Frontpoint home security reviews

The Frontpoint bundle we tested comes with more than the basics you’ll need to keep a close eye on your residence. Opening the box, there's a yard sign and door/window stickers. Then, there's the hub, which connects the devices in the kit. Devices in this bundle include a keypad, indoor camera, motion detector, smoke/heat detector, flood sensor, and three door/window sensors. Besides three solid bundle options, Frontpoint gives users the opportunity to build their own security system.

Regardless of which bundle you choose, there's a 30-day trial period for new users to test out the equipment without obligations. After that, you’ll get a three-year warranty on all devices. This is longer than some home security companies, which may only back their products for one year.

As far as the design goes, it's clear that Frontpoint chose the minimalistic but functional route. Everything was clearly labeled and easy to figure out. We scanned a provided bar code on the phone to download the mobile app. From there, the installation for almost everything was a walk in the park. Rather than throwing you directly to its home portal, Frontpoint greets new users with an "order arrival check." It's a step-by-step video guide on installing everything in the kit. We loved this approach because it made installing each piece clear and straightforward. Best of all, we didn’t need to turn to third-party online videos to figure out how each device worked.

There are two ways to connect the hub. Frontpoint provides an ethernet cable for those who prefer this method, but we opted to plug it in directly to the wall. It can also run on battery, so the hub doesn't have to be plugged in for it to work in emergencies. We also liked that Frontpoint runs on cellular service. You can arm and disarm your system from the phone, access live-streaming video and get real-time alerts, and control your lighting and thermostats even if the Wi-Fi or power goes out. A cellular connection is the most secure, reliable, and consistent because it can't be interrupted by cutting lines. Frontpoint's battery backup runs for 24 hours on a single charge and operates on cellular signals to send alerts.

The biggest downside during our test was being unable to get the indoor camera to work. After spending an hour on the phone with customer support to troubleshoot, we concluded we received a dud—which led us to deduct slightly from Frontpoint’s overall score. Faulty device aside, the camera has some key features that homeowners may find practical: two-way audio, night vision with a 15-foot range, 1080p resolution live feed, and the ability to capture video footage, which deciphers between objects, people, and pets.

Compatibility with smart home systems and devices

Frontpoint compatibility with voice assistants

Frontpoint compatibility with climate control systems

Frontpoint compatibility with lighting control systems

Frontpoint compatibility with smart door locks

Frontpoint offers three unique packages to suit most homeowners' needs, and those who want more flexibility can take advantage of the "build your own" package. For this review, we tested out "The Home Shield," which includes nine devices and a home defense kit (yard sign and stickers). Compared to similar DIY home security systems like Abode and Ring's kits in the same price range, you get more equipment with Frontpoint. Unlike Abode and Ring, Frontpoint adds a flood sensor, smoke/heat detector, and a yard sign for improved home security.

One of Frontpoint's biggest drawbacks is that it doesn’t offer self-monitoring. To use its systems, you must commit to professional monitoring, which is around $50 per month. This is costly compared to other DIY systems—which are typically closer to $20–30 per month. Moreover, Frontpoint offers only one monitoring package, which includes app access and connection to the police and fire departments. We learned via live chat that it's possible to save some money if you're not doing a camera package. By going through a sales representative, you can bring the monthly cost down by about $15.

When selecting a DIY option, many homeowners want the choice to self-monitor. If this sounds like you, Ring or Abode may be better solutions. Not only do these companies offer self-monitoring, but you can also get professional monitoring for less if you choose to go with either of them. Frontpoint may be a suitable choice if professional monitoring, easy installation, and an intuitive mobile app are what you're looking for in a home security system.

Even new DIYers won’t have many problems installing their Frontpoint system. We received a box that clearly labels every component. All core components link to the hub, which means there's no need to manually pair each item. If you choose to add extra devices, such as an indoor camera, you’ll need to install them separately.

Unfortunately, after three failed attempts at installing the camera on our own, we had to contact customer support for help. We spent an hour troubleshooting with a representative on the phone before concluding we received a faulty device. While this was frustrating, the rest of the kit was easy to install and use. The keypad design is clean and not conducive to false alarms because each key has clear labels, "disarm," "stay," and "away." The window/door sensors came with adhesives, so all we had to do was peel and stick!

We loved that Frontpoint makes it easy for people to download its mobile app with a scannable code. Then, it brings users to an interactive video to guide the installation process. Unlike with other home security companies we tested, such as Abode, we didn't have to spend any time watching third-party tutorials to know what we were doing. Aside from the faulty indoor cam, we ran into zero hiccups installing Frontpoint's home security kit—something we can't say for every company we tested.

Another feature we enjoyed is the ability to set a "test" period for up to 30 days. Those new to professional monitoring or home security, in general, may not be ready to dive right into the real deal on the day of installation. Frontpoint allows you to become familiar with everything first, so you don't accidentally trigger false alarms or make unnecessary emergency calls while you’re learning the ropes.

If there’s one thing we really wish Frontpoint offered, it’s more monitoring options. Frontpoint users don’t have the option to self-monitor, and there’s only one professional monitoring option available—which happens to be significantly more expensive than nearly every DIY competitor.

After your set testing period, you'll have to commit to month-to-month professional monitoring, which costs around $50 per month. This allows you to see what's happening at home in real-time 24/7, get in touch with emergency and first responders, and use cellular backup—a real plus in the event of a Wi-Fi outage. You’ll also get access to live stream footage, smart home automation features (compatible with Siri, Alexa, Google Home, and Z-Wave devices), and the Frontpoint mobile app.

We were happy to experience efficient customer support when we needed help. When we couldn't set up the indoor camera on our own, we called customer support and got connected right away. The representative spent an hour helping us troubleshoot in multiple ways. Unfortunately, we weren't able to figure out why the camera wasn't connecting, and the rep offered to ship a replacement indoor camera.

In addition to phone support, we also contacted Frontpoint’s customer service via online chat. We were shopping for one-off items like additional window/door sensors, without luck finding transparent pricing. After filling out a short contact form, we got connected to someone via chat within a couple of minutes. While the support was efficient, the representative didn't provide pricing details via chat. Instead, they offered to call and help us place the order. This felt like a pushy sales tactic—not something someone would prefer if they wanted to browse and get an idea for pricing.

When reviewing Frontpoint's data privacy history and approach, we were pleased to learn the company has not had any data breaches, and it follows industry-standard best practices to protect personal data, information, and documents. According to its privacy policy, it uses encryption to secure information transmitted online. This means that data sent from a customer's device to Frontpoint's servers are encoded in a way that makes it difficult for unauthorized parties to access or read it.

Frontpoint gathers the following information to provide products and services to its users:

• Geolocation data
• Audio, visual, thermal, electronic, and similar information
• Name
• Postal address
• Email address
• Account name
• Phone number
• IP address

Frontpoint does share personal information with third parties for marketing purposes—this is standard across most home security providers. To learn more about how Frontpoint uses your data, read its privacy policy in full. You can also contact customer support via phone or online chat if you have any questions. We advise asking as many questions as you can before committing to a home security company.