![\"scout](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/scout_access_sensor_context-compressor.jpg\")
\nSee it at Scout.com<\/a><\/td>
![\"simplisafe](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/simplisafe_sensor-compressor.png\")
\nSee it at Amazon.com<\/a><\/td>
![\"nest](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/nest_secure_3-compressor.jpg\")
\nSee it at BestBuy.com<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n$29\/month, monthly contract<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nOr pay $5\/month ($50\/year) if you want cellular backup without monitoring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Click Next\u00a0to see more of the comparison table. <\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p> Affiliate Disclosure<\/a>: This page contains affiliate links, which earn us commission at no cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n All of the security systems in Scout vs SimpliSafe vs Nest Secure have wire-free sensors, making setup as simple as peel-and-stick, or just placing the sensor. They are also customizable, allowing you to add more individual sensors and make it work specific for your home.<\/p>\n While Scout used to sell starter kits, they moved more towards a la carte shopping. If you purchase from Scout, plan on buying each sensor and device individually.<\/p>\n Scout Hub<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This plugs into your router, has a siren, and is essential for connecting all of your sensors to the Internet.<\/p>\n Traditional Sensors<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n Other Hardware<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n SimpliSafe gives you the option to buy one of several starter kits, or purchase everything individually for a custom build. The popular Essentials starter kit retails at $259 and includes:<\/p>\n Base station<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n This is the tallest hardware in the kit. It has a built-in siren, battery backup for up to 24 hours, voice prompts to help with setup, and a SIM card to call the authorities on your behalf. It’s subtle and easy to hide, making it more secure. This new base station is also 5 times faster than the old model.<\/p>\n Traditional Sensors<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n Other Hardware<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n Nest Secure offers a Starter pack, in addition to individual sensors for expanding your setup. Starter pack retails at $499 and includes:<\/p>\n Nest Guard Base<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n This is the system’s “base” with the keypad and siren built in. It’s supposed to sit by the front door, and it communicates with the Nest sensors around your home. Tap your Nest Tags on this device or type in your code to disarm your system. It also has a motion sensor and battery backup, with optional cellular backup for $5 per month.<\/p>\n Traditional Sensors<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Other Hardware<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Customers wanting a more traditional security system will appreciate SimpliSafe’s options like the panic button, separate keypad, and auxiliary siren. In addition, their updated sensors and hardware are even higher quality. Plus everything is very affordable: for the same amount of sensors in their starter kit, you’re paying about half the price of Nest Secure. That’s why for this category, we pick SimpliSafe as the best DIY security system.<\/p>\n All three security systems offer apps on iOS and Android. SimpliSafe also offers a Windows app. Take a look at a few of the pros and cons of each security system’s app.<\/p>\n Both Scout and SimpliSafe apps require you to pay for a plan for full app access. Nest Secure allows for remote arming or disarming, notifications, and more without any fees. The only paid features for Nest are if you opt for professional monitoring. Since Nest Secure uses the same Nest app as their other hardware, you can bet it will continue to improve and add functionality for securing your smart home.<\/p>\n Scout takes second place, with modes that are also very user-friendly and easy to set up; for example, if motion is detected, then send me a push notification and trigger the alarm. SimpliSafe’s app has improved over time, but is still playing catch up with Scout, which was designed with smart home features first in mind.<\/p>\n All systems offer excellent alert and siren options for customizing your alerts within the security system. Scout vs SimpliSafe vs Nest Secure all have loud sirens and are easy to disarm using the different hardware options.<\/p>\n Both Scout and SimpliSafe systems work without monthly fees, but in a very limited capacity: they will only sound the alarm if a sensor is triggered and everything is still connected to the Internet. To really use these systems for security purposes, a paid plan is recommended.<\/p>\n All plans have monthly fees and no long term contracts, so you can cancel at anytime. Without any subscription: Scout will only work locally and can be armed and disarmed using the door panel.<\/p>\n<\/i> Plans\u00a0are more affordable: $9.99\/month for Always On or $19.99\/month for Always On+, with 10% discounts if paid annually.<\/p>\n<\/i> Both plans include mobile app access, email\/push\/text notifications, and with 4G LTE backup.<\/p>\n<\/i> Upgrading to Always On+ adds 24\/7 professional monitoring service and police dispatch<\/p>\n<\/i> Additional Cellular Only plan available for $15.99\/month if you have a home without internet.<\/p>\n<\/i> Optional $3\/month per camera for cloud storage, or $10\/month for unlimited cameras.<\/p>\n We’re giving this category to Scout, because they have lower monthly fees for similar service, but it still depends on what you’re looking for. If you want an affordable plan that will send you notifications and has 4G back up in case of Internet outage, buy Scout and go with the cheapest plan at $9.99 per month.<\/p>\n If you don’t care about professional monitoring at all, then 100% go with Nest Secure. Their professional monitoring through Brinks really isn’t that great of a value, but if you don’t care about that feature, then you can use the app to arm your system remotely without paying any fees.\u00a0Nest is easily the best option if you don’t want to pay any fees,\u00a0<\/strong>since Scout and SimpliSafe both require a paid plan for app access and basic functionality.<\/p>\n If you are set on professional monitoring, then it could go either way depending on which system you want. SimpliSafe’s Interactive plan is really the only usable option, since the Standard plan limits the app features like remote monitoring. With that in mind, SimpliSafe’s $24.99\/month Interactive and Scout’s $19.99\/month Always On+ are the two plans to compare. Both offer professional monitoring, and since the price difference is minimal, you are probably best going with whichever system will work best for your home and preferences.<\/p>\nScout vs SimpliSafe vs Nest Secure<\/span><\/h1>\n
