LiveWatch Security no longer exists. The company was acquired by Brinks Home (formerly Monitronics) in 2017 and fully absorbed by 2019. If you’re comparing LiveWatch vs SimpliSafe in 2026, the comparison is over — but this page will help you understand what happened to LiveWatch, where SimpliSafe stands today, and which modern systems actually deserve your money.
What Happened to LiveWatch Security?
LiveWatch was a genuinely good DIY security option in its time — affordable cellular monitoring, no long-term contracts, and responsive customer support. Then the acquisition machine came for them.
| Year | Event | Impact on Customers |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | LiveWatch founded as DIY security provider | Affordable alternative to ADT and traditional dealers |
| 2014 | Launched Plug & Protect system with cellular monitoring | Easy setup, no technician needed |
| 2017 | Acquired by Monitronics (now Brinks Home) | DIY customers absorbed into dealer network |
| 2018 | LiveWatch customers transitioned to Brinks accounts | Contract terms changed, pricing increased for many |
| 2019 | LiveWatch brand fully phased out | Website redirected to Brinks Home |
| 2026 | Brand completely defunct — 7+ years gone | Former customers locked in Brinks dealer model or moved on |
The cruel irony: LiveWatch attracted customers specifically because it wasn’t a traditional dealer with long contracts. Then Brinks/Monitronics bought them and turned those customers into exactly the kind of locked-in accounts they’d been avoiding.
What LiveWatch Offered vs. What Brinks Charges Now
| Feature | LiveWatch (Pre-Acquisition) | Brinks Home (Now) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly monitoring | $19.95-$29.95/mo | $29.99-$49.99/mo |
| Contract | None — month-to-month | 36 months typical |
| Installation | DIY | Professional (dealer-dependent) |
| Equipment | GE/Interlogix panels | Alarm.com-based systems |
| Customer support | In-house, US-based | Mixed — outsourced call centers |
| BBB Rating | A+ | B- (Brinks/Monitronics) |
| Trustpilot | ~4.0★ | 1.3★ (Brinks) |
| Cancellation | Easy — call and cancel | 75% remaining balance ETF, auto-renewal traps |
The service quality deterioration is dramatic. LiveWatch had a legitimate A+ BBB rating and positive reviews. Brinks Home carries a B- with a 1.3★ Trustpilot rating and thousands of complaints about billing, contracts, and cancellation difficulty.
SimpliSafe in 2026: Where They Stand
Unlike LiveWatch, SimpliSafe has survived and grown. They’ve added cameras, video verification, and kept their no-contract model. Here’s the full picture:
| Feature | SimpliSafe (2026) |
|---|---|
| Base system | The Foundation (base + keypad + entry sensor) — $245 |
| Self-monitoring | Free (app alerts only, no pro response) |
| Standard monitoring | $19.99/mo — 24/7 dispatch, no camera access |
| Fast Protect | $29.99/mo — live agent video verification during alarms |
| Cameras | Indoor, Outdoor, Video Doorbell Pro, Smart Alarm Wireless |
| Live Guard | Agent watches your camera during an alarm — can speak to intruder |
| Contract | None — month-to-month |
| Smart home | Alexa, Google Home (basic) |
| No HomeKit | ❌ — closed ecosystem |
| No Z-Wave/Zigbee | ❌ — SimpliSafe sensors only |
| Cellular backup | ✅ Built-in on all plans |
SimpliSafe’s Strengths
| Strength | Details |
|---|---|
| Live Guard / Fast Protect | Real person watches your cameras during an alarm — verifiable alarm means faster police response |
| Dead simple setup | 15-30 minutes from box to armed — no tools, no wiring |
| No contract | Cancel anytime, keep your equipment |
| Wide sensor selection | Entry, motion, glass break, water, freeze, smoke, CO — all proprietary but well-designed |
| Brand trust | 10M+ customers, heavy marketing presence, consistent product |
SimpliSafe’s Weaknesses
| Weakness | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| No free self-monitoring with pro features | $19.99/mo minimum for any meaningful monitoring — competitors offer free tiers |
| Closed ecosystem | No Z-Wave, Zigbee, or Matter — you can’t add third-party smart home devices |
| No HomeKit | Apple users get no integration — Abode is the only HomeKit security system |
| No geofencing | Can’t auto-arm when you leave — must remember to arm manually or via app |
| Camera quality | 1080p only, no 2K or 4K options — competitors offer better resolution |
| Outdoor camera limitations | Battery-powered outdoor cam needs frequent charging (every 3-6 months) |
If You Liked LiveWatch, These Systems Match That Philosophy
LiveWatch attracted customers who wanted: affordable monitoring, no contracts, DIY installation, and transparent pricing. Here are the 2026 systems that deliver all four — and more:
1. Abode — Best Overall (Our #1 Pick)
Abode is the spiritual successor to what LiveWatch should have become. DIY installation, no contracts, free self-monitoring forever, and optional pro monitoring from just $6/month. But Abode goes far beyond what LiveWatch ever offered — it’s also a full smart home hub supporting Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter, and it’s the only security system with Apple HomeKit support.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Self-monitoring | Free forever — real-time alerts, no subscription |
| Pro monitoring | $6-$20/month, no contract |
| Equipment | Smart Security Kit — $199 |
| Camera | Abode Cam 2 — $35 (best value in market) |
| Smart home | HomeKit + Alexa + Google + Z-Wave + Zigbee + Matter |
| Geofencing | ✅ Auto arm/disarm by phone location |
| Cellular backup | ✅ (Connect+ and Pro plans) |
2. Ring Alarm — Best for Amazon Homes
Ring Alarm offers the best value if you’re in the Alexa ecosystem. Ring Protect Pro at $20/month covers the alarm system AND unlimited Ring cameras — that’s hard to beat for a household with multiple cameras.
