The catch
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
Two separate openings are more than its one contact sensor can cover.
Side by side
Ring Alarm 5-Piece vs SimpliSafe 5-Piece Compared: The piece count is the same, but SimpliSafe covers two openings and Ring one
Quick verdict
SimpliSafe 5-Piece is the choice when two openings need their own contact sensors right away. Ring Alarm 5-Piece is the choice when one opening is enough and the household already uses Ring devices and its app. A keypad and a motion detector come in both, but the fifth piece is a range extender for Ring and a second entry sensor for SimpliSafe. Budget for remote features according to the current plan.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
One door and one window add up to two entry sensors
SimpliSafe's exact five-piece kit supplies both entry sensors for an apartment with a front door and an accessible window that each need an opening alert. Ring supplies one, so meeting that same brief takes another compatible contact sensor.
Where this comes from
Two independent opening sensors are required in this scenario. SimpliSafe includes two, Ring includes one. Motion detection and contact detection are different inputs.
The catch
SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
Running it next to Ring cameras brings in another system and app.
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
- Why pick it
- Have the alarm sit with your existing Ring devices in one app
- Begin with one contact sensor and a range extender in the box
- The catch
- Two separate openings are more than its one contact sensor can cover.
SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
- Why pick it
- Watch both an apartment door and a window using the box alone
- Get a keypad-based SimpliSafe system going with no need to buy a second entry sensor
- The catch
- Running it next to Ring cameras brings in another system and app.
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What this page compares
The Ring Alarm and SimpliSafe five-piece kits differ on covering an apartment door and window, working with existing Ring devices and what monitoring plans require.
SimpliSafe 5-Piece is the choice when two openings need their own contact sensors right away. Ring Alarm 5-Piece is the choice when one opening is enough and the household already uses Ring devices and its app. A keypad and a motion detector come in both, but the fifth piece is a range extender for Ring and a second entry sensor for SimpliSafe. Budget for remote features according to the current plan.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Contacts to monitor one door and one window
An additional contact sensor is needed with Ring.
- Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
- Caution
- SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
- Better fit
Ring devices you already have stay in the same app
SimpliSafe runs on its own system and app.
- Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
- Better fit
- SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
- Caution
A keypad that works without a resident's smartphone
A physical keypad comes in both exact kits.
- Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
- Good
- SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
- Good
Professional response expected without any paid service
An eligible active service and enrollment are required for monitoring.
- Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
- Not suitable
- SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
One door and one window add up to two entry sensors
SimpliSafe's exact five-piece kit supplies both entry sensors for an apartment with a front door and an accessible window that each need an opening alert. Ring supplies one, so meeting that same brief takes another compatible contact sensor.
How we worked this out
Two independent opening sensors are required in this scenario. SimpliSafe includes two, Ring includes one. Motion detection and contact detection are different inputs.
Stay in your existing camera app, but do not assume the alarm plan comes with it
If a household already uses Ring cameras, it may prefer to add the Ring alarm to the app it knows. That convenience is a valid reason to choose Ring, provided the sensor count fits.
How we worked this out
Ring devices can be managed in the Ring app, but remote alarm arming and backup features depend on an eligible plan. Check exact eligibility on any subscription you already have.
Having no contract does not make every remote feature free
Because Ring requires payment for remote arming and SimpliSafe currently requires payment for push alerts, the ongoing feature list is part of what you are buying. Neither kit on its own establishes free professional response.
How we worked this out
The listed remote functions are defined by current official plan and support pages. The comparison assumes no fixed monthly price.
Option A
Ring, 2nd Gen
Alarm 5-Piece Kit
Ring’s compact starter gives you one entry sensor, one motion detector and a range extender.
- Best for
- Have the alarm sit with your existing Ring devices in one app
Facts we checked
- Entry sensors come as one contact sensor
- One motion detector is included
- Other included pieces are a base station, keypad and range extender
- Remote service checks need a paid plan for remote app arming
Option B
SimpliSafe, SS3-AMZ-1
5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
This lean SimpliSafe kit keeps alarm coverage straightforward, with two entry sensors and one motion sensor.
- Best for
- Watch both an apartment door and a window using the box alone
Facts we checked
- Entry sensors are two in number
- One motion detector is included
- Other included pieces are a base station and keypad
- Remote service checks: push alerts need an active monitoring subscription under current support
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit | SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry sensors | One contact sensor | Two entry sensors | Two physical contact sensors are needed for a door and a separate opening. |
| Motion detector | One included | One included | What this gives you is a shared capability and not a second opening contact sensor. |
| Other included pieces | Base station, keypad and range extender | Base station and keypad | Hardware is allocated differently within the same five-piece count. |
| Remote service checks | Paid plan needed for remote app arming | Current support requires active monitoring subscription for push alerts | Look at the exact functions you need and not only whether the kit advertises no contract. |
| Device ecosystem | Ring app for Ring devices | SimpliSafe app for SimpliSafe system | Having a camera account already does not bring the other brand into the same system. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
- An eligible paid plan is needed for remote arming.
With SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
- Push notifications are tied to an active monitoring subscription according to current official support.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Contact sensors are needed on two openings from day one
Go with SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System. Two entry sensors come in the SimpliSafe box.
I already use Ring devices, and one contact sensor is enough for me
Go with Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit. With Ring those devices stay in the same app, and the specified starter hardware is included.
Decision guide
How to decide
SimpliSafe 5-Piece fits when two openings each need their own contact sensor from the first day.
One door and one window add up to two entry sensors
Say the apartment has a front door and an accessible window, and each needs an opening alert. SimpliSafe’s exact five-piece kit includes both entry sensors. Ring includes one, so meeting that same brief means buying another compatible contact sensor. SimpliSafe is the choice for that out-of-box layout. Ring is the choice when only one opening needs contact monitoring and the included extender proves useful after a proper range check. A motion detector cannot tell you whether the second opening is open or closed.
Stay in your existing camera app, but do not assume the alarm plan comes with it
A household that already uses Ring cameras may like the idea of adding the Ring alarm to the app it knows. That convenience is a valid reason to pick Ring when the sensor count fits. It does not show that the current camera plan covers every alarm feature, so check remote arming, cellular backup and professional monitoring separately. SimpliSafe is the better choice when its kit layout fits better and a second app is acceptable.
Having no contract does not make every remote feature free
Ring requires payment for remote arming, and SimpliSafe currently requires payment for push alerts, so the ongoing feature list is part of what you are buying. Neither kit by itself gives you free professional response. Decide which sensors the apartment needs first, then compare the service tier you select.
What this page can’t tell you
- We claim no advantage in radio range or response time. A range extender is no guarantee of coverage through the building’s walls.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home security systems we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit |
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| SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
Have the alarm sit with your existing Ring devices in one app
See price & reviews on AmazonSimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless Home Security System
Watch both an apartment door and a window using the box alone
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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