SimpliSafe vs. Frontpoint Home Security

At first glance, SimpliSafe and Frontpoint don’t seem to have many similarities.

SimpliSafe is a self-contained, sleekly designed budget option, and Frontpoint offers a more traditional home security experience. But both systems deliver free DIY installation, professional monitoring service, home automation capability, and a secure, 100% wireless connection.

Still, when we get down to pricing and contracts, SimpliSafe is our top choice.

Find out what each company does best—and where they falter—in the head-to-head SimpliSafe vs. Frontpoint comparison below.

Our readers love SimpliSafe, and we get it: for less than $28 a month you can get mobile app access and video monitoring. And while its smart home offerings are limited, you get access to them for less than Frontpoint's cheapest plan.

Frontpoint is great for folks who want to go all-out with smart home or video options. If you're looking to integrate smart lights, locks, or speakers, Frontpoint could suit you.

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Despite vastly different packaging, these two home alarm systems have more in common than you might think. Both offer professional monitoring services, remote access and control, and hazard detection along with burglar deterrents. Here’s a rundown of other important similarities:

• Easy DIY installation
• Secure cellular monitoring
• No contracts
• No-risk trial period
• Portable equipment
• Free mobile app

It’s nice to know what these security companies have in common, but what usually helps me make a decision is where they deviate.

The differences are where you get a better picture about which security company may be a better fit for your specific needs. Take a look at the main points where these two security companies diverge:

• Monthly costs and fees: SimpliSafe
• Home automation capabilities: Frontpoint
• Self-monitoring options: SimpliSafe
• Equipment offerings: Frontpoint

SimpliSafe set out to do home security differently than everyone else. That’s why you won’t run into any high-pressure salespeople or tricky, long-term contracts.

SimpliSafe equipment is contemporary and appeals to people who aren’t willing to sacrifice style for security.

SimpliSafe’s stripped-down packages make it easy for people living in apartments, dorms, or roommate situations to add security. But it can be harder to use a SimpliSafe security system for larger homes and properties, thought it's a little easier now that SimpliSafe has an outdoor camera. (A long-overlooked offering.)

We like this practical, low-cost approach to home security and appreciate that you can take or leave monthly monitoring. 

SimpliSafe has also been slow to adopt home automation, just barely adding compatibility with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and August smart locks.

Read our full SimpliSafe home security review.

Frontpoint has been one of our favorite home security companies for a while now. We like that it’s the customers (and not just the company) that tout Frontpoint's easy DIY installation process.

In fact, customers can’t stop talking about Frontpoint’s service and customer care—from technical assistance to general questions, customers get the help they need in a fast, friendly manner.

This home alarm company offers three packages with equipment that you bring wherever you move. Monitoring from Frontpoint is pricey—it starts at $34.99 per month, but it’s contract-free. You can also get it $0 down if you opt for a short financing term of 3, 6, or 12 months.

If you’re looking for a full-service home security system that you can integrate with home automation components, Frontpoint delivers—especially for renters and frequent movers.

Read our full Frontpoint home security review.

Calling out a winner between SimpliSafe and Frontpoint isn’t as straightforward as we’d like it to be. But our biggest consideration is where these home security titans part ways: price. SimpliSafe and Frontpoint both offer contract-free monitoring, but SimpliSafe’s equipment costs are much cheaper and no contract is standard fare.

SimpliSafe's affordable equipment, no contracts, and monthly monitoring starting at $17.99 provide the greatest value.

A Frontpoint security system can start at $0 for equipment if you finance. Frontpoint also charges $34.99 per month for monitoring. But if you're looking to upgrade your system to be fully integrated with smart home equipment, it's worth giving Frontpoint a second look.

If you’re still on the fence about which home security company is right for you, here are some other systems we compared—or check out our complete guide to DIY home security systems.

• SimpliSafe vs. Ring Alarm Home Security
• SimpliSafe vs. Brinks
• ADT vs. Frontpoint Security
• SimpliSafe vs. ADT
• Frontpoint vs. Scout Alarm
• Abode vs. SimpliSafe

• How Much Does SimpliSafe Cost?
• What Does the SimpliSafe App Do?
• SimpliSafe Equipment Compatibility: How Does It Work?
• Frontpoint App Review
• Frontpoint Equipment & Compatibility