Home security has become high tech with a multitude of product options and data storage options. How do you sort through it all and figure out what you need to secure your home? Frontpoint and SimpliSafe offer packages or build-your-own-system deals to help secure your home. Find out what separates Frontpoint from SimpliSafe.
Frontpoint at a Glance
Frontpoint has operated in the home security business for more than 20 years and became the security company to offer smart device connectivity with its system. Frontpoint only offers DIY installation, but has a self-guided setup app to make installation easy. Frontpoint is also attractive because of its free video storage, though its monthly monitoring costs more than SimpliSafe.
Pricing
Frontpoint offers three packages that come with either an outdoor camera or a doorbell camera: The Starter Pack, The Home Shield and The Family Lookout.
The Starter Pack starts at $99 and includes:
- One Frontpoint hub and keypad
- One motion sensor
- One door/window sensor
- One Home Defense Kit (includes three items)
- Remote access through the Frontpoint mobile app
The Home Shield starts at $269 and includes:
- One Frontpoint hub and keypad
- One smoke and heat sensor
- Three door/window sensors
- One flood sensor
- One motion sensor
- One indoor camera
- One Home Defense Kit (includes three items)
- Remote access through the Frontpoint mobile app
The Family Lookout starts at $349 and includes:
- One Frontpoint hub and keypad
- One keychain remote
- Three door/window sensors
- One Home Defense Kit (includes three items)
- One motion sensor
- One indoor camera
- Remote access through the Frontpoint mobile app
Professional Monitoring
Frontpoint professional monitoring costs $1.64 a day and includes:
- 24/7 support
- Hourly system checks
- Industry leading dispatch times
- Frontpoint ID Protect powered by Allstate Identity Protection, which protects your identity and finances
- 100% wireless and cellular
- Crash and Smash™ Protection
- Geolocation services
- Mobile alert and notifications via email and text
- Sensor history
- Live video streaming
- Video and image history
- Motion-triggered alerts
- Night vision
- Light control
- Smart lock control
Home Security Products Offered
- Doorbell camera
- Indoor camera
- Door/window sensor
- Motion sensor
- Glass break sensor
- Outdoor camera
- Premium indoor camera
- Garage door tilt
- Smoke and heat sensor
- Carbon monoxide sensor
- Flood sensor
- Smart door lock
- Outdoor smart plug
- Wireless light control
- Frontpoint smart thermostat
- Keychain remote
- Panic pendant
- Yard sign, window decals and door stickers
- Frontpoint touchscreen
- Extra keypad
Installation
Frontpoint is all DIY installation but has an app that will guide you through installation.
Home Automation and Smart Home Features
Frontpoint offers smart device connectivity, smart locks, smart thermostats and smart plugs. Frontpoint pairs with Yale for smart door locks. Frontpoint integrates with Apple Home Kit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Other Benefits
Frontpoint also allows you to give unique user codes to friends or family so they can access your security system, like if you need someone to watch your house. Frontpoint’s Crash and Smash protection sends alerts to professional monitors if someone tries to break the control panels of your security system.
Fine Print
If you want to cancel your Frontline service after the 30-day trial period, you may have to pay the final month service fee.
Simplisafe at a Glance
Simply put, SimpliSafe has got a security package for you. SimpliSafe has 15 different packages, which usually include an additional device or more to differ from another package. SimpliSafe has become one of the top home security companies since it started in 2006 and its affordability makes it a standout.
Pricing
A Simplisafe system can start with one base station for $129.99 and one keypad for $69.99. SimpliSafe also throws in a free yard sign, batteries and free shipping. But you can also choose from any of the following packages.
The Foundation package starts at $244.96 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- One entry system
- One motion sensor
The Nook package starts at $269.95 and includes all of the items in the Foundation package, plus a keyfob.
