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After reviewing monitoring services, ease of installation, moving fees, and more, we found SimpliSafe is perfect for renters.
Updated September 12, 2024
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Security systems are a tricky topic for renters. Installing a security system may require major alterations, like drilling components to walls or wiring devices. Not all landlords are down for that. But as you learn more about security systems, you’ll find that there are actually renter-friendly ones.
In fact, in this guide, we’ll help you find the best security system for your rented house or apartment. We narrowed the options down to five – SimpliSafe, ADT, Cove, Frontpoint, and Alder – and then tested those systems for about a month each so we can show you what it’s like to use them. SimpliSafe’s easy DIY setup and contract-free monitoring ended up as our favorite, but each of our top picks have something unique and useful to offer.
Our team of home security experts strongly believes that to make honest and accurate recommendations, we need to test security systems first-hand. So we buy the equipment with our own money, set them up in our own homes, and live with them for weeks or months. This approach lets us get a good feel for the usability, app, response time, and features of each security system we recommend for renters.
We do our best to compare apples to apples. For starters, we install all our test systems in the same house owned by one of our security experts. It’s a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home. We find that this setup offers the best glimpse of how each security system functions in the real world.
We also buy the same components from each system and set them up in identical locations. Here is where we installed the devices we tested:
Since we’re talking about security systems for renters, however, we drew upon our extensive security experience to decide which factors would be most important to renters. We concluded that these are the most important criteria to consider:
Using these criteria, here’s how we compared and ranked our top picks.
Rating the Best Security System for Renters
We’ve all landed on websites featuring reviews for everything from surfboards to hammocks. But our team of experts exclusively review home security and safety equipment. This allows us to dedicate our attention to the topic at hand. The experts who contributed to this review include:
With over 75 years of combined industry experience, we are the most accomplished home security team on the internet. Our work on SafeHome.org started in 2016 and has been featured in many major outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post. Collectively, we have:
All of our recommendations are based on first-hand product experience and a deep understanding of the home security industry. So, let’s take a closer look at the best home security systems for renters.
| System | SimpliSafe | ADT | Cove | Frontpoint | Alder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| SecureScore | 9.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Contract length | Monthly | 36 months or monthly with Self Setup | Monthly | Monthly or 36 months | 36 months |
| Installation type | DIY or professional | DIY or professional | DIY or professional | DIY | DIY or professional |
| Professional monitoring cost | Starting at $19.99 per month | Starting at $29.99 per month | Starting at $17.99 per month | Starting at $49 per month | Starting at $39.99 per month |
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $249.96 | Packages starting at $269 | Packages starting at $90 (with discounts) | Packages starting at $79 (after discounts) | Free with 3-year contract |
| Video doorbell | 1080p hardwired | 1080p battery-powered | 2K hardwired or battery-powered | 1080p hardwired or 720p battery-powered | None |
| Review | SimpliSafe review | ADT review | Cove review | Frontpoint review | Alder review |
SimpliSafe Essentials Kit
Before SimpliSafe, most home security companies only offered systems for homeowners and businesses. SimpliSafe changed that by targeting renters. These days plenty of systems offer renter-friendly packages, but SimpliSafe remains the gold standard. Most recently, they’ve introduced a video verification monitoring service, Fast Protect, that can get help to your home faster than anyone else in the business.
SimpliSafe equipment
Having started out as a DIY security system for apartments, SimpliSafe’s experience here really shows. All in all, we were able to get our entire system up and running in about 20 minutes. And that’s after we had an issue with our reading comprehension.
Here’s one of our experts installing the SimpliSafe motion sensors with adhesive backing.
You see, SimpliSafe specifically says to press the adhesive backing on their equipment against the wall for 30 seconds. We decided to go rogue and let go after 10 seconds only for the motion sensor to come crashing down moments later. For a two-bedroom apartment, getting the entire system set up shouldn’t take any longer than 15 minutes so long as you follow the directions.
Pro Tip: As a test, we asked a team member who is renting to show his landlord our pictures installing SimpliSafe (like the one above). The landlord was adamant to allow monitored security systems, but later agreed after reading our installation experience.
With the new Fast Protect monitoring that SimpliSafe rolled out recently, you can’t get much better professional monitoring. Although ADT’s 12 monitoring centers give a bit more redundancy, the video verification feature in SimpliSafe’s premium monitoring solution comes in handy. As a premium option, it does bring up the monthly cost of your SimpliSafe system though.
