Simplisafe is 'Blowing The Doors Off'
By: John Honovich, Published on Feb 17, 2017
The 
***Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.
Related Reports
Network Optix NxWitness 4.0 Tested
on Oct 10, 2019
Network Optix released Nx Witness 4.0, proclaiming new features like a deep learning analytics metadata SDK, increased H.265 support, and UX...
Hikvision Acusense Analytics Tested
on Sep 23, 2019
Hikvision touts "The Magic Behind It All" in their new Acusense line are 'deep learning algorithms' inside these cameras and recorders. But how...
Interlogix Shutting Down
on Sep 20, 2019
Interlogix is shutting down, as UTC has confirmed to IPVM in a statement about their "plans to wind down" the once leading brand.
Inside this...
Directory of 70 Video Surveillance Startups
on Sep 18, 2019
This directory provides a list of video surveillance startups to help you see and research what companies are new or not yet broadly known.
2019...
How Cobalt Robotics May Disrupt Security
on Sep 13, 2019
While security robots have largely become a joke over the last few years, one organization, Cobalt Robotics, has raised $50+ million from top US...
Genetec Stratocast VSaaS Tested
on Sep 05, 2019
The VSaaS market is rapidly expanding in 2019, with Verkada, Meraki, Eagle Eye, Avigilon and numerous startups growing their market share. When we...
Security Integrators Outlook On Remaining Integrators In 2025
on Aug 22, 2019
The industry has changed substantially in the last decade, with the rise of IP cameras and the race to the bottom. Indeed, more changes may be...
Proactive CCTV "Only Affordable Video Archiving Solution" Profile
on Aug 12, 2019
Proactive CCTV is claiming to offer "the only affordable video archiving solution on the market", reducing the storage typically required for H.265...
Dahua Analytics+ Tested
on Aug 07, 2019
Dahua's analytics have performed poorly in past shootouts. But now, they claim their new Analytics+ "algorithms significantly improve accuracy and...
Razberi Technologies Company Profile
on Aug 06, 2019
Razberi says they have doubled their revenue in the first half of 2019, citing their proprietary camera hardening and cybersecurity capabilities...
Most Recent Industry Reports
Axis HD Analog Encoder Tested
on Oct 11, 2019
Two years after declaring "Everything is IP", Axis has released their first HD analog encoder, the P7304, with support for AHD, CVI, TVI, and SD...
Dahua Celebrates PRC 70th Wearing Communist Party Hammer and Sickle
on Oct 11, 2019
Dahua celebrated the PRC's 70th anniversary with a video of various Dahua employees wearing China Communist Party hammer and sickle pins as shown...
Last Chance - Register Now - October 2019 IP Networking Course
on Oct 10, 2019
Last Chance - Register Now - Fall 2019 IP Networking Course. The course starts next week.
This is the only networking course designed...
Network Optix NxWitness 4.0 Tested
on Oct 10, 2019
Network Optix released Nx Witness 4.0, proclaiming new features like a deep learning analytics metadata SDK, increased H.265 support, and UX...
HID Fingerprint Reader Tested
on Oct 09, 2019
HID has released their first access reader to use Lumidigm optical sensors, that touts it 'works with anyone, anytime, anywhere'.
We bought and...
ONVIF Suspends Dahua and Hikvision
on Oct 09, 2019
Dahua and Hikvision have been 'suspended', and effectively expelled, from ONVIF, immediately following US sanctions being placed on the 2 mega...
Hikvision And Dahua Sanctioned For Human Rights Abuses
on Oct 07, 2019
In a groundbreaking move that will have drastic consequences across the video surveillance market, Dahua and Hikvision have been sanctioned by the...
Avigilon H5A Analytic Cameras Tested
on Oct 07, 2019
Avigilon has released its H5A analytic cameras, claiming to "detect more objects with greater accuracy even in crowded scenes."
We tested the...
Crisis At China's Largest VMS Provider, Netposa, Now State-Controlled
on Oct 07, 2019
NetPosa, which bills itself as the PRC's largest VMS provider, is in a crisis. The firm is pursuing huge unpaid bills from clients, and its...
Knightscope Sells Just 1 Net New Robot In 6 Months
on Oct 04, 2019
For the first half of 2019, US government records show that Knightscope has sold just 1 net new robots ('machines-in-network'), inching up from 52...
Comments (17)
Armando Perez
One note... They do have a contract, they just dont require it. if you do the optional monitoring, you are most certainly under a very binding and liability limiting contract. Just because its listed as a "terms of service" and approved with a click instead of a signature makes it no less a contract.
Impressive performance financially nonetheless, even if they are equally less than truthful as the alarm companies they love to vilify.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Manufacturer #1
300,000 American Homes Open To Hacks Of 'Unfixable' SimpliSafe Alarm
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Manufacturer #1
Well, I too can care less about the "attack".
What caught my eyes in Forbes's article was this: "SimpliSafe has also installed a one-time programmable chip in its alarm, meaning there's no chance of an over-the-air update. It means there's no patch coming, leaving all owners without a remedy other than to stop using the equipment, Zonenberg said."
A security system without firmware upgrade capability ? Did I read that right?
Create New Topic
Undisclosed End User #2
Physical security is all about multiple layers of security... I was concerned about my SimpliSafe system being less than fully secure, so I layered my home's DYI security with Canary, Arlo, Glock, etc.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed #3
I'd like to vote to forever ban the use of the phrase 'Blowing The Doors Off'
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #6
I think the problem with simplisafe is that it's sort of a one trick disruption pony. Where do they pivot to and how do they move upstream? All they've successfully done is driven down alarm margins in the b2c space where the consumers already were fickle and the competition was pretty rough with the national players a la vivint / adt. I'm not sure simplisafe has eaten a ton of the profitable lunch of local/regional dealers though as much of what simplisafe has taken over in the market is lower end/smaller homes. Sort of the 80/20 rule.
I don't know what the simplisafe product pricing is out of taiwan/china, but they are still going through the cellular carriers even if at wholesale rates per line. So their 15 a month plus what the lower end of the whole sale cost is ($2 per account) the gross profit is probably somewhere around $11 a month per active user. They spend a balls ton on advertising everywhere which is fueling the majority of their growth. I can't say they are growing organically without their huge VC injection.
I should mention that the manufacturers and regional companies are already pivoting to combat simplisafe a la DMP's DIY portal for dealers and many dealers having on site shopping carts now with security packages you can customize.
[Note: See DMP OnDemand Monitoring and Company Store Fights Back Against DIY Alarms]
Create New Topic
Charisse Allen
Can a Simply Safe system be monitored by any Central Station? Or just a Simply Safe Central Station? If you sell a system that can only be monitored by your central station....why would you ever need to lock in your customer.
Create New Topic