Gabe: ...folks, this is Gabe at Security Baron.
We've got a David and Goliath showdown for you in terms of Frontpoint and LifeShield
home security systems.
Let's dive in.
[music]
Gabe: In today's battle, I'm going to go over LifeShield and Frontpoint similarities, differences,
installation processes, professional monitoring, customer support, and mobile application.
If you'd like to see a 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.
Some of the key similarities between Frontpoint and LifeShield are their do-it-yourself installation,
cellular backup, great customer support, and solid mobile applications.
A couple of the main differences between LifeShield and Frontpoint lie in professional monitoring.
LifeShield allows you to sign up for month-to-month contracting in terms of your professional
monitoring, or even self-monitor.
If you decide to cancel, those are negotiable.
However, Frontpoint requires you to sign up for one to three years of professional monitoring
and you have to pay at least 80 percent of the remainder for any cancellation.
On top of that, there is no self-monitoring option.
Now that we've gone over the key similarities and differences, the first element that we're
going to compare in our head-to-head of Frontpoint and LifeShield is installation.
Installation was pretty easy with both systems, but with Frontpoint, it's just peel and stick.
There is no drilling, hardwire, hammering, hollering, nothing.
Guess what?
I'm here for it.
The only little bit that takes a little bit longer is the Ethernet required to initially
set up your camera with the Frontpoint system.
Overall, it took me about an hour and was quite simple.
LifeShield as I said, isn't that complicated, but definitely took me longer, because there
were Ethernet cables for days.
I thought as if I had to go and install an Internet cable for almost every element of
the system.
It took me longer and I actually had to get another switch for my Ethernet hub in order
to make sure I had everything set up together.
When it comes to the top system for installation, they're pretty close in terms of ease, but
just in terms of overall time spent, I have to give the nod to Frontpoint.
Now that we've discussed installation, let's jump into the second element of our head-to-head
comparison of Frontpoint and LifeShield, professional monitoring.
Each of these home security systems has a very different idea about what it means to
monitor you professionally.
When it comes to Frontpoint, you have three options.
You have the Protection Plan, Interactive Plan, and Ultimate Plan coming in at $34.99,
$44.99, and $49.99.
Remember, the Ultimate Plan is the only one that actually gives you control over all of
your smart locks and lights, night vision, and even something as basic as live streaming.
That's an issue we have with the Frontpoint plan.
LifeShield, on the other hand, comes with two plans.
The Security Essentials at $29.99 and the Security Advantage at $39.99.
Now remember, each one of these plans comes with live streaming, night vision, all the
thing you'd expect along with cellular backup, battery backup with no issues.
The distinction between the two is that $39.99 plan comes with an extra motion sensor included
and extra camera.
When it comes to the contracting of these two systems, you have more distinctions.
LifeShield will let you lock in a long-term contract for a lower rate, but they're perfectly
happy to have you go month-to-month.
That really is distinguished from Frontpoint which requires a one- or three-year plan for
your professional monitoring.
That's something to remember for both.
Finally, they each have super easy moving policies.
If you need to get up and go, they'll both make sure that you're able to re-install,
because you're doing it yourself, your system in your new home.
Just in terms of the contracting and the price, we have to give the nod to LifeShield here
when it comes to professional monitoring.
Hold on, quick break.
I'd like to talk to you about commitment.
How do you feel about signing up for one- or even three-year contracts with your home
security systems?
I just wondered what people thought.
Please leave us a comment below.
I'd like to hear from you.
Thanks a lot, let's get back to the video.
We've gone over the installation and professional monitoring options for both LifeShield and
Frontpoint, but what about getting the help you need when you need it through customer
support?
Going over customer support with these are awkward, because LifeShield has a 4.9 rating
out of 5 stars in Google and Frontpoint has 4.6 out of 5 stars in Google.
LifeShield is still in the single digits when it comes to reviews, whereas Frontpoint has
over 300.
It's like comparing apples and oranges in a sense, because you've got 7 oranges and
306 apples.
Now Frontpoint, we know does well with their online knowledge center and their call centers.
LifeShield has an online knowledge center, a call center, and even live chat.
In our live chat and phone calls, we did feel as if we were getting a bit of the run-around,
something that we did not experience with Frontpoint.
Because of our own experience, we're going to go ahead and give Frontpoint the nod when
it comes to customer support.
The final element in our head-to-head showdown between LifeShield and Frontpoint is the mobile
application.
Frontpoint does really well.
They get a 4.1 in the Google Play Store and a 4.5 in the App Store.
On their mobile application, they'd let you control every element of the App as long as
you have Frontpoint Ultimate Plan.
Then you've got LifeShield which has a 3.7 in the Google Play Store and a 3.9 in the
App store, and allows you to control everything.
Honestly those are both higher than average scores, but the numbers don't lie.
That 4.1 and 4.5 of the Frontpoint mobile application definitely beats the 3.7 and 3.9
in LifeShield.
We have to give Frontpoint the nod when it comes to the mobile application.
Let's do a recap of all the elements that we discussed in this LifeShield versus Frontpoint
head-to-head battle.
Installation, we give the nod to Frontpoint, because the peel and stick was super easy
and it took us a little bit less time than setting up the LifeShield.
Professional monitoring, here we give it to LifeShield as it had a lot more flexibility
and were just generally a lot more affordable with the professional monitoring plans and
even allow you to self-monitor.
Customer support, we're going to give the nod here to Frontpoint.
Of course, they have the numerical advantage with all the customers that allotted their
experience with Frontpoint, but even in our own personal experience with LifeShield, it
was a bit negative and we felt as if it could have been more streamlined.
Mobile application, Frontpoint wins.
The numbers simply don't lie.
4.3 average score between the App Store and the Google Play Store is simply astonishing.
We've been going over the elements of comparison between LifeShield and Frontpoint for quite
a while now.
You may be wondering, "Gabe, just tell me which one is better."
If you've been paying attention, you'll note that LifeShield only wins when it comes to
professional monitoring.
It's got different models for contracts.
You can do month-to-month, you can do three years, but overall, you get a lot more flexibility
and even a more affordable professional monitoring system.
Frontpoint, other hand, is slightly easier to install.
It's got a better mobile application and better customer support.
I only say that, because it has a proven track record.
LifeShield is in no means bad.
Me, personally, I'm bit of a clinophobe these days.
Having some issues and sometimes I don't want to sign up for one to three years of my life
in advance like that.
I actually don't mind some of the other elements where LifeShield may fall a little bit short
on Frontpoint, because I personally really value not having to sign a really long contract,
but that's just me.
If you're really looking for someone that knows what they're doing and had been in the
game forever, you're going to go with Frontpoint.
[background music]
Gabe: That concludes our comparison of the LifeShield and Frontpoint home security systems.
If you appreciate today's video, give us a like and hit that subscribe button.
As always, this is Gabe at Security Baron.
Be secure.