Frontpoint Home Security System Review

What’s In the Box

Frontpoint Packaging

I’ve been keeping an eye on Frontpoint for over a decade now, and the one thing I can say about this company is that it’s not afraid to push the envelope. The heart of the system, for example, is something Frontpoint calls a screenless hub. It connects all the components and provides features like Crash and Smash protection, fully wireless and cellular communication, and additional layers of security like battery backup, a loud piercing siren, and smart home integrations. But everything is color-coded. No touchscreen to operate. The idea is simplicity. Get rid of complicated controls and strip the system down to its basics. OK, I’m intrigued, but how well does the system work in real life?

I put it through its paces. 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 I settled up my tab, the total investment was about $450 to get started. I will say that’s quite a bit more expensive than a lot of DIY security providers out there — competitors like SimpliSafe, for instance, have plenty of packages in the sub $200 category. It’s worth pointing out that there’s far more to a great home security system than a low price. The real question to ask is what you’re getting for your money. Without question, Frontpoint offers high-quality equipment and impressive features, and those can justify a few dollars extra.

Frontpoint also offers a much larger range of equipment than other DIY home security providers. It all starts with two packages, a basic package and a camera package. From there, you can add cameras, intrusion sensors, hazard sensors, and home automation devices to really get things customized to your needs.

Here’s what our Frontpoint kit included:

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

Frontpoint Equipment

But let’s get back to that screenless hub. I struggled to get used to it at first. The hub sat there quietly on my entertainment stand, next to my router, saying…well, nothing. The keypad communicated, but only through indicator lights. The whole thing felt a little too passive. Isn’t control supposed to involve a lot of fiddling around with settings and pushing buttons to make adjustments?

To be clear, there is a Frontpoint app that you can use to make adjustments and receive alerts. Once I got used to it, this approach worked quite well. The screenless hub did what it needed to without input from me. When there was a problem, I just opened the app to find out what it was. Of course, if you must have a screen, Frontpoint has a touchscreen available. But the app offers all the control options I wanted, so I’m not sure it’s worth the price tag, which is typically more than $100.

I also passed up getting the keychain remote fob. Strangely enough, that choice didn’t turn out as well. I was sure I wouldn’t need it, and I did manage without it. For $25, though, I could have used the fob to get in my front door with the press of a single button. Instead, I wound up having to press all those buttons on the keypad to enter my passcode.

Note that Frontpoint also sells security cameras. In fact, the company 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 Rob Gabriele, Managing Editor & Home Security Expert

“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.”

To begin with, I downloaded the app and was able to jump right into the easy, step-by-step instructions. You plug in the hub, then wait less than a minute for the Frontpoint key logo to glow.

Frontpoint Hub and Keypad Setup

Frontpont’s Hub might be one of the best looking home security devices I’ve encountered. It has a sleek, opalescent look. No more hiding your hub under a desk or behind the houseplants. I stuck mine right in the entryway, and it even drew some “oohs” and “ahhs” from the family. Check it out…

Frontpoint Hub

If displaying your hub isn’t your thing, it’s easy to hide it away because you don’t need it to give commands or get alerts. As long as the hub is in a spot where it gets good Wi-Fi and cellular connections, and it can communicate with your sensors, it doesn’t matter if you can see it or not.

No matter where you put the hub, though, you’ll be pleased to know that Frontpoint’s “Crash and Smash” protection ensures no one can take out your security by crashing or smashing your hub. Any time anyone tampers with the device, the unit alerts the monitoring center. That kind of backup protection gave me even more confidence that Frontpoint would protect me no matter what.

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, but plenty functional.

Frontpoint Keypad closeup

I was a little less enthusiastic about the door/window sensors. To be fair, they worked fine. They’re a bit bulky, though, with a seriously old-school aesthetic Still not a deal-breaker, but we were pretty disappointed at how they looked with our minimalist doors and windows. Safety should always trump style, but must it be either/ or?

Frontpoint Door Sensor

Of course, if someone were to break in, you could huck sensors at them. They could do some damage. Kidding. Honestly, though, 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?

Frontpoint Door Sensor vs Ring Sensor

Needless to say, Frontpoint would do well to update their sensors to a smaller design.

I then connected the hub to my Wi-Fi network. At this point, the app reminded me about its “dual-path technology.” In simple terms, that means the system is powered by LTE cellular and Wi-Fi. And, yeah, singing your own praises during the installation process is tacky, but I can overlook it in this case.

LTE cellular is the primary connection. The system doesn’t need to rely on landline cables or the availability of an internet connection, but rather LTE cellular. That’s about as reliable as home security gets. LTE cellular keeps your home protected from break-ins even if burglars cut your landline or internet. More importantly, you’re safe even during mundane events like simple power outages.

