I’ve always been a bit paranoid about home security—blame it on too many true-crime podcasts. When I decided to invest in a SimpliSafe system, I thought picking a plan would be straightforward. Spoiler: it wasn’t. SimpliSafe’s Fast Protect and Standard plans both promise peace of mind, but they cater to different needs.
In this article, I’ll walk you through my experience comparing these two plans, breaking down their pros, cons, and key features to help you decide which one suits your home and lifestyle.
Comparison Table: SimpliSafe Fast Protect vs. Standard
| Feature | Fast Protect ($29.99/month) | Standard ($19.99/month) |
| 24/7 Professional Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular Connection | Yes | Yes |
| Video Verification | Yes | No |
| Live Guard Protection | Yes (with outdoor camera) | No |
| Smart Home Integration | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant, August Locks) | No |
| Video Recording History | 30 days | 7 days |
| Push Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Secret Alerts | Yes | No |
| Scheduled Arming | Yes | No |
| Homeowners Insurance Discount | Up to 20% | Up to 10% |
| Warranty Extension | Lifetime (with active subscription) | 3 years |
Why I Chose SimpliSafe in the First Place
Before I get into the specifics of Fast Protect versus Standard, let me share why I landed on SimpliSafe. I wanted a system that was easy to install, didn’t require a long-term contract, and wouldn’t break the bank. SimpliSafe checked all those boxes. Its wireless setup meant I didn’t need to drill holes in my rented apartment, and the app let me control everything from my phone.
Plus, the equipment—like entry sensors, motion detectors, and cameras—felt modern without being overly complicated. But choosing between Fast Protect and Standard? That’s where things got tricky.
Breaking Down the Standard Plan: The Budget-Friendly Baseline
The Standard plan, at $19.99 per month, is SimpliSafe’s entry-level professional monitoring option. When I first looked at it, I thought, “This seems like enough.” It covers the basics: 24/7 monitoring, cellular connection, and push notifications.
If a sensor trips, SimpliSafe’s team calls you, and if you don’t respond with your safe word, they dispatch the police. Simple, right?
Key Features of the Standard Plan
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring: If your alarm goes off, someone’s on the other end to handle it. During my testing, I accidentally triggered a motion sensor while setting up. Within 90 seconds, my phone rang with a calm agent asking for my safe word. It was reassuring.
- Cellular Connection: No Wi-Fi? No problem. The base station uses a cellular chip (AT&T or Verizon) to stay connected, which is great for power outages or spotty internet. I live in an area with occasional Wi-Fi hiccups, so this was a big plus.
- Push Notifications: You get alerts for alarms, sensor activity, or system status changes. I liked getting a ping when my front door sensor triggered while I was at work.
- 7-Day Video Recording History: If you have cameras, you can review footage from the past week. I found this sufficient for checking minor incidents, like when a delivery person knocked.
Pros of the Standard Plan
- Affordable Price: At $19.99, it’s one of the cheaper professional monitoring plans out there. For comparison, ADT’s basic plan starts at $29.99, and Vivint’s is closer to $50.
- No Contract: I love that I can cancel anytime without penalties. This flexibility is perfect for renters like me who might move in a year or two.
- Reliable Basics: The monitoring and cellular connection work flawlessly. During a power outage last month, my system stayed online, which eased my nerves.
- Easy to Use: The SimpliSafe app is intuitive, with a 4.8 rating on the Apple Store. Arming and disarming from my phone felt seamless.
Cons of the Standard Plan
- Limited Features: No video verification means police response might be slower. If an alarm triggers, agents rely on your verbal confirmation or sensor data, which could lead to false alarms being treated as real.
- Short Video History: Seven days of recording is fine for casual use, but if you’re on a two-week vacation, you might miss critical footage.
- No Smart Home Integration: You can’t control the system with Alexa or Google Assistant. I was bummed I couldn’t say, “Alexa, arm my system,” while juggling groceries.
- Basic Warranty: The three-year warranty extension is decent, but it pales compared to Fast Protect’s lifetime coverage.
The Standard plan felt like a solid starting point, but I started wondering if I was missing out on features that could make my system smarter and more responsive.
Exploring the Fast Protect Plan: The High-Tech Upgrade
Fast Protect, at $29.99 per month, is SimpliSafe’s premium plan. It builds on the Standard plan with advanced features like Live Guard Protection and smart home integration. When I tested it, I noticed a significant jump in functionality, but I had to weigh if the extra $10 was worth it.
Key Features of the Fast Protect Plan
- Video Verification: If an alarm triggers, agents can view camera footage to confirm a threat. This speeds up police response and reduces false alarms. I tested this by triggering an entry sensor at night, and an agent confirmed it was just me forgetting to disarm.
- Live Guard Protection: With an outdoor camera, agents can monitor live feeds and even speak to intruders via the camera’s speaker. I set this up with my SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro, and hearing an agent’s voice through the speaker during a test was surreal.
- Smart Home Integration: You can control the system with Alexa, Google Assistant, or August Locks. I loved saying, “Google, arm SimpliSafe,” while heading out the door.
- 30-Day Video Recording History: This is a game-changer for longer trips. I could review a full month’s worth of footage, which gave me peace of mind during a 10-day work trip.
- Secret Alerts: You can set specific sensors to notify only you, without triggering the siren. I used this for my medicine cabinet to monitor if anyone opened it.
- Scheduled Arming: The system can arm itself at set times, like 10 p.m. every night. This saved me from forgetting to arm before bed.