For instance, we had our friend check in on our houseplants while on vacation. Since we were on vacation, we weren’t near our phones and didn’t see the alert. But, thanks to SimpliSafe Fast Protect monitoring, they used the two-way audio in our indoor camera to ask our friend what they were doing in our house. Well, we gave them the safe word we set up while installing our SimpliSafe system. They could then confirm they were just there to water our plants — all without us needing to rush for our phones while on vacation.
Fast Protect monitoring isn’t the only subscription plan SimpliSafe offers though. They also offer a basic professional monitoring plan, a DIY monitoring plan. Here’s an overview of SimpliSafe’s monitoring plans and their costs:
| Features | Free | Self-Monitoring | Professional Monitoring | Fast Protect Monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud storage for 30 days of recordings | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Smart platform compatibility | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Cellular backup | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Video verification and live guard | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Equipment warranty | 1-year | 3-year | 3-year | Lifetime |
| Price | Free | $9.99 per month | $19.99 per month | $29.99 per month |
Kudos to SimpliSafe for making a video doorbell with multiple setup options. When we tested the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, we were impressed by how easy it was to adjust motion sensor sensitivity. That can be a crucial tool for apartment dwellers, since you tend to have traffic by your front door. False alerts can convince you it’s OK to let some go. When you know every alert is meaningful, you’re more likely to pay attention to all of them.
Of all the SimpliSafe devices we tested, the video doorbell was the only one that needed both hardwiring and drilling.
You’d think that with the ability to include tools like that, SimpliSafe could manage to produce a doorbell that doesn’t require hardwiring. You’d be wrong. For now, SimpliSafe only offers a hardwired version of its video doorbell, and that means you’ve got to disconnect your existing doorbell and attach this new one (if your landlord lets you do that at all). It also means you have to go through the whole process in reverse when you move.
And if you don’t have an existing doorbell? Well, you may need to consider other options altogether. Google Nest offers a smart, battery-powered option. See our Nest Doorbell review and if you like it, our next pick might be better suited for you.
FYI: The SimpliSafe doorbell wasn’t the easiest to set up. It took us over 15 minutes, and that’s with a setup that perfectly matches SimpliSafe’ specs (8 to 24 VAC, 10 to 30 VA).
| Monitoring options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional and DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | Packages starting at $249.96 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $9.99 |
| Contract Length | Monthly |
Despite its stellar reputation and its long history of excellence in the home security business, we used to discourage renters from signing up with ADT. Systems had to be professionally installed, and that could put security deposits at risk. Over the last year, though, ADT rolled out a lineup of DIY home security systems. When we tested ADT Self Setup we found it to be easy to install, if not quite as easy as SimpliSafe systems.
ADT Control Panel
Whether you opt for a professionally installed ADT system or ADT Self Setup, you should be in for a pretty smooth installation experience. Since we’ve done both, we’ll tell you what you’ll be in for either way. For a professionally installed system, all we had to do was schedule our appointment with one of ADT’s technicians. Then, the tech showed up right on time, to our surprise, and got to work. They installed the entire system without us lifting a finger.
Here’s how our ADT control panel looked right after installation.
As for ADT Self Setup, we were pretty surprised how easy the system was to set up. That’s largely thanks to the fact that ADT now sells Google Nest cameras, which are designed to be DIY-installed. The ADT-brand equipment was just as easy though with adhesive strips almost identical to the SimpliSafe ones. We liked that the Google Nest Doorbell we tested was battery-powered so it was easier to install than the SimpliSafe wired video doorbell.
Note: We still had to use a drill to install the Nest Doorbell, specifically for the wall anchor. And frankly, we don’t recommend installing it any other way. It’s a $180 piece of equipment; you’d want to make sure it’s anchored securely.
We used to say that ADT’s professional monitoring was exceptionally reliable, but you paid heavily for that reliability. Well, you pay a lot for ADT in general. For some reason, ADT woke up one day and decided to cut their monitoring prices significantly. We’re talking almost in half. Now, you can get that same 12-center reliability for a fraction of the price. Here’s a quick overview of ADT’s three monitoring plans:
| Features | Secure | Smart | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 professional monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support for security cameras | No | No | Yes |
| Home automation features | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $29.99 per month | $44.99 per month | $45.99 per month |
Like we mentioned, ADT now sells Google security cameras and their video doorbell is no exception. So, you only get one doorbell camera to choose from, but that’s typical of most home security companies aside from Ring which has eight different video doorbells. Don’t worry, we compared the Ring and the Ring Plus Video Doorbells.
