Of all the renter-friendly home security systems we looked at, Frontpoint had all the amenities we wanted.
Frontpoint is an affordable system that won’t put any holes in your wall or trap you in a long-term contract. This apartment security system is expandable and easy to take with you when your lease is up too. And with equipment like indoor cameras, a smart doorbell, and environmental sensors, even your landlord will be on board.
- Frontpoint is offering a free video doorbell, 40% off sitewide, and packages starting at $99.
- SimpliSafe systems are 50% off + a free indoor camera.
- Cove is offering 65% off equipment plus a free HD security camera.
- Abode's sale gets you up to 50% off, plus a free Amazon Echo Show, and a free Abode Cam 2.
- Wyze's core equipment kit is currently 40% off.
Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Here are the best security systems for renters
- : Best for renters
- : Reader favorite
- : Best customer experience
- : Best for DIY automation
- : Budget pick
Compare home security for apartments
|
Brand
|
Professional monitoring starting at
|
Lowest equipment price
|
Financing available
|
Self-monitoring option
|
Learn more
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for renters |
 Frontpoint |
$34.99 |
$99 |
Yes |
 No |
View Packages | Read review |
| Reader favorite |
 SimpliSafe |
$14.99 |
$229.00 |
No |
Yes |
View Packages | Read review |
| Best customer experience |
 Cove |
$15.00 |
$229.00 |
Yes |
No |
View Packages | Read review |
| Best for DIY automation |
 Abode |
$20.00 |
$231.99 |
Yes |
Yes |
View Packages | Read review |
| Budget pick |
 |
$4.99 | $99.98 |
No |
Yes |
View on Amazon | Read review |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Like renters, security systems have to move around sometimes—all of our picks are free of contracts and can move with you whenever your lease is up next. Each DIY home security system costs under $50 per month, and many have flexible up-front equipment purchasing options so they can fit your budget.
Is the security system you want pricey? No need to resort to a ramen-based budget.
Security companies can finance your equipment for $0 down through in-house or third-party platforms. But you may loop into higher monitoring fees or a contract.
It’s a worthy deal if you need a home security system for a large rental pronto. But it could leave you with hefty fees if you cancel early.
Video: Home security features you'll need while renting
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1. Frontpoint: Best renter-friendly security system
Frontpoint combines home security with home automation seamlessly. These goodies make up for its steep price: a free mobile app, solid HD camera options, pre-programmed software, and broad compatibility with tech you already have like Amazon Echo or Google Home.
$0-down option No-contract option Smart home devices available Mobile app in all plans
High monthly monitoringUnlike SimpliSafe, Frontpoint includes its mobile app, smart home compatibility, and video monitoring with the monthly price. Your apartment security system will send you alerts if it senses something wrong, and you can check the home security camera feed directly from your phone (anywhere that there’s a cell signal).
Standout Frontpoint equipment: four HD cameras
Frontpoint’s equipment packages have all the DIY home security hits like motion detectors, door and window sensors, and a smart hub to connect it all together.
The company also has four impressive home security cameras that stream in HD. So you can keep an eye on your pets (and mini-fridge) while you’re away. If you have a condo or small rental house, you can opt for the outdoor cam or doorbell camera that is easy to install without professional help.
Frontpoint smart home compatibility
Frontpoint also integrates with tons of home automation security products:
Frontpoint pricing and financing
We teamed up with Frontpoint to offer readers an exclusive monitoring deal! The Interactive Monitoring plan gives you mobile control and professional monitoring of your system for $34.99 a month. The video streaming and smart home monitoring plan costs $49.99 per month.
Equipment prices start at $99. You can finance the system for about $10 a month, but you’ll need to sign a contract to complete the deal.
Learn more about monitoring plans and equipment in our full Frontpoint review.
2. SimpliSafe: Reader favorite
SimpliSafe is a great fit for renters because it’s affordable, low commitment, and flexible. Professional monitoring costs less than a large pizza and won’t tie you down with contracts. (You already have a lease to deal with.) Its customizable equipment packages let you add and subtract equipment as you move from rental to rental. And its DIY installation makes it easy to set up every time.
