SimpliSafe vs. Eufy Security System (2026)
Professional monitoring with privacy vs. zero subscriptions with trade-offs.
Our Pick: SimpliSafe
Professional monitoring, stronger privacy practices, AI-verified dispatch. Worth the subscription for most households.
From $249 + $19.99/mo
Buy SimpliSafeOur Verdict
SimpliSafe wins for most households because professional monitoring — having someone call police when your alarm triggers at 3am — is the reason you buy a security system. Eufy wins on cost ($0/month) and local storage, but the 2022 cloud upload scandal and Chinese ownership introduce privacy trade-offs that SimpliSafe doesn't have. If you're comfortable with self-monitoring and accept the privacy caveats, Eufy saves over $1,100 across five years. If you want someone watching your home 24/7 with no privacy concerns, SimpliSafe is worth the subscription.
| Feature | SimpliSafe | Eufy |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Monitoring | Yes ($19.99/mo Standard, $29.99/mo Fast Protect) | No (self-monitoring only) |
| Monthly Cost | $19.99–$29.99/mo | $0/month |
| 5-Year Total Cost | $1,448 (with Standard plan) | $299 |
| Storage | Cloud (encrypted) | Local (AES-256 on HomeBase) |
| Privacy Track Record | Clean — no documented incidents | 2022 cloud upload scandal; Chinese ownership (PRC law) |
| Company HQ | Boston, MA, USA | Shenzhen, China (Anker) |
| Contract | No contract required | No contract required |
| Cellular Backup | Yes (included in monitoring) | No |
| AI Verification | Yes (Fast Protect plan — reduces false alarms) | No |
| Smart Home | Alexa, Google Home (basic) | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit |
| Installation | DIY (15 minutes) | DIY (20 minutes) |
SimpliSafe: Professional Monitoring Done Right
SimpliSafe's value proposition is professional monitoring without the contracts, hidden fees, or 3-year commitments that ADT and Vivint require. The Standard plan ($19.99/month) covers 24/7 dispatch. The Fast Protect plan ($29.99/month) adds AI-verified video monitoring that reduces false alarm dispatches — a genuine innovation that saves you from police fines in cities that charge for false alarms. US-based company with a clean privacy record. Read our full SimpliSafe review →
Eufy: Zero Subscriptions, Zero Monitoring
Eufy's pitch is simple: buy the hardware, pay nothing ever again. All recordings are stored locally on the AES-256 encrypted HomeBase in your home — not in the cloud. The 5-year cost comparison is striking: $299 vs. $1,448. But the trade-offs are real: no one calls the police for you, no cellular backup if your internet goes down, and the 2022 cloud upload scandal demonstrated that Eufy's "local only" claims were not entirely accurate. As a Chinese-owned company subject to PRC laws, privacy-conscious buyers should factor this in. Read our full Eufy review →
Who Should Choose Which
Choose SimpliSafe if: You want someone watching your home 24/7, you value a clean privacy track record, you want cellular backup, or you live in an area where police response matters.
Choose Eufy if: You're comfortable responding to alerts yourself, budget is the primary concern, you want local storage without cloud dependence, and you've weighed the Chinese ownership privacy implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for privacy?
SimpliSafe — US-based, no privacy scandals. Eufy had the 2022 cloud upload incident and is subject to Chinese data laws.
Which is cheaper over 5 years?
Eufy: $299 total. SimpliSafe: $1,448. But Eufy has no professional monitoring — you handle everything yourself.
Can Eufy call the police for me?
No. Eufy is self-monitoring only. SimpliSafe's plans include 24/7 professional dispatch.