In the odd chance that cellular signal becomes unavailable (this happens rarely, by the way), the Wi-Fi connection kicks in as back-up.

Expert Examined

From Rob Gabriele, Managing Editor & Home Security Expert

“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

This is where things began to go wrong – not horribly wrong, but, you know, wrong. The first roadblock was the sensors. Turns out, a couple of them didn’t turn on when I used the app to arm the system. Thankfully, the app noticed the problem and decided to save the day. Well, sort of.

Frontpoint Setup Support

The app called for a tech. Great. Except there were already 47 calls in front of me. That doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. And “Due to high call volumes, we might not call you back until the next day” was definitely a downer. I’m not a fan of leaving my home unprotected, but what else could I do at this point?

I slept with one eye open, and the next morning tech support got in touch. The friendly customer service agent discovered the sensors were actually incorrectly numbered from the factory, and she explained that a marker was needed to re-label each one (really). Knowledgeable tech and an easy fix. On the other hand, kind of a strange problem, and it took way longer than it should have to get someone on the phone.

Frontpoint Sensor

All-in-all, we called the whole thing a wash. Frontpoint has plenty of redeeming features, but it’s always better when things work the way they’re supposed to out of the box.

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 with the keypad, using only the arm/disarm functions. Again, you don’t have to bother with an interface. Everything is color-coded. But you can go wild exploring the system’s advanced features if that’s your thing. Everything is also accessible through the app, and Frontpoint is among the top DIY home security systems when it comes to features and tech. 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 both good and bad. On the one hand, if you’re trying to frighten away an intruder, nothing beats an ear-shattering siren. On the other hand, you have to expect some false alarms. In that case, you and your family are the ones listening to that siren, and kids don’t always react well to loud noises.

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

One of the most important elements of any home security system is the monitoring center’s response time. Frontpoint doesn’t disappoint here. 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. You actually don’t want response times much shorter. You need that little delay to deal with any accidental alarms.

I was much less happy with the entry delay. The entry delay is the amount of time you have to deactivate the alarm after entering your home when it’s armed to Away mode. Frontpoint sets this to 30 seconds by default. That’s a little long for my taste. It gives burglars plenty of time to get in, rifle through whatever they can get their hands on, and get out. You can increase the entry delay, up to three minutes, but there’s no way to decrease it.

Thankfully, entry delay only works on Away mode. If the Frontpoint system is armed on Home mode — for example, at night — alerts are instantaneous.

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

I was immediately impressed by Frontpoint’s “Scenes.” Option. The app comes preloaded with a few options like Home, Away, Sleep, and Wake Up, but you can customize these or add your own to your heart’s content.

Personally, I set up a “Nighttime” scene that armed the system while bypassing the bedroom window sensor, since I like to sleep with the windows open. All of this was done with the push of a button, but I also had the option to put it on a timer. This type of setup can be complicated with a lot of security systems, but Frontpoint really gets it right.

Frontpoint App

Instant Notifications

Another area where Frontpoint delivers is in terms of instant notifications. Of course, most systems send these notifications nowadays. Any time a sensor detects something out of the ordinary, you get a message. It doesn’t matter if you’re out at the grocery store or halfway around the world on vacation, you know the moment someone tries to get into your home or a package gets left on your stoop. With Frontpoint, you can get notifications in any of three ways: via email, SMS text message, or push notification.

Frontpoint App Sensor Management

But Frontpoint takes notifications a step further than most companies by offering customizations. With these alerts you can often know what’s happening at home before you even read the message itself. One morning, for example, I happened to leave my side door open after taking the trash out. Before I left for work, though, the system sent me a Left Open alert, reminding me to close it. It’s these kinds of notifications that keep you moving while giving you the reassurance that your home security system is doing its job.

We recommend maximizing the use of the “Left Open” notifications by placing entry sensors in every first-floor window and door, as well as second-floor windows that can be accessible from outside. It’s a nice, thoughtful feature that can help protect your home and family from opportunistic crooks.

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. You can program your Frontpoint system to trigger a command whenever you enter or leave “your fence” — such as sending an alert.

Frontpoint Arming Reminder

In this example, Frontpoint sent an alert that your system wasn’t armed the moment your phone crossed your “fence.” Geo-fencing can even perform smart home tasks automatically. We found it handy to switch off our smart lights when we left the house and switch them on when we came home. While premium home security systems often include this functionality, you generally don’t see it with DIY-installed systems.

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.

Additionally, Frontpoint works with Z-Wave smart devices, which takes its home automation capabilities to the next level. Using routines and scenes, you can create automations to enhance your home security. For instance, you can make Z-Wave smart locks engage automatically as part of your own Nighttime Routine to keep criminals out. You can also set smart lights to turn on based on triggers, appliances to turn on or off at set intervals, and so on, all of which can prove useful as crime deterrents.

