ADT vs. Frontpoint

Key Takeaways

• The biggest difference between ADT and Frontpoint home security systems is the installation method. ADT requires professional installation and Frontpoint is a DIY security system.
• Both providers offer smart home integrations, security cameras, professional monitoring services, and similar overall security solutions.
• You can choose an equipment package or build your own with both companies, plus add on any number of additional devices
• Choose ADT if you prefer professional installation and are willing to pay a little more for a luxury system
• Choose Frontpoint if you want a DIY system with the best security and automation solutions available

ADT vs Frontpoint: Overview

Both ADT and Frontpoint are well-known for their excellent security services, but both offer very different systems. 

The most obvious difference is the installation options they offer. Every ADT system is professionally installed by one of their trained technicians. Frontpoint, on the other hand, provides a DIY system. This means that customers install their own equipment, without any professional assistance.

Each provider is designed to meet different needs, so it’s important to choose the option that fits your preferences and any requirements you may have. Let’s take a quick look at each company’s history and reputation in the industry.

Even if this is the first time you’re doing any home security research, you’ve likely heard of ADT. This industry giant has been providing home protection for over 145 years. During its lifetime, it has proven to be among the industry’s best, outlasting numerous competitors.

It continues to dominate the market today, with nearly half of home security customers choosing ADT’s systems. This security provider hasn’t succeeded on name alone, however. ADT has remained at the forefront of security technology, evolving with security needs and equipment. 

When you choose ADT, you get all of the benefits of its immense experience with the latest and greatest home security solutions.

Its equipment includes standard security devices, such as safety sensors and motion detectors, as well as powerful smart home technology. ADT has partnered with Google to integrate several Nest devices with its system. These cutting-edge devices offer both convenience and safety.

Every good home security provider strengthens its solutions with a professional monitoring service. ADT has thousands of agents staffing its nine monitoring centers, offering more reliable uptime than any other security company.

Given its long history and powerful reputation, there’s no question that ADT has earned its place as a household name.

Frontpoint is a much newer company, but that doesn’t mean its services are any less powerful. This security provider was founded in 2007 and has quickly become one of the top DIY home security providers on the market.

As a do-it-yourself provider, Frontpoint has designed its system to be simple to use. To give its customers the best security service, this company was one of the first DIY options to offer professional monitoring. In this and its other solutions, it is committed to providing the best protection.

Though you install its equipment yourself, this provider offers everything you see from bigger companies. It is one of the leaders in both smart and cellular tech, giving you all the perks of a luxury system with the control offered by DIY security.

What is the difference between ADT and Frontpoint?

From smart home integrations to professional monitoring, both providers offer similar home security services. 

If you want equipment that will connect wirelessly to the internet and won’t need to be wired into your home, you can find what you need from both companies. That said, ADT is one of the only security providers today that also offers a wired system. If you have an older home or prefer this set-up, ADT is the way to go.

As mentioned, the biggest difference between these two systems are the installation requirements. If you want a DIY system, go with Frontpoint. For professional installation, you should choose ADT for your security needs.

In this section, we’ll go through the components of both systems to help you understand what you will get by choosing either service.

Equipment

Often, one of the best ways to compare home security systems is to look at the equipment they offer. 

You should first take a few minutes to determine what you want from your security system. Do you only want security devices or are you looking to develop a smart home system? Do you want security cameras? Which capabilities are must-haves?

Once you know what you are looking for, you can better understand how each option meets your needs.

Control panel vs system hub

Each provider connects and controls its systems in different ways.

With ADT, every system includes its touchscreen control panel, ADT Command. This device will be mounted on the wall and used to access and control every device in your security system. You can adjust settings, view live video feeds, and get in touch with the monitoring team directly through the control panel.

Frontpoint, on the other hand, connects its devices through the Frontpoint Hub. This small device connects each device together, including the keypad you will use to arm and disarm the system. 

If you want a touchscreen control panel to adjust and access the rest of your system, you will have to pay extra to add it on. You can control your system through the mobile app as well.

Both ADT Command and the Frontpoint Hub offer dual Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity to keep your system active at all times. If you experience a power outage, the 24-hour battery back-up in each will keep your system operational for at least a day if power isn’t restored sooner.

Security cameras

Both systems offer both indoor and outdoor cameras to cover your entire home. With both sets of cameras, you will enjoy features such as:

• Two-way communication
• Motion-triggered event recordings
• Live video streaming through the app
• Smart analytics that can tell the difference between animals, people, packages, and vehicles
• Customizable notifications, though personalizations may vary

ADT has partnered with Google to offer its line of Nest Cams. You can include the Indoor Nest Cam, Outdoor Nest Cam, Outdoor Nest Cam with floodlights, and the Nest Doorbell in any equipment package.

