Frontpoint is a DIY home security leader, offering customizable wireless systems you can install yourself in under 30 minutes.
Though Frontpoint’s 24/7 professional monitoring is a bit pricey ($45 per month), it comes with lots of home automation capabilities. And they’ve got an app chock full of features — plus advanced capabilities like geofencing, video analytics for smarter alerts, and customizable “scenes.” (More on that to come.)
We’ll also cover their customer-friendly policies. Frontpoint’s got quite a few of them, like a 30-day money-back guarantee and no contracts or hidden fees.
But before we dig into all their options and discuss pricing and packages, here are the key features you can expect from this system.
Key Features
- 100% Wireless
- LTE Cellular Connection With Wi-Fi Backup
- DIY Installation
- Intrusion Protection
- Custom Scenes
- Indoor and Outdoor Cameras
- Environmental Protection
- Remote Controls
What Sets Frontpoint Apart
Frontpoint offers two features that help make the system stand out in the crowd. First is its dual-connectivity; the Hub is enabled both through a cellular signal and Wi-Fi, which means there will never be a lapse in monitoring (if your Wi-Fi goes down, you have cellular backup). Second is the system’s geofencing feature which provides an extra layer of protection while you are away from your home.
Frontpoint is also known for quick-and-easy self-installation. You’ll get step-by-step instructions, and help is just a phone call away. This means you can be up and running in under 30 minutes. Even better, there’s a three-year hardware warranty, so you can try the system without much risk.
Expert Examined
From Travis Goodreau, Retired Burglary Detective
“Burglars look for homes unmonitored by security systems. Not only is Frontpoint’s system highly visible, it has one of the fastest response times at 25 seconds on average. I also like their HD doorbell camera for capturing details of package thieves. From my perspective, Frontpoint security has the essentials to keep your home secure.”
Learn more about Travis and our methodology →
Frontpoint Security Components
Frontpoint uses high-quality security equipment centered around the Frontpoint Hub, which is powered by dual-path technology. This essentially means it can switch connection methods between Wi-Fi and LTE depending on which is available, so the system is never really offline. It can even power through power outages thanks to its 24-hour battery backup.
Frontpoint equipment comes in packages. Plus, there are lots of add-ons and upgrades. Here’s a look at what they have to offer.
Frontpoint Equipment Options:
- Frontpoint Hub and keypad
- Door and window sensors
- Garage door sensors
- Glass break sensors
- Motion sensors
- Light sensors
- Smoke and heat sensors
- Carbon monoxide sensors
- Water/flood sensors
- Keychain remotes
- Panic pendants
- Smart locks
- Wireless indoor cameras
- Wireless outdoor cameras
- Video doorbells
Frontpoint Keypad closeup
Using the Frontpoint app, you can arm your system remotely, receive alerts, tweak settings, and livestream from your indoor or outdoor cameras. Away from home when you get an alert? Check the app to see if it is the Fed Ex deliveryman or a prowler on your front porch.
If you purchase equipment like smart lights, smart thermostats, or smart door locks, you can control those devices via the app, too, using Frontpoint’s home automation capabilities. Are your kids routinely forgetting to turn off the basement lights? No more wasting money and energy with smart lights and the Frontpoint app.
You get all of these controls automatically with the Ultimate monitoring plan. (This is the only monitoring plan the system is offering moving forward, and it costs $49.99 per month.)
Frontpoint App
MOBILE ALERTS | Frontpoint’s mobile app puts the power of home security in the palm of your hand. Stay connected with alerts from motion sensors, flood sensors, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and more. |
24/7 MONITORING | All Frontpoint security systems are paired with a 24/7 professional monitoring plan. If your alarm is triggered, a security professional will reach out to you immediately, and they will dispatch emergency help if needed. |
WIRELESS EQUIPMENT | Frontpoint’s entryway sensors, video cameras, and other security equipment is wireless. Installation leaves no permanent marks, and you can easily take the equipment with you if you move. |
SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS | Their optional home security cameras let you save recordings and stream live video to mobile phones, tablets, and computers. |
DIY INSTALLATION | Maintain your privacy. With Frontpoint, no technician needs to visit your home. You can install the equipment yourself in about 30 minutes. |
SMART HOME SYSTEMS | Home automation helps people save time and money. Frontpoint’s mobile app makes it easy to automate your home’s lights, locks, thermostat, and more. |
DISASTER PROTECTION | For all-around protection, you can customize your system with environmental sensors to alert you in the case of flood, fire, or a carbon monoxide leak. |
REMOTE CONTROLS | Control your Frontpoint system remotely via the app or the add-on keychain remote ($24.99). With the keychain remote, you can arm or disarm the system, or send an emergency alert for immediate help. |
GEOFENCING | Using your smartphone’s GPS, Frontpoint can put a wireless “fence” around your home. This is called geofencing, and it allows your system to alert you if you leave your “fence” without setting your alarm. When you get the alert, just tap the button in the app to secure your home. |
FYI: Frontpoint has an excellent 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot.1
Frontpoint Customer Survey and Reviews
We’re constantly researching, testing, and comparing security systems, but we wanted to see what Frontpoint customers had to say about their service. We surveyed 20 customers and asked them to rate the system in 10 different areas, including an overall rating. Here are the results.
