Frontpoint Home Security System Review

A Quick Note Before We Start

I had high expectations for Frontpoint’s app experience (both mobile and web app). It was pretty solid in the past, and the buzz in the industry is that it’s only improved. Keep in mind that a feature-rich app really adds to the home protection experience. Vivint and ADT, for example, have two of the best home security mobile apps — and those apps play a big part in making the companies top players in the field. So I was eager to see what Frontpoint had up its sleeve.

Frontpoint Website Home Management

Sure, it’s important to secure your home and family, but neat features and customizations are also important. And Frontpoint definitely delivered here … with a few important caveats that you’ll want to consider.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a home alarm system with a robust companion app and interface that just feels right, let’s dig in and take a closer look at Frontpoint Security.

What’s In the Box

Frontpoint Packaging

My family lives in a 2,800-square-foot home with lots of doors and windows to monitor, so I went with a package that included sensors, a hub, and a keypad.

When the dust settled, the total investment was $450 to get started, which is admittedly more expensive than top DIY competitors like SimpliSafe. (SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm both sell entry-level kits for under $200!) But with Frontpoint, you get high-quality GE products, and the features are downright impressive. So the higher price is justified.

Here’s what our Frontpoint kit included:

• Frontpoint Hub
• Keypad Control Panel
• 6 Door/Window Sensors
• 1 Motion Detector
• Yard Sign & Decals

Frontpoint Equipment

In hindsight, the basic push-button keypad (pictured above) was decent, but I should’ve sprung for Frontpoint’s 7-inch touch-screen control panel. You’ll pay an extra $119.99 for the touch-screen controls, but you’ll also enjoy a much better user experience. A keychain remote fob would have been useful, too. Like most home security companies, Frontpoint sells these for about $25, and they’re great for one-click arming/disarming.

Note that Frontpoint does sell security cameras, and they recently launched a 1080p HD outdoor camera with night vision and a three-year warranty. We’ll touch more on that in just a bit. But if you want tips on camera tech, check out our buying guide for home security cameras.

DIY Installation

Expert Examined

From Travis Goodreau, Retired Burglary Detective

“If a burglar breaks into your home, they can locate the system panel, disable the siren, and go about their business. Frontpoint, however, offers patented Smash & Crash protection. If a burglar tampers with your control panel, a distress signal is still sent to the monitoring center. This is a nice fail-safe that I like to see in home security systems.”

First things first: I downloaded the app and jumped right into the step-by-step instructions. It’s simple. Just plug in the hub and wait a minute for the Frontpoint key logo to glow.

Frontpoint Hub and Keypad Setup

Frontpoint’s modern Hub is one of the best-looking home security devices I’ve seen. It has a sheen opalescent design that’ll look great no matter where you put it. I displayed mine right in the entryway. Yes, it even elicited some “oohs” and “ahhs” from the family. Check it out…

Frontpoint Hub

The keypad was as light as a feather. To be honest, it felt a little delicate, but it gets the job done. It has numbered push-buttons, as well as the usual “Disarm,” “Stay,” and “Away” commands. This is similar to the push-button keypad on the Ring Alarm system. Nothing to write home about.

Frontpoint Keypad closeup

The door/window sensors were a different story. Frontpoint’s sensors are quite large compared to other home security systems. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you might prefer a lower-profile design with a more modern aesthetic.

Frontpoint Door Sensor

I’ve seen newborn puppies smaller than this! Kidding, but these sensors do look like they were made back in the ‘90s. Have a look at the picture below, with the Frontpoint sensor above the Ring Alarm sensor. Notice the difference? (For more differences and similarities between the two systems, read our Frontpoint vs. Ring comparison.)

Frontpoint Door Sensor vs Ring Sensor

Needless to say, Frontpoint would do well to update their sensors to a smaller design. It’s certainly not a deal breaker, but let’s be honest, looks matter. Moving right along …

I then connected the hub to my Wi-Fi network, which is when the app touts its “dual-path technology.” This is just a fancy way of saying that the system is powered by LTE cellular and Wi-Fi. So if the cellular connection goes down, Wi-Fi will keep you connected to the monitoring center. It’s worth mentioning that this is the best connection type you can get, and I never once had connectivity issues. So kudos to Frontpoint here.

Expert Examined

From Travis Goodreau, Retired Burglary Detective

“National Crime statistics tell us that most home burglaries are completed in 8-10 minutes. In my experience, I’ve seen home burglaries occur in less than four minutes. Every second in response time is critical. Thankfully, Frontpoint has reliable LTE monitoring, which is what I always like to see. A fast and reliable response could mean the difference between your burglar getting caught or getting away with your goods.”

