Frontpoint’s App: It’s Just Alarm.com (With a Higher Price Tag)
Here’s the dirty secret about Frontpoint’s app: it’s not Frontpoint’s app at all. It’s Alarm.com’s app — the exact same app used by hundreds of other security dealers. You’re paying Frontpoint $35-50/month for access to software that costs dealers $3-8/month wholesale.
| Detail | Frontpoint App (Alarm.com) |
|---|---|
| Actual App | Alarm.com (branded section for Frontpoint) |
| iOS Rating | 4.7★ (as Alarm.com) |
| Android Rating | 4.5★ (as Alarm.com) |
| Developer | Alarm.com, not Frontpoint |
| Same App As | Brinks, Guardian, CPI, Link Interactive, 10K+ dealers |
| What Frontpoint Adds | Nothing — same features as any Alarm.com dealer |
| What You Pay | $34.99-$49.99/month |
| What Alarm.com Costs Dealers | ~$3-8/month per account |
What the Alarm.com App Actually Does
Credit where it’s due — the Alarm.com app is genuinely excellent. It’s just not worth paying Frontpoint’s premium to access it.
Features by Frontpoint Plan
| Feature | Safe Home ($34.99) | Interactive ($44.99) | Ultimate ($49.99) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm/disarm remotely | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Push notifications | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sensor history | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Crash & smash | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live video | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Video clips | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Smart home rules | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Geo-services | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Video analytics (AI) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Image sensor | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
The Markup Problem: What Alarm.com Costs Elsewhere
You can get the exact same Alarm.com app experience through cheaper providers:
| Provider | Monthly | Platform | Contract | Same App? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontpoint | $34.99-$49.99 | Alarm.com | 1-3 years | ✅ Yes |
| Alarm Grid | $20-$35 | Alarm.com | None | ✅ Yes |
| Link Interactive | $30-$39 | Alarm.com | None | ✅ Yes |
| Brinks Home | $29.99-$39.99 | Alarm.com | 2-3 years | ✅ Yes |
Alarm Grid gives you the full Alarm.com experience for $20-35/month with no contract. That’s up to $540 less per year than Frontpoint’s top tier.
Better Apps From DIY Systems (That Don’t Use Alarm.com)
Modern DIY systems have their own excellent apps — and they’re cheaper:
| System | App | iOS Rating | Monthly | Key App Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abode | Abode App | 4.5★ | $0-$20 | Full control, CUE automations, HomeKit, geofencing, camera live view |
| Ring | Ring App | 4.5★ | $0-$20 | All cameras, Neighbors, alarm control, Alexa routines |
| SimpliSafe | SimpliSafe App | 4.7★ | $0-$28 | Clean UI, camera view, Fast Protect, secret alerts |
| Alarm.com | Alarm.com App | 4.7★ | $20-$50 (via dealer) | Video analytics, scenes, geo-services, energy mgmt |
Frontpoint App: Real User Complaints
| Common Complaint | Root Cause | Better Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Can’t control system from app on basic plan | Frontpoint locks remote control behind $35/mo minimum | Abode: free app control on all plans |
| Video requires $45-50/mo plan | Alarm.com video tiers are expensive | Ring: video recording from $4/mo |
| App is slow to load cameras | Alarm.com cloud relay + Frontpoint cameras | Ring cameras load faster (direct cloud) |
| Smart home automation limited | Z-Wave only, Alarm.com rules can be rigid | Abode: Z-Wave + Zigbee + HomeKit + Matter |
| Can’t self-monitor (no free tier) | Frontpoint requires paid monitoring | Abode & Ring: $0/mo self-monitoring option |
3-Year App Cost Comparison
| If You Want… | Frontpoint | Abode | Ring |
|---|---|---|---|
| App control only (self-monitor) | Not available | $0/mo ($199 hardware) | $0/mo ($199 hardware) |
| App + monitoring | $34.99/mo ($1,260/yr) | $20/mo ($720/yr) | $20/mo ($720/yr) |
| App + monitoring + video | $44.99-$49.99/mo | $20/mo (included) | $20/mo (included) |
| 3-Year Total (full features) | $1,719-$1,899 | $919 | $919 |
The Bottom Line: Don’t Pay Frontpoint’s Markup
The Alarm.com app is great. Paying Frontpoint’s premium to use it is not. You have three better paths:
- Get Abode — Best app for smart home users, free self-monitoring, HomeKit support ($199 + $0-20/mo)
- Get Ring — Best for camera-heavy setups, Alexa integration ($199 + $0-20/mo)
- Use Alarm Grid — If you specifically want Alarm.com, get it for $20-35/mo with no contract instead of paying Frontpoint $35-50/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Frontpoint app really just Alarm.com?
Yes. Frontpoint doesn’t develop its own app. You download the Alarm.com app, log in with your Frontpoint account, and use Alarm.com’s interface. The only difference is which dealer processes your payments.
Can I switch from Frontpoint to a cheaper Alarm.com provider?
Potentially, if your contract has ended. Your Qolsys panel can be transferred to another Alarm.com dealer like Alarm Grid for $20-35/month. Contact Alarm Grid about their “takeover” program.
Why does Frontpoint charge so much for the same app?
Frontpoint’s business model relies on dealer markups. They buy Alarm.com service wholesale ($3-8/account) and resell it at $35-50/month. The markup pays for sales, customer service, and profit. You’re not paying for better technology — you’re paying for their overhead.
Which security app is best in 2026?
For smart home integration: Abode. For camera management: Ring. For the cleanest interface: SimpliSafe. For the most features: Alarm.com (via Alarm Grid, not Frontpoint). See our full security app comparison.
Does Frontpoint’s app work offline?
The app requires internet for remote access. The security panel itself will continue monitoring locally and can trigger alarms without internet, communicating via cellular backup. But you won’t be able to arm/disarm remotely or view cameras without connectivity.
Should I get Alarm.com or a proprietary system like Ring?
Alarm.com is technically superior for video analytics and smart home rules. But Ring and Abode offer 90% of the functionality at 50-60% of the cost. Unless you need Alarm.com’s specific enterprise features, a proprietary DIY system is better value.
William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
Sam Bean says
The problem is that the app is worthless unless you increase your subscription by $10.00 per month. They give you free access during the trial period but then they cut it off!