When the topic of home security arises, no users would want to settle for less security coverage. For the same reason, home security systems have been used for a long time. They create an impenetrable cover around your property, keeping intruders away. The quality of home security depends upon which brand you are investing in. When it comes to trust, brands like Frontpoint and Abode are known for their innovative home security solutions.
Both Abode and Frontpoint have a wide range of home security products to choose from. With multiple options, the users get to set up a complex level of security cover. These brands are relatively new in the home security market when compared to their competitors. However, by adapting to the latest technological trends, Abode and Frontpoint have managed to become user-oriented brands. Hence, it becomes difficult for users to choose between these brands.
In this article, we will simplify the selection process for users by discussing both brands. With the help of some critical factors, we make a detailed comparison between Frontpoint and Abode.
An Overview of Abode Home Security Systems
Launched in 2014, Abode has been focused on creating segment-best products. To achieve this, it gathered a team of experienced professionals from the home security industry. This valuable experience helped Abode in identifying the problems faced by users while also finding solutions to them. Abode offers freedom in the customization of its home security solutions to ensure better coverage of your property.
The products range from motion sensors, outdoor cameras, indoor cameras, smart doorbells, etc. To get the most out of these products, Abode also offers personalized subscription plans. Keeping a user-friendly design, it also ensures a hassle-free installation of its home security products. Since a user gets all these features, Abode products become a value-for-money investment.
Pros of Abode Home Security Systems
- Abode offers a very simple subscription plan to its users
- The products work well with various smart home integrations
- The motion detection offered by its motion sensors is best in its segment
- It has priced its equipment bundle lower than other brands
- Users get international shipping of their orders
- Abode offers a price matching policy on its product range, helping users to buy products lower than the market price
Cons of Abode Home Security Systems
- There is an additional shipping charge on every product
- Abode’s camera range cannot capture on higher resolutions like 2K or 4K
- Abode’s security app is not optimized, leading to frequent crashes
An Overview of Frontpoint Home Security System
Whenever premium home security products are mentioned, Frontpoint is considered as a better option. Not just the premium quality but it also focuses on customization of its features. Combine these factors with optimized hardware which makes Frontpoint products stand out from competitors. These factors are suitable for users seeking a professional security system.
To keep their products relevant to modern consumers, Frontpint uses the latest technological trends. All the products can be connected to a single node, creating a smart ecosystem. Taking things further, Fropnpint also maintains a good after-sales service. A team of professional technicians is available to the users to solve their problems.
Pros of Frontpoint Home Security Systems
- Almost all the products offer a DIY-friendly installation process
- Frontpoint equipment is available to the user without any contracts
- The majority of the products are compatible with multiple smart home integrations
- All the users get a 30-day free trial of a preferred subscription plan
- The equipment packages can be customized as per the user’s need
- One of the best after-sale support in the home security market
Cons of Frontpoint Home Security Systems
- Frontpoint does not offer a self-monitoring option in its subscription plans
- The higher subscription plans offer fewer features than the competitors
- A professional installation option is not available for the users
Features Comparison: Frontpoint and Abode Home Security Systems
Now that we have a basic knowledge of both brands, let us discuss the major topic of this article: Frontpoint vs Abode. To compare these brands, we have to first understand some crucial features of home security systems. Even if some features are similar to the home security system (due to industrial standards), some features are different from brand to brand. This difference will assist us in choosing which brand is better than the other.
1. Installation
Installation is crucial for the home security system as it directly affects their positioning. A slight error in the installation can create blind spots for the home security system, thereby compromising the security. To ensure correct installation, home security brands offer two solutions. They offer a professional installation option or design their products with a user-friendly design. Both brands offer DIY-friendly designs on their products. Only Frontpoint offers an optional third-party professional installation to their users.
2. Monitoring
Monitoring is the major feature of a home security system. Home security brands offer two types of monitoring features to their users: professional and self-monitoring. In professional monitoring, all the necessary tasks like live surveillance, alarms, etc are done by a team of professionals. In the self-monitoring option, these tasks are done by the users. Frontpoint users get professional monitoring for a price of $49.99 per month. For Abode users, the professional monitoring cost goes up to $20.5 per month. Abode offers self-monitoring options at zero costs to the users.
3. Equipment Cost
Buying a home security system doesn’t have to make you broke. This is why the equipment cost matters to almost every user. Both brands offer different configurations of their equipment. The standalone units are nothing but a single or a combo of crucial equipment. Similarly, add-on units are used to improve your home security. Frontpoint offers equipment and add-ons between $99 to $1000 range. Abode’s security equipment and add-ons start from $3 and go up to $420, depending on their configuration.
