SimpliSafe vs. Wyze 2024

If you have any interest in DIY home security, you’re likely aware of the brands I’m comparing today: SimpliSafe and Wyze. They both offer high-quality, easy-to-install, affordable security equipment, but which one is right for your needs?

Don’t worry, I have years of experience testing out security products and systems. Plus, I recently spent weeks putting both of these security systems through their paces. In this article, I’m going to take these systems down to the studs to analyze their ins and outs — from how they perform and cost, to how good they’re going to look in your home. For me, SimpliSafe takes the cake, but there’s a lot of detail to understand how I came to that conclusion.

Before we get into all of that, let’s take a moment to talk about how this comparison was developed.

How We Test Security Systems

Our experts have years of experience testing out digital and physical security products. However, regardless of what we’re testing, it always starts with research. We spend hours reading reviews, customer testimonials, company claims, and consumer reports to find potential weaknesses and strengths.

Next, we purchase the product or products and test them firsthand in our own homes. This testing period usually lasts anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. For comparison articles like these, we then take that data — both qualitative and quantitative — and put it side by side; we’re left with an objective measure of how each product or system stacks up against the other in a number of categories. Only then do we give our final recommendations.

SimpliSafe vs. Wyze: Equipment

Let’s get one thing out of the way right off the bat — this is going to be like comparing apples and oranges. While SimpliSafe is a total-home security solution, Wyze is a security camera company; it’s just now expanding its horizons beyond those specific pieces of equipment.

That said, let’s take a look at the categories of equipment both companies offer, starting off with cameras.

Cameras

Since Wyze is mostly camera-forward, we’re going to start with them. They offer about two dozen different camera models, from wireless outdoor floodlight cams to remote-controlled cars with cameras onboard. No, I’m not kidding.

As far as the features go, they’re nothing too crazy — well, if you discount the car, that is. For the most part, they have what we expect from a budget DIY brand. There are a lot of options, applications, and flexibility. You can read more about that in my guide to Wyze home security cameras, but the Wyze Cam v4 is the best example of what they can do. It has 2.5k resolution, color night vision, and voice-assistant integration — all for $36. You didn’t read that wrong. They’re cheap, especially when you start looking at comparable cameras which easily cost 10 times that.

Also worth pointing out, the majority of Wyze cameras offer local storage; this means you won’t have to pay a monthly fee for cloud storage. Even Ring doesn’t offer local storage on most of its cameras. The biggest brand that comes to mind offering local storage is Lorex.

Your camera choices with SimpliSafe are more limited. In total, SimpliSafe offers four different types of cameras: a doorbell cam, an outdoor camera, and two indoor cameras — one advanced and one basic. If you’re looking for specialized functionality, Wyze is likely going to be the better bet.

Camera Winner: Wyze

Sensors

Now to the workhorses of any security system: the sensors. There are four to choose from with Wyze: motion, entryway, climate, and leak. Not an extensive list, but enough to protect your home adequately. I wouldn’t call it comprehensive protection, though.

SimpliSafe offers about the same, with the addition of environmental sensors — like their smart combination smoke and CO detector. This is big for me. I don’t feel like you can consider your home protected if you’re not looking out for things like fires and carbon monoxide leaks. This one goes to SimpliSafe.

Sensor Winner: SimpliSafe

Additional equipment

Wyze offers some interesting accessories — from smart scales to gaming headsets. I appreciate the options here, but it feels unfocused to me. SimpliSafe, on the other hand, feels more directed in its equipment offerings; plus, everything is more complete. Their standalone pieces are strong in their own right, but they’re made stronger by thoughtfully packaging them together. A sum greater than the whole of its parts, if you will. This category again goes to SimpliSafe.

Additional Equipment Winner: SimpliSafe

One thing that I will caution you of — Wyze’s prices are low. Like, startlingly low. I don’t want to say this is a “cheap” brand, but a few pieces of their equipment I’ve tested over the years didn’t feel sturdy. I’ve never had anything break on me, but I have a feeling that if I had one of their outdoor cameras mounted next to my SimpliSafe one, the latter would fare better in a heavy storm. Again, that’s speculation — but there’s a reason their cameras start at $30.

