Frontpoint Home Security Review

Overview

Frontpoint Security Solutions is often rated as one of the best home security companies for emergency monitoring with “smart home” enhancements. The Frontpoint security cost is competitive, and the systems are easy to set up yourself. Top-notch customer service is readily available by phone as well. Frontpoint’s three monitoring plans all go beyond intrusion protection to help protect against flood and fire. Additionally, two Frontpoint plans support remote control of lighting and other home automation. You can choose from one-year and three-year monitoring contracts and get a 30-day risk-free trial. The Frontpoint Security activation fee is based on which monitoring package you choose.

The Frontpoint Security equipment package choices are generous. The control panels can connect with entryway sensors, indoor motion detectors, glass break sensors, environmental monitors, panic buttons and pendants, home security cameras, thermostats and more. The best Frontpoint wireless home alarm systems have control panels with Smash & Crash protection. These can automatically contact an emergency dispatcher if tampering is detected. Frontpoint emergency monitoring gets top reviews, but we like how their equipment is branded by General Electric, which means it can be monitored by another home security company if you prefer.

Each Frontpoint security system uses cell radio to send emergency alerts. (The systems don’t use landlines, so Frontpoint monitoring isn’t available in certain rural areas.) To provide 24-hour emergency dispatching, Frontpoint partners with the well-respected Rapid Response Monitoring Services. Rapid Response has state-of-the-art facilities in California and New York. Each emergency call center uses some of the world’s best encryption technology, uses biometric security to control employees’ access to data, and has ample backup systems in case of blackouts.

Frontpoint Security Solutions is based in Virginia. The company was founded in 2007 and by 2011 won the Angie’s List Super Service Award. Frontpoint has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Customer Service

Frontpoint customer service has an excellent reputation making it a top pick in this category. This quality is especially valuable in the home security industry because it doesn’t merely prevent hassles; it can actually make a difference to safety and peace of mind.

Frontpoint’s customer service center is in Virginia. Phones are staffed by English-speaking and Spanish-speaking agents from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm EST on weekdays and from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends. (Emergency lines are staffed 24 hours/day by a separate agency.) For extra support with equipment set-up, each set arrives with manuals and Frontpoint provides helpful online videos.

Frontpoint Security Solutions is a member of the Better Business Bureau, where it maintains an A+ rating. Frontpoint security complaints are relatively low and only a minimal amount of formal reviews have been filed against the company. The consumer advocate organization Angie’s List first awarded Frontpoint with a “Super Service” award in 2011, just a few years after the security company launched.

Value

Frontpoint offers three main plans with its home security products. All three Frontpoint packages use wireless technology and cell networks to provide environmental protection and intrusion protection. Each package can be customized and total equipment expenses for the Protection Plan is $199.95 while the Interactive and Ultimate Plans start at $349.95. To get the lowest equipment prices you need to be a homeowner with a credit score of at least 600. Monthly monitoring starts at $34.99 with either a one-year or three-year agreement.

Frontpoint’s entry level monitoring package is called the Protection Plan. This $34.99/month home security plan defends against intrusion with a self diagnosing system, 24/7 professional monitoring, is 100% wireless and cellular and offers environmental and fire protection. Self managed account services are available to every user. The equipment cost for users with the protection plan start at $199.95.

The Frontpoint Interactive Plan costs $44.99/month and offers everything the Protection Plan offers, plus mobile app arming/disarming, email alerts, text and push notifications, crash and smash protection, geo location services and sensor history. Equipment costs for the Interactive Plan start at $349.95.

The $49.99 Ultimate Plan is Frontpoint’s top-of-the-line home security (and automation) option. This plan includes everything from the Protection and Interactive Plan, plus live video streaming, video and image history, motion-activated recording clips and alerts, automated door locks and energy management and thermostat control. The equipment packages for the ultimate plan also start at $349.95.

Each of the above packages can be customized on the check-out page or over the phone. Other equipment such as flood sensors, glass break sensors and panic pendants are sold separately.

Contracts

Frontpoint customers sign either one-year or three-year security agreements, however to get the equipment package pricing, 3-year agreements must be signed. Customers regard their contracts as fair and surprise-free.

Equipment

Frontpoint sells a variety of wireless equipment for home security, environmental damage prevention and home automation. Frontpoint equipment is bundled into packages that can be purchased to get you started with your Frontpoint security system. You can then purchase additional pieces of equipment to cater to the size of your home and the level of security you desire.

Frontpoint categorizes their main equipment into three categories: Controls, Sensors, and Cameras and Home Automation.

• Pushbutton Control Panel
• Touchscreen Control Panel
• Keychain Remote Control
• Panic Pendant

Sensors

• Standard Door/Window Sensors
• Recessed (Hidden) Door/Window Sensors
• Garage Door Sensors
• Glass Break Sensors
• Motion Detectors
• Image-Sensing Still Cameras
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• Smoke and Heat Sensors
• Water Leak/Flood Sensors

Video Cameras and Home Automation

• Wireless Indoor Camera
• Wireless Outdoor Camera
• Wireless Doorbell Camera
• Keypad Door Locks
• Remote Light Control
• Remote Thermostat Control

A Frontpoint monthly monitoring plan is required in order for any Frontpoint security equipment to work. Before choosing a monthly monitoring plan, you will want to choose a Frontpoint equipment package. The following are the pieces of equipment that are included with each of the 3 packages offered by Frontpoint.

Features & Technology

Frontpoint security equipment has lots of selling points. Here’s a sampling of top features.

• Touch Screen Control Panel – Frontpoint systems are available with standard and touchscreen General Electric control panels. Their touchscreen control panel makes home security especially easy with large icons and well-organized options.
• Crash and Smash Protection – Frontpoint’s touchscreen control panel has “Smash and Crash” protection. In other words, it is tamper-proof. If intruders break the panel it will automatically send an emergency alert to Rapid Response operators.
• Mobile App Compatibility – Equipment for Frontpoint’s top two monitored alarm plans works with a mobile app. This turns your smartphone or tablet into a home automation controller and lets you monitor your alarm system from anywhere in the world.
• Still Image Capture – Frontpoint’s best motion sensors not only alert emergency operators when triggered, but also send still images. Security alerts that are accompanied by such images can get priority emergency response from local police departments.
• Video Surveillance – Frontpoint sells high-resolution video cameras for indoor and outdoor security monitoring. Video can be live streamed to a mobile device and saved to cloud storage.
• Environmental Monitoring – For comprehensive home protection each Frontpoint Security package includes a smoke and heat sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor and a leak/flood sensor.
• Energy-Saving Home Automation – Frontpoint Security plans can help reduce your power bills by letting you automate the use of lighting, heating and air conditioning. The home automation software is user-friendly with icon and prompts for set-up.

Ease of Use

Frontpoint makes do-it-yourself home security easy. A technician programs each system before it’s shipped, so there’s no need to schedule an installation appointment. These home alarm systems are designed for DIY setup within 30 minutes. The wireless equipment is simple to install without nails and screws; each item is freestanding or can attach to home surfaces with removable adhesive.

If questions arise with your installation, do-it-yourselfers can get help online and by phone. Frontpoint Security customer service makes the company an especially good choice for people seeking wireless DIY home protection.

Frontpoint Home Security Video Review

Summary

Frontpoint is one of the best security companies for people who want DIY home security products yet appreciate high-quality support if it’s needed. This company makes it easy and affordable to fortify your home against intruders and environmental damage, plus you can upgrade to one of Frontpoint’s wireless home automation systems for extra security and lifestyle conveniences.