The True Cost of DIY Security: A Head-to-Head Breakdown of Kangaroo vs. SimpliSafe vs. Ring for the First Year
You've decided to secure your home with a DIY system, and you're comparing the top players: Kangaroo, SimpliSafe, and Ring. They all promise peace of mind, but what's the real, all-in cost to get you through the first year?
Forget hidden fees and confusing calculations. You want to know the bottom-line number: the total out-of-pocket expense for hardware and a full year of professional monitoring. That's the true measure of value.
This guide provides a direct, no-nonsense cost and feature comparison to show you what you'll really spend and what you'll get for your money.
The Scenario: Securing Your New Apartment
Let's stick to a common scenario: you've just moved into a new one-bedroom apartment. You want a robust front door security setup with a video doorbell and professional monitoring. Your must-haves are a doorbell camera, sensors for your door and windows, and a siren.
The Methodology: An All-in-One Comparison
We'll compare the most effective entry-level bundles from each brand that meet our scenario's needs. We're focusing on the Total First-Year Cost, which combines two key elements:
Initial Investment: The upfront cost for the hardware and any included services.
First-Year Monitoring Fees: Any additional monthly or annual fees required for 24/7 professional monitoring.
Part 1: The Financial Investment & What You Get
Let's look at the hard numbers and the hardware. What are you getting for your initial spend?
Kangaroo: The new Front Door Security Kit with Professional Monitoring is an all-in-one value powerhouse. For a single upfront price, you get the hardware and your entire first year of professional monitoring is included.
Hardware: A Doorbell Camera, two Motion + Entry Sensors, and a Siren + Keypad.
Included Services: A full year of the Kangaroo Complete plan, which includes 24/7 Professional Monitoring and up to $1,000 in theft and damage reimbursement. You also get a yard sign and decals.
SimpliSafe: To match the scenario, we'll use their "The Foundation" kit and add their SimpliCam and a monitoring plan. The hardware and monitoring are sold separately.
Hardware: Base Station, Keypad, one Entry Sensor, one Motion Sensor.
Required Add-on: SimpliCam indoor camera.
Ring: We’ll use the Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit and add their most basic doorbell. Hardware and monitoring are separate purchases.
Hardware: Base Station, Keypad, one Contact Sensor, one Motion Detector, Range Extender.
Required Add-on: Ring Video Doorbell.
The Bottom Line: Total First-Year Cost Comparison
This table provides the ultimate at-a-glance summary. It combines all hardware and monitoring fees for a definitive first-year total.
| Feature | Kangaroo | SimpliSafe | Ring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compared Bundle | Front Door Security Kit | The Foundation + SimpliCam | Alarm 5-Piece Kit + Video Doorbell |
| Initial Upfront Cost (Hardware & Included Services) | $279 (Includes 1 Year of Pro Monitoring) |
$349.95 ($249.96 kit + $99.99 camera) |
$299.98 ($199.99 kit + $99.99 doorbell) |
| Additional 1st Year Pro Monitoring Fees | $0 (Included in kit price) |
$263.88 ($21.99/mo) |
$240 ($20/mo) |
| Total First-Year Cost | $279 | $613.83 | $539.98 |
Pricing and plans are subject to change. Data is accurate as of June 2025.
The numbers are staggering. With Kangaroo, your total cost for the entire first year is less than half of SimpliSafe's and nearly half of Ring's.
Year 2 and Beyond: A Look at Long-Term Value
The first year is a clear win for Kangaroo, but what about the long run? True value means sustained affordability.
Kangaroo: After your included first year, you can renew your Complete Protect plan for just $99/year.
SimpliSafe: The annual cost for their monitoring plan continues at $263.88/year.
Ring: The annual cost for their monitoring plan continues at $240/year.
The Takeaway: Kangaroo remains the most affordable option year after year, saving you over $140 annually compared to the next closest competitor.