These cameras provide crystal clear video. Night vision ensures you can clearly see any activity both after dark and during the day. Additionally, you will gain several extensive smart features. These capabilities include:

• Familiar Faces, a facial recognition software that learns to identify, label, and announce visits from people you know
• Smart listening, including identifying the sound of breaking glass and alerting you to the potential threat
• Automation options, such as recording videos at specific times, following custom routines, or recording when another smart device triggers a pre-set action
• Customizations, including activity zones, notifications, and automated routines
• Voice commands through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integrations

Your ADT purchase includes a Nest Aware subscription with access to 30 days of video event history and 10 days of 24/7 recording.

Frontpoint offers its own line of security cameras. These devices include the Indoor Camera, Premium Indoor Camera, Outdoor Camera, and Doorbell Camera. You will enjoy great video quality during both the day and night, keeping your home safe from intruders and lurkers.

Though Frontpoint’s cameras aren’t as powerful as the Nest Cams, they do have a few features that the other devices lack, including:

• A push-to-talk button on the Premium Indoor Camera that makes it easy to communicate to the account holder through the camera
• Bluetooth speaker capabilities in all cameras, which include excellent sound quality
• Perimeter Guard, an outdoor-camera intruder defense feature that flashes a red light and plays a loud siren when someone crosses your custom perimeter

Some see Frontpoint’s two indoor cameras as a plus while others aren’t a fan. You do have the option to get a cheaper model with fewer features, which may work better for your system. If you want to enjoy an indoor camera with all the perks, however, you’ll pay almost double for the Premium Indoor Camera.

Similarly, you get many more features with the Nest Cams, but you will also pay more for these devices.

Sensors

Both providers offer a similar range of security sensors. You will get door and window sensors and motion sensors to alert you to any attempted break-ins. These devices are included in the basic packages for both companies.

Since security threats aren’t the only dangers you might face in your home, you can also get safety alarms with both providers. Add smart carbon monoxide, smoke/heat, and flood detectors to your home so you can quickly detect any environmental threats.

Smart home automation

Full home connectivity is the way of the future. ADT and Frontpoint both support numerous smart integrations with their systems. You can enjoy increased security and the added convenience of a system that can operate with your direct involvement.

With either company you can integrate the following smart devices:

• Smart locks
• Smart plugs
• Smart light controls
• Smart thermostats
• Smart cameras
• Garage door tilt sensors

Frontpoint’s smart products are all from its own line, except for the Yale door locks it offers. These devices aren’t as robust as the Nest products you can get from ADT, but they are still a great way to connect your home. Its smart home features include:

• Scheduling home automations, such as adjusting the temperature at specific times
• Remote access through the mobile app
• Voice commands through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri integrations
• Custom scenes and rules that can include multiple smart devices
• Adjusting the settings for multiple devices to fit your preferences

Though it isn’t as extensive, Frontpoint’s smart home system still offers several ways to make your home more comfortable and secure.

Choosing a smart home system through ADT gives you access to a few more devices and several more capabilities. The additional devices include:

• Garage door controllers, which include a tilt sensor as well as remote control
• Outdoor Nest Cam with floodlights, offering more control over your outdoor floodlights
• Smart switches, which you can use to automate lights wired into your home

Along with the features provided by Frontpoint’s system, you can use your ADT home automations to:

• Automate HVAC maintenance through your Google Nest Thermostat, which will send alerts about potential problems, air filter changes, and routine maintenance
• If your garage door is left open or you need to let someone in, open or close it through the app
• Schedule temporary access codes for your smart locks so they’re only active on specific days or timeframes
• Schedule your floodlights to come on specific times and dim at different times of the day

Additionally, ADT offers ADT Nest Wifi and Point, the Google Nest Mini, and the Google Nest Hub Max as add-ons to any of its packages. The professional installer will connect your security system and smart devices to these products during your installation appointment. You can then enjoy even more extensive smart home control.

Both systems integrate with any products that use Z Wave technology, so you can extend your home automations beyond these devices. Neither integrates directly with Apple HomeKit.

You get more capabilities and features with ADT, but you will also pay more for its products.

Extras

Each provider offers additional security perks with its systems. With Frontpoint, you get:

• Frontpoint ID Protect powered by Allstate Identity Protection
• Crash and Smash Protection, which alerts the monitoring team when your system stops sending alerts, potentially due to device damage

ADT similarly offers a few benefits for its customers, including:

• $500 Theft Protection Guarantee, available if your home is burglarized while the system was armed
• An Alarm Monitoring Certificate, which can be used for homeowners’ insurance discounts
• Identity protection, though it does require an additional charge

Security system controls

Your ability to control and customize your home security system determines how many benefits you will get out of it.

