If you are on the market looking for the best DIY security solutions, you will undoubtedly come across two well-known brands; SimpliSafe and Cove.
If you are here, you have probably already done that, and now you are wondering which one is better and which one you should choose.
SimpliSafe and Cove are both DIY security systems that provide excellent levels of security. Both SimpliSafe and Cove offer various advanced security equipment and features at low prices and without the need for a contract. Cove offers more affordable equipment, while SimpliSafe focuses more on versatility and features.
Seeing how this is not an easy and obvious choice; below, I have compiled more information and details which I have found during my research.
SimpliSafe vs Cove: Comparison
Customization
Cove allows you to design and create your security system according to your liking.
When choosing your Cove security system, you will go through several different questions that aim to make the whole process as user-friendly as possible. You will be asked about what kind of property you want to secure, how many doors there are, if you have pets, etc.
After what takes literally just a few seconds, you will have your very own personalized security system recommendation. Then you can also choose what kind and how many of each of the different sensors you want.
You can have different motion sensors, smoke, heat and freeze detectors, glass break sensors, indoor cameras, carbon monoxide detectors, panic and medical buttons, and so much more.
Simplisafe, on the other hand, also offers the option to build your own security system, but they also provide prebuilt security system packages.
Security Features
Both SimpliSafe and Cove offer comparable fully-fledged security systems with all the bells and whistles.
Of course, depending on your subscription plan and setup, certain features may be limited or unavailable.
Generally speaking, you can expect both companies to offer 24/7 monitoring of various aspects of your home, cellular connection for 100% guaranteed coverage, advanced alerts, and integration with other smart devices.
Both Cove and SimpliSafe have their pros and cons.
The monitoring plan of Cove, for example, has three different ways of communicating with you for improved reaction time and notification.
- The InstaText is great and works flawlessly. When an alarm has been triggered, you will be notified with a text message to which you can respond what course of action you want to take.
- The LiveAssist provides for a means of communicating directly with Cove when an alarm has been triggered.
- And if everything else fails, Cove will call you to make sure everything is okay and if they cannot get in touch with you, they will call the authorities.
SimpliSafe works in a similar way. When an alarm is set off, granted you are using the monitoring plan, a SimpliSafe representative will call you to make sure everything is okay. If they cannot get in touch with you on your phone number or your backup number, they will proceed to call the police.
What is more SimpliSafe offers the Video Alarm Verification feature, which allows SimpliSafe representatives to inspect a short cut of video footage from when the alarm has been triggered. This allows SimpliSafe to determine the reason the alarm has been triggered and quickly respond if needed.
But there is another huge advantage to SimpliSafe security systems compared to Cove. The video cameras sold by both Cove and SimpliSafe are indoor cameras.
However, SimpliSafe offers outdoor kits that can be installed on their cameras.
The outdoor kit allows the camera to be installed outdoors, and it will keep rain, snow, and dust away from the camera. (there is also a 25 ft long power cable included.) Cameras that have the outdoor kit installed on them can be used at temperatures between -4ºF to 114ºF.
SimpliSafe also offers Secret Alerts features, which is an excellent way to be notified if someone has accessed an off-limits area, but at the same time, you don’t want the whole alarm system to go off.
Versatility
This is one of the areas where SimpliSafe excels at.
SimpliSafe offers not only all the necessary gadgets and equipment that other companies offer, but they also sell video doorbells, indoor cameras, smart locks, key fobs, super loud sirens, and even a yard sign.
The fact that you can get all of these smart devices means that the whole system will be well-integrated and automated; in other words, all gadgets will work in tandem to provide you with the best experience possible.
Both Cove and SimpliSafe products also work with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and more, which can provide good levels of home automation and voice control.
Contracts and Subscriptions
Both SimpliSafe and Cove security systems do not require any form of a contract; the subscription fees are paid on a month-by-month basis. Since you are not forced into a contract, you can cancel your subscription anytime without having to pay any fees or penalties.
Cove offers two different subscription-based plans currently. The most basic plan costs $0.50 per day, and the more advanced Cove Plus plan is $0.83 per day. And let’s not forget that with the Cove Plus, you get to receive $5 credit per month that you can use towards upgrading your security system.
SimpliSafe, on the other hand, offers one subscription plan at $0.83 per day. However, you can alternatively choose to purchase no monitoring plans whatsoever. By buying the SimpliSafe security system without a monitoring plan, you will be relying on the base station alone, which will be used as a self-monitoring local alarm.
Upfront Costs
In terms of upfront costs after comparing various different setups, it seems that Cove security systems are cheaper. Of course, how much you will be paying will vary greatly, depending on your needs and preferences.
I recommend building your own setups and comparing them price-wise, including the monthly fees as well.
Easy of Use
Both SimpliSafe and Cove are designed in such a way as to be easily installed.
Setting up your Cove security system is as easy as they come. Just check out the video below.
SimpliSafe is not much different, though, it may take a little longer on average to install their security systems. For a detailed look, check out this video.
And if you do not consider yourself a DIY person, SimpliSafe offers the option of having an approved technician come over to your home and install the security system.
Backup Coverage
With that being said, it is also important to consider what happens in the case of a power outage. Both security systems are expected to perform in a similar manner and provide up to 24 hours of coverage.
System Testing
Having the best security system in the world will be pointless if you are not sure it actually works or not. This is why it is always recommended to test your security system regularly to make sure it works as intended.
Cove is one step ahead in this area as they offer automated system testing every hour on both their monitoring plans.
With that being said, SimpliSafe also has automated tests that are usually carried out when the system has not been used for a while. (For example, when the owners are out of town.) Of course, you can also test the system by yourself.
BBB and Customer Ratings
It is only fair to review how the customers and other reputable sources rate SimpliSafe and Cove.
After digging a little deeper, I found that The BBB rating for SimpliSafe was an A+ and for Cove an A.
However, once I got to the customers’ opinions, things started to look a little different.
On the Better Business Bureau’s website, the customer rating for Cover was significantly higher than that of SimpliSafe. The trend was similar when it came to the rating of both companies on Trustpilot.
Overall, Cove seems to get ahead when it comes to overall customer satisfaction.
Money-Back Guarantee
Both SimpliSafe and Cove offer a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you are not happy for any reason whatsoever, you can return your security system for a full refund, no questions asked.
So, as long as you do not forget to return the security system within that period, you should not worry about your purchase.
Cove vs SimpliSafe: Which One Is Better?
One of the things you can expect to see when you compare the top manufacturers in any niche is that they will tend to have very similar offers, pros, and cons. So it is always down to the little differences and personal needs and preferences.
Overall, Cove is the most affordable DIY security system on the market as of today. The goal of Cove as a company is to deliver affordable yet high-quality and reliable security solutions that offer multiple security features. And Cove keeps to that promise.
Cove customers seem to be also a lot more satisfied with the products and services they have received. (Something that should not be underestimated.)
SimpliSafe security systems, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive. However, SimpliSafe is better when it comes to product versatility and extra features.
SimpliSafe offers video cameras that can be used indoors and outdoors (something that Cove currently does not offer), smart locks, and smart video doorbells. And if you don’t like the idea of browsing through all the products and wondering which one to choose, SimpliSafe offers preset packages.
With Cove, you will also have to choose from one of their two monitoring programs, which is an added expense, although you can choose to go with the cheaper plan.
In comparison, SimpliSafe allows you to not buy any monitoring plan (which is not exactly recommended as it severely limits the capabilities of the security system).
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