Frontpoint vs. Cove
Frontpoint and Cove compared
Frontpoint and Cove compared
Both Cove and Frontpoint offer home security systems that meet varying budget and equipment requirements. There are a couple of differences between Cove and Frontpoint, however. Frontpoint has month-to-month, one-year and three-year contracts, while Cove has no contracts. Also, Cove doesn’t integrate with other home automation systems as well as Frontpoint does, which could be a deciding factor for some.
Installation and cost
 |  | |
| Installation type | DIY | DIY |
| Installation fee | None | None |
| Upfront cost | $392.40 to $797.88 upfront; financing available | Varies based on equipment |
| Trial period | 30-day risk-free guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Contract terms | 36 months (if financing) | No term contracts |
| DIY | None | $392.40 to $797.88 upfront; financing available | 30-day risk-free guarantee | 36 months (if financing) |
| DIY | None | Varies based on equipment | 60-day money-back guarantee | No term contracts |
Monitoring plans and pricing
| | |
| Monitoring price range | $50/month | $17.99 to $27.99/month |
| Monitoring options | Professional | Professional |
| Self-monitoring | Not offered | — |
| Upgraded self-monitoring | Not offered | — |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | $50/month | Starting at $17.99/month |
| Upgraded professional monitoring | Not offered | Starting at $27.99/month |
| $50/month | Professional | Not offered | Not offered | $50/month | Not offered |
| $17.99 to $27.99/month | Professional | — | — | Starting at $17.99/month | Starting at $27.99/month |
Security equipment
| | |
| Wired or wireless? | Wireless | Wireless |
| Camera options | Indoor and outdoor cameras | Indoor and outdoor cameras |
| Video doorbell | — | |
| Control panel | ||
| Motion sensor | ||
| Entry sensor | ||
| Glass break sensor | ||
| Keychain remote | ||
| Siren | Not listed | |
| Panic button | Panic pendant | Medical panic button |
| Yard sign |
| Wireless | Indoor and outdoor cameras | Not listed | Panic pendant | |||||||
| Wireless | Indoor and outdoor cameras | — | Medical panic button |
Smart-home features
| | |
| Smart locks | — | |
| Smart lights | — | |
| Smart thermostat | — | |
| Garage door control | Not listed | — |
| Temperature sensor | Not listed | Heat detector within smoke detector |
| Water sensor | ||
| Smoke detector | ||
| CO detector |
| Not listed | Not listed | ||||||
| — | — | — | — | Heat detector within smoke detector |
Technology
| | |
| Mobile app | ||
| Mobile app monitoring | ||
| iOS rating | 4.4 | 2.3 |
| Android rating | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Notification/alert options | Email, text and push | Phone, email, text and push |
| Home automation capabilities | — | |
| Voice integration | ||
| Amazon Alexa | ||
| Google Home | ||
| Other integrations | Z-Wave products | — |
| 4.4 | 3.3 | Email, text and push | Z-Wave products | ||||||
| 2.3 | 2.5 | Phone, email, text and push | — | — |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Verified customer reviews | Frontpoint reviews | Cove reviews |
| 3.9 | Frontpoint reviews |
| 2.9 | Cove reviews |
All information accurate as of publishing date.
Frontpoint
Frontpoint offers several home security equipment packages to meet varying budgets and needs. It also offers a build-it-yourself package that lets you choose specific equipment and quantities, providing flexibility to suit customer needs and budgeting.
Frontpoint works with Google Home and Alexa assistants. It also offers several smart devices, like smart thermostats and lights, that integrate with smart-home automation systems.
Frontpoint packages
- The Safehouse: The Safehouse package costs $392.40 upfront. It includes the hub, keypad, one motion sensor, two door/window sensors and a doorbell camera.
- The Bunker: The Bunker package is $633.92 upfront. It includes the hub, one keypad, three door/window sensors, a smoke/heat sensor, one motion sensor, an indoor camera and a doorbell camera.
- The Fortress: The Fortress has an upfront cost of $797.88. It comes with the hub, one keypad, six door/window sensors, a smoke/heat sensor, two motion sensors, an indoor camera and a doorbell camera.
All packages include a yard sign, window decals and door stickers.
What Frontpoint customers say
While most reviewers were pleased with the service and product they received from Frontpoint, there were a few negative comments. Those with criticisms of the company ran into issues with malfunctioning equipment or incorrect charges. However, most customers felt they received helpful and friendly service and that the product worked as advertised.
Frontpoint's customer service was top notch. They were extremely patient, extremely informative and always responsive … If I had an issue or a need to walk through something, they would stay on the line with me as I walked through it. So, the initial set up and conversations were great. Any other questions I've had since then, customer service has been top-notch."
– Johnny of Morganton, NC
Cove
Cove has been in operation since 2018. It centers on a DIY approach and lets you choose and order your equipment online and install it yourself. Cove makes it easy to customize a home security system, and you can order everything online with transparent pricing.
Additionally, Cove offers low monthly monitoring rates that range from 50 cents to 83 cents per day. There are no long-term contracts, and the company offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Cove packages
Cove does not have pre-made security equipment packages, so you can customize yours to your specific home needs. You can take a short survey on Cove’s website to build your system and see pricing. Equipment options include a control panel, window sensors, door sensors, motion detectors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, flood sensors, glass break sensors, key fobs, indoor cameras, outdoor cameras and panic or medical pendants.
What Cove customers say
According to verified customers, Cove systems are reasonably priced and easy to install. Some reviewers complain about equipment functionality and false alarms. Some also describe connection issues — if you live in an area without good AT&T service, Cove may not be the best option for you.
I got Cove because it offered me a really cheap subscription and after doing some research online I decided to take the risk on this new company. The customer reviews seemed good, but I've only had it a couple of months. The customer service is fine and the installation was a cinch."
– Patrick of Bradenton, FL
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Bottom line: Frontpoint or Cove?
Both Frontpoint and Cove offer customized home security systems. Cove’s is based on a completely DIY approach, from package-building to installation. Frontpoint has a build-it-yourself option, but it also offers pre-made packages.
- Frontpoint is best for customers who want several pre-made options to choose from and would like to integrate several smart devices and equipment.
- Cove is best for customers who want a completely DIY option, from building a customized equipment package to installation.
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