The Essentials starts at $274.95 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Three entry sensors
- One motion sensor
The Bedford starts at $289.94 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Two entry sensors
- Two motion sensors
The Homestead starts at $299.93 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Three entry sensors
- One motion sensor
- One keyfob
The Sanctuary starts at $319.91 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Six entry sensors
- One motion sensor
The Bunker starts at $344.91 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Four entry sensors
- Two motion sensors
- One keyfob
The Oakstone starts at $374.88 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Eight entry sensors
- One motion sensor
- One keyfob
The Barrington starts at $388.93 and includes:
- One panic button
- One base station
- One keypad
- One indoor camera
- Two entry sensors
- One motion sensor
- One keyfob
The Hearth starts at $389.91 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Three entry sensors
- One motion sensor
- One smoke detector
- One keyfob
- One wireless siren
The Stronghold starts at $439.87 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Seven entry sensors
- One motion sensor
- One keyfob
- One wireless siren
- One panic button
The Keep starts at $458.90 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Five entry sensors
- Two motion sensors
- One keyfob
- One indoor camera
The Stonefort starts at $499.84 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Nine entry sensors
- Two motion sensors
- One keyfob
- One wireless siren
- One panic button
The Knox starts at $464.87 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Six entry sensors
- Two motion sensors
- One smoke detector
- One keyfob
- One wireless siren
The Haven starts at $504.86 and includes:
- One base station
- One keypad
- Four entry sensors
- Two motion sensors
- One panic button
- One smoke detector
- One temperature sensor
- One water sensor
- One keyfob
- One wireless siren
Professional Monitoring
Simplisafe has an interactive monitoring plan and a self-monitoring plan with camera recordings.
The interactive monitoring plan is $0.93per day and includes:
- 24/7 police dispatch
- Unlimited camera recording for up to 10 cameras
- 24/7 fire and medical dispatch
- Video verification
- 24/7 flood and extreme temperature monitoring
- Subscription lifetime warranty
The self-monitoring with camera recordings is $0.33s per day and includes:
- Unlimited camera recording for up to five cameras
- Up to one-year total warranty
There is also an unmonitored option where you can access live video feed of your cameras from the SimpliSafe app, a seven-day system timeline, control your system from your phone with the app, view and change system and device settings, lock and unlock Smart Lock via the app, but you won’t get any law enforcement, fire and emergency medical monitoring and dispatch.
Home Security Products Offered
- Entry sensor: $14.99 each
- Motion sensor: $29.99 each
- Wireless outdoor camera: $179.99 each
- Indoor camera: $99 each
- Glass break sensor: $34.99 each
- Panic button: $19.99 each
- Smoke detector: $29.99 each
- Temperature sensor: $29.99 each
- Water sensor: $19.99 each
- Key fob: $24.99 each
- Extra 105dB siren: $59.99 each
- Extra nine-by-nine-inch yard sign: $3.99 each
- Extra keypad: $69.99 each
- Pro setup help: starts at $99
Installation
SimpliSafe makes DIY installation fairly easy and most customers install their own home security system.
Home Automation and Smart Home Features
SimpliSafe integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, but you need to have an Interactive Monitoring plan to do so. SimpliSafe does not connect with Apple Home Kit. SimpliSafe can connect with August Locks for smart lock integration and SimpliSafe has its own smart locks.
Other Benefits
SimpliSafe has a secret alert feature that can notify you if there is movement around items like a safe, but it won’t sound an alarm. SimpliSafe also has night vision and most of the devices are peel and stick-type mounts.
Fine Print
SimpliSafe does require system updates periodically and you’ll have to approve the update. The updates can take several hours and the system will be offline during that time. SimpliSafe provides a three-year warranty.
Key Differences Between Frontpoint and SimpliSafe
Professional Monitoring Fees
Frontpoint has higher monitoring fees, running around $50 a month, though Frontpoint advertises it as $1.64 a day. SimpliSafe has professional monitoring starting at $17.99 a month.
Monitoring
SimpliSafe allows self-monitoring while Frontpoint only has professional monitoring. Having professional monitoring isn’t a bad thing, but for those who want to forgo some fees, they don’t have that option with Frontpoint.
Data Storage Fees
Frontpoint has free video recording storage but Frontpoint’s basic video package sets a 1,000 clip online storage limit per month.
SimpliSafe charges $4.99 a month to store video from one camera if you don’t have the Interactive Monitoring plan. It costs $9.99 for unlimited cameras if you don’t have the Interactive Monitoring plan.
Key Similarities Between Frontpoint and SimpliSafe
Installation
Both systems allow homeowners to set it up themselves, but SimpliSafe does offer professional installation
No Contracts
Neither Frontpoint nor SimpliSafe have contracts, which is great if you want to cancel your service after a while. SimpliSafe has a 60-day trial period while Frontpoint only has a 30-day period.
Smart Home Connectivity
Frontpoint offers more connectivity to smart home devices than SimpliSafe, plus Frontpoint can offer smart devices that connect with its base system.