Frontpoint WiFi Setup

But this is where things got a little dicey. I hit a roadblock when it came time to test the sensors. Thankfully, the Frontpoint app noticed my troubles, and it jumped in to save the day. (Well, sort of.)

Frontpoint Setup Support

A tech call was in order, but unfortunately, there were 47 customer calls before mine, and the message said: “Due to high call volumes, we might not call you back until the next day.” It’s somewhat unnerving going to sleep in an unprotected home.

So I slept with one eye open, and the next morning tech support got in touch. The lady said that the sensors were actually incorrectly numbered from the factory, and she explained that a marker was needed to re-label each one (really).

Frontpoint Sensor

This might surprise you, but Frontpoint doesn’t lose too many points here. You’ll recall that I ordered a few extra sensors on top of a base package, and mix-ups happen. Also, there are plenty of redeeming features that you’ll like about Frontpoint.

Now let’s move on to the really fun stuff — like digging into the Frontpoint dashboard and using the system on a daily basis.

Our Hands-On Experience With Frontpoint

One of the nice things about Frontpoint is that you can keep things simple, using only the arm/disarm functions, or you can go wild exploring all the system’s advanced features. Frontpoint is among the top DIY home security systems, and it leads the pack in the features and tech department. It’s not as streamlined or intuitive as Vivint and the other top professionally installed security systems, but it kept me plenty busy pushing the limits of its performance.

For instance, Frontpoint offers lots of options when arming the system in the app. I have a toddler who needs her beauty sleep (or else), so I’m a big fan of “Silent Arming.” Note that when silent arming wasn’t enabled, the hub would beep for the duration of the 30-second delay, which is annoying to say the least. The good news is that most home security brands now offer a silent arming feature. It’s a game changer.

Frontpoint Arming the System

Frontpoint also boasts an ear-piercing siren. And it’s LOUD. In fact, it might be the loudest alarm on the market. At one point I opened the back door (a good 40 feet away from the hub/siren) and the siren nearly boxed my ears!

This is good and bad. It’s good because there’s almost no way an intruder will stick around with the siren blaring like a banshee. But it’s bad because, again, some folks have kids, and false alarms happen. So if you have little ones in your home, just keep in mind that Frontpoint is loud enough to really ring the ears of an infant or toddler.

It’s worth mentioning again that the hub is quite the head-turner — especially at night. On the first night using it, I noticed that it glows from the top and bottom of the unit. Depending on the mode the system was in, this glow was red, yellow, green, or blue.

Frontpoint Hub in the dark

If you happened to read our hands-on review of SimpliSafe, you’ll recall that the base station light interrupted an evening viewing of “Braveheart.” (Hey, it’s a great movie.) I figured out how to manually turn off SimpliSafe’s light, but wouldn’t it be nice if that light could be turned off automatically?

Well, Frontpoint has Night Hours! Even though the Frontpoint hub sat in our entryway — far away from Mel Gibson — it was still nice knowing that it would auto-magically dim at preset hours. This shows you that Frontpoint is thinking about the little things, too.

Frontpoint Adjusting LED Brightness

Now let’s quickly touch on response times. After all, features and tech should come second to protecting your home and family. In testing Frontpoint’s 24/7 monitoring, the average response time clocked in at an impressive 25 seconds. That means if a burglar targets your home, the monitoring center will be on the line in seconds. And they can dispatch police, fire, or EMS if needed. Now, a 25-second response time is fast, but it’s worth mentioning that most brands offer emergency response of about 30-40 seconds on average.

Overall, the Frontpoint system was responsive and fairly easy to use. The app is also nice, but due to the sheer number of features and customizations, it may not be easy to find what you’re looking for at first.

What Really Stood Out

In my experience, there are always the little unexpected things that give each product its own “personality,” if you will. Here are the things that set Frontpoint apart from other top contenders in the DIY home security space.

Custom Scenes

Right away you’ll be impressed with Frontpoint’s “Scenes.” The app comes preloaded with a few scene options (Home, Away, Sleep, Wake Up), but you can customize scenes to your heart’s content. For instance, I made a “Nighttime Routine” customized to arm the system, force a bypass of the bedroom sensor (we sometimes sleep with our upstairs window open when the weather’s nice), and silent arming. All of this happens with a push of a button, whereas many other home security systems require each step to be done manually in the app. Frontpoint definitely gets their “Scenes” right.

