We crowned SimpliSafe the best home security for renters and apartments after testing every wireless, no-contract system on the market. We prioritized features that serve people who are renting and may move, affordability, and equipment that won't mess up the walls (or wires) of an apartment.
In short, SimpliSafe's got the most affordable equipment and there are no hoops to jump through if you want to cancel your monthly subscription. But ADT Self Setup's is a good idea if you want the best professional monitoring in the business.
Here are the best security systems for apartments
- : Best optional subscription
- : Most experienced brand
- : Best for smaller apartments
- : Best customer rating
Compare the best security for an apartment or rental property
Brand | Best for | Professional monitoring starting at | Lowest equipment price | Financing available | Self-monitoring option | Learn more |
| Best optional subscription | $19.99/mo. | $229.00 |  Yes
| Yes | View Packages | |
| Most experienced brand | $24.99/mo. | $194.98 |  No | Yes | View Packages | |
| Best small apartment security | $21.99/mo. | $231.99 | Yes
| Yes | View Packages | |
| Best customer experience | $17.99/mo. | $229.00 | Yes
| No | View Packages |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer.
Do I need a security system for my apartment?
Yes. Home security is a good idea for apartments because renters are nearly twice as likely as homeowners to experience a burglary.1 But security systems have traditionally catered to homeowners with credit checks, long-term contracts, hardwired equipment, and even "you must be a homeowner" clauses.
Fortunately, that baloney is now the exception rather than the rule.
Like renters, security systems have to move around sometimes—all of our apartment security picks are wireless, free of contracts, and can move with you whenever your lease is up. Each DIY security system costs under $50 per month, and many have flexible up-front equipment purchasing options so they can fit your budget while protecting your personal property.
Video: Best security systems for renters
1. SimpliSafe: Best overall
There's one thing you can't do with Cove: monitor the system yourself free of charge. If an optional subscription is important to you, try SimpliSafe. This DIY security giant recently (finally) improved their self-monitoring plan, meaning after your first month of professional monitoring, you can switch to self-monitoring if you choose. This makes it a great fit for renters who want to avoid a monthly payment.
No long-term contracts
Low monthly monitoring fee
Subtle, stylish equipment
Custom package options 
Limited home automation What you can do with the SimpliSafe Unmonitored plan
Image: Katie McEntire, SafeWise
Whereas SimpliSafe's free Unmonitored plan used to be nothing more than a local siren, it now includes some app functionality. You can arm or disarm the system, control the SimpliSafe Smart Lock, view a seven-day event history, and get push notifications when there's an alarm, camera notification, or system error—all without paying a dime.
Of course, you miss out on some nice-to-have things like emergency dispatch, cellular backup, and video recording by choosing the unmonitored security plan. But at least you don't have to sacrifice your the security of your home when you go into penny-pinching mode to make rent. Plus, it's easy to cancel SimpliSafe and restart its $18 or $28 professional monitoring plans if your budget changes.
SimpliSafe also gives you a moving package
Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise
SimpliSafe sends its customers a free moving package with extra adhesives, wall stickers, and boxes made to fit each door and window sensor and accessory. Call SimpliSafe's customer service line to request a moving package.
SimpliSafe also makes it easy to leave the entire system—or just a few components—behind for the next tenant. While we appreciate this flexibility, there's not much in it for you—no discount for swapping out equipment, for example.
2. ADT Self Setup: Most experienced security brand
ADT Self Setup combines a no-contract system with ADT's industry-leading monitoring services. It's a great choice if you wish you could get ADT but have been blocked by their homeowner-only policy. Plus, you get that professional monitoring for an incredible price: $24.99/mo. or about a third of what it can cost to monitor a full-blown ADT system.
ADT Self Setup's product line isn't super fancy, but it includes everything you need for a basic security system. ADT Self Setup's equipment costs more than competitors like Wyze and Ring, so the main reason to get it is for that sweet ADT monitoring deal.
Image credit: ADT Self Setup
Standout feature: Big system under $300
ADT Self Setup carries an enormous 15-piece system for just under $300. It includes an indoor camera and a gaggle of door and window sensors and motion detectors. It’s hard to beat this price for what you get.
3. Abode: Best for smaller apartments
For apartment renters short on space, Abode sells a unique system called the Iota All-in-One Security Kit. We've tested the Iota—which houses a base unit, siren, speaker, motion sensor, and camera in a single tower—multiple times over the years, and we're always impressed by how much it can do from a single tabletop vantage point. No fuss, no muss—and certainly no screw holes or chipped paint.
