Comparison

SimpliSafe Home Security App vs Kangaroo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SimpliSafe Home Security App

Control your home security system remotely from your iPhone or iPad. Arm or disarm your system, receive instant notifications, and view a detailed timeline of events. Live video streaming is available if you have a compatible camera.

Highlights
  • Remote arm/disarm
  • Instant notifications
  • Event timeline
  • Live video streaming
  • System control
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The SimpliSafe Home Security iPhone and iPad app lets you control your SimpliSafe security system from anywhere in the world. Arm and disarm the system, set instant notifications and keep track of everything in an up to the minute timeline. You can even watch and capture live video if you have a SimpliSafe camera.

About

Kangaroo

Monitor and manage your home security system remotely. Set up devices easily and receive alerts on your phone. Opt for free self-monitoring or upgrade to plans with professional monitoring and reimbursement for theft or damage.

Highlights
  • Remote monitoring
  • Arm/disarm controls
  • Customizable alerts
  • Step-by-step setup
  • Self-monitoring option
  • Optional protection plans
  • Theft and damage reimbursement
Read full description

All you need to get started protecting your space is this app, your Kangaroo device, and WiFi. It takes just a few minutes to follow our step-by-step setup — then you’ll be able to keep tabs on your space from anywhere. Arm, disarm, and manage alerts all from your phone with our convenient, easy-to-use app. You can even get started for $0! Choose to self-monitor your stuff at no cost, or add one of our protect plans for added benefits like Professional Monitoring, theft and damage reimbursement, extended Cloud Storage, Text & Voice Notifications, and more. While Kangaroo devices keep you protected, the Cam Protect and Complete Protect plans will pay you back when incidents of theft or damage occur. Yep, we don’t just have your back. We pay you back. If you choose Cam or Complete Protect, payments will be charged directly to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use https://info.heykangaroo.com/legal With Kangaroo, you’ll stay covered indoors and out with our security solutions and coverage plans. No hassles or headaches.

Screenshots

SimpliSafe Home Security App4 screens
Kangaroo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpliSafe Home Security App at none against Kangaroo's 10. SimpliSafe Home Security App also leads on ratings volume (323K vs 7.4K) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Kangaroo's advantage is review sentiment (35% vs 24%) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Kangaroo sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. SimpliSafe Home Security App asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SimpliSafe Home Security App holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SimpliSafe Home Security App has 323K ratings behind it against 7.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 24% of SimpliSafe Home Security App's written reviews are positive against 35% of Kangaroo's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
SimpliSafe Home Security App versus Kangaroo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpliSafe Home Security AppKangaroo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (323K ratings) — better4.6 (7.4K ratings)
Positive reviews23.7% of reviews34.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings323K — better7.4K
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#185 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size438 MB158 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSimpliSafe IncROO INC

Customer experience

SimpliSafe Home Security App

All ratings323,222 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews544 reviews
Positive23.7%
Neutral15.3%
Negative61.0%

Kangaroo

All ratings7,400 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral4.6%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews138 reviews
Positive34.8%
Neutral16.7%
Negative48.6%

User reviews

SimpliSafe Home Security App

From 323K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to install
  • 🔒 Reliable security system
  • 👍 Customizable settings
  • 🔒 Prompt monitoring response
  • 👍 Helpful customer service

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App connectivity issues
  • 🔋 Battery life concerns
  • 💰 Expensive subscription costs
  • 🔍 Limited camera functionality
  • 🔍 Lack of integration with smart home devices

Kangaroo

From 7.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy setup
  • 👍 User-friendly app
  • 🔒 Affordable security system
  • 🚀 Reliable performance
  • 👍 Great value for money

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🔋 Battery life problems
  • 📷 Poor camera quality
  • 🔔 Quiet siren
  • 🐛 Buggy app and features

Bugs and requests

SimpliSafe Home Security App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent app crashes and login issues
  • Sensors going offline or malfunctioning
  • Inconsistent camera performance and connectivity

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to delete camera recordings
  • Geofencing for automatic arming/disarming
  • Integration with Apple HomeKit and Google Home
  • Customizable sensor settings and zones

Kangaroo

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Devices randomly disconnect from WiFi
  • Arm/disarm feature not working consistently
  • Notifications not working as expected
  • Camera not capturing clear images

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add live video streaming
  • Improve motion detection sensitivity
  • Provide more customization options
  • Integrate with Google Home/Assistant
  • Offer monthly subscription option

In-app purchases

None

SimpliSafe Home Security App

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Kangaroo

Subscriptions8
  • Kangaroo Complete Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Kangaroo Complete Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Porch Protection Annual14 Days trial$23.991 Year
Show 5 more
  • Porch Protection Annual 300$23.991 Year
  • Porch Protection Annual1 Year trial$23.991 Year
  • Camera Protect Annual 25014 Days trial3 variants$23.991 Year
  • Kangaroo Complete Yearly14 Days trial$98.991 Year
  • Complete Protect Annual 100014 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is SimpliSafe Home Security App free?
SimpliSafe Home Security App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Kangaroo free?
Kangaroo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SimpliSafe Home Security App or Kangaroo?
SimpliSafe Home Security App is rated higher. SimpliSafe Home Security App averages 4.8 out of 5 from 323K ratings, while Kangaroo averages 4.6 from 7.4K ratings.
Do SimpliSafe Home Security App or Kangaroo have ads?
Neither SimpliSafe Home Security App nor Kangaroo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpliSafe Home Security App or Kangaroo?
SimpliSafe Home Security App ships an update weekly, and Kangaroo weekly. Most recently, SimpliSafe Home Security App was updated on November 13, 2026 and Kangaroo on November 6, 2026.

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