Frontpoint vs. Protect America | Compare Systems and Choose Your Favorite

Overview

We usually recommend Frontpoint over Protect America because it offers simpler packages, more transparency, and no contracts.

But Protect America could be the right option if you need ultra-cheap monthly monitoring or an alternative to a cellular system.

Below we’ll compare the two companies in a bit more detail so you can choose the right system for your security needs and budget.

Comparison table

Price

Monthly monitoring

Frontpoint’s lower-tier plans cost more than Protect America’s base plans, but once you get into the higher-level packages with better features, Frontpoint's highest-tier plan is more affordable.

• Frontpoint plan is $49.99 per month and includes cellular monitoring.
• Protect America plans range from $19.99 to $54.99 per month, but you have to pay at least $41.99 a month to get cellular monitoring.

Additional fees

Both Frontpoint and Protect America sell DIY install systems, so you don’t have to worry about installation fees with either company.

Pros and cons

Frontpoint

Protect America

Features and equipment

For the most part, Frontpoint and Protect America offer similar equipment. Both companies use some Alarm.com equipment, which means you’d probably get the same sensors with either company. Both companies offer lifetime equipment warranties, so you don’t have to stress about extra costs if your equipment stops working.

However, Frontpoint has a special hub that makes it easier to sync third-party products with your system, giving it a slim edge over Protect America when comparing equipment.

Frontpoint equipment with special hub (center)

Customer service

Frontpoint has a slightly better customer service reputation than Protect America, but both companies have good customer support.

Neither company offers 24/7 customer service. Frontpoint has a bit more availability than Protect America, but not much. Protect America evens things out by offering live chat—a service Frontpoint lacks.

Frontpoint customer support hours:

• Phone: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–11 p.m. EST, Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. EST

Protect America customer support hours:

• Phone: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Chat: Mon.–Fri. 7 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Installation

Both companies send you your equipment to install yourself. Most of that equipment is very easy to install, and a lot of it uses stickers for quick placement. You’ll probably be able to install everything in under an hour without pulling out your tool set.

Cancellation policies

Frontpoint no longer requires contracts, making it easy to cancel at any time. By contrast, if you cancel your Protect America plan before the contract is up, the company requires 100% buyout.

Trial period

Frontpoint offers a 30-day trial period while Protect America offers 15 days.

Our recommendation

Choose Frontpoint if you want no commitment for higher-end features. Frontpoint has a great industry reputation, easy-install equipment, and reliable customer support. You’ll get more for your money with Frontpoint than you would with a Protect America plan.

Choose Protect America if you need an affordable alternative to cellular monitoring. Protect America is one of the only companies left to offer multiple types of monitoring. This means it offers inexpensive landline options that other companies don’t. It also means you can get a security system even if there’s not good cell coverage near your home.