Strong home automation capabilities
Affordable professional monitoring
Compatible with third-party products
Free self-monitoring option
Limited app ability
So-so camera quality Abode (probably) works with your landlord's equipment
Image: Celeste Tholen, SafeWise
Some security brands (looking at you, SimpliSafe and Cove) don't let their equipment mix and mingle with other brands. Abode has no such qualms. For renters, this means you might be able to integrate the Abode system with equipment provided by your landlord—devices including a smart door lock on your front door, or smoke alarm in your bedroom.
Abode's flexible no-contract monitoring saves you money
Image: Cathy Habas, SafeWise
We know renting isn't cheap, so it's nice to save money whenever possible—including with professional monitoring. Abode is the only security company that lets you pay for professional monitoring a few days at a time.
Going on an "unplugged" vacation? Turn on monitoring for about 66 cents per day. Working from home all week? Self-monitor for free.
4. Cove Security: Best customer experience
Founded around 2018, Cove is an industry newcomer focusing on customer satisfaction. Every time we chatted with Cove customer service during our system tests, we experienced short wait times and friendly service. When we met with Cove in October '21, they told us about their unique "do it with me" installation option and a neat $5/month upgrade credit that rolls over each month, which is perfect for renters needing different equipment after a move.
DIY installation
60-day free trial
Flexible payment options
Limited home automation Cove's security equipment is incredibly affordable . . .
You can head straight to the online shop or take a custom quiz to let Cove pair you with the equipment you need based on the number of doors and windows in your rental (among other factors). Here's what the quiz suggested for us:
Image: SafeWise
- Cove Touch Alarm Panel
- 2 door sensors
- 3 window sensors
- 1 motion detector
- 1 smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector
- 1 key remote
- 1 Cove indoor camera
We did some extra mystery shopping and math to put these prices into context: Cove sells the most affordable equipment in the industry. You'd spend an extra $100 to $300 to get the same equipment from other top security brands.
. . . but its monitoring price is average
Image: SafeWise
Here's one of the most important things to know about Cove: their $18/month monitoring plan isn't as attractive as it seems. Cove pulls the same trick that SimpliSafe finally corrected: its app is restricted to the $28/month Cove Plus plan.
So, for about $18 per month, the Cove Basic plan gets you professional alarm monitoring and little else—no camera recordings and no smartphone control.
Some renters ineligible for Cove's payment plan
If you live in an apartment or townhome with a unit number, you're not eligible for Cove's "economy payment" plan, which allows you to use $415 worth of equipment for free with a 36-month contract.
Instead, you'll need to pay for the equipment up front. On the plus side, you won't be locked into a long-term contract and can cancel at any time without penalty.
No drills required for Cove
Image: SafeWise
All Cove equipment is peel-and-stick, so you don’t have to risk your security deposit by drilling any holes in the walls. It comes pre-named and pre-paired for one of the fastest installations in the industry.
SimpliSafe is the best security system for renters
SimpliSafe offers streamlined equipment that's affordable and easy to move. Best of all, you won't be tied into a contract—and SimpliSafe makes it easy to cancel monthly monitoring if you don't need it.
Not sold on SimpliSafe? Our other picks are also contract-free:
- Cove’s custom systems mean you buy only what you need for your home, and their customer service is second to none.
- ADT Self Setup has the best professional monitoring you can find, with 100+ years of experience in the industry and ADT's trusted brand name.
How we chose the best security systems for renters
To rank the best home security for apartments and renters, we focused on these criteria:
- No contracts (and, by default, no cancellation fees or credit checks)
- DIY installation (the easier the better)
- No "homeowners only" policies
From that list of must-haves, we narrowed down the contenders by looking at these features:
- Mover-friendly policies and packages
- Self-monitoring option
- Value for the money
- Equipment price
- Equipment variety
- Financing option
We also considered the most common renting scenarios—home rental, apartment rental, studio rental—and made sure we could recommend a brand for each one.
Finally, we factored in our team's experience testing each of the security systems that made it to our final "best for renters" list. This hands-on knowledge confirmed whether a system is truly easy to install and take down—and whether the equipment and monitoring service is worth paying for in the first place.
Check out our methodology page to learn more about how we approached apartment security systems and all our reviews.
Sources
- US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Household Burglary, 1994–2011." Accessed May 8, 2024.
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