4. Smart Home Integration and Automation devices
The compatibility of your home security system with smart home integration is equally important. With these features, the home security systems can be linked with other devices of a smart home. By linking both systems, users can control multiple devices at the comfort of their fingertips. Smart home integrations also offer automation of various features of home security systems. Equipment from both brands is compatible with smart home integrations. Frontpoint devices work well with Alexa, Google Assistant, Yale smart lock, etc. Abode units support SmartThings, Google Home, Google Assistant, Alexa, and many other automation services.
5. Subscription Plans
Irrespective of the brand, any home security system offers basic features like monitoring, alarms, etc. However, some features are reserved for the subscription plans. Brands charge a subscription fee from the users in return for these additional features. Features like live recording, two-way communication, cloud storage, etc are offered in subscription plans. Frontpoint offers only one subscription plan, priced at $49.99. Abode also has a simplified subscription plan, including only two plans. The Standard plan is priced at $7 per month and the Pro plan is priced at $23 per month.
6. Contracts
Contacts are a simplified alternative for buying equipment for home security systems. Instead of paying the total price of equipment, users can pay money in flexible installments. The contract fee is set for monthly deductions, which does not put a load on the user’s pockets. A contract can also charge money from the users even if the product is not in use. Brands offer contracts for a set period of months or years. Fontpint does not have contacts but it does offer a 30-day buy-back period for its equipment. Similarly, Abode does not offer any contract to its users.
7. Warranty
A user needs help with technical support after purchasing the home security product. The help might be related to hardware or software problems. In this case, the brands offer technical support to the users. A team of professionals guides the users through the troubleshooting process, to repair their devices. Frontpoint offers a toll-free number while Abode offers technical support via email. If the device is under warranty, users can visit the authorized service centers where the raptors or replacements will be done. The warranty period ensures you won’t be charged a single penny for the repair or replacement process. Abode units come with a 1-year limited warranty. Forntpint also offers a 2-year warranty but some products come with a 3-years warranty.
Which is Better: Frontpoint or Abode?
When it comes to deciding which brand is better, the user must focus on their needs. Frontpoint and Abode serve a certain segment of users, making them ideal choices for home security. For Abode, features such as cellular connectivity work well in the regions where WiFi or Ethernet is not available. It gives you various features at costs lower than the Frontpoint subscription plan.
Frontpoint on the other hand offers the best hardware optimization in its products. Users get to select a personalized set of units for their home. Frontpoint products might be priced higher than Abode units but they never disappoint in terms of quality. Hence, Adobe is a good alternative for budget-oriented users while Frontpoint is sufficient for the premium-range segment.
Frontpoint vs Abode – FAQs
Ans: Abode offers two subscription plans to the users. The Standard plan is the basic plan for the users, costing about $7 per month. Users can avail of this subscription for an annual cost of only $70 per year.
Ans: Yes, Adobe systems are compatible with Google Assistant. Users can control their home security systems via Google Assitant’s voice command feature. Commands like arm/disarm, live feed, etc. can be accessed or controlled.
Ans: Not, it is possible to operate Abode devices without an internet connection. Almost all the features of Abode devices depend on stable internet connectivity. Features like live feed, motion detection alarms, notifications, etc. will not work without the internet.
Ans: Yes, Frontpoint is considered one of the trustworthy brands for home security. Most of its products are priced in the premium range but the quality and performance make it worth your investment.
Ans: Frontpoint used to offer a contract of 36 months to the users, for flexible payments. It has later introduced the month-to-month option to the users where users won’t have to lock themselves into contract periods. This contract fee comes in the form of a subscription fee of $49.99, giving users access to all the features.
Ans: The batteries on Frontpoint devices can last between days, months, or even years. Depending on the usage and battery capacity, the overall battery backup varies. The maximum battery life offered by Frontpoint devices is 5 years.
Conclusion
Investing in a home security system is a need of the modern age. With intruders finding innovative ways to intrude, a home security system will be the best wall between them and your home. Brands like Frontpoint and Abode are amongst the few brands that offer a reliable and trustworthy home security system. As both brands are popular for their security, it becomes difficult to choose a favorite one between Frontpoint and Abode. This article helps you understand some major features related to these home security brands. Using these features, a detailed comparison helps in getting clarity.
