Frontpoint vs SimpliSafe Cost (2026): Monthly Fees & Total Price Compared

Last updated: April 4, 2026

Last Updated: April 2026

By the Home Security Ranked editorial team

Frontpoint’s monthly fee is nearly 3x SimpliSafe’s — but the equipment cost gap is much smaller. Frontpoint charges $49.99/month for an all-inclusive plan with Alarm.com. SimpliSafe charges $17.99-$27.99/month for tiered monitoring. Both offer DIY installation, no contracts, and comparable equipment pricing.

The real cost story is in the monthly fee, not the equipment. We broke down every cost category with realistic 3-year totals so you can see exactly where your money goes. For the full feature comparison, see our Frontpoint vs SimpliSafe head-to-head.

Quick Cost Comparison

Frontpoint Monitoring Plan

Frontpoint keeps it simple: one plan, one price, everything included.

$49.99/month — all-inclusive:

• 24/7 professional monitoring via Alarm.com
• 100% cellular connection (crash-and-smash protection)
• Video monitoring with camera cloud storage
• Full smart home control (Z-Wave devices, geofencing, automation)
• App control with real-time alerts
• Environmental monitoring (smoke, CO, flood, freeze)

The advantage: No tiered upselling. You never wonder which plan you need — every feature is included from day one. No surprises when you realize camera recording requires a higher tier.

The disadvantage: There’s no cheaper option. If you just want basic alarm monitoring without cameras or smart home features, you still pay $49.99/month. There’s also no free self-monitoring tier.

SimpliSafe Monitoring Plans

SimpliSafe offers three tiers, including a free option.

The true Frontpoint comparison: SimpliSafe’s Interactive plan ($27.99/month) is the tier that competes with Frontpoint’s feature set, since the Standard plan lacks camera recording and remote app control. Even so, Interactive is $22/month cheaper.

SimpliSafe’s unique advantage: Free self-monitoring. If you want alarm alerts without paying monthly, SimpliSafe delivers that. Frontpoint doesn’t offer self-monitoring at any price.

Equipment Cost Breakdown

This is where the comparison gets interesting. Despite Frontpoint’s much higher monthly fee, equipment costs are actually similar — and Frontpoint is cheaper at the entry level.

Basic (Entry-Level Protection)

Winner: Frontpoint — $70 cheaper at the entry level.

Standard (Home Coverage)

Winner: Frontpoint — $30 cheaper with a higher-resolution camera.

Premium (Full Home)

Winner: SimpliSafe — $27 cheaper, though Frontpoint includes more sensors and a panic button.

Key insight: Equipment costs are within $30-$70 of each other at every tier. The $700-$800 cost gap over 3 years is almost entirely driven by the monthly monitoring fee difference ($22/month × 36 months = $792).

3-Year Total Cost Scenarios

Scenario A: Basic Security (Alarm Only, No Cameras)

Frontpoint costs $722-$1,082 more over 3 years for basic alarm monitoring.

Scenario B: Mid-Range (Alarm + Camera + Smart Features)

Frontpoint costs $762 more. The equipment is $30 cheaper but the monitoring adds $792.

Scenario C: Premium (Full Home Protection)

Frontpoint costs $819 more over 3 years at the premium tier.

Cost Summary

What Does the Frontpoint Premium Buy You?

The $762 gap at the mid-range tier (3 years) buys you these Frontpoint advantages:

• Alarm.com platform: Industry gold standard for monitoring, with superior automation rules, video analytics, and geofencing
• Full Z-Wave integration: Control smart locks, thermostats, lights, and garage doors from the security panel
• 2K cameras: Visibly sharper than SimpliSafe’s 1080p
• 100% cellular connection: More secure than Wi-Fi-dependent systems — crash-and-smash protection included
• Enterprise-grade sensors: Higher build quality designed for long-term reliability
• Geofencing and automation scenes: Automatically arm/disarm based on your location

Is it worth it? If you own Z-Wave devices and want advanced automation, yes — Frontpoint’s Alarm.com integration is genuinely superior. If you just want a reliable alarm with cameras and professional monitoring, SimpliSafe delivers that for $762 less.

Hidden Costs & Fees

Both Frontpoint and SimpliSafe stand out for their transparency. Neither charges:

• Contract fees
• Cancellation fees
• Installation fees

Costs to be aware of:

• Local permits: Some municipalities require security system permits ($25-$100)
• SimpliSafe’s Standard plan limitation: The $17.99/month plan lacks camera recording and remote app control. To use cameras, you need the Interactive plan at $27.99/month
• Battery replacements: Both systems use battery-powered sensors. Batteries last 3-5 years and cost $5-$10 per sensor to replace
• Neither guarantees rate stability: Monthly fees may adjust over time for both providers

Bottom Line: Which Is the Better Value?

SimpliSafe wins on cost at every comparable tier — $700-$820 cheaper over three years. The monthly monitoring fee drives the entire gap, since equipment prices are nearly identical.

SimpliSafe is the better value for:

• Most households that want reliable monitoring at a fair price
• Budget-conscious buyers who don’t need advanced automation
• Anyone who values self-monitoring flexibility ($0/month option)

Frontpoint is worth the premium for:

• Smart home enthusiasts with Z-Wave devices
• Users who want the Alarm.com platform’s advanced automation and geofencing
• Buyers who prioritize 2K camera resolution and enterprise-grade hardware

For the full feature comparison beyond pricing, see our Frontpoint vs SimpliSafe head-to-head. Also check our Frontpoint review and SimpliSafe review for in-depth looks at each system. For overall pricing context, see how much does home security cost.