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 web 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 , 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. Online reviews seem to suggest this is part of a recent pattern with Frontpoint. While lackluster service may not be a dealbreaker for you, it’s something to consider.

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 Monitoring

Finally, even though Frontpoint’s equipment packages are affordable, you’ll be paying $49.99 per month in monitoring fees. The monthly fee is justifiable, given that it covers 24/7 professional monitoring, video storage, video analytics, home automation, and more. However, it is on the expensive side compared to other systems.

With other security systems, like SimpliSafe for example, you can get professional monitoring and app access for less than $20 per month. You’ll only have to shell out more money if you want home automation features and cloud storage. But with Frontpoint, there’s only one option, and it’s not cheap.

Comparing Frontpoint to Other Top Systems

Frontpoint Security Cameras

Expert Examined

From Rob Gabriele, Managing Editor & Home Security Expert

“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 $72.99, 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.

Outdoor Camera

Frontpoint – Outdoor Camera

The new outdoor camera model from Frontpoint is a major step up from the previous model. The newer version includes 1080p HDR video, two-way audio, 49-foot visibility range, and night vision. It also has analytics-powered person detection and Perimeter Guard functionality that attempts to ward off intruders with flashing lights and loud beeps.

Frontpoint also recently released its Premium Floodlight Camera. This upgraded outdoor camera includes a powerful siren and two floodlights that can be activated if a person is detected. Depending on the settings, the floodlights can be fully illuminated or have a strobing effect. Both cameras can save video using a micro-SD card.

Doorbell Cameras

Frontpoint – Skybell doorbell

Frontpoint offers two options for doorbell cameras: a wired version and a wireless version. Meant to replace an existing analog doorbell, the Frontpoint wired doorbell camera has full HD resolution, infrared night vision, a High Dynamic Range (HDR), and a 165-degree horizontal field of view. It includes features like analytics-powered person detection, two-way audio, and mobile access.

The wireless doorbell is battery-powered, making it a much more versatile device than the wired doorbell. Front point says the battery lasts about six months and it will not function and temperatures below 4 degrees Fahrenheit. The wireless doorbell comes with Frontpoint’s Smart Chime device that can be programmed to ring a customized chime when a visitor presses the 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 $20 to $50, with the exception of the Yale smart lock, which is $120.00.

Frontpoint Specs

Snapshot of Frontpoint Prices

Equipment Costs

Frontpoint’s equipment prices are definitely reasonable, especially when you can catch a sale. Right now, for instance, the entire site is 40 percent off, with deeper discounts on select products and packages. That’s an opportunity for massive savings, especially if you want to outfit a larger home or have security needs that require numerous pieces of equipment. Don’t worry if you miss this sale, though. The next one will likely be right around the corner.

That said, when I selected my Frontpoint system, I went with the Everyday package. Unfortunately, this one is no longer available as it was replaced by different package configurations. Ultimately, though, it ended up costing me just under $500. Not bad for a 2,800 square foot home.

Frontpoint Equipment Packages and Pricing

*Total Home Security System comes with two Indoor Cameras ($239), two Outdoor Cameras ($369), or one Indoor and one Outdoor camera ($329).

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 ($99) and adding on sensors and other goodies. You’ll automatically get a yard sign and door/window decals thrown in. It doesn’t look like they include a free indoor camera if you go this route, though, but check with a Frontpoint representative just to be sure.

Monitoring Costs

Frontpoint offers its Ultimate monitoring plan for about $1.64 per day, which sounds inexpensive, but is actually $49.99 per month. This monitoring plan, however, includes 24/7 professional monitoring, remote access, video analytics, home automation, geolocation services, and more. While Frontpoint doesn’t list other options on its website, it does say there are other plan options available starting at $14.99 per month.

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 to $65 per month (including equipment fees if you finance your system) 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 packages is $386.93 for the essential package and $1061.87 for the bigger package. For a DIY system with just two cameras, 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.

Our Methodology

Our team of security experts has spent years perfecting a methodology for objectively testing security systems. This process starts with extensive research on security systems that meet our high security standards, particularly those that seem to offer high-quality equipment and reliable monitoring.

Next, we buy the systems ourselves and install them in our homes. There, we spend at least a week familiarizing ourselves with each feature and simulating break-in scenarios that show us how each system reacts to different security threats. We also take detailed notes of strengths and weaknesses we discover along the way.

We also rigorously test each piece of equipment, particularly the core components like control panels, motion and entry sensors, and security cameras. The entire process takes time; it’s not unusual for us to spend a month or more on each system to be completely thorough. At that point, we feel confident to give our recommendations to readers like you.

Expert Examined

From Rob Gabriele, Managing Editor & Home Security Expert

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

Frontpoint FAQs