Pros of the Fast Protect Plan
- Enhanced Security: Video verification and Live Guard Protection make this plan feel like having a virtual security guard. The outdoor camera’s AI even recognizes familiar faces, reducing nuisance alerts.
- Longer Video History: Thirty days of recording is ideal for frequent travelers or anyone who wants more context for incidents.
- Smart Home Perks: The integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant made my life easier. I also paired my August Lock, so disarming the system unlocked my door automatically.
- Lifetime Warranty: As long as you’re subscribed, your equipment is covered. This saved me when a motion sensor failed after two years.
- Insurance Discounts: I got a 20% discount on my renters’ insurance, which offset some of the plan’s cost.
Cons of the Fast Protect Plan
- Higher Cost: At $29.99, it’s 50% more than Standard. For budget-conscious folks, that $120 annual difference adds up.
- Requires Cameras for Full Benefits: Live Guard Protection only works with the Outdoor Camera Pro ($199). If you don’t have one, you’re not getting the plan’s full value.
- Privacy Concerns: The idea of agents accessing live camera feeds made me uneasy at first. SimpliSafe says they only view footage during alarms, but it’s something to consider.
- Learning Curve: The extra features, like setting up Secret Alerts or scheduled arming, took some tinkering in the app. It’s not hard, but it’s more involved than Standard.
Fast Protect felt like a high-tech fortress, but I had to decide if I needed all those bells and whistles or if Standard’s simplicity was enough.
My Head-to-Head Comparison: Fast Protect vs. Standard
To figure out which plan was right for me, I put them through a real-world test over two months, switching between plans to see how they performed in my daily life.
Installation and Setup
Both plans use the same equipment, so setup was identical. I installed my SimpliSafe system in about 30 minutes—peeling adhesive strips for sensors and plugging in the base station. The app guided me through syncing everything, and I was up and running without breaking a sweat. No difference here; both plans are DIY-friendly.
Monitoring Effectiveness
The Standard plan’s monitoring is solid but basic. When I triggered an alarm, the response was quick, but without video verification, I worried about false alarms bothering the police. Fast Protect’s video verification made a huge difference. During one test, an agent saw it was just my cat knocking over a lamp and didn’t call the cops. This alone made me lean toward Fast Protect, especially since I live in a city where police prioritize verified alarms.
Camera Functionality
I have a SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro and a Smart Alarm Indoor Camera. With Standard, I could view live feeds and review seven days of footage, which was fine for checking if packages arrived. Fast Protect’s 30-day history and Live Guard Protection took it up a notch. When a sketchy-looking guy lingered near my porch at 2 a.m., an agent spoke through the camera, and he bolted. That moment sold me on Fast Protect’s proactive approach.
Smart Home Integration
Standard doesn’t offer smart home support, which was a bummer. I’m a Google Home user, and not being able to voice-control my system felt like a step back. Fast Protect’s integration was seamless—I could arm, disarm, or check status with a voice command. If you’re into smart home tech, Fast Protect is the clear winner.
Cost vs. Value
Standard’s $19.99 price tag is tempting, especially if you just want basic monitoring. But Fast Protect’s $29.99 felt justified for the extra features, especially video verification and Live Guard. The insurance discount and lifetime warranty also softened the blow. For me, the peace of mind was worth the extra $10, but if you’re on a tight budget, Standard still delivers solid protection.
Privacy and Security
Both plans use encrypted signals, and SimpliSafe’s SmashSafe tech ensures alerts go out even if the base station is destroyed. Fast Protect’s camera-based features raised some privacy flags, but SimpliSafe’s strict access controls (agents only view footage during alarms) reassured me. Standard avoids this issue entirely since it doesn’t involve live feeds.
Who Should Choose Which Plan?
After my testing, I realized each plan suits different lifestyles:
- Choose Standard If: You’re on a budget, live in a low-crime area, or don’t need smart home features. It’s perfect for renters or small homes where basic monitoring and short-term video history are enough.
- Choose Fast Protect If: You want proactive security, travel often, or have a smart home setup. It’s ideal for homeowners, families, or anyone in a high-crime area where video verification and Live Guard can make a difference.
For me, Fast Protect won out. I live alone, travel for work, and value the extra layer of protection from Live Guard. But if I were in a quieter neighborhood or pinching pennies, Standard would’ve been plenty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Fast Protect is the best for most users due to its video verification, Live Guard Protection, and smart home integration. If budget is a concern, Standard is a solid alternative.
SimpliSafe’s cameras have average night vision, the keypad feels dated, and smart home integration is limited to Alexa, Google, and August Locks. Standard plan users miss out on video verification.
No, SimpliSafe uses encrypted signals and SmashSafe tech, so even if the base station is damaged, alerts still go out. Disarming requires your PIN or app access.
Yes, you can self-monitor for free, but you’ll miss professional monitoring, cellular backup, and video recording. Cameras won’t record without a plan.
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My Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for You
After living with both plans, I’m sticking with Fast Protect. The extra $10 a month buys me peace of mind I didn’t know I needed—especially that Live Guard moment with the porch lurker. But I get it: not everyone needs the full arsenal. If you’re looking for affordable, reliable protection, Standard delivers without fluff. Whichever you choose, SimpliSafe’s flexibility means you can switch plans as your needs change. So, take a moment to think about your home, your budget, and how much control you want. You’ve got this—now go lock down your peace of mind.