Frontpoint App

Instant Notifications

Then you’ve got instant notifications — another area where Frontpoint delivers. Like other brands, Frontpoint sends its notifications via email, SMS text message, or push notification. Of course, you’ll be notified any time your alarm is triggered. So if you’re at the grocery store, or halfway across the world on vacation, you’ll receive an instant mobile alert if someone tries to break into your home.

Frontpoint App Sensor Management

But Frontpoint takes it a few steps further by offering custom notifications. For instance, I really liked the “Left Open” alert. One morning after taking the garbage to the side yard, our side door was accidentally left open. Thankfully a (very) timely notification came through right before leaving home for the day. So this brought a little extra peace of mind.

Frontpoint Notification

Geo-fencing

Frontpoint also has geoservices with geofencing. If you’re not familiar, geofencing essentially puts a virtual, wireless “fence” around your home using your smartphone’s GPS. Whenever you “leave your fence” — say, to visit your mother across town — your home alarm system can perform a specific command.

Frontpoint Arming Reminder

Frontpoint puts this technology to great use by sending “Location-Based Arming Reminders.” So the moment you cross your “fence,” Frontpoint sends a reminder if your home isn’t armed. I found this to be extremely helpful, and it fast became one of my favorite features. Again, you generally don’t see geoservices offered by other DIY home security companies.

Frontpoint Arming Reminder

Siri Shortcuts and Basic Home Automation

Frontpoint also has Siri shortcuts, which allows you to manage your system using voice control. Now, this isn’t hands-free voice control like you’d get from Alexa or Google Assistant, but it’s the next best thing using your smartphone (iOS). I added our “Nighttime Routine Scene” as a Siri shortcut. So each night after dinner I’d say “Siri, run Nighttime Routine Scene.” And she would arm our system to our exact preferences.

Frontpoint App – Connecting with Siri

Frontpoint home automation includes integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. So if you have Alexa or Google Home devices, you’re in business. Note that Frontpoint is also compatible with Z-Wave smart devices, allowing you to automate smart gizmos like your thermostat, your lighting, your garage door, and more.

Well-Designed Web App

Another neat thing about Frontpoint is that you can pop into the web app throughout the day to check on your home security status, see recent activity, create custom scenes, and even check the weather. The background screensaver photo is always changing to keep things fresh. Other brands offer web apps, but they’re typically basic and uninspiring. So you’ll probably like the Frontpoint app experience. (The mobile app isn’t so bad, either!)

Frontpoint Website

What You Won’t Love

Customer Service

This is one of my biggest gripes about Frontpoint. The company used to be rated #1 in customer service3, but the times they are a-changin’. You’ll recall that I couldn’t reach customer support when setting up Frontpoint. When I finally did get a representative on the phone (the following day), she wasn’t all that friendly. This shouldn’t be a deal breaker, but it’s something to bear in mind. It is worth mentioning that Frontpoint has offered outstanding service in the past.

Panic Buttons

This might sound nitpicky, but it’s really not. The panic button combinations on the Frontpoint keypad are pretty confusing. For instance, if your kitchen is on fire and you need the fire department, you’d press and hold numbers 4 and 6 on the keypad for three full seconds. But if you needed medical help, you’d press and hold 7 and 9. Here’s the thing — good luck remembering these combinations during an emergency. (It’s called “panic” for a reason.) So Frontpoint really needs dedicated panic buttons with icons on their keypad, like Ring and some other brands have.

Frontpoint Instruction Booklet

Expensive Equipment and Monitoring

Finally, keep in mind that Frontpoint is pricier than other DIY systems out there. Their newest equipment packages start around $300-$600 on sale, and then you’ll be paying $50 per month for 24/7 professional monitoring and video support. Will this break the bank? Probably not, but more affordable home security systems offer protection starting at $200 for equipment and $10-$20 per month for monitoring. Granted, Frontpoint does offer more features than the average DIY kit. So you must ask yourself, are the extra features really worth the cost?

Frontpoint Security Cameras

Expert Examined

From Travis Goodreau, Retired Burglary Detective

“I like to see exterior cameras visible on the front corners of your home, preferably angled to cover your driveway and front sidewalk. The presence of security cameras is sometimes all it takes to deter a burglar or thief.”

The company offers a handful of security cameras. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect.

