with Scout’s lower monitoring plan prices and higher-value equipment packages.
• Equipment: SimpliSafe’s equipment is better than Scout’s by a hair.
• Home automation: Scout Alarm has a ton of home automation, while SimpliSafe doesn’t offer that much yet.
• Installation: Both security systems are self-installed, though SimpliSafe will gladly install for a little extra.
• Customer experience: SimpliSafe is better known and has more customer feedback than Scout.

If you still can’t choose, check out our individual Scout Alarm and SimpliSafe reviews.