Editor's Rating | |
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Overall | |
Monitoring Services | |
Alarm Equipment | |
Pricing | |
Customer Service |
Positives
- 100% cellular/wireless equipment
- Easy to set up and world class support
- Reliable monitoring service
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Affordable interactive monitoring services
Negatives
- Real-time monitoring only on the Ultimate Plan
Frontpoint Security provides the next generation of home security systems by combining the Interlogix (formerly GE Security) equipment with a reliable 24/7 cellular monitoring service. With over 30 years of combined experience in home security, the founders of Frontpoint started their company in 2007 with a mission to offer a safer, smarter, simpler home security solution that you can trust. Safe, smart, simple and trust are the four pillars around which this innovative home security company is built. Frontpoint Security uses only cellular and wireless technology to guarantee the highest level of security and monitoring capabilities possible. Your security system will be fully personalized and setting it up is not only easy, but also saves you from any setup or activation fees. Frontpoint’s monitoring services are available in three easy to compare pricing options. We recommend their interactive plan at $44.99 per month, which offers the best value for money and includes interactive services. The company has a low-pressure approach and offers free customized quotes if you give them a call on their toll-free number 1-844-279-3802.
Security Equipment
As a partner of the Alarm.com group, Frontpoint uses Interlogix equipment in its devices, presenting a diverse range of devices for both indoor and outdoor use. From door/window sensors to smoke/heat sensors wireless indoor cameras, motion sensors, glass break sensors and even home automation or environmental equipment – the company offers solutions to cater to any home and/or small business.
Frontpoint Security presents two kinds of control panels: a simple button-based one and an advanced touchscreen pad with full-color display. These consoles are supervising the army of sensors and detectors. The simple motion sensors and door contacts discreetly stay out of sight, relentlessly guarding the main entry points of your home, while the glass break detectors instantly sound the alarm when burglars try to enter through the window. As for life safety threats, customers can pick a detector to help themselves against fires, flooding or carbon monoxide leaking. For those who want to keep an eye on their surroundings, Frontpoint presents a wireless indoor camera and an HD outdoor camera.
There’s a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty on the security hardware, but (which isn’t the strongest around), but Frontpoint is recognized in the industry for their customer service and has been known to replace equipment outside of this warranty period on a case-by-case basis. One of the most crucial parts of the installment – the 24-hour backup battery – does come with a lifetime warranty, so this shouldn’t be an obstacle. There are three monitoring packages available that you can choose from and adapt to your needs, the pricing information on these follows later in our review. The full set of security hardware can however be fully customized to perfectly suit the needs of your home with the help of Frontpoint’s security consultants.
Your alarm equipment will come preprogrammed, thus all you need to do is place the sensors and detectors at strategic points of your home, and plug in the base station. All sensors have industrial grade adhesive so that you can peel and stick the sensors wherever you want without needing any equipment whatsoever. The control panel that comes with your system can either be mounted to a wall or kept as a standalone device.
Monitoring
All security systems provided by Frontpoint are highly secured and utilize 100% wireless and cellular technology. Not only is this the safest for security – since intruders can’t cut any wires – it also means that you won’t have to be putting any wires around your house, and that your security system isn’t a reason to keep that expensive phone line. The ability to monitor your home from anywhere in the world is another big advantage of the interactive monitoring Frontpoint offers. The moment one of your sensors detects an irregularity, you’ll know what’s going on via a text message or push notification to your cell phone, an email or a phone call.
Apps and Online Monitoring
Frontpoint Security’s mobile app is available for iPhone, iPad, and all other smartphones and tablets running Android, and they come at no extra cost and give you all the control you could want at the tips of your fingers. For instance, when you’re out traveling with the whole family, you could easily create an access code for a family member who needs to get through your house to the backyard to water your plants. Or you can set up an alert on the go for every time your babysitter enters and leaves your home.
All of these options can be controlled through any web enabled device or smartphone. The Ultimate plan that includes wireless video monitoring will also let you watch live video footage from your cameras straight to your phone, tablet or PC. Watching your kids enter the front door as they come home is even more reassuring than receiving a notification, making this the perfect feature to give you ease of mind.