The catch: No HomeKit, limited Google Home support, and Amazon’s data practices may concern privacy-minded users. But the sheer camera selection (10+ models) and ecosystem integration is excellent.
3. SimpliSafe — Easiest Setup
SimpliSafe remains a solid choice for people who want security that “just works” without smart home complexity. Fast Protect’s video verification is genuinely innovative. The closed ecosystem is limiting but some people prefer the simplicity.
Full Comparison: Modern LiveWatch Alternatives
| Feature | Abode | SimpliSafe | Ring Alarm | Brinks Home (absorbed LiveWatch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $0-$20 | $0-$29.99 | $0-$20 | $29.99-$49.99 |
| Contract | None | None | None | 36 months typical |
| Installation | DIY (15 min) | DIY (15-30 min) | DIY (15 min) | Professional |
| Free self-monitoring | ✅ | ✅ (limited) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Apple HomeKit | ✅ Only system | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Google Home | ✅ Full | ✅ Basic | ❌ Limited | ❌ |
| Amazon Alexa | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Deep | ✅ via Alarm.com |
| Z-Wave/Zigbee | Both | Neither | Z-Wave | Via Alarm.com |
| Geofencing | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ via Alarm.com |
| Cameras | Abode Cam 2 ($35) + third-party | Indoor/Outdoor/Doorbell | 10+ Ring cameras | Alarm.com cameras |
| Video verification | ❌ | ✅ Live Guard | ❌ | ❌ |
| Crash & smash | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ via Alarm.com |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ | A+ | B- |
| Equipment cost | $199-$400 | $245-$510 | $199-$330 | $0-$200 (subsidized) |
| 3-Year total | $199-$1,120 | $965-$1,590 | $199-$1,050 | $1,280-$1,998 |
The irony: Every modern DIY system is better and cheaper than what Brinks Home now charges former LiveWatch customers. If you’re still on a Brinks plan from the LiveWatch transition, you’re overpaying by $500-$1,000+ over three years.
Former LiveWatch Customer? Here’s What to Do
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check your Brinks contract | Look for auto-renewal dates, cancellation windows, and early termination fee (ETF) calculations. Most Brinks contracts auto-renew for 12-24 months. |
| 2 | Calculate your ETF | Brinks typically charges 75-80% of remaining months. If you’re near the end, waiting may be cheaper than paying the ETF. |
| 3 | Check if your equipment is reusable | If you have GE/Interlogix or Honeywell sensors, services like Alarm Grid or Alarm Relay can monitor your existing panel for $10-$15/mo. |
| 4 | Dispute unfair terms | If you weren’t properly notified of contract changes during the LiveWatch→Brinks transition, file a BBB complaint and contact your state Attorney General. |
| 5 | Switch to modern DIY | An Abode Smart Security Kit ($199) or Ring Alarm ($199) with no contract replaces everything Brinks offers at a fraction of the cost. |
For complete step-by-step instructions, see our guide to canceling home security contracts.
The Acquisition Pattern: Why Security Brands Keep Disappearing
LiveWatch is part of a broader pattern in the security industry. Large monitoring companies acquire smaller DIY brands for their customer accounts, then transition those customers into higher-priced, long-contract plans:
| Acquired Brand | Buyer | Year | What Happened to Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
| LiveWatch | Monitronics → Brinks | 2017 | Moved to Brinks contracts at higher prices |
| Protect America | Shut down (bankruptcy) | 2021 | Customers stranded — equipment became useless |
| ASG Security | Guardian Protection | 2018 | Absorbed into Guardian’s dealer network |
| AMP Security | Various acquirers | 2018 | Customer contracts flipped to highest bidder |
| Security Networks | Monitronics → Brinks | 2017 | Same fate as LiveWatch |
| Protection One | ADT | 2016 | Absorbed into ADT |
| AT&T Digital Life | Shut down by AT&T | 2024 | Equipment bricked — customers had to start over |
| Cox Homelife | Shut down by Cox | 2023 | Equipment bricked — customers had to start over |
How to Avoid This Happening Again
| Protection Strategy | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Choose no-contract systems | If the company gets acquired or quality drops, you leave immediately — no ETF |
| Own your equipment | Subsidized “free” equipment = you don’t own it. Buy outright ($199-$400) and you keep it forever |
| Pick companies where security is the core business | Abode and SimpliSafe only do home security. They can’t pivot away from their only product. |
| Avoid dealer networks | Dealers sell contracts, not service. Direct-to-consumer brands have aligned incentives. |
| Use standard protocols | Z-Wave/Zigbee sensors work across systems. If you switch from Abode to another Z-Wave system, your sensors come with you. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LiveWatch still in business?
