Gabe Turner: Hey folks, this is Gabe at Security Baron.
Today we're putting two behemoth home security companies against one another, ADT and Frontpoint.
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Gabe: In today's comparison of ADT and Frontpoint, I'm going to over some key similarities, key
differences, installation processes, professional monitoring options, customer support and finally
the mobile app so that you have all the information you need to make the right decision.
If you like to see list of our favorite home security systems, Google, "Security Baron,
best home security systems."
If you have a question about today's comparison, leave us a comment and I'll get back to you.
To begin today's comparison of ADT and Frontpoint, I want to start with some key similarities.
Both ADT and Frontpoint have do-it-yourself installation, require professional monitoring
contracts and actually they each have highly-rated mobile applications for both iPhone and Android.
Now, let's look at some of the key differences between ADT and Frontpoint.
First of all, contracts.
ADT only gives you a three-year option whereas Frontpoint gives you a one-year and three-year
contract.
Second of all, return policy.
Frontpoint only gives you 30 days to return your system whereas ADT gives you six months.
Finally, customer support.
Frontpoint frankly blows ADT out of the water when it comes to customer support ratings.
Those are some of the key differences between ADT and Frontpoint.
Now that we've gone over some of the key similarities and differences between ADT and Frontpoint,
let's talk about the installation of the components of a home security system.
Every home security system or almost every home security system is highly customizable,
but today's comparison is just looking at what we consider the core components for our
home security system.
That's going to be your hub, keypad, door sensors, motion detectors and your indoor
home security camera.
Let's begin by going over installing the ADT Home Security System.
Was it the most fun I ever had?
No, of course not.
Was it terrible?
No, not at all.
You start with your hub and the knowledge that everything comes pre-programmed.
I will say that doing the camera is a bit awkward because we had the ADT Protection
1 system and they provide you with an Alarm.com camera.
It's the Alarm.com camera that uses the ADT Pulse app.
Ultimately, to avoid any confusion, I suggest setting up your camera using your computer.
It will put you ahead of the game and you won't have any issues.
Overall, my experience installing ADT took a little over an hour and was fine.
Let's move on to the installation of the Frontpoint Home Security System.
It is also pre-programmed and peel-and-stick.
Of course as with most of these systems the real slowdown comes when you have to do your
indoor homes security camera because that will require you to plug in your Ethernet
cable and make sure that all the different parts are working with one another between
your app, your hub and your camera.
That's where most of your time will lie when setting up this system.
Generally speaking, it took me about an hour.
When I compare that to setting up the ADT which is a very similar home security system,
I have to call it a draw when we're discussing the installation process of ADT versus Frontpoint.
Let's begin looking at the professional monitoring options for ADT and Frontpoint starting with
ADT.
ADT does not publish their prices.
I do know that a traditional security package with ADT in terms of professional monitoring
is going to start at around $28.99 a month.
If you want to add an indoor and outdoor camera for that, it can shoot up to as much as $57.99
a month.
With ADT, the main thing to remember is to call and negotiate when you're deciding what
you want from your smart home security system.
Frontpoint is a little bit more straightforward.
You got $34.99 a month for the Protect plan, $44.99 a month for the Interactive plan and
$49.99 for the Ultimate plan.
Frankly, you kind of have to go the Ultimate plan because it's the only one that gives
you live streaming, video and image history, night vision and the ability to control your
smart lights and locks.
Those are you're professional monitoring options for ADT and Frontpoint.
Let's look at the contracts.
Unfortunately, when it comes to contract options for ADT and Frontpoint, there's not a lot
there.
You've got a three-year contract with ADT or a one- or three-year contract for professional
monitoring with Frontpoint.
On a more positive note, the moving policies are great.
It's just pick up and go.
You can just take it.
Set it up under your new path and Frontpoint will even send you new double-sided adhesive.
I have to choose a winner for professional monitoring services.
Here, I think, Frontpoint edges out ADT because Frontpoint has a clear pricing schedule and
a shorter contract.
When it comes to who wins in the professional monitoring category, I give it to Frontpoint.
Let's jump into the next element of comparison between ADT and Frontpoint customer support.
Both companies have an online knowledge center.
You can just call in with you questions.
Where ADT has an advantage is that they also offer LiveChat and the ability even FaceTime
with them.
I would initially say I don't know if I want FaceTime so people can see the inside of my
house for example for the physical components.
I'm pretty sure all of you have seen the inside of my house so I digress.
ADT's options are really cool, but when it comes to the actual Google ratings for each
company, Frontpoint has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating and ADT has a 2.5 out of 5 star rating.
It is a clear winner here when it comes to customer support.
It is Frontpoint our reigning champion when it comes to customer support in your home
security system.
The final element that we're going to compare today between ADT and Frontpoint is the mobile
application.
Personally, I had a really easy time with both of these mobile apps.
I felt that they were intuitive.
They did what I wanted them to do.
Setting up my system, using the app was pretty easy and I just overall had a positive experience.
Today we're trying to play by the numbers.
With the ADT Pulse app, you get a 3.9 out of 5 star rating in the Google Play Store
and a 4.8 out of 5 star rating in the Apple App Store.
With the Frontpoint app, you get a 4.1 for Android users and a 4.5 for iPhone users so
currently impressed with both of these applications.
The reviews are really high.
If we were to take it and average it out, it can be really tight about it.
There's a .05 difference between the two applications, but generally speaking, we have to call it
a draw between ADT and Frontpoint when it comes to their respective mobile applications.
All right, hold on.
Quick break.
I was wondering how much popularity or market share matters to you when it comes to your
home security system.
Would you rather see every home in your neighborhood with the same yard sign or do you just not
really not care at all?
Please leave us a comment below.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Let's get back to the video.
Let's do a recap of all the elements discussed in today's comparison of ADT and Frontpoint.
Installation, we ruled it a draw between ADT and Frontpoint as it was pretty easy to set
up.
Each installation took me about an hour.
Professional monitoring, we gave the edge to Frontpoint as they had clearer pricing
and a shorter contract period.
Customer support, Frontpoint wins here because of their 4.6 Google review rating.
Mobile application, this is a draw as Frontpoint and ADT both have superior mobile application.
This point you are saying, "Gabe, I'm tired about the rigmarole.
Can you just tell me which one you like more between the ADT and Frontpoint home security
systems?"
If you've been paying attention you know the clear winner is Frontpoint.
Frontpoint just barely edges out ADT when it comes to professional monitoring but their
customer support is stupendous.
They have a 4.6 out of 5 star Google rating which reigns supreme among all of the home
security systems that we have seen and gives the win today to Frontpoint.
Then you might say, "What does ADT offer me?"
ADT does have a solid mobile application.
It tied Frontpoint there, has a solid installation process and it even offers more ways to get
in touch with the customer support team, but it just pales in comparison with those overall
scores for Frontpoint.
We give the win to Frontpoint but ADT definitely still has its merits.
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Gabe: That concludes today's comparison in ADT and Frontpoint home security systems.
If you appreciate today's video, give us the like and hit that subscribe button.
As always, this is Gabe at Security Baron.
Be secure.