Gabe Turner: Hey, folks.
This is Gabe at Security Baron.
Today, we've got a match for the ages, two of the top contenders in the home security
space, Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
Let the battle begin.
[music]
Gabe: In today's head-to-head comparison of Simplisafe and Frontpoint, I'll look at their
key similarities, key differences, installation processes, professional monitoring options,
customer support, and mobile application.
If you want 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 Simplisafe and Frontpoint is that you're going to have
to install them yourselves, they're both DIY installation, they both have 24/7 professional
monitoring included, and they have pretty solid track records when it comes to customer
support.
We didn't come here to make friends.
Let's look at some of the key differences between Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
Simplisafe has month-to-month contracting with a professional monitoring, so you can
cancel it at any time, whereas Frontpoint requires you to sign a one to three-year contract
for your professional monitoring, and you're going to have to pay 80 percent of the remainder
of your contract if you decide to cancel.
On the other hand, Frontpoint has a much higher rated app than Simplisafe.
Now that we've discussed some of the salient differences and similarities between Simplisafe
and Frontpoint, let's jump into the installation process.
To be clear, installing both Simplisafe and Frontpoint is very easy.
It's not a convoluted process in the slightest.
With Simplisafe, it's just peel and stick.
You'll take all your sensors out of the box, you'll peel the packing, you'll place them
where you want them to be, you'll hook up the hub, and you'll use the Simplisafe app
to make sure they're all connected.
With Frontpoint, it's a similar process.
Peel and stick, place the pieces where you need, sink them with the hub.
The distinction is that when you set up that indoor camera with Frontpoint, you actually
have to install an Ethernet cable, go to the Frontpoint website, and add it to WiFi.
You can disconnect the Ethernet adapter, but it does take a little bit longer.
I wouldn't say that that process was difficult as you'll basically walk through it, but it
definitely adds another 15 minutes to the process.
Because of that, we give the nod to Simplisafe for installation process.
We've discussed the installation processes for Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
Let's jump into the professional monitoring options.
Both of these systems require you to sign up for 24/7 professional monitoring.
If you are looking to self-monitor, look elsewhere.
The positive thing is they both have cellular and battery backup.
If something happens to your power, your phone line, your Internet, they can still get out
the help you need and contact the proper authorities.
With Simplisafe, you have two options.
You got the standard plan of $14.99 and the interactive plan of $24.99.
With the interactive plan, that's the only one where you get live streaming, cloud storage,
and notifications.
You basically need to go with that one if you want to get the most out of your modern
home security system.
With Frontpoint, you have three options.
You got the standard plan, the interactive plan, and the ultimate plan.
Once again, you have to go with that highest tier of $49.99 for your ultimate plan in order
to get night vision, cloud storage, even something as basic as live streaming.
That's a bit of a concern for us that you have to go with the highest tier plan just
to get what we'd expect, once again, from a modern home security system.
When it comes to contracts, Simplisafe also has another advantage.
You can do month-to-month contracting with Simplisafe and cancel it any time without
a fee, whereas Frontpoint will require you to sign a one to three-year contract and,
if you decide to cancel at any point before that time is done, you're going to have to
pay 80 percent of the remaining fee for your home security system.
Where it evens out is when you look at the moving policies.
Because they're do-it-yourself installation, you can basically pick up and go.
Frontpoint will, at the very least, send you some double-sided adhesive, and make sure
that your cellular signal works in your new home, as will Simplisafe.
When it comes to the top system for professional monitoring, the affordability and flexibility
of Simplisafe gives it the nod.
Quick break.
I wanted to know, what is your preferred method for getting in touch with your home security
provider?
Is it an email, or a phone call, or even live chat?
Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.
Let's go back to the video.
We've gone over installation and professional monitoring with Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
Let's go into the next element of our head-to-head comparison -- customer support.
When you need to figure out what's going on with your system, you want to be able to get
that information quickly and easily.
With Simplisafe and Frontpoint, you get live phone calls and an online knowledge center
that gives you a lot of information.
As a millennial, I wish they had a live chat option as well, but at least Simplisafe lets
you just email someone, and that's a great option to have as well.
When it comes to the reviews, Simplisafe gets three out of five stars with Google, and Frontpoint
gets 4.6 out of 5 stars, which makes it very clear for us that they are the winner when
it comes to customer support.
We've gone over installation, professional monitoring, and customer support in this battle
between Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
The final arena shall be mobile application.
You generally want your app to be user-friendly and bug-free.
Frontpoint sets a high bar, with its 4.1 rating in the Google Play Store and 4.2 rating in
the Apple App Store.
It's doing really well, and its consumers are clearly liking it.
Simplisafe, on the other hand, has a 3.4 in the Google Play Store and a 3.1 in the Apple
App store.
It's clear to us that the user reviews don't lie, and people enjoy their Frontpoint mobile
application experience better.
For that, we give Frontpoint the nod when it comes to mobile applications.
Let's have a tour recap of all the elements that we have covered in our comparison of
Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
Installation, here we give the nod to Simplisafe, as they have a super easy peel and stick installation
process, and they just barely edge out Frontpoint.
Professional monitoring, here we give the nod to Simplisafe because of the flexibility
and affordability in their professional monitoring plans.
Customer support, here we give the win to Frontpoint because of their proven track record
and highly rated customer reviews.
Mobile application, we give the win to Frontpoint because they are almost an entire point better
when it comes to average reviews of their mobile application.
We've covered a lot today in our comparison of Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
If you've been paying attention, you might know that we've got a bit of a tie on our
hands.
Simplisafe definitely has a superior installation process and professional monitoring options,
whereas Frontpoint wins with the better customer support and a better mobile application.
It breaks down to personal preferences.
If you're someone who wants to have month-to-month contracting, then you'd want to go with Simplisafe.
If you're someone who needs that customer support and the knowledge that it's always
going to be quick and easy to access, you're going to want to go with Frontpoint.
Personally, I'm a bit torn, to be completely honest, because I don't think you can go wrong
with either system.
Because of my aversion to long-term contracts, I may ultimately, in the end, go with Simplisafe
over Frontpoint, but just a smidgen.
Those are my thoughts on Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
[background music]
Gabe: That concludes our comparison of Simplisafe and Frontpoint.
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.