Cove and Frontpoint are both DIY-friendly security systems with professional monitoring and no long-term contracts. But that’s where the similarities end. Cove targets budget buyers with free equipment. Frontpoint charges $49.99/month — one of the most expensive DIY options available. Here’s a complete comparison to help you decide, plus a better alternative most people overlook.
Quick Comparison: Cove vs Frontpoint
| Feature | Cove | Frontpoint | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $17.99-$27.99 | $49.99 | Cove |
| Equipment | Free (with plan) or buy outright | $99-$699 | Cove |
| Contract | None | None | Tie |
| Platform | Proprietary | Alarm.com | Frontpoint |
| Video verification | ❌ | ✅ | Frontpoint |
| Smart home | Alexa, Google | Alexa, Google, Z-Wave (Alarm.com) | Frontpoint |
| HomeKit | ❌ | ❌ | Neither |
| Cellular backup | ✅ | ✅ | Tie |
| Installation | DIY | DIY | Tie |
| Customer reviews | 4.6★ Trustpilot | 3.2★ BBB | Cove |
| 3-year cost (monitored) | $648-$1,008 | $1,899-$2,499 | Cove |
Cove Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Equipment | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $17.99 | Free (with plan) | 24/7 monitoring, cellular, app control, environmental alerts |
| Plus | $27.99 | Free (with plan) | Basic + smart home (Alexa/Google), camera recording, InstaText alerts |
Frontpoint Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Equipment | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single plan | $49.99 | $99-$699 | Everything: monitoring, cameras, video verification, smart home, app |
3-Year True Cost Comparison
| System | Equipment | Monthly | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cove Basic | $0 | $17.99 | $648 |
| Cove Plus | $0 | $27.99 | $1,008 |
| Frontpoint | $99-$699 | $49.99 | $1,899-$2,499 |
| Abode (self-monitored) | $199 | $0 | $199 |
| Abode Connect+ | $199 | $12 | $631 |
| Ring | $199 | $20 | $919 |
| SimpliSafe | $249 | $19.99 | $969 |
Frontpoint costs $1,251-$1,851 more than Cove over 3 years. And Abode Connect+ beats both — $631 total with professional monitoring, HomeKit, Z-Wave/Zigbee hub, and equipment you own.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cove | Frontpoint | Abode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional monitoring | ✅ ($17.99+) | ✅ ($49.99) | ✅ ($12+) |
| Free self-monitoring | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Video verification | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| HomeKit | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Native |
| Z-Wave hub | ❌ | ✅ (Alarm.com) | ✅ Full |
| Zigbee | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Geofencing | ❌ | ✅ (Alarm.com) | ✅ CUE |
| Cellular backup | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ ($6+) |
| Crash & smash | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Environmental sensors | Smoke, CO, water, freeze | Smoke, CO, water, freeze | Smoke/CO listener, water |
| Camera | Yi Dome ($35) | Alarm.com cameras ($100+) | Cam 2 ($35) |
| Contract | None | None | None |
| Equipment ownership | Free equipment = you own it | You own it | You own it |
| Customer satisfaction | 4.6★ Trustpilot | 3.2★ BBB | 4.1★ Trustpilot |
Cove Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Free equipment with monitoring plan | Proprietary platform (not Alarm.com) |
| Excellent customer reviews (4.6★) | No HomeKit support |
| $17.99/mo is one of cheapest monitored plans | No Z-Wave/Zigbee smart home hub |
| Good environmental sensor selection | Limited smart home integration |
| No contract | No geofencing or automations |
| InstaText alerts (text message notifications) | No video verification |
Frontpoint Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Video verification (faster police dispatch) | $49.99/mo is very expensive for DIY |
| Alarm.com platform (best in class) | No free self-monitoring option |
| Z-Wave smart home via Alarm.com | No HomeKit |
| Qolsys IQ Panel 4 (top-tier hardware) | PE-owned (private equity profit focus) |
| No contract | $1,899-$2,499 over 3 years |
| Geofencing via Alarm.com | Declining customer review scores |
The Verdict
Cove beats Frontpoint on value. You get comparable security monitoring for $17.99-$27.99/mo vs $49.99 — saving over $1,200 over 3 years. Frontpoint’s only meaningful advantages are video verification and the Alarm.com platform.
But Abode beats both. At $0-$12/month, Abode offers free self-monitoring (neither Cove nor Frontpoint has this), HomeKit support (neither has this), Z-Wave + Zigbee hub (Frontpoint has limited Z-Wave, Cove has none), and CUE automations. Total 3-year cost: $199-$631 vs Cove’s $648-$1,008 and Frontpoint’s $1,899-$2,499.
Cove vs Frontpoint FAQ
Is Cove cheaper than Frontpoint?
Yes — significantly. Cove’s basic plan is $17.99/mo with free equipment ($648/3yr). Frontpoint is $49.99/mo plus $99-$699 equipment ($1,899-$2,499/3yr). That’s a $1,251-$1,851 difference over 3 years for broadly similar monitoring.
Is Frontpoint’s video verification worth the extra cost?
Video verification is genuinely useful — monitoring agents can confirm real threats vs false alarms, leading to faster police dispatch. But at $32/month more than Cove ($1,152 over 3 years), the premium is steep. SimpliSafe Fast Protect ($29.99/mo) also offers video verification for $20 less than Frontpoint.
Does either system work with Apple HomeKit?
No — neither Cove nor Frontpoint supports Apple HomeKit. The only major security system with native HomeKit is Abode.
Which has better customer service?
Cove has notably better customer reviews — 4.6★ on Trustpilot vs Frontpoint’s declining scores (3.2★ BBB). Cove’s US-based support team is consistently praised for patience and helpfulness.
Can I self-monitor with Cove or Frontpoint?
Neither offers a meaningful free self-monitoring tier. Both require paid plans for basic functionality. If self-monitoring matters, Abode offers the most capable free tier — full app control, HomeKit, smart home integration, and real-time notifications at $0/month.
With over 20 years of experience evaluating home security technologies, Andrew is a trusted home security expert. He specializes in DIY home security systems, indoor and outdoor security cameras, doorbell cameras, and safety software such as password managers. Andrew uses in-depth research to provide accurate and actionable insights. His work helps you make better decisions to protect your home.
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