As mentioned, Frontpoint’s equipment packages come with the Frontpoint Hub that connects each device to your system and a keypad. You can use these devices to arm and disarm your system, but you can’t adjust or control it beyond that.

If you choose to add the Touchscreen control panel for an additional price, you gain more access to your system. Along with controlling and adjusting any device connected to your system, you can use it to view the weather forecast and show a slideshow of personal photos. It will also chime when a door or window with a security sensor opens.

The ADT Command touchscreen control panel offers more control over your system. You can use it to:

• Create automated schedules and routines
• View live and recorded videos
• Connect new devices
• View and adjust your settings
• Access every device in your security system, including smart devices

If you prefer a keypad, you can add one to your system. Additionally, you can purchase a second ADT Command device that is designed to be carried around the house for greater ease of access.

Both security providers also offer full access to your security system through their mobile apps, ADT Control and the Frontpoint mobile app. No matter where you are, you can use these apps to:

• Receive alerts from your devices and system
• View the status of your system and devices
• Change settings
• Create custom routines and schedules
• Control your security system and connected devices
• View live and recorded video
• And more

Both apps have high customer ratings and offer all the control you need. If you prefer to use a bigger screen to access and control your system, however, ADT Command is a better option than Frontpoint’s controls.

ADT vs Frontpoint: Pricing

If you compare prices, it’s clear that ADT’s equipment costs more than Frontpoint’s. That said, Frontpoint is still pricey for the industry, especially for a DIY security system.

Currently, both companies require their customers to sign a multi-year service agreement. With Frontpoint, you will have to sign a three-year monitoring service contract when you purchase your system. ADT offers a bit more flexibility with 24-month, 36-month, or 60-month options.

To lower your monthly payments, you can purchase your equipment upfront with either company. If you don’t want to pay the full amount at once, you can choose to finance your equipment with both providers. You will make monthly equipment payments, in addition to your monthly monitoring fees, through the length of your contract. ADT requires a 60-month agreement to finance your equipment.

Both ADT and Frontpoint offer multiple pre-built equipment packages and a build your own option. In addition to these packages, you can choose from a variety of devices to add on to your purchases.

ADT’s plans & pricing

The type of equipment you choose will determine the monitoring plan ADT automatically assigns. You can use the lowest plan for basic security equipment, but you’ll pay extra for smart device support. Video is only supported on the top-tier plan.

Frontpoint’s plans & pricing

Every Frontpoint package includes the same monitoring plan. While it’s nice that you don’t have to pay extra for video, you do have to pay the same pricey fee for the most basic system.

If you’re unhappy with your ADT system and they can’t achieve your satisfaction in the first six months of your contract, you can cancel your plan and get your money back. Similarly, Frontpoint gives customers a 30-day, risk-free trial for its system.

ADT vs Frontpoint: Installation

As we mentioned earlier, ADT requires professional installation while Frontpoint is a do-it-yourself security system.

ADT’s professional installation service includes a free risk assessment. A security expert will visit your home to identify any vulnerabilities and determine which products you should use in your system. During your installation appointment, a professional installer will handle all of the work. After installing and setting your equipment up, they will walk you through using your system. You can use this opportunity to ask any questions.

DIY systems are designed for easy installation by the customer. Your equipment will arrive a couple of days after your order. You will then find the best placements and install the equipment yourself.

If you’re handy, a DIY system may be a good fit. These devices aren’t too difficult to install, but they will require tools and elbow grease.

Professional installation means you don’t have to worry about your devices being installed wrong or troubleshooting any problems. ADT’s service does require a fee, however, one that you are required to pay.

ADT vs Frontpoint: Monitoring

Both security providers go the extra mile to keep customers safe with their 24/7 professional monitoring services. If your system is triggered by a break-in or environmental danger, it will alert the monitoring team. An agent will check with you to see if it was a false alarm before sending emergency services to your home.

No matter what happens, you can have confidence that someone is always keeping an eye on your safety.

Though they have similar services, ADT does offer the best monitoring service in the industry. It uses nine monitoring centers and thousands of monitoring agents to make sure it is always available for your needs. No other security provider offers this level of redundancy.

ADT vs. Frontpoint Customer Service

When you have a question or concern, you can feel good about calling both companies. They both boast excellent customer service rankings and quick responses. Some customers, however, have had bad experiences with third-party ADT dealers. You can research these local companies to see how well they serve their customers.

As you can see, there are many reasons to choose either security company for your home protection needs. With ADT and Frontpoint, there’s no way to go wrong.