No long-term contracts Low monthly monitoring fee Subtle, stylish equipment Custom package options
Limited home automationSimpliSafe also has a month-to-month, cancel-anytime monitoring policy. Contracts aren’t necessary for this service and you can monitor your system from your phone alongside the pros with the higher tier monitoring plan. SimpliSafe’s two monitoring options cost around $15 or $25 a month.
Easy to take with you
For many renters, moving day is just part of the circle of life. So you’ll want a security system that works with every new home. SimpliSafe lets you customize your system or swap out devices in equipment packages.
So if you move into a new place with a sliding glass door, you can add a door and window sensor to pair it. Found a cute rental home and want to add a doorbell camera or smart lock? No problem. SimpliSafe can morph to fit your new apartment building, condo, townhouse, or home with simple installation each time.
Read more in our SimpliSafe review about the company’s pricing, equipment, and policies.
3. Cove: Best customer experience
Just like apartments, there are no two Cove systems that are exactly alike. Cove’s systems are tailor-made to fit uniquely shaped rentals or small spaces so you can keep an eye on your pets (and stuff) while you’re away.
Monitoring starts at $15/mo. Custom systems Flexible payment options
Limited home automationCove equipment
To create your system, Cove gives you a quick quiz to figure out what devices work best for you. None of the sensors are expensive, but they're priced individually, so it’s best for smaller apartments and studios. Once you get your results, the site gives you the option to add and subtract devices too.
Along with the building blocks of a home security system like a control panel, door sensor, and motion sensor, Cove offers hazard detectors for dangers like smoke and carbon monoxide.
As a renter myself, I was curious about Cove’s custom quiz to build a system. In lieu of any standard packages, Cove’s website paired me with all this for $217.00:
- Cove Touch Alarm Panel
- 2 door sensors
- 3 window sensors
- 1 motion detector
- 1 smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector
- 1 key remote
- 1 indoor camera
Price reflects results from a custom quiz taken on 6/7/2021.
Paying for Cove home security
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.
Customer-centric polices
Cove has a good range of alarm system equipment and some exceptional customer policies, including equipment upgrades, Cove Credit, and a generous 60-day trial period. If you pay for the higher-tier Cove Plus package, you'll enjoy a lifetime equipment warranty.
Installing Cove is easy because equipment comes pre-programmed. But you can call customer service for a step-by-step walkthrough if you run into trouble.
Limited home automation
We just wish Cove had some better home automation options. Cove pairs with Amazon and Google devices, but that's it. No IFTTT, no Z-wave, no Zigbee.
Check out our full Cove review to learn more about the security system.
4. Abode: Best home automation for renters
Abode makes home automation more accessible for renters. It works with a handful of third-party smart products like Ecobee, Kwikset, Yale, and Z-Wave devices. And, in addition to being compatible with Google Home and Amazon Echo, Apple Homekit users can work with Abode too.
Strong home automation capabilities Affordable professional monitoring Compatible with third-party products
Fee for self-monitoring Limited app abilityAbode smart home options
Abode’s CUE program connects with so many smart home devices that we had to write an entirely new article to list them all. If you have other smart products like light bulbs or smart plugs, you can link them to your Abode system.
You can create chain reactions to turn on the lights when the door opens or activate video if the security camera senses activity from the motion detector. Like any smart home system, the possibilities are limited only by the products you have and your creativity.
Monitoring your Abode system
Abode offers an option for self-monitoring for $6 per month. But we recommend the professional monitoring for $20 per month. The price is half that of top systems like Vivint but with the same quick response for emergencies.
Abode security equipment
Abode has two affordable systems for renters and owners alike. We’re personally fans of the Iota system that has a multi-talented base station. The Iota station comes with a built-in security camera and motion detector—perfect for renters with limited space.
Both the Iota and the Smart Security package come with a contact sensor for your front door or main window (your choice), and you can add sensors with your package at checkout if you need more.
Our full Abode review goes into more details about the system.
