Updated September 30, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Lorex vs SimpliSafe Home Security
Lorex vs SimpliSafe Home Security: the differences
| Compare |  Lorex |  SimpliSafe Home Security |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring per month | $0Lower | $22.80 to $79.80 |
| Products | Camera, Smart lock, Video doorbell | Alarm, Camera, Smart lock, Video doorbell, Smoke alarmCovers more |
| Professional monitoring | No | YesHas it |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 60 daysHigher |
| Price | $29.99 | Not confirmed |
| Local storage | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum contract (0 months).
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Key differences
- Lorex scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Monitoring per month is lower at Lorex: $0 vs $22.80 to $79.80.
- Products: only SimpliSafe Home Security offers Alarm, Smoke alarm.
- Professional monitoring: only SimpliSafe Home Security.
- Support channels: only Lorex offers Email.
- Money-back period is higher at SimpliSafe Home Security: 60 days vs 30 days.
- Founded is lower at Lorex: 1991 vs 2006.
- Lorex is available in 1 more country.
- Pricing model: only SimpliSafe Home Security offers Monitored.
Our verdict on each
Lorex
Lorex suits buyers who want self managed cameras with local recording and no ongoing monitoring charge, using gear across cameras, locks and doorbells. Entry pricing sits at $29.99 with monitoring at $0 and contract terms of 0 months, backed by support through chat, email and help centre.
SimpliSafe Home Security
SimpliSafe Home Security suits renters and owners who want a DIY monitored alarm with professional monitoring and clear exit terms. Trial cover lasts 60 days and support spans phone plus chat, so setup help stays within reach for busy households seeking calm coverage.
Score breakdown
| Area | Lorex | SimpliSafe Home Security |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4HigherOngoing monitoring at $0 keeps upkeep free of monthly fees. | 8.8No lock in, with terms at 0 months, keeps exit costs calm for renters. |
| Offer | 9.1Device mix across camera, smart lock and video doorbell covers cameras, locks and doorbells. | 9.5HigherShelf covers alarm, camera and smart lock with dispatch cover for alarms and cameras. |
| Privacy | 9.4Support access through chat, email and help centre gives varied contact paths. | 9.6HigherHelp runs through phone, chat and help centre with a documented base for queries. |
Feature by feature
| Products | Lorex | SimpliSafe Home Security |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm | No | Yes |
| Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Smart lock | Yes | Yes |
| Video doorbell | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke alarm | No | Yes |
The numbers side by side
| Fact | Lorex | SimpliSafe Home Security |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring per month | $0 | $22.80 to $79.80 |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 60 days |
Where these facts come from
Lorex
- lorex.com: 12 facts, checked September 30, 2026
SimpliSafe Home Security
- simplisafe.com: 10 facts, checked September 30, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Lorex | SimpliSafe Home Security |
|---|---|---|
| Home security systems | 8 of 58 | 12 of 58 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lorex | SimpliSafe Home Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Diy | Diy, MonitoredCovers more |
| Legal entity | Lorex Technology Inc. | SimpliSafe, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Canada | United States |
| Founded | 1991Lower | 2006 |
| Support channels | Chat, Email, Help centre, PhoneCovers more | Phone, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lorex | SimpliSafe Home Security | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99below the median | Not confirmed | $50.00 |
| Monitoring per month | $0at the median | $22.80 to $79.80highest quarter | $0 |
| Minimum contract | 0 monthsat the median | 0 monthsat the median | 0 months |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 60 dayshighest quarter | 30 days |
Median across 40 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Lorex
Pros
- Ongoing monitoring at $0 keeps running costs free of service fees
- Local storage is included for keeping clips under your own control
- Device mix across camera, smart lock and video doorbell suits matched door and yard coverage
Cons
- Professional monitoring is not part of the offer, so alerts stay self handled by you.
- Entry pricing at $29.99 sits above Annke at $19.99 for tight budgets.
SimpliSafe Home Security
Pros
- Professional monitoring is included, so alarm alerts can go to a monitoring centre for response.
- Trial cover lasts 60 days, giving room to check fit around doors, pets, and daily routines.
- Monitoring is listed at $22.80 to $79.80, with lower plans for basic cover next to eufy at $0 for context.
Cons
- Monitoring fees run $22.80 to $79.80, so upper plans cost more than eufy at $0 for self monitored use.
- Range spans alarm, camera and smart lock, which lacks a personal alarm option present in alarm, camera and smart lock.
Who each suits
Lorex
Who it suits
- Buyers who like Annke value cues but want locks and doorbells alongside cameras through camera, smart lock and video doorbell.
- Buyers who like eufy style self monitoring but want monitoring at $0 with local storage.
- Buyers who browse The Home Security Superstore for parts but prefer a joined Lorex kit with varied help via chat, email and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want staffed dispatch should pass, since Professional monitoring is absent, and eufy may fit where assisted alerts matter.
- Buyers who want the lowest shelf ticket should pass, since pricing at $29.99 sits above Annke at $19.99.
SimpliSafe Home Security
Who it suits
- Renters wanting flexible alarm cover who find Annke too camera led, since Annke lists camera and video doorbell.
- Owners wanting alarms plus locks and doorbells who find eufy too self monitored, since eufy lists monitoring at $0.
- Households wanting guided setup who prefer staffed cover over The Home Security Superstore range of alarm, camera and smart lock.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers seeking monitoring without fees should consider eufy, which lists monitoring at $0 and suits self monitored use.
- Shoppers focused on personal alarms should consider The Home Security Superstore, whose range includes alarm, camera and smart lock.
Country by country
| Country | Lorex | SimpliSafe Home Security |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Lorex
What does Lorex cost to buy and to run?+
Entry equipment pricing is listed at $29.99, while ongoing monitoring is listed at $0. That structure means you pay for hardware with no service charge added later, which helps you plan upkeep with fewer surprises.
Does Lorex charge a monthly monitoring fee?+
Monitoring is listed at $0, so there is no monthly service charge to keep devices working. You manage alerts yourself, and Professional monitoring is absent, so dispatch support is not part of the arrangement.
SimpliSafe Home Security
What does SimpliSafe monitoring cost per month?+
Monitoring fees run $22.80 to $79.80 per month, with lower plans for basic cover and higher plans for added features. Terms stay flexible because contract length is 0 months, so you can cancel without an extended tie.
Does SimpliSafe require a contract?+
Contract length is 0 months, which means service is free from a fixed tie and you pay month to month. That structure suits renters, movers, and shoppers who want to pause or cancel without penalty.