Overall Equipment Winner: SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe vs. Wyze: Installation

So, the next thing to look at after discussing the quality of these two companies’ equipment is how difficult that equipment is to install. Luckily, the answer is short: very easy.

With both Wyze and SimpliSafe, you don’t need specialized tools or handyman skills. If you can stick a piece of tape to your wall, you can install 90 percent of the equipment from either company. Really. For the most part, they use command strips for attaching components to walls, doors, windows, and everything else. The majority of this equipment is battery-operated, too; you’re not going to have to fiddle with your breaker box or risk zapping yourself installing a doorbell. Don’t ask me how I know about that!

And more good news: The setup is just as easy as the install. As long as you can follow basic instructions on your smartphone, you shouldn’t have trouble getting your system going — regardless of who you go with. Neither took me more than a half hour to get up and running. For this one, I’m going to call it a tie.

Installation Winner: Tie

SimpliSafe vs. Wyze: Costs

Now we come to one of the determining factors when selecting a home security system: the price. I’ll start by saying that both Wyze and SimpliSafe are great, affordable options, but there is some nuance here. Let’s start by looking at a breakdown of every piece of equipment SimpliSafe offers:

I wouldn’t say this is a massive list — if you’re looking for that, check out my review of Vivint. However, what I said in the equipment section stands. This is more than enough equipment to comprehensively protect most properties, from large homes to studio apartments. And one other thing before we switch over to Wyze: These are SimpliSafe’s regular retail prices.

Why does that matter? Because SimpliSafe is almost always running some sort of deal. In the years I’ve been covering them, I can’t recall a time where they weren’t offering a discount. If you’re planning on purchasing a SimpliSafe system, you can count on it being at least 30 percent off the prices listed here with the best discounts being 60 percent off.

Now let’s switch over to Wyze. What you see is what you get here; I’m only going to include some of their most popular cameras along with their security equipment. If you’re interested in headphones or a scale, you’ll have to look elsewhere. We’re talking about security here.

As you can see, Wyze has a big selection of affordable cameras and security equipment — save for that entryway sensor. Ironically, it’s the most I’ve seen anyone charge for this piece of equipment, aside from Vivint. Why is that? I couldn’t tell you. But it is an anomaly worth pointing out — especially when you consider you’ll likely need at least five to cover your doors and ground-floor windows.

Odd pricing aside, when it comes to keeping everything on budget, Wyze is still the winner here. But it’s definitely close.

Cost Winner: Wyze

SimpliSafe vs. Wyze: Monitoring

As mentioned above, SimpliSafe and Wyze both offer their customers the ability to self-monitor, as well as a few options for professional monitoring. We’ll go through both systems’ monitoring packages and then we’ll discuss. Here’s what SimpliSafe offers for professional monitoring:

And here’s what Wyze offers for DIY and professional monitoring:

Even with that feature though, SimpliSafe offers more advanced monitoring with its intruder deterrent feature. That lets SimpliSafe’s agents use the two-way audio in the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera or the outdoor camera to scare away any potential intruders. They use their professional training to tell the intruder that authorities are on the way so that they scram while ensuring your safety.

Also, both of these systems are great no-contract security providers — you won’t be locked into a long-term agreement. If you decide you want to try their professional monitoring for a month, there’s nothing holding you back. I appreciate that approach.

So that’s all there is to say about SimpliSafe and Wyze. Ready to hear my recommendation?

SimpliSafe vs. Wyze: Who Wins?

Here’s the thing. Like I said at the top of the article, this was like comparing apples to oranges. If you’re looking for a complete, well-rounded home security system that isn’t going to break the bank, SimpliSafe is the shoe-in. If you’re more into outfitting your home with a network of affordable, powerful security cameras — and maybe a sensor or two — Wyze is the better move; it’s absolutely the more budget-friendly one, anyway.

Before you make your final decision, I recommend thinking hard about your security needs and which brand can best meet them. If you’re looking for comprehensive security — like most folks are — SimpliSafe is the safer bet.

Not convinced either of these brands is right for you? Never fear. I’ve developed a list of the best security systems of the year for you to review. If neither Wyze nor SimpliSafe is doing it for you, I’m sure you’ll find something that piques your interest over there.