5. Wyze: Budget pick
For those tiny apartments, single-room renters, or dorm-dwellers, Wyze is a great option. Wyze’s standalone cameras can keep snooping roommates out of your stuff or solve the mystery of “who stole the last piece of pizza.”
Best of all, Wyze cameras are budget-friendly at under $50. Our favorite is the Wyze Cam Pan.
Want more than a camera? Wyze introduced its improved Wyze Sense 2 apartment alarm system in 2021 along with its $5 professional monitoring service via Noonlight.
You don't have to pay for monitoring if you just want a Wyze camera.
Professional monitoring starts at $5/mo. Alexa and Google compatibility Excellent camera quality 30-day trial
Limited security equipmentMore brands we considered
Ring
Mobile app included Indoor, outdoor, & doorbell cameras Alexa, Google Assistant, & proprietary smart home compatibility Affordable professional monitoring*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Ring didn't make our top five this time around because its line-up focuses heavily on outdoor cameras (not often a priority for apartment-dwellers) and their recent price hike makes them more expensive than many of the other brands we considered. All in all, we think most renters are better off choosing one of our top picks instead.
But if you do need some outdoor surveillance, it's worth considering Ring's cameras, either with Ring monitoring or as standalone devices that you monitor yourself through the Ring app. For example, if you rent a house with a shed, consider adding one of the Ring floodlight cameras to catch activity in the dark.
Ring is also known for its suite of video doorbells, including some that are renter-friendly thanks to battery power.
Learn more in our Ring Home Security review.
The Ring Neighbors app was designed as a virtual neighborhood-watch tool.
But it comes with some concerns over too much police surveillance and magnifying users' implicit bias.
Check out our video on YouTube to learn more about Ring, Privacy, and the Police. We also have a Ring FAQ page.
Scout
Mobile app with base plan Indoor & doorbell cameras Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, & Z-Wave, Zigbee smart homeFor its price and the equipment you get, Scout is a good choice for an apartment renter. The basic plan includes motion sensors, a smart hub, and key fobs.
It misses the mark on home automation features like smart doorbells, but it’s the only system we encountered with RFID stickers to keep track of valuables.
At just over $200, Scout’s equipment package aligns with other apartment security systems like SimpliSafe. But professional monitoring from Scout costs $20/month. Or you can opt for self monitoring at $10.
Our Scout review has more details.
Final word: Frontpoint is for renters of all types
Frontpoint checks all the boxes for us by offering quality home security basics without high-stakes commitment. Whatever type of rental you’re in, there’s an equipment package for your home.
Not sold on Frontpoint? Our other picks are also contract-free:
- SimpliSafe offers basic equipment at an affordable price and makes it easy to move or add to the system.
- Cove’s custom systems mean you buy only what you need for your home, and their customer service is second to none.
- Abode marries smart home and DIY home security for nearly unlimited scenarios.
- Wyze is inexpensive and has tons of camera options to keep an eye on things while you’re away.
Our approach
We decided the best security system for renters should be affordable, easy to move, and non-invasive. We looked for DIY home security systems that cost under $50 per month with portable alarm systems you can easily take with you if you move.
Monthly monitoring fees and equipment packages were part of the equation too. And for apartment dwellers, we focused on indoor equipment rather than outdoor cameras and video doorbells (though we still included systems with these devices).
With these criteria in mind, we evaluated our list of the best home security systems and selected the most renter-friendly of the bunch.
Check out our methodology page to learn more about how we approached this and all our reviews on home security systems.
Renter security FAQ
Apartment security for renters doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Work with your landlord to install deadbolts, new locks, or alarms for apartment doors. And renters insurance can reimburse you if something happens to your property while renting for under $20 per month.
Security systems can be cheap too. Even if you rent a single room and have roommates, standalone equipment from companies like Kangaroo or Wyze can keep your rental safe without the extra fees.
While there are systems with contracts, a handful of great systems don’t require any long-term commitment. Alarm systems like SimpliSafe and Cove, for example, let you pay month to month for professional monitoring. Abode even lets you pay for pro monitoring for three or seven days at a time.