Indoor Camera

Frontpoint – Indoor Camera

Offered at $99.99, this indoor camera was ultra-simple to set up, and it offered decent surveillance of one room. With 1080p HD video quality, the resolution was crystal clear. It gets the job done; just don’t expect fancy features.

Premium Indoor Camera

Frontpoint – Premium Indoor Camera

This camera is a step up from Frontpoint’s standard indoor cam, with 1080p HD video quality, built-in bluetooth speaker, pan & tilt, 180-degree viewing angle, two-way talk, and enhanced zoom capabilities. I recommend this camera for indoor use. That is, if the $199.99 price works in your budget.

Outdoor Camera

Frontpoint – Outdoor Camera

This wireless cam offers night vision and a weatherproof design that’s built to last. It’s also pretty easy on the eyes, with a sleek and modern aesthetic. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have two-way talk, which is an important feature to have. Also, the 720p HD video quality leaves something to be desired, especially at the $169.99 price point. All in all, it’s not the best outdoor camera on the market.

Video Doorbell

Frontpoint – Skybell doorbell

Frontpoint sells the Slimline doorbell camera by SkyBell. I’ve reviewed the SkyBell video doorbell several times in the past, and it’s actually pretty solid. It might help to fend off porch pirates and package theft, which happens more often than you might think. And at $149.99, it’s reasonably priced. For other options, check out our Ring video doorbell review and our analysis of Nest Hello video doorbell.

Frontpoint Camera Options

Add-On Equipment

There’s a lot of add-on equipment for your Frontpoint system, too, like smart door locks, smart lights, garage door sensors, a panic pendant, and a lineup of environmental sensors to detect glass-breaking, smoke, carbon monoxide, and leaks/floods. These products typically range in price from about $25-$50, with the exception of the Yale smart lock, which is $149.99.

Snapshot of Frontpoint Prices

Equipment Costs

Frontpoint’s equipment prices are reasonable when you can catch a sale. Thankfully, they offer rolling deals throughout the year. Keep in mind that I went with the Safe Home Everyday system and added a handful of extra sensors, for a grand total of about $410. The Safe Home Everyday system won’t be around much longer, though. Frontpoint is in the process of updating their packages and pricing, and you’ll be seeing Frontpoint’s new prices on their site soon. (If not already, depending on when you read this!)

Here’s a look at Frontpoint’s newest equipment packages and pricing. Take note that they have another sale going on, which gives you 25 percent off the price of your equipment package, plus discounts on add-on equipment. And they’re throwing in a free video doorbell with all packages! (For a limited time, of course.)

If you’re not feeling great about any of these packages, you can also create your own bundle by starting with the Frontpoint hub and keypad ($304.98) and adding on sensors and other goodies. You’ll automatically get a yard sign and door/window decals thrown in. It’s not clear, though, if the free video doorbell will be included when you build your own system. Be sure to check with a Frontpoint representative.
Frontpoint Equipment Packages and Pricing

* 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.

Monitoring Costs

For the longest time, Frontpoint offered two monitoring plans. They’re now switching to a single-plan system. All new customers will be on the Ultimate Plan, which gives you 24/7 professional monitoring plus support for video and environmental monitoring and home automation.

Frontpoint Monitoring: The Ultimate Plan

Thankfully, there aren’t any hidden costs or activation fees. Also, you don’t have to worry about installation fees since it’s DIY setup. Just pay for the equipment up front (or finance it), sign up for monitoring, and that’s it. When all is said and done, you’ll likely be paying around $60-$65 per month for total home protection. While it’s not the cheapest monitoring available, it’s a pretty good deal for what you get.

Frontpoint Home Security Video Review

Bottom Line

Frontpoint definitely offers plenty of bang for your buck. I really enjoyed digging into the system and exploring the app experience. The custom “Scenes” feature and location-based reminders (geofencing!) really left an impression. Also, a lot of thought went into the design of the mobile and web app, and it shows.

I just wish Frontpoint were a little cheaper. The sale prices are hot right now, but the MSRP on their newest packages ranges between $400-$800. For a DIY system, that’s not cheap! But then again, there is a 30-day, money-back guarantee on equipment, and you can cancel your monitoring any time. Ever since Frontpoint eliminated their long-term contracts, I’ve really liked their offerings.

Overall, you’ll find Frontpoint to be a solid DIY system, especially if you like lots of features and tech without spending thousands of dollars to get it.

Expert Examined

From Travis Goodreau, Retired Burglary Detective

“From my perspective, Frontpoint security has all the essentials to keep your home secure.”

Frontpoint FAQs