Part 2: Beyond the Price Tag - A Deeper Dive into Features
A low price is only a great deal if the product delivers. Let’s see how the three brands stack up on crucial features.
Core Feature: Front Door Security
You want to know who is at your door, whether it's a package delivery or an unwelcome visitor.
Kangaroo: The Front Door Security Kit is built for this. The Doorbell Camera gives you eyes on your entryway, while the Motion + Entry sensors secure the door itself. The 85dB Siren on the keypad is ready to ward off intruders, and it even listens for your existing smoke/CO alarms.
SimpliSafe & Ring: Both require you to purchase a camera or doorbell separately and add it to their kits, increasing complexity and cost, as shown in the table.
Winner: Kangaroo, for providing a perfectly curated, all-in-one front door security package from the start.
Ease of Installation: How DIY is it, Really?
Your time is valuable. A system that takes minutes to set up is vastly superior to one that requires an afternoon of drilling and wiring.
Kangaroo: This is Kangaroo's superpower. The entire system is designed for peel-and-stick installation. There are no tools required, making it the ultimate renter-friendly security solution. You can have it up and running in about 15 minutes.
SimpliSafe: Installation is also tool-free with adhesive strips, which is a major plus for a DIY system.
Ring: Ring also uses adhesive mounts, but the overall system can be slightly more involved to configure, especially if you're integrating multiple Ring devices like cameras and doorbells.
Winner: Kangaroo, for its unmatched simplicity and speed of setup.
Contract Flexibility: Are You Trapped?
No one likes being locked into a long-term commitment. Flexibility is key, especially if you're renting or unsure of your future plans.
Kangaroo: Offers true no-contract home security. You can pay for the Complete Protect plan monthly or annually for a discount, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
SimpliSafe: Also offers no-contract monitoring, which is a strong point in their favor.
Ring: Ring's Protect plans are also contract-free and can be canceled at any time.
Winner: It's a tie. All three brands have thankfully moved away from the outdated long-term contracts of traditional security companies. This is a huge win for consumers, as noted by tech publications like CNET, which praise the flexibility of modern DIY systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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When a sensor is triggered while your system is armed, an alert is sent to a certified 24/7 monitoring center. Their trained professionals will immediately attempt to contact you to verify the alarm. If they cannot reach you or if you confirm the emergency, they will dispatch the appropriate first responders—police, fire, or medical—to your home address.
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The Kangaroo Doorbell Camera is 100% wire-free and runs on AA batteries. This makes installation incredibly simple—no drilling or electrical wiring is required. Just peel, stick, and connect it to your WiFi via the app.
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To be eligible, the incident (like a break-in or fire) must be confirmed and documented (e.g., with a police report). Your Kangaroo system and the Complete Protect plan must have been active and armed at the time of the event. This protection is designed to help cover costs that your primary renters or homeowners insurance might not, like deductibles.
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Absolutely. Because Kangaroo hardware is wireless and installed with peel-and-stick adhesive, it's incredibly easy to uninstall and take to your new home. Simply update your address in the Kangaroo app to ensure any emergency dispatch goes to the correct location. This makes it a perfect security system for renters and homeowners alike.
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You have full control through the Kangaroo app on your smartphone. From anywhere with an internet connection, you can arm or disarm your system, view your Doorbell Camera, check sensor status, and receive instant alerts.
The Final Verdict: An Unbeatable All-In-One Value
When you compare the Kangaroo vs. SimpliSafe vs. Ring for a complete front door security setup, the conclusion is undeniable.
Kangaroo isn’t just the "cheapest home security system" for the first year—it delivers a superior, all-in-one package for a fraction of the cost. You get the essential hardware, including a doorbell camera, plus a full year of professional monitoring and theft protection, for a single, transparent price of $279. The competition can't even sell you their hardware for that price.
For the modern shopper who demands both performance and incredible value, the choice is clear.
Ready to secure your front door with the best value in home security? Get your Front Door Security Kit today!
