Frontpoint vs SimpliSafe: DIY Systems Priced Side by Side
As of October 2026, SimpliSafe monitoring runs 76 cents to $2.66 a day with no contract. Frontpoint lists $44.99 to $49.99 a month regular price on a 36-month contract with an 80% early termination fee. On published prices, SimpliSafe costs less per year at each comparable tier; Frontpoint's $69 entry kit is the cheaper upfront buy.
Figures researched 2026-10-01; each source below carries its access date. Prices change; treat any price here as "as of" its date.
Monitoring plans side by side
Both companies publish their monitoring prices. Frontpoint lists monthly regular prices in its offer terms and per-day prices on its monitoring page; SimpliSafe lists per-day prices only. Yearly totals are our arithmetic, as of October 2026.
| Tier | SimpliSafe | Frontpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm monitoring, no video | Standard, 76 cents/day (about $277/year) | Interactive, $44.99/mo ($1.48/day on its monitoring page; about $540/year) |
| Monitoring with camera recording | Core, $1.10/day (about $402/year) | Ultimate, $49.99/mo ($1.65/day; about $600/year) |
| Live agents watching outdoor cameras | Pro $1.66/day (overnight), Pro Plus $2.66/day (24/7) | No published equivalent on the pages we checked |
| Video only, no alarm dispatch | Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings, 33 cents/day | Video-Only, from $14.99/mo |
| Contract | None, cancel any time | 36 months, 80% early termination fee |
Frontpoint is also advertising $24.99 a month plus one free month on the Ultimate plan for new phone orders through November 5, 2026, still on a 36-month plan. Its terms do not say how long that rate lasts, so ask before relying on it. For SimpliSafe's full plan details, see SimpliSafe monitoring cost; our Frontpoint cost guide breaks down Frontpoint the same way.
What do the starter kits cost?
As of October 2026, Frontpoint sells two preconfigured systems: Essential at $69 (hub and keypad, two door/window sensors, a three-item Home Defense Kit) and Total Home at $269 (Display Hub+, three door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a smoke and heat sensor, the Home Defense Kit, plus your choice of indoor and outdoor cameras). Frontpoint labels these as Fall Savings Event prices. Its 40% off additional equipment requires the 36-month Ultimate plan.
SimpliSafe lists three packages: Break-In Detection ($282.94 list; base station, keypad, three entry sensors, a motion sensor), Intruder Deterrence ($498.92 list; adds a fourth entry sensor and an outdoor camera) and Complete Protection ($818.88 list). On October 1, 2026 it was running 50% off any new system with professional monitoring, which put them at $141.44, $249.42 and $409.38.
Our 36-month arithmetic, equipment plus monitoring:
| System | 36-month total |
|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Break-In Detection + Standard | about $1,115 list, $974 if the sale applies |
| SimpliSafe Break-In Detection + Core | about $1,487 list, $1,346 on sale |
| Frontpoint Essential + Interactive | about $1,689 |
| Frontpoint Total Home + Ultimate | about $2,069 |
| SimpliSafe Intruder Deterrence + Pro | about $2,317 list, $2,067 on sale |
Kit contents differ, so this is a price comparison, not an equipment match.
Contracts, warranty and connectivity
Contracts. This is the biggest difference. SimpliSafe states there is no contract and no cancellation fee on any monitoring plan. Frontpoint's offer terms state each plan is governed by a 36-month contract and that early termination may cost 80% of the monthly charges left in the term. Leaving a $44.99 Frontpoint plan after 12 months could cost about $864 (our arithmetic: 24 x $44.99 x 0.8).
Trials. SimpliSafe offers a 60-day return for a full refund. Frontpoint offers a 30-day risk-free trial, with a restocking fee of up to $150 on returns postmarked late or missing equipment.
Warranty. SimpliSafe replaces malfunctioning equipment for life while you keep a monitoring subscription. Frontpoint publishes a 3-year limited equipment warranty for customers in good standing.
Connectivity. Frontpoint states its monitoring is 100% cellular with a backup battery of up to 24 hours. SimpliSafe states its base station is Wi-Fi connected with built-in network backup and up to 24 hours of battery. If you are comparing platforms more broadly, our Alarm.com explainer covers how third-party alarm platforms work.
Which one fits which buyer?
Of the two, by published pricing as of October 2026:
- SimpliSafe fits most budget-focused DIY buyers. Its per-tier monitoring costs less per year than Frontpoint's regular prices, there is no contract, and its upper plans add live agents on outdoor cameras.
- Frontpoint fits buyers who want the lowest upfront kit price, prefer an all-cellular connection, and are confident they will stay 36 months. The current $24.99 Ultimate offer narrows the monthly gap if it holds for your term.
