Is the SimpliSafe Monitoring Plan Worth It? (2026 Plans Explained)

If you own a SimpliSafe camera or alarm system, one of the first decisions you’ll face is which SimpliSafe monitoring plan — if any — is worth the monthly fee. SimpliSafe offers more plan tiers than most of its competitors, which makes the choice more complex than it needs to be. In this guide, we break down every current plan, clarify what you actually get at each price point, and help you decide what’s right for your setup.

We’ve previously reviewed the SimpliSafe SimpliCam and the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro in detail. Both are solid cameras, though as we’ll explain below, they work best when paired with at least a mid-tier monitoring plan. It’s also worth noting that SimpliSafe is primarily a security services company — the cameras are one component of a broader alarm ecosystem, not standalone products.

What You Get Without a Plan

SimpliSafe does allow you to use your system with no monthly plan at all, which is more than Ring offers. Without a subscription, you can view a live camera feed, receive motion alerts via the app, and remotely arm and disarm your system over the internet. However, there is no video recording and no professional monitoring of any kind. In other words, if an alarm is triggered and you’re not watching your phone, nobody is responding on your behalf.

For most users, this free tier functions more as a temporary starting point than a long-term setup. That said, it’s a meaningful advantage over competitors who require a subscription from day one.

The SimpliSafe Monitoring Plans (2026)

There are currently five paid SimpliSafe monitoring tiers. Notably, SimpliSafe has increased prices on several plans in recent months, so if you’re comparing against older articles, the figures below reflect current 2026 pricing.

Self Monitoring with Camera Recording — $9.99/mo

This plan is specifically designed for users who have SimpliSafe cameras but don’t need professional alarm monitoring. For $9.99 per month, you get 30-day cloud video storage for up to 10 cameras, motion-triggered 60-second clips, and live camera viewing. There is, however, no professional monitoring of any kind — you’re entirely on your own if an alarm is triggered. As a result, this plan is most appropriate for users who have SimpliSafe cameras but rely on a separate alarm system, or those who simply want video history without any monitoring commitment.

Standard — $22.99/mo

The Standard plan is the entry point for professional monitoring and, therefore, the minimum we’d recommend for anyone using SimpliSafe’s alarm system. It includes 24/7 professional monitoring with cellular backup — meaning your alarm stays connected even if your internet goes down. You also get full app control, secret alerts on sensors, and an extended two-year warranty on equipment. One notable gap, however, is that the Standard plan does not include camera recording. In other words, if you want both professional monitoring and video history, you’ll need to step up to the Core plan.

Core — $32.99/mo

The Core plan is where SimpliSafe’s value proposition really clicks for alarm and camera users alike. In addition to everything in Standard, it adds unlimited camera recording, 30-day cloud storage, and — most importantly — Intruder Intervention. This feature allows SimpliSafe monitoring agents to access your indoor camera’s live feed when an alarm is triggered, assess the situation in real time, and use two-way audio to deter intruders before dispatching emergency services. Furthermore, verified dispatches are significantly more likely to receive a rapid police response than unverified alarms. For those using a SimpliSafe alarm alongside cameras, the Core plan is the clear sweet spot.

Pro — $49.99/mo

The Pro plan builds on Core by adding Active Guard Outdoor Protection — SimpliSafe’s AI-assisted live monitoring feature for outdoor cameras. When an outdoor camera detects a potential threat, a trained monitoring agent intervenes in real time using two-way audio, spotlights, and sirens to deter the intruder. However, the Pro plan only provides this coverage overnight, from 8 PM to 6 AM. Additionally, this plan requires at least one SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera to function — without that hardware, Active Guard simply isn’t available. For homeowners with outdoor cameras who want overnight deterrence, the Pro plan is compelling. That said, $49.99 per month is a significant jump from Core.

Pro Plus — $79.99/mo

Pro Plus extends Active Guard to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In contrast to the Pro plan’s overnight-only coverage, Pro Plus provides around-the-clock live agent monitoring of your outdoor cameras. This is a niche but genuinely powerful offering — and at $79.99 per month, it’s still meaningfully cheaper than Ring’s Virtual Security Guard plan at $99 per month. For high-value properties or homeowners who have experienced repeated incidents, Pro Plus may be worth the premium.

Which SimpliSafe Plan Is Right for You?

The answer depends primarily on whether you have a SimpliSafe alarm system, and whether you’re using indoor or outdoor cameras.

If you have SimpliSafe cameras but no alarm system, the Self Monitoring plan at $9.99 per month covers your video storage needs at a low cost. However, if you also have the alarm system, the Standard plan at minimum gets you the cellular backup and professional monitoring that make the alarm worthwhile.

For most alarm and camera users, however, the Core plan at $32.99 per month is the best overall value. The addition of Intruder Intervention and unlimited camera recording makes a meaningful difference in real-world protection. Furthermore, at approximately $10 more per month than Standard, the upgrade is easy to justify.

The Pro and Pro Plus plans, on the other hand, are more specialized. They’re worth considering only if you have outdoor cameras and want active real-time deterrence — not just video recording and dispatch. For most residential users, Core covers everything they actually need.

It’s also worth comparing SimpliSafe against alternatives. For example, our look at the Ring Protect Plan shows that Ring’s multi-device coverage at $99.99 per year is cheaper for camera-only users. Similarly, our Arlo cloud subscription breakdown covers another popular option worth comparing.

This article is part of our SimpliSafe Camera Reviews guide.