No. LiveWatch was acquired by Monitronics (now Brinks Home) in 2017 and the brand was fully shut down by 2019. Former LiveWatch customers were transitioned to Brinks Home accounts.
What happened to my LiveWatch account?
Your account was transferred to Brinks Home. Check your current contract terms — many former LiveWatch customers were placed on 36-month auto-renewing contracts with higher monthly fees than they originally paid. See our contract cancellation guide for help.
Can I keep my LiveWatch equipment with a new provider?
It depends on the equipment. If you have GE/Interlogix or Honeywell panels, Alarm Grid or Alarm Relay can often take over monitoring for $10-$15/month. However, since Interlogix discontinued its residential line in 2020, replacement parts are becoming scarce. A modern DIY system like Abode ($199) is usually the better long-term investment.
Is SimpliSafe better than what LiveWatch offered?
Yes. SimpliSafe in 2026 offers better equipment, cameras, video verification (Live Guard), and wider sensor selection than LiveWatch ever had. However, SimpliSafe’s closed ecosystem and lack of free monitoring features make Abode the better overall value — especially for smart home users.
Why do security companies keep getting acquired?
Monitoring contracts are extremely valuable — each customer pays $20-$50/month for years. Large companies like Brinks/Monitronics and ADT buy smaller brands specifically for their customer accounts, then maximize revenue through longer contracts and higher prices. The best defense is choosing no-contract, direct-to-consumer brands.
What’s the cheapest replacement for LiveWatch?
Abode with free self-monitoring: $199 one-time for the Smart Security Kit, $0/month ongoing. That’s $199 total vs. $1,080-$1,800 over 3 years with Brinks. If you want professional monitoring, Abode’s Connect plan is just $6/month — still a fraction of Brinks pricing. Visit goabode.com →
Related Resources
- Abode Home Security Review 2026 — our #1 pick
- SimpliSafe Review 2026 — plans, pricing & verdict
- Ring Alarm Review 2026
- Brinks Home Security Review 2026 — where LiveWatch customers ended up
- Monitronics Review 2026 — the company behind the acquisition
- How to Cancel Your Home Security Contract
- LiveWatch vs Frontpoint — both outdated
- Protect America Review — another brand that died
- Best No Monthly Fee Security Systems
- Best Home Security for Renters
Growing up with Law and Order and CSI shows taught Isabelle Landau one thing: if people back then had high-quality home security systems, those series would have been way shorter. In our modern world, technology helps us keep burglars away easily, and this is what Izzy studies and writes about: alarm systems, home security, protection systems, and more.
Mary S. says
FYI — SimpliSafe seems like the better choice if you were do to do the math. On a 2 year contract, depending on the startup costs, you’ll pay an extra $240 by going with Livewatch. The determing factor is how much you’ll really pay for the startup costs.
Johnny Keen says
Thanks for providing this information, Mary. If you were really going for the best bang for your buck, the math doesn’t lie. $240 certainly over 2 years will add up over time. SimpliSafe has my bode of confidence in this race.
Dustin Runkle says
After having simplisafe and then discovering the inability to update equipment (which cost a lot) and having easy hacks for people on youtube made me return the system and go with LiveWatch. The cost over 2 years is almost the same with much better equipment and monitoring service.
Jobeth says
Thanks for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about home security regardless of whom you choose. For some pricing is all that matters, others the equipment and others customer service. Frontpoint seems to have all 3 covered by this other company sure comes close when comparing apples to apples.
Jay Adens says
Simplisafe for the parents, Livewatch for the kids is my vote! I don’t have either but know people on both sides that are happy with it. Not a lot of horror stories with either company regarding cancelling or getting stuck with faulty equipment and not getting it replaced until the next contract is signed. Great comparison, thanks for doing this.
Marco King says
You have it figured out. The Tech savvy individuals use LiveWatch, it home automation feature makes it a better choice to simplisafe. Nice review altogether
Eric Perkins says
Simplisafe has better branding. Livewatch has better equipment and customer service. Basically Simplisafe appears better on the outside while Livewatch IS better on the inside.