Xfinity vs. Frontpoint

Xfinity and Frontpoint differences

Xfinity and Frontpoint are both great home security companies. Where Frontpoint stands apart is its smart-home integrations, although the higher-end monitoring plan must be in place to access all the features. Xfinity, on the other hand, is known for its ability to streamline payments across the board, including for internet, TV and security. Both include a 30-day trial and offer packages for $0 down.

Installation and cost

Installation type	Professional	DIY
Installation fee	$100	None
Upfront cost	Equipment cost of $360 to $600+; financing available	$392.40 to $797.88 upfront; financing available
Trial period	30-day money-back guarantee	30-day risk-free guarantee
Contract terms	Two years	36 months (if financing)

	Professional	$100	Equipment cost of $360 to $600+; financing available	30-day money-back guarantee	Two years
	DIY	None	$392.40 to $797.88 upfront; financing available	30-day risk-free guarantee	36 months (if financing)

Monitoring plans and pricing

Monitoring price range	$30+	$50/month
Monitoring options	Professional and self-monitored	Professional
Self-monitoring	Self protection feature available (live recorded video) for $10/month	Not offered
Upgraded self-monitoring	—	Not offered
24/7 professional monitoring	$30+	$50/month
Upgraded professional monitoring	$40+	Not offered

	$30+	Professional and self-monitored	Self protection feature available (live recorded video) for $10/month	—	$30+	$40+
	$50/month	Professional	Not offered	Not offered	$50/month	Not offered

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 specified	Not listed
Panic button	Via touch-screen control panel	Panic pendant
Yard sign

	Wireless	Indoor and outdoor cameras	—					—	Not specified	Via touch-screen control panel
	Wireless	Indoor and outdoor cameras							Not listed	Panic pendant

Smart-home features

Smart locks	Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale
Smart lights	Compatible with GE (Jasco), Leviton, LIFX, Lutron Castéta, Phillips Hue, Sengled
Smart thermostat	Compatible with Carrier Cor, ecobee, Zen
Garage door control	Compatible with Chamberlain LiftMaster	Not listed
Temperature sensor	—	Not listed
Water sensor	—
Smoke detector
CO detector	—

	Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale	Compatible with GE (Jasco), Leviton, LIFX, Lutron Castéta, Phillips Hue, Sengled	Compatible with Carrier Cor, ecobee, Zen	Compatible with Chamberlain LiftMaster	Compatible with Chamberlain LiftMaster	—		—
				Not listed	Not listed

Technology

Mobile app
Mobile app monitoring
iOS rating	4.4	4.4
Android rating	4.5	3.3
Notification/alert options	Text, email, push and TV	Email, text and push
Home automation capabilities
Voice integration
Amazon Alexa
Google Home	Not specified
Other integrations	xFi Gateway, Xfinity camera devices	Amazon Alexa, Google, Siri, Z-Wave

			4.4	4.5	Text, email, push and TV				Not specified	xFi Gateway, Xfinity camera devices
			4.4	3.3	Email, text and push					Amazon Alexa, Google, Siri, Z-Wave

Reputation on ConsumerAffairs

Overall star rating	1.2	3.6
Verified customer reviews	Xfinity Home reviews	Frontpoint reviews

	1.2	Xfinity Home reviews
	3.6	Frontpoint reviews

All information accurate as of publishing date.

Xfinity

Xfinity sells home security solutions with multiple smart-home integration options. As a telephone and internet provider, Xfinity also lets you combine network solutions in one easy monthly cost. Xfinity’s DIY monitoring does come at an additional cost, which might not be ideal for all customers but isn’t unheard of in the industry. Professional monitoring starts at $30 per month and does not require a contract. Customers don’t have to pay an upfront cost with Xfinity.

Xfinity packages

• Base Home System: The Base Home System is $15 a month for 24 months. This package comes with three door/window sensors, a motion sensor and a control system. Customers can also choose to pay an upfront cost of $350.
• Complete Home System: The Complete Home System is $20 per month for 24 months. This package comes with five door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a wireless keypad, an indoor/outdoor camera and a control system. Customers can pay $480 upfront instead.
• Ultimate Home System: The Ultimate Home System is $25 a month for 24 months. This package includes 10 door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a wireless keypad, two indoor/outdoor cameras, a control system and a yard sign. Customers can also make one payment of $600.

What Xfinity customers say

Overall, Xfinity has mixed reviews on our site. Positive reviewers highlight Xfinity’s HD cameras and app. Some reviews mention the company’s customer service, while others say that the battery sensors don’t last very long (less than a year).

Frontpoint

Frontpoint is known for offering a wide variety of products and services. Frontpoint stocks a wide variety of security equipment at competitive prices, and there’s no contract requirement if you purchase your equipment upfront — equipment starts at $99. Customers may also choose to finance their system.

Frontpoint plans

Customers who want to monitor their system remotely or utilize smart-home integrations must pay for Frontpoint’s upgraded monitoring package, which is relatively expensive compared to Xfinity's. Upgraded monitoring comes with many additional features and rounds out the system, however.

• Interactive monitoring plan: This plan is best if you just need professional monitoring. It’s $1.48 per day, or about $45 per month, and includes live monitoring from professionals, protection technology, the ability to set unique codes per user and automated system checks.
• Ultimate monitoring plan: This plan is required if you want to utilize all the smart-home capabilities that a Frontpoint system has to offer. It costs $1.64 per day, or about $50 per month, and includes everything from the Interactive plan plus home automation controls. Customers can watch live video footage, control smart-home devices and receive motion notifications in real time.

What Frontpoint customers say

Frontpoint has many 4- and 5-star reviews on our site. Customers like how easy it is to set up the equipment themselves and how the company provides personalized help for those who need more assistance. Some customers encountered issues with hardware, like doorbell cameras or sensors not working properly. Most of these concerns were resolved quickly, but there were a few reviewers who were not able to receive help and felt they were billed unfairly.

Bottom line: Xfinity or Frontpoint?

Both Xfinity and Frontpoint charge for DIY monitoring, which is annoying for many customers but puts them on roughly the same playing field when comparing options. Frontpoint is a bit more expensive, but its benefits are greater. Xfinity doesn’t sell a video doorbell, which is usually most homeowners' starting place for a security system, but it does offer professional installation and support.

• Xfinity is best for existing Xfinity customers and those who want professional support when creating and installing a system.
• Frontpoint is best for customers who want the maximum level of smart-home integrations.