Customer Service & Support:
4.4 out of 5
Monitoring:
5.0 out of 5
Installation Experience:
4.0 out of 5
Reliability:
4.2 out of 5
Equipment & Technology:
4.0 out of 5
Home Automation:
4.1 out of 5
Cameras:
4.8 out of 5
Mobile App:
4.0 out of 5
Ease of Use:
4.7 out of 5
Overall Satisfaction:
4.1 out of 5
Overview of Frontpoint Pricing
Frontpoint is on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of equipment pricing, even compared to other top DIY home security systems. Their equipment packages cost around $100 to $350 when on sale — and they’re almost always on sale. That makes Frontpoint one of the more affordable home security systems.
Does the low price, however, speak to the quality of Frontpoint’s products and services? Not at all. In fact, Frontpoint offers more advanced features than many of its competitors, including SimpliSafe. As we mentioned earlier, one feature that impressed us was geofencing, which used our phone location data to control the system’s arming modes and home automation. Frontpoint is one of only a handful of security systems that offer that feature.
If you’re on the fence, keep this in mind: There’s no contract if you pay the equipment fee up-front, so you can cancel your monitoring at any time with no penalty. (Just give them 30 days’ notice.) Plus, Frontpoint has a 30-day, money-back guarantee on equipment, so you’ll have a window of opportunity to back out if you change your mind.
Pro Tip: If none of the Frontpoint equipment packages is the right fit, you can create your own. Just use the “build-your-own” tool on their site. It’ll add their hub and keypad ($99) to your cart. Then you can add on sensors, cameras, and whatever else you want. They’ll automatically throw in a yard sign and door/window decals for free, and for a limited, a free doorbell camera that usually costs about $190.
Frontpoint Security Packages
Frontpoint Equipment
The Starter Pack
- 1 Frontpoint Hub + Keypad
- 1 Door/Window Sensor
- 1 Motion Sensor
- 1 Yard Sign
- 1 Door Sticker
- 3 Window Decals
Frontpoint Hub
The Home Shield
- 1 Frontpoint Hub + Keypad
- 3 Door/Window Sensors
- 1 Motion Sensor
- 1 Smoke/Heat Sensor
- 1 Indoor Camera
- 1 Yard Sign
- 1 Door Sticker
- 3 Window Decals
Frontpoint Door Sensor
The Family Lookout
- 1 Frontpoint Hub + Keypad
- 3 Door/Window Sensors
- 1 Motion Sensors
- 1 Keychain Remote
- 1 Indoor Camera
- Choice of outdoor camera or video doorbell
- 1 Yard Sign
- 1 Door Sticker
- 3 Window Decals
Frontpoint Indoor Camera
Frontpoint Skybell doorbell
| The Starter Pack | The Home Shield | The Family Lookout | |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Size of System | 4-Piece | 9-Piece | 9-Piece |
| Type of System | Intrusion | Intrusion + Environmental + Video | Intrusion + Video |
| Hub & Keypad | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Door & Window Sensors | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Motion Sensors | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Indoor Camera | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Smoke & Heat Sensors | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Flood Sensor | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Outdoor Camera or Video Doorbell | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total Retail Price | $402.96 | $678.94 | $790.91 |
| Sale Price | $99.00 | $269.00 | $349.00 |
| Monthly Price (36 Months) | $3.19 | $8.68 | $11.26 |
* Each system also includes one yard sign, one door decal and three window decals not included in system size calculation.