Home Automation
Installing remotely controllable smart devices around the house is the key to make your home both secure and safe. Frontpoint supports you in this by providing three main home automation features. The smart locks are compatible with traditional deadbolts, but they are utilizing a keypad with numbers as a mean to open. Having a smart lock at the front door eliminates the need to search for your keys, as you can simply open it by entering the code. Sharing this code with family members also relieves you from the duty to present them a copy of the key. Alternatively, the lock can be opened using a key fob or the smartphone app.
The other two home automation pillars are meant to grant comfort for the residents. The unique thermostat and light controller are designed to be easy to install, and after connecting them to your system, you can use the base console or your tablet to turn the lights on and off, or raise the temperature without having to get up from your comfy chair.
Plans and Pricing
Since you can easily set up your Frontpoint security system yourself, the company doesn’t charge any setup or activation fees. Furthermore, regular shipping for your security system is free of charge and so are returns if you would want to take advantage of the 30-day money back guarantee. Frontpoint has a best in class return policy, which allows you to try their service and equipment. You can give their service a risk-free 30-day trial period to try out any of the plans and equipment available.
Interactive
This is Frontpoint’s most popular plan as it offers extra features on top of those of the lower priced monitoring service that are worth getting. First of all there’s the option to receive email and text alerts, a crucial necessity that proves to be the best way to give you peace of mind. The remote access and control option included in this plan allows you to control other features of your home from lighting to your thermostat wherever you are through your online account and the Frontpoint apps. The crash and smash protection is an important added feature that adds an additional layer of protection to your system.
Ultimate
If you want full control and all the possibilities currently available on the market, then the Ultimate plan is what you should be after. It packs all the features available in the Interactive plan with wireless video monitoring and advanced home automation capabilities. The wireless video feature lets you watch real time security camera footage anywhere in the world, while the advanced home automation option gives you almost infinite control options over your house. Being able to turn the lights on and off, adjusting your thermostat etc. not only gives you extra control over potential security or safety threats, it’s also handy to have.
Security Equipment
The sensors, cameras, control panels and other alarm equipment available for your home security system are fully customized over the phone by trained security consultants. Frontpoint’s plans start at as little as $99 for the standard alarm equipment, with further upgrades depending on the added features you desire. The best way to find out which equipment setup would suit your wishes and the needs of your home best, it’s recommended to give Frontpoint Security a call on 1-844-279-3802 to get an idea of the cost for your system.
Customer Service
The security consultants at Frontpoint are on guard 24/7, every day of the year responding within 30 seconds in case of a security threat. After you’ve installed your Frontpoint Security system you need to call their team to activate your system, which immediately lets you experience the company’s top class customer service. The company is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau, which gave it an A rating, and has an active presence on social media sites as well. They have plenty of positive customer reviews across platforms like Yelp and Angie’s List and actively work with customers through these platforms to address concerns and resolve issues. Frontpoint goes above and beyond to ensure their customers are satisfied and frequently allows customers to provide their opinion through survey and other forms of communication.
Bottom Line
Frontpoint Security is the obvious choice for homeowners who want a home security system with great monitoring services and control options for an affordable price. The company chooses to only use the latest cellular and wireless technology, which is highly secure, easy to implement and fully customizable. There are two kinds of control panels to choose from, not to mention the list of sensors and home automation accessories is satisfying. All products can be easily installed by the residents, with free shipping and a 3-year warranty included. The Frontpoint security consultants have proven to reply promptly and professionally to inquiries and incoming alerts.
Jennifer Guo says
Never really used the system/service. Tried to cancel the contract but was unable to cancel since they set the cancellation fee almost the same as the remaining balance. After one year contract, still get charged each month. Think carefully before getting into a contract that you will not be able to cancel even if you don’t use the service.
George Denny says
In November of 2014 I contacted Frontpoint and explained to them that we were building a downstairs apartment in our home, and that I was interested in opening an account. I explained to the salesman [name redacted] that we were at least a year away from being ready to actually install the system, but that I wanted to have the equipment on hand.
As a condition of the sale, it was agreed between [name redacted] and myself that we would not be billed until the system went live. In spite of this, we started seeing monthly charges debited from our credit card. We received the alarm system, and in late 2015 our local police station shut, so the Frontpoint system was no longer viable for us. I called Frontpoint and explained the situation, and they agreed to take back the alarm system. They never provided us any service.
Today I spoke with [name redacted] at Frontpoint, and he has refused to refund any of the almost $1000 they debited from our credit card. We are old and we really need that money. We were defrauded.