For how SimpliSafe compares with a pro-install brand, see SimpliSafe vs ADT. For the whole market, start at home security cost per month. If you want offers from professional monitoring providers for your own home, our quote form collects them through a short questionnaire.
Frequently asked questions
- Is SimpliSafe cheaper than Frontpoint?
- Per year, yes at each comparable tier as of October 2026: SimpliSafe Core is about $402 a year against about $600 for Frontpoint Ultimate at its regular $49.99 a month (our arithmetic). Upfront, Frontpoint's $69 Essential kit costs less than any SimpliSafe package, even with SimpliSafe's 50% sale; Frontpoint's $269 Total Home sits near SimpliSafe's Intruder Deterrence kit on sale ($249.42), with different contents.
- Does Frontpoint have a contract?
- Yes. Frontpoint's offer terms state its plans are governed by a 36-month contract with an early termination fee of 80% of the remaining monthly charges. SimpliSafe has no contract on any plan.
- Are both systems DIY?
- Yes. Frontpoint says most customers finish setup in under 30 minutes with no technician visit. SimpliSafe sells its systems as DIY kits and offers a Pro Install option; it states either way can take any monitoring plan.
- Which has the better warranty?
- On paper, SimpliSafe: it replaces malfunctioning equipment for life with an active monitoring subscription. Frontpoint publishes a 3-year limited warranty.
- Can I get Frontpoint's $24.99 monthly price?
- Frontpoint's offer terms list $24.99 a month and one free month on the Ultimate plan for new customers who order by phone, valid through November 5, 2026, on a minimum 36-month plan. The terms do not state how long the $24.99 rate lasts, so confirm it in writing before you sign.
Sources
- SimpliSafe monitoring: Core $1.10/day, Pro $1.66/day (overnight Active Guard Outdoor Protection 8pm-6am), Pro Plus $2.66/day (24/7), Standard Monitoring 76 cents/day, Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings 33 cents/day; free trial, no contract, cancel any time; lifetime equipment warranty with an active monitoring subscription; Anti-Theft Guarantee up to $500 toward insurance deductible on Active Guard plans; Wi-Fi connected with built-in network backup and up to 24-hour battery; self-install or Pro Install, either can take any plan: https://simplisafe.com/monitoring (accessed 2026-10-01)
- SimpliSafe packages page on October 1, 2026 (50% off any new system with professional monitoring, 'ends soon'): three packages, Break-In Detection $282.94 list, $141.44 discounted (base station, keypad, 3 entry sensors, motion sensor, yard sign); Intruder Deterrence $498.92 list, $249.42 discounted (adds a 4th entry sensor and an outdoor camera); Complete Protection $818.88 list, $409.38 discounted; 60-day money-back guarantee; no long-term contracts; lifetime equipment warranty for professional monitoring subscribers; page titled 'Shop DIY Home Security Systems'. Intruder Deterrence product page: equipment pay-over-time for 24 months: https://simplisafe.com/home-security-shop-packages (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Frontpoint offer details: Ultimate Monitoring Plan regularly $49.99/mo, Interactive $44.99/mo, Video-Only from $14.99/mo, each governed by a 36-month contract; early termination fee of 80% of monthly charges for the remainder of the term; $24.99/mo special pricing and one free month for new Ultimate telesales customers on a 36-month plan, valid through November 5, 2026; $69 Essential and $269 Total Home packages; 40% off additional equipment with 36-month Ultimate plan; 30-day risk-free trial with restocking fee up to $150 on late or incomplete returns; 3-year limited equipment warranty; price match applies to products not monitoring; referral terms mention 1-year or 3-year subscriber agreements: https://www.frontpointsecurity.com/offer-details (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Frontpoint monitoring page: Ultimate $1.65/day, Interactive $1.48/day, Video-Only $0.50/day, In-App Safety Button $0.17/day (each 'as low as'); Ultimate and Interactive both include intrusion, fire/CO, flood monitoring and home automation; Ultimate adds video with video analytics; 24-hour battery backup on Ultimate and Interactive; uses the Alarm Validation Scoring Standard (AVS-01): https://www.frontpointsecurity.com/monitoring (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Frontpoint shop: Essential system includes 1 hub and keypad, 2 door/window sensors and a Home Defense Kit (3 items); Total Home includes Display Hub+, 3 door/window sensors, motion sensor, smoke + heat sensor, Home Defense Kit and the buyer's choice of indoor and outdoor cameras; DIY, peel-and-stick sensors, most customers set up in 30 minutes or less, no technician visit; 100% cellular monitoring; backup battery up to 24 hours: https://www.frontpointsecurity.com/shop (accessed 2026-10-01)
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