Cove vs. SimpliSafe
What is the difference between SimpliSafe and Cove?
SimpliSafe and Cove are home security companies with similar equipment and monitoring options. Neither company requires a contract, and each offers a 60-day trial period. SimpliSafe offers more smart-home devices, including locks and doorbells. Though it has a similar price point and trial period, Cove provides price locks and monthly equipment rewards.
Installation and cost
 |  | |
| Installation type | DIY | DIY |
| Installation fee | Free | None |
| Upfront cost | Build-your-own systems start at $135 with interactive monitoring | Varies based on equipment |
| Trial period | 60-days; 100% satisfaction or return for full refund | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Contract terms | No-contract options available | No term contracts |
| DIY | Free | Build-your-own systems start at $135 with interactive monitoring | 60-days; 100% satisfaction or return for full refund | No-contract options available |
| DIY | None | Varies based on equipment | 60-day money-back guarantee | No term contracts |
Monitoring plans and pricing
| | |
| Monitoring price range | $15 to $25 | $17.99 to $27.99/month |
| Monitoring options | Professional or self-monitored | Professional |
| Self-monitoring | Free | — |
| Upgraded self-monitoring | Not offered | — |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | $15/month | Starting at $17.99/month |
| Upgraded professional monitoring | $25/month | Starting at $27.99/month |
| $15 to $25 | Professional or self-monitored | Free | Not offered | $15/month | $25/month |
| $17.99 to $27.99/month | Professional | — | — | Starting at $17.99/month | Starting at $27.99/month |
Security equipment
| | |
| Wired or wireless? | Wireless | Wireless |
| Camera options | Indoor and outdoor cameras | Indoor and outdoor cameras |
| Video doorbell | — | |
| Control panel | ||
| Motion sensor | ||
| Entry sensor | ||
| Glass break sensor | ||
| Keychain remote | ||
| Siren | ||
| Panic button | Medical panic button | |
| Yard sign |
| Wireless | Indoor and outdoor cameras | |||||||||
| Wireless | Indoor and outdoor cameras | — | Medical panic button |
Smart-home features
| | |
| Smart locks | — | |
| Smart lights | — | |
| Smart thermostat | — | — |
| Garage door control | — | — |
| Temperature sensor | Heat detector within smoke detector | |
| Water sensor | ||
| Smoke detector | ||
| CO detector |
| — | — | ||||||
| — | — | — | — | Heat detector within smoke detector |
Technology
| | |
| Mobile app | ||
| Mobile app monitoring | ||
| iOS rating | 4.8 | 2.3 |
| Android rating | 4.3 | 2.5 |
| Notification/alert options | Push, text and email | Phone, email, text and push |
| Home automation capabilities | — | |
| Voice integration | ||
| Amazon Alexa | ||
| Google Home | ||
| Other integrations | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, August Locks | — |
| 4.8 | 4.3 | Push, text and email | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, August Locks | ||||||
| 2.3 | 2.5 | Phone, email, text and push | — | — |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 1.9 | 2.3 |
| Verified customer reviews | SimpliSafe reviews | Cove reviews |
| 1.9 | SimpliSafe reviews |
| 2.3 | Cove reviews |
All information accurate as of publishing date.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is a home security company that provides professional monitoring services and well-designed equipment. Equipment options are broad and include add-on sensors and smart-home features like smart locks, cameras and doorbells. Depending on the monitoring plan, its 24/7 professional monitoring team can summon help to your home for fires, intrusions, medical events and more. The monitoring service is affordable and runs monthly with no contract, but you must buy the equipment upfront.
SimpliSafe packages
- Standard: SimpliSafe's Standard plan includes 24/7 professional emergency and fire monitoring with a built-in cellular connection. This plan costs 50 cents per day.
- Interactive: The Interactive plan adds unlimited camera recording, video storage, video monitoring, advanced alerts and notifications, Amazon or Google Assistant integration and water damage and temperature monitoring. It costs 83 cents per day.
What SimpliSafe customers say
SimpliSafe customers say the system has competitive pricing and is easy to set up and install. They also like the remote monitoring capabilities through SimpliSafe’s app. Some customers who chose to get help with install instead of going the DIY route describe issues with the contractor SimpliSafe uses for installations.
The system is very easy to install and gives you total and complete control of every aspect of the alarm system ... It is all controlled with a smartphone and can be armed/disarmed remotely and cameras viewed as well. It is a very good system and the cost is very low with NO long term contracts. The ONLY setback is that you need to buy all the equipment upfront.”
– Kevin of Waco, TX
Cove
Cove is a home security company that offers a sleek touch-screen control panel, cameras, sensors and other equipment to improve your home's safety. It uses a three-factor communication process that utilizes phone, text and a live operator to contact you in case of an emergency. Equipment and monthly monitoring costs are affordable, and monitoring plans can be canceled at any time. With Cove Plus, the monthly monitoring price is locked in and there's a rolling $5 monthly credit that you can use towards new equipment.
Cove plans
- Cove Basic: The Basic plan includes 24/7 monitoring, a three-factor alert system, cellular connection, automated system checks, battery backup and a one-year equipment warranty. This plan costs 50 cents per day.
- Cove Plus: The Cove Plus plan includes everything from the Basic plan and adds a lifetime equipment warranty, smartphone control and voice control integration. Monitoring with this plan costs 83 cents per day.
What Cove customers say
Cove customer reviews describe an easy installation process, a good support team and customer service that goes the extra mile. There are mixed reviews for Cove on ConsumerAffairs, with some customers describing issues with cancellation, false alarms and other equipment concerns.
The overall experience with Cove has been great. I can't compare them to others, as this is my first home alarm company I've used, but they've never given me a reason to seek another company. Great customer service, great security performance... I know it works because the various alarms have been triggered and it was always accurate. I've recommended several people to use this and continue to do so.”
– Michael of Santa Fe, NM
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Which is better: SimpliSafe or Cove?
SimpliSafe offers more options for smart-home integrations but is a little more complicated to install. Cove is affordable and easy to install, and it has perks like equipment rewards, three-factor communication and lifetime equipment warranties.
- SimpliSafe is best for customers interested in smart-home integrations and monitoring.
- Cove is best for customers who want a simpler home security system with a customer-friendly interface but not as many smart-home integrations.
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