ADT vs. Frontpoint Home Security

We know it’s a crowded field out there in the world of home security. That’s why we’re lining up the best providers side by side to see how they stack up when it comes to price, contract, features, customer service, monitoring experience, and more.

When it comes to reputation, Frontpoint and ADT garner a lot of praise, but they're both spendier for monthly monitoring and equipment than other systems.

One significant place where these two diverge is installation. Frontpoint is a DIY home security system, while ADT requires professional installation. 

Still, Frontpoint edges out ADT by offering more value in its base and upgraded plans, contract flexibility, and excellent customer service.

Frontpoint is a high-end DIY pick and has repeatedly topped our best home alarm systems list. Customers echo our praise. Frontpoint’s simple, DIY installation and outstanding reputation for customer service make it an easy home security company to like. Plus, its upgrade features are little easier on the wallet than ADT.

Learn more in our full Frontpoint review.

ADT is practically synonymous with reliable home security. This alarm company has 147 years of experience and operates one of the largest number of monitoring centers in the country. If you want a brand with experience you can trust, ADT is the best. 

Learn more in our full ADT review.

Both home security companies offer a robust selection of home security equipment and professional monitoring packages. And across the board, those packages come with monitoring fees that are on the higher end.

ADT and Frontpoint provide a reliable cellular connection to established monitoring centers, plus home automation integration and mobile apps. Here’s a breakdown of the similarities we think matter most:

• Wireless home security options
• Home automation compatibility
• Reliable connections
• Video monitoring upgrades
• Mobile app available
• High monthly monitoring fees
• Good track records
• Cutting-edge equipment
• Customer-friendly policies and practices

As much as these companies have in common, they also have quite a lot that makes them different. Most apparent is installation methods—ADT offers 100% professional installation, but Frontpoint doesn’t give customers a professional install option. Note that ADT also offers a DIY iteration (ADT Self Setup, which we cover in depth on its own review page).

Frontpoint is one of our best overall home security systems, and ADT is always a top choice when it comes to professional monitoring and experience.

We like that Frontpoint gives you a better value for the money and includes life and environmental safety monitoring (smoke and CO detectors) in all of its plans. 

And it’s hard to ignore ADT’s years of experience—Frontpoint hit the scene in 2007, whereas ADT has been around for 147 years. Here’s a look at whether or not those years make a difference when we compare specifics like price, service, and features.

Check out our rundown of crucial differences and winners in each category below.

• Equipment pricing: Frontpoint is slightly less expensive and more transparent about equipment prices—two huge facts in its favor
• Installation options: Tie, since it depends on the experience you want
• Contract options: Frontpoint offers no-contract options
• Connection types: If you need landline, ADT is the way to go, but Frontpoint offers cellular with every plan
• Number of monitoring centers: ADT beats out Frontpoint
• Years of experience: ADT by more than a century 

Until recently, both alarm companies required a three-year contract that you can’t get out of without a buyout. But in November 2019, Frontpoint dropped its contract-only requirement to offer month-to-month monitoring plans.

Frontpoint gives you options when it comes to contracts—but ADT still requires a three-year contract that comes with pricey termination fees (75% of your remaining contract).

ADT’s lowest landline monitoring option starts at $28.99, while Frontpoint has just one package starting at $24.99. But ADT’s lower price doesn’t include a cellular connection—it’s landline only. The cheapest cellular ADT-monitored security plan is $44.99, almost doubling Frontpoint’s price.

Although Frontpoint offers a 30-day money-back trial period, ADT still has low starting monthly fees (for landline monitoring) plus a six-month money-back service guarantee. (Certain restrictions apply.)

Where Frontpoint really pulls out the win is with its no-contract monthly monitoring. That means you can stop and start your monitoring at-will—without any extra fees or penalties. Just be sure to call in for the monthly monitoring option—it's not available with online purchases.

Frontpoint is the winner here. Although ADT has made giant leaps forward in this area, there are some negative experiences out there that mar the company’s reputation. ADT uses third-party retailers, which puts a lot of customer service out of the company’s control.

And we can't deny how impressed we are with Frontpoint's quick response to customer input. In 2019 the company fundamentally changed the way it does business, and customers were the driving force. From an online store that saves you from having to talk to a salesperson to the abolition of long-term contracts, Frontpoint is making big moves to do right by customers.

This is a tough one to call. Both companies offer state-of-the-art equipment that comes with home automation capabilities and works with third-party smart home devices.

But Frontpoint makes it easy for customers to move with their equipment. Frontpoint also includes its mobile app in all packages. That's a perk you have to pay more for with ADT.

But we like that ADT gives every customer a free in-home security assessment. ADT also provides expert installation that ensures that all of your security equipment and features work properly from the get-go.

Plus, you can get ADT protection no matter where you live thanks to its landline monitoring option. Greater accessibility and expert guidance tip ADT over the top in this category.

Although it’s neck and neck between these two home security giants, at the end of the day we had to give it to Frontpoint.

Customer-first practices like no contracts, online shopping flow, mobile app included in every plan, and Crash & Smash protection help Frontpoint stand out as a home security leader. The company also offers equipment for little money down and doesn't hit your credit with a check when you use its consumer financing program.

Frontpoint turned nearly all of its negatives into positives over the course of 2019 and continues to respond to feedback, which makes it easy for us to give this home security company our full endorsement.

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