Frontpoint vs. Brinks Home Security

Frontpoint vs. Brinks? Our research shows Frontpoint comes out as the winner.
Winner
Frontpoint
Frontpoint
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at
$24.99
/mo
  • pro
    Variety of contract options
  • pro
    Helpful features
  • con
    More expensive equipment
Best for monitoring
Brinks
Brinks
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
Starts at
$39.99
/mo
  • pro
    Affordable equipment
  • pro
    Large selection of monitoring devices
  • con
    More expensive lowest monthly price

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review

After extensive research into the best home security systems, we found two that were quite similar. Frontpoint and Brinks Home Security both have 30-day trial periods, many security camera options, and DIY installation. Frontpoint pulled ahead in the Frontpoint vs. Brinks battle, though, with some special features, transparent pricing, and flexible contract lengths.

Frontpoint vs. Brinks at a glance


Frontpoint pros and cons

pro
Frontpoint pros
pro Crash & Smash protection
pro Identity protection
pro Flexible contract lengths
con
Frontpoint cons
con Expensive equipment

Frontpoint is best for a quality DIY pick

Frontpoint is a DIY security system that delivers the features you’d come to expect from a top brand, and then some. This brand keeps your wallet safe in your home and online. On top of a wealth of quality home security equipment, you can also get identity theft protection for free.

Read our Frontpoint security review to learn more.

Brinks pros and cons

pro
Brinks pros
pro Affordable equipment
pro Wide range of monitoring devices
pro DIY or professional installation
con
Brinks cons
con Fewer contract options
con More expensive lowest monthly fee

Brinks is best for monitoring

Brinks Home Security professional monitoring is less expensive overall. Plus, this alarm system has a wide variety of sensors to monitor just about anything you can think of. From freeze sensors to motion sensors to glass break sensors to fire listening devices—if it can be monitored, Brink has the equipment for it.

Read our Brinks home security review to learn more.

How Frontpoint and Brinks compare

Company
Best for
Lowest monitoring price
Star rating
Trial period
Contract length
Learn more
Read review
Best for quality DIY pick
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
30 days3 years, 2 years, and month-to-month
Best for monitoring
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
30 days3 years

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

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Frontpoint vs. Brinks similarities

Frontpoint and Brinks have a lot of similarities:

  • Their contracts can be up to three years.
  • There’s a 30-day trial period with both security systems.
  • Both have a variety of cameras to choose from, including indoor and outdoor cameras.
  • Both are DIY systems
  • You can control the systems using a mobile app.
  • Smart home and home automation features are included in their packages, including compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Z-Wave.
  • Both have gadgets and smart devices like video doorbells, motion detectors, and fire detectors.

Frontpoint vs. Brinks differences

While these two security options have a lot in common, the home security companies have several differences that make one a clear winner over the other:

  • Frontpoint is more affordable.
  • Frontpoint has more flexible contract options.
  • Frontpoint has unique features like identity theft protection and smash protection.
  • Frontpoint provides online shopping.

Frontpoint is more affordable

Frontpoint's entry-level equipment package is less expensive than Brinks's—if you're willing to pay more each month. An entry-level package costs around $200 with Brinks. With Frontpoint, you can get started for $129 with a $34.99 monthly monitoring fee, or pay around $400 up front with monthly monitoring at $24.99. 

With Frontpoint, how much you pay per month depends on how much you can pay for equipment out of pocket. With Brinks, you pay depending on your security monitoring features. While both security systems have professional monitoring that comes in around $30 a month, Brinks’ lowest monthly fee is higher than Frontpoint's top tier plan. As packages change, Frontpoint has become more affordable than Brinks.

Compare Frontpoint vs. Brinks plans

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Frontpoint has more flexible contract options

Frontpoint offers you more contract options to fit your needs. Brinks has a no-contract or three-year option, while Frontpoint offers three-year and two-year options and a month-to-month option.

Why so many options? It all has to do with financing. The longer the contract period, the less you pay per month. If you opt to pay up front, then you get a larger monthly fee and a month-to-month contract. If you’re willing to pay more and commitment scares you, go with the month-to-month option.

Light Bulb
Call to get the best deal

With both security systems, you can shop online. But to get a contract that’s less than three years, you’ll need to order your Frontpoint system over the phone.

Frontpoint has unique features

While Brinks has an avalanche of equipment, it doesn’t offer a lot of standout features. Frontpoint, on the other hand, has a couple we really dig.

First: the Frontpoint ID Protect powered by AllState Identity Protection. No matter what contract you choose, every Frontpoint customer gets identity theft protection included with their system. This feature lets you manage all your personal data in one spot, with data security professionals on hand to investigate suspicious activity.

Second is the Crash & Smash protection. This feature ensures that your home is still protected, even if an intruder smashes the control panel after they get into your house. If the security system has been triggered, there’s no way the intruder can stop the alarm from getting to the monitoring station.

Learn more about Frontpoint

Frontpoint provides online shopping

When you go to the Brinks website and the Frontpoint website, you’ll notice a big difference. The Brinks website doesn’t offer shopping options or prices. You’re completely in the dark until you give them a call.

On the other hand, Frontpoint is more transparent. You can see prices, compare Frontpoint equipment packages, and even order your equipment without ever talking to a customer service rep. If haggling with someone trained in high-pressure sales isn’t for you, Frontpoint is the best choice.

Winner: Frontpoint beats Brinks

While Brinks is a great security system brand, Frontpoint eeks by with the win. It provides unique features like identity theft protection and smash protection. Plus, Frontpoint gives you more flexibility with your monthly payments and contract options and has transparent online buying options.

Still undecided? Read our full Frontpoint and Brinks reviews to learn more.

How we decided: Frontpoint vs. Brinks

SafeWise tested over a dozen Frontpoint products.

Image: SafeWise. 

This head-to-head wireless security system battle was determined by hundreds of hours of research and dozens of years of security experience. We scoured hundreds of customer reviews and tested the security systems hands-on. Plus, we talked to the brands to learn more about their products.

To learn more about how we review services and products, please visit our Safewise methodology page.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina Bradford
Alina is a safety and security expert that has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. Her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.

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