Because the structures are different, an apartment security system doesn’t need as many outdoor devices like outdoor cameras or lights.
For homes, make sure your ground floor is covered. The main entrance and any windows or doors at street level will need sensors to watch for threats.
We like SimpliSafe's The Foundation package or Ring Alarm's 5-piece kit for apartments with a single entry point; Frontpoint's The Safehouse package for two entry points; and Abode's Iota kit for open floor plans. If you're looking for the best apartment security system that's customizable and affordable, choose Cove.
You cannot get a traditional ADT system if you rent. Only homeowners qualify for that system, mainly because the equipment is hardwired and the contracts last a long time.
ADT offers alternative DIY home security for renters through Blue by ADT. You get the same quality service from industry powerhouse ADT but with a renter-friendly wireless home security system.
If you rent a single-family home, you shouldn't have a problem getting a Vivint system as long as your landlord approves of the drilling and wiring.
Vivint isn't always apartment complex-friendly, but if you have your heart set on this smart home system, it doesn't hurt to contact Vivint customer service and ask.
Here are some ideas for purchasing and placing apartment security devices:
- A motion-sensing camera that monitors a balcony or outdoor entrance
- A glass-break sensor placed in a central location
- Entry sensors on all ground-level or balcony-accessible doors and windows
SafeWise survey: Renters reveal their safety and security fears
When it comes to safety and security, what issues are renters most likely to encounter? What are their biggest concerns?
We surveyed 1,000 Americans who are currently leasing their home and found that today’s renters are even worse off than we thought. From nonfunctional locks to unresolved maintenance requests, it’s no wonder that nearly one in three respondents said they’ve considered moving out purely due to safety or security issues.
Safety and security provisions
While most landlords aren’t necessarily required to provide or maintain features such as security cameras or outdoor lighting, our survey results show a clear correlation: the safer a renter feels, the more likely they are to stay. So we were curious: what are landlords most likely to provide?
Most renters are provided with at least one of the safety or security enhancements above. But there’s certainly room for improvement. More than 1 in 10 renters are provided with none of these protections, and less than 16% are provided with four or more.
Tenants’ safety and security risks
According to our survey, 52% of renters think someone could “easily” or “somewhat easily” break into their home. Though their reasons may vary, the following stats contribute to this concern:
- 18% of renters have at least one door that doesn’t lock properly.
- More than 20% have at least one window that doesn’t lock properly.
- Nearly 30% of tenants say there have been break-ins in their home or building.
- 35% weren’t required to do a background check before moving in.
Over 30% of renters have considered moving out of their current home due to safety or security issues. When we took a closer look at the responses of these survey participants, the correlation was clear.
These renters are provided fewer safety enhancements and have more outstanding security issues compared to the rest of our survey respondents. Furthermore, 36% of them have unresolved maintenance requests, and 66% say their landlord is aware of the safety and/or security issues in their home.
Landlords and property management
The property manager or landlord clearly plays a key role in residents’ overall feeling of safety and security, both directly and indirectly. A good landlord or property manager will make the effort to ensure you feel safe and secure in your home. However, lease agreements often include statements relieving the owner of any liability when it comes to security.
These survey results shed light on the role property management plays in tenants’ overall feeling of safety in their home:
- 36% of renters have submitted safety- or security-related maintenance requests in the past year that have yet to be resolved.
- 3 in 10 tenants have had maintenance workers or staff enter their home without a mask since the pandemic began.
- Over 30% say they don’t know how many people currently have access to enter their home.
- A third of renters say that a landlord or property management staff member has made them feel unsafe.
With all of this in mind, it was especially surprising to learn that more than one in four Americans who lease their home admit to not being fully aware of their rights. Tenant rights may vary depending on your lease agreement and location, but a good place to start is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.
As a renter, your safety and security is ultimately up to you. Despite the conditions you may live in, there are steps you can take to reduce your risks.
Changing the locks and getting a home security system are great first steps. Many of the devices we mention throughout the page above are not only affordable but can be easily set up on your own and moved from place to place—making them perfect for people who plan to move in the future.
Related articles on SafeWise
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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