# Canary vs Frontpoint

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Frontpoint at none against Canary's 12. Frontpoint also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Canary's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (33% vs 17%). On price, rating, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Canary sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Frontpoint asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Canary against 4.3 for Frontpoint. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.4K and 4.6K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 33% of Canary's written reviews are positive against 17% of Frontpoint's.

Canary ships an update monthly, Frontpoint every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Canary | Frontpoint |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (5.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canary-smart-home-security/id939760559/reviews) | **[4.3 (4.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frontpoint/id945797198/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.4K** | 4.6K |
| Positive reviews | **32.6% of reviews** | 17.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#152** | — |
| Size | 158 MB | 378 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Canary Connect](https://appshunter.io/developer/939760558) | [Frontpoint Security Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/945797197) |

## What reviewers say

### Canary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canary-smart-home-security/id939760559)

**Currently charting:** #152 Top Grossing · Lifestyle (US App Store)

This app connects to smart home security devices to provide live and recorded video monitoring, intelligent motion alerts, and automatic mode switching. It also offers emergency response features and monitors indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity for a safer home environment.

**Highlights:** Live and recorded HD video monitoring, Intelligent motion notifications with video clips, Automatic arming/disarming based on location, Emergency siren and direct connection to responders, Indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity monitoring, Customizable Home and Night modes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Service | $7.99 | per month |
| Premium Service | $12.99 | per month |
| Professional Monitoring | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium Service | $24.99 | per month |
| Premium Service | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Service | $249.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to set up
- 🔒 Reliable security system
- 📊 Comprehensive dashboard and data
- 🌡️ Monitors temperature, humidity, and air quality
- 💬 Two-way audio communication

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and offline issues
- 🔍 Poor motion detection and false alerts
- 🕰️ Limited video history without subscription
- 🔒 Subscription required for essential features
- 📺 Slow video loading and playback

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Inability to delete or remove cameras
- Inaccurate temperature and air quality readings
- Inconsistent live view and recording functionality

**Requested features**

- Ability to move and reposition cameras
- Longer video history for free users
- Improved geofencing and automatic mode switching
- Better motion detection and person identification
- Easier multi-camera management


### Frontpoint

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frontpoint/id945797198)

Easily monitor and control your home security system from anywhere. Receive real-time alerts, view live video, and manage connected devices like lights and thermostats. Enjoy the simplicity and security of your system on the go.

**Highlights:** Arm and disarm system remotely, Real-time notifications, View live/recorded video, Control smart home devices, System status updates

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure system
- 👍 Practical design
- 📸 Good camera quality
- 🔥 Works as designed

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Downloading failures
- 🐛 Laggy app
- 🔌 Connectivity issues
- 🔍 Poor customer support
- 🤖 Automation limitations

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent sensor status reporting
- Unreliable remote arming/disarming
- Disappearing widgets after iOS updates
- Unresponsive app during critical situations

**Requested features**

- Add Apple CarPlay integration
- Improve app navigation and search
- Allow remote sensor management
- Add 24-hour time format option
- Improve app UI and dark mode support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Canary free?

Canary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Frontpoint free?

Frontpoint is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Canary or Frontpoint?

Frontpoint is rated higher. Canary averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5.4K ratings, while Frontpoint averages 4.3 from 4.6K ratings.

### Do Canary or Frontpoint have ads?

Canary shows ads; Frontpoint does not.

### Which is updated more often, Canary or Frontpoint?

Canary ships an update monthly, and Frontpoint every 3 months. Most recently, Canary was updated on September 24, 2026 and Frontpoint on September 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*