Sensors<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"scout](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Scout_Black_FamilyShot_WhiteBackground_web-compressor.png\")
<\/p>\nScout<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
![\"simplisafe](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/SimpliSafe_flatlay_logo-1-compressor.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\nSimpliSafe<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
![\"nest](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/nest_secure_2-compressor.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNest Secure<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Winner: SimpliSafe<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"simplisafe](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/simplisafe_logo-compressor.png\"){kind=logo}
When comparing hardware of Scout vs SimpliSafe vs Nest Secure, you can easily see that SimpliSafe has the most options for protecting your home. Both Scout and Nest Secure offer excellent hardware options, but are designed to work as simplified systems in some ways, since there are fewer pieces of hardware.<\/p>\n
\nApp<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"scout](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/scout_screenshot-4.png\")
<\/p>\nScout<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> Slightly higher ratings on Google Play and iTunes.<\/p>\n<\/i> Pre-populated modes for Home, Sleep, Away, and Vacation. Edit the modes to determine which sensors you want armed and which alerts you want to receive.<\/p>\n<\/i> Provides a detailed history about when the system was armed or disarmed and when sensors are triggered<\/p>\n<\/i> App access and notifications are only available with an Always On paid plan.<\/p>\n
SimpliSafe<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> Those with the Interactive plan can customize sensors, notifications, and other settings within the app.<\/p>\n<\/i> Lower ratings in the app stores, but perhaps these will improve now that the new system is released.<\/p>\n<\/i> Remote control and other advanced features are only available with a paid upgrade to the more expensive plan.<\/p>\n
Nest Secure<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> Control within the Nest app. It’s the same app that you can use to control Nest devices like thermostats and security cameras, making it ultra convenient to secure your whole home from one app<\/p>\n<\/i> Set up Remind Me for reminder alerts to arm the system when you leave home<\/p>\n<\/i> Remote control and other features available at no charge; the only fees are for professional monitoring<\/p>\n
Winner: Nest Secure<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"nest\"](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/nest_logo-2-compressor.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n
\nAlerts & Sirens<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Scout<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> In the app, you can specify which modes should trigger Scout to call authorities and which should not. In other words, if you don’t want the police called while you are sleeping but still want your system armed, then you can set it in Sleep mode to hear the siren.<\/p>\n<\/i> Siren is located in the door panel and your hub<\/p>\n<\/i> Add door chirps or warning beeps (alerting you the alarm is about to sound) within the app for additional security<\/p>\n<\/i> Turn off siren within the app or using the key fobs\/RFID stickers<\/p>\n
SimpliSafe<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> If the alarm is triggered, SimpliSafe will call and ask your password. If the password isn’t provided or you don’t answer, then they call the police on your behalf and send them to your home.<\/p>\n<\/i> Siren is located in the hub and auxiliary sirens<\/p>\n<\/i> You can add warning beeps before the siren is triggered<\/p>\n<\/i> Turn off the siren with the keypad, keychain remote, or app<\/p>\n
Nest Secure<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> If the alarm is triggered, you receive a notification of the specifics that Nest Detect spotted, i.e. Nest Detect found motion in the family room. In addition, any video footage from Nest Cams will be displayed within the notification.<\/p>\n<\/i> If you pay for the Brinks monitored security, then they can contact the authorities on your behalf<\/p>\n<\/i> Turn off the siren with the keypad, Nest Tag, or app<\/p>\n
Winner: Tie<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/scout_logo_compressor.png\"){kind=logo}
\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n
\nMonthly Fees<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"scout](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/ScoutAlarms_BaseStation_Walnut_web-compressor.png\")
<\/p>\nScout<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
SimpliSafe<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> Plans are more expensive, at $14.99 per month for Standard or $24.99 per month for Interactive.<\/p>\n<\/i> Standard plan includes 24\/7 live alarm monitoring and cellular connection in case your WiFi drops<\/p>\n<\/i> Interactive plan adds SMS\/email alerts, remote controlling in the app, Nest integration, and secret alerts for monitoring cabinets, safes, and more<\/p>\n<\/i> 24\/7 professional monitoring included with either plan<\/p>\n<\/i> Many users will find that the Interactive plan is the only way to go, since it has more app features, remote monitoring, and Nest integration. Feeling locked into the most expensive plan requires you to pay higher fees.<\/p>\n
Nest Secure<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> Optional paid plan for 24\/7 professional monitoring through Brinks Security. This costs $19\/month if you sign a 3 year contract, or $29\/month for month-to-month.<\/p>\n<\/i> Cellular backup is included with professional monitoring, or you can optionally pay $5\/month or $50\/year fee for cellular backup on Nest Guard<\/p>\n<\/i> Both plans are optional since the system and mobile app work on their own if you are not interested in professional monitoring.<\/p>\n
Winner: Scout<\/a> (sort of)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
\nSmart Home Integrations<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Scout<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n