Table of Contents
- Frontpoint
- Frontpoint at a Glance
- Vivint
- Vivint at a Glance
- Key Differences Between Frontpoint and Vivint
- Key Similarities Between Frontpoint and Vivint
- How Frontpoint Stacks Up Against Vivint
- Bottom Line: Security Companies Roundup
- Is Frontpoint or Vivint Right for Your Home?
- Brand Comparisons
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Most home security companies offer similar products and services so it can be the little things that can distinguish one brand from another. When you’re looking at Frontpoint vs. Vivint home security systems there’s a lot to consider, including the customer service and the tech of the devices. Find out more about Frontpoint and Vivint.
Frontpoint
Frontpoint at a Glance
Frontpoint is one of the longest running home security companies in the industry and has an established record of providing excellent customer service. Frontpoint offers a 30-day trial period and the installation is DIY only. Frontpoint guides you through installation so it’s understandable.
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 runs around $50 per month 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
There is no professional installation available with Frontpoint, but it has an app that will guide you through installation.
Home Automation and Smart Home Features
Frontpoint connects to Yale smart locks, smart thermostats and smart plugs. Frontpoint offers its own smart thermostat and smart plugs. Frontpoint also integrates with Apple Home Kit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Other Benefits
Frontpoint has a 180 degree range of motion with its camera, two-way audio, motion sensor and video storage in the cloud.
Fine Print
Frontpoint’s video quality is 720p, which might run a little lower than other companies.
Vivint
Vivint at a Glance
Vivint’s indoor camera topped our list for best home security companies in part because of its affordability and quality technology. Vivint’s doorbell cameras provide an 180-by-180 degree field of view with a resolution of 1080p. But Vivint does get a bad rap for customer service with 1.13 stars out of five with the BBB.
***Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission was reviewing claims regarding Vivint accounts being opened improperly. Make sure to properly vet every company you consider.
Pricing
Vivint has three packages to choose from: a Starter Package, Premium Package and a Premium Plus Package. Vivint doesn’t make its pricing visible online, you need to call for a quote.
The Starter Package includes:
- 24/7 monitoring
- Intrusion detection
- Touchscreen control panel
- Mobile app
The Premium Package includes all of the Starter Package items plus:
- Video security
- Theft deterrent
The Premium Plus Package includes everything from the Starter and Premium Package plus:
- Voice control
- Stored video clips
- Smart home automation
- Vehicle protection
Professional Monitoring
Vivint has monitoring plans starting at $19.99 per month for its Smart Security Monitoring. Its Smart Home Monitoring plan costs $39.99 per month and its smart home video monitoring runs $45 per month. The smart home monitoring includes 24/7 professional monitoring, mobile access, smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring and a medical alert system.
Home Security Products Offered
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detector
- Water sensor
- Emergency pendant
- Security sensors
- Smart home control
- Doorbell cameras
- Outdoor cameras
- Indoor cameras
- Smart drive storage device
Installation
Vivint requires professional installation but runs free activation promotions frequently.
Home Automation and Smart Home Features
Vivint connects with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, plus it has smart home compatibility with Nest thermostat, Kwikset locks and Philips Hue lighting.
- Smart lighting
- Smart thermostat
- Car Guard
- Smart locks
- Garage door control
Other Benefits
Vivint’s Smart Drive stores all the footage from up to four cameras for up to 30 days. The cameras have night vision and capture audio. Vivint’s Car Guard provides you with vehicle alerts, lets you track the location and diagnose issues from your phone, plus it syncs with your Vivint system.
Fine Print
When you purchase products from Vivint, you have to choose a monitoring plan, but you can cancel the plan after installation. If you cancel, you won’t have remote control of the system, live streaming or receive notifications. The number of cameras you want with your system will dictate which plan you select for video service.
Featured Partners
1
Vivint
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
Yes
Lowest Monitoring Price
$19.99
2
ADT
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
Yes
Lowest Monitoring Price
$29.99
3
Simplisafe
Customer Reviews
Great
Contract Required
No
Lowest Pro Monitoring Price
$21.99
Key Differences Between Frontpoint and Vivint
Warranty
Frontpoint offers a three-year warranty on its products while Vivint only has a 120 day warranty. Vivint will repair or replace equipment if you have a premium plan and professional monitoring service.
Trial Period
Frontpoint has a 30-day trial period, which is more than Vivint, which offers a three-day trial period. However, some competitors offer up to a 60-day trial.
Equipment
Vivint has some cool equipment options like a Car Guard and its cameras typically have better tech than Frontpoint. Frontpoint, however, offers more practical items like a smoke detector that also detects heat and its smart thermostat.
Key Similarities Between Frontpoint and Vivint
Live Video
Frontpoint and Vivint both provide live video streaming options, though Frontpoint only offers it with its Ultimate monitoring plan. Vivint similarly offers live streaming with its Smart Home Video plan.
Free App
Both Vivint and Frontpoint have free mobile apps and Frontpoint’s allows you to arm and disarm your system, receive notifications, livestream, view video history and control any connected device. With Vivin’ts app you can arm or disarm your system, control the thermostat temperature, speak and see visitors through the doorbell camera, control smart locks as well as live stream from your cameras. Generally, Frontpoint’s app tends to draw higher marks from reviewers.
Cell Backup
Even if the power goes out in your home, both Vivint and Frontpoint systems will remain online with a cellular backup.
How Frontpoint Stacks Up Against Vivint
Bottom Line: Security Companies Roundup
Vivint has outstanding tech and video quality that Frontpoint can’t compete with, though Frontpoint remains a highly rated home security company. Vivint has more smart home device compatibility but it does suffer from poor reviews, a shorter trial period and shorter warranty.
Is Frontpoint or Vivint Right for Your Home?
If your home is set up with a number of smart home devices or you want to connect a bunch of smart home devices, then Vivint is probably the best option for you. Vivint connects to Nest thermostats, along with smart locks and smart lighting.
Frontpoint is great for video storage because it allows free storage, but its video quality is slightly lower than Vivint. Frontpoint can connect to other devices through Z-Wave compatible devices.
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Brand Comparisons
Frontpoint Comparisons
Vivint Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Frontpoint a good company?
Frontpoint is considered a good, established company that ranks high for its customer service. We named it one of the best home security companies and US News tied for No. 2 on its list of best home security systems.
Is it worth paying Vivint for home security?
Vivint might be worth it for you if you enjoy having high quality video and a quality app. Vivint does require professional installation and it can run more expensive than other home security companies.
Can Frontpoint be hacked?
Any device connected to the internet can be hacked, though the likelihood of hacking a Frontpoint system remains low. Frontpoint uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is considered the best encryption available.