** Available for a limited time.
Expert Examined
From Travis Goodreau, Retired Burglary Detective
“Interior cameras are another important component I look for in a security system, and Frointpoint’s cameras check the box. I encourage you to place Frontpoint’s indoor cameras with motion detection throughout the house to protect valuables such as electronics, cash, and jewelry. These are the most common items burglars seek.”
Frontpoint Monthly Monitoring Fees
Most security systems will offer you two or more monitoring plans with a tiered-structure, starting from basic intrusion monitoring and adding features like cloud video storage and home automation as you climb up the price ladder.
Frontpoint does things a little differently. While it’s required that you purchase a monitoring plan to use Frontpoint, there’s only one subscription option that covers all the features you can possibly get from a Frontpoint system. The monthly monitoring fee is $49.99.
Frankly, $49.99 is a bit steep for professional monitoring, especially when you have systems like SimpliSafe that charge as low as $17.99 monthly for basic intrusion monitoring.
That said, Frontpoint’s monitoring plan features are far from basic. You’ll get your money’s worth, if you ask us, since in addition to 24/7 monitoring, you’re also getting access to a suite of home automation features, app features, and video monitoring. You’ll also get geofencing, as mentioned earlier. And don’t forget that the equipment is less expensive than with many of the other brands.
Frontpoint Monitoring: The Ultimate Plan
| Price | $49.99 per month |
| Type of Coverage | Intrusion + Environmental + Video + Home Automation |
| Connection Type | LTE Cellular Monitoring |
| Mobile App Controls | Yes |
| Installation Type | DIY |
| Contract Length | No Contract |
Frontpoint Equipment Costs
Frontpoint has lots of equipment you can add on to your system to customize it just the way you want. With the Ultimate monitoring plan, you’ll be able to control any and all add-on equipment you buy from Frontpoint.
A La Carte Frontpoint Equipment Prices
| Equipment Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Hub + Keypad | Control | $99.00 |
| Keypad | Control | $54.99 |
| Touch-screen Control Panel | Control | $119.99 |
| Premium Indoor Camera | Camera | $199.99 |
| Indoor Camera | Camera | $99.99 |
| Outdoor Camera | Camera | $169.99 |
| Doorbell Camera | Camera | $149.99 |
| Door/Window Sensor | Sensor | $19.99 |
| Motion Sensor | Sensor | $29.99 |
| Glass Break Sensor | Sensor | $44.99 |
| Smoke/Heat Sensor | Sensor | $44.99 |
| Garage Door Sensor | Sensor | $24.99 |
| Carbon Monoxide Sensor | Sensor | $69.99 |
| Flood Sensor | Sensor | $24.99 |
| Smart Door Lock | Automation | $149.99 |
| Smart Light Bulb | Automation | $24.99 |
| Smart Thermostat | Automation | $199.99 |
| Wireless Light Control | Automation | $49.99 |
| Keychain Remote | Remote | $24.99 |
| Panic Pendant | Remote | $19.99 |
All Frontpoint equipment — whether it’s part of a package or added on separately — comes with a three-year limited warranty. This is actually one of the better warranties in the industry. Ring Alarm, for example, offers a one-year warranty, and home security powerhouse Vivint offers a four-month warranty.
How to Order
Since the service has done away with contracts and narrowed their monitoring options to one all-inclusive plan, ordering a Frontpoint system is easier than ever. Just choose your equipment package, add on any extra equipment you want (cameras, extra sensors, a keychain remote, etc.), and then check out.
You’ll be enrolled in the Ultimate monitoring package during the checkout process. There are no contracts to sign, and no installation appointments to schedule. Once you complete your purchase, Frontpoint will ship you your equipment, with detailed instructions for DIY installation. You should have everything set up in 30 minutes or less. It’s that easy!
Overall Value of Frontpoint
Because of Frontpoint’s robust app, strong home automation capabilities, and innovative features like geofencing and customizable “scenes,” we rank them high in several categories. Not only are they among our top DIY home security systems, they rank high among our best home automation security systems and best overall home security systems.
That said, if you’re just looking for a straightforward DIY system that’s reliable and has nice smartphone controls, you could probably save some money on monthly fees and get everything you’re looking for with one of SimpliSafe’s packages. (Read our SimpliSafe review for the lay of the land.) And if you’re looking to forgo professional monitoring and do it yourself, then you should consider these top no-monthly-fee home security systems.