>> Compare: ADT vs Ring Comparison – Which Security System is Best?
That’s everything we received from the Nest Doorbell (battery) box.
As for the Google Nest Doorbell, it’s battery-powered as previously mentioned, which makes installation a breeze. We really liked the familiar face detection on it though. This lets the camera automatically start to recognize people. Then, we could attach names to the faces it started to recognize to make our alerts smarter. So, by the end of our time with the Google Nest Doorbell, we got alerts that said “Alex is at the front door” instead of “Someone is at the front door” when our friend would stop by.
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $499 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional |
| Monitoring cost | Starting at $29.99 per month |
| Contract length | Starting at 36 months |
| Installation options | Professional or DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
One common theme we’ve noticed is that alarm companies will try to upsell you so that you’d buy a bigger package, often by offering discounts. But if you’re renting a one-bedroom unit in a multi-storey apartment complex, you probably don’t need three door sensors and more than one motion sensor. That’s what we liked about Cove; it has no pre-built packages so you get to build your own. And when it comes to discounts, you’ll save just as much buying a smaller system as you do getting a bigger one with equipment you don’t need.
We opted not to spend the extra $129 to have someone set up our Cove security system. We’re glad we didn’t. It was incredibly easy to do ourselves as the devices were packaged in the exact order to be installed. From the opening of the first box to the final setup of the last piece of equipment, the whole exercise took about 30 minutes.
It was as easy as plugging in the hub, setting up a master code, mounting some sensors, and installing the cameras. There was no need to drill holes in the wall or mess around with the internal wiring. Most devices are battery-powered or plug into a socket, and the sensors stick to the wall with adhesives.
Pro Tip: What we really loved about installing Cove? The on-screen and audible instructions. And with the touchscreen keypad’s 24-hour battery, you can take it around with you as you install your sensors around the apartment.
Both of Cove’s plans come with 24/7 professional monitoring. If your Wi-Fi drops out, it will connect to AT&T’s 4G LTE network, and if you lose power, there is a backup battery keeping everything online. When we were simulating emergencies, Cove attempted to reach us through the hub to confirm the need for assistance.
They don’t waste any time if you don’t respond. We know firsthand. After failing to cancel one of the alarms within the time limit, the police knocked on our door. Thankfully, they were understanding of the situation and we got a better idea of how quickly we’d get help if we needed it.
YI Indoor Camera for Cove
All of Cove’s cameras are made by Eufy, an award-winning security equipment manufacturer. The doorbell camera is responsive as it activates the moment it hears a loud noise. The footage is in 2K resolution, and you can speak to visitors via the Cove app if you don’t feel like getting up off the couch to interact with a stranger.
We like that Cove cameras let you record your footage locally using Micro SD cards. You can opt for cloud storage, but it will cost you an extra $2.99 per month per camera on top of the monitoring costs.
FYI: Before Eufy, Cove used to offer security cameras from Yi (see picture above). We like the switch because back then, the Yi cameras needed a different app than the Cove app. With the current setup, we were able to view camera footage and recordings straight from the Cove Connect app.
| Monitoring Options | Professional |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional or DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $90 for hub and keypad |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $17.99 |
| Contract Length | 1 month |
When we first tested Frontpoint, we weren’t terribly impressed. In the early days, the equipment wasn’t up to professional standards, monitoring wasn’t worth the price the company charged, and customer service was subpar. In the last several years, though, Frontpoint has turned things around to the point where this system now regularly appears on our list of best home security systems.
Frontpoint equipment
Frontpoint doesn’t offer professional installation. That’s OK. Its DIY process is straightforward enough that anyone can do it. While it’s not as easy as putting a SimpliSafe system up, the instructions are clearly written, and the system comes with peel-and-stick options. That’ll keep your landlord happy.
FYI: Frontpoint has partnered with HelloTech for third-party professional installation, with prices starting at $99. It’s not our only top-pick with such an option; SimpliSafe partnered with OnTech. But in the topic of professional installation, we still prefer in-house. ADT is the only option on this list that offers that.
We loved the equipment quality, but the sensors were bulkier than we expected.
But, if you decide to take on Frontpoint’s DIY installation, it’s a pretty straightforward process. In fact, it was one of our favorite DIY home security systems because the installation was so easy. It even took us less time than installing SimpliSafe’s system. And thankfully, the new customer support team is really helpful. So, when we called to ask about the best spot to put our motion sensor, they rightfully told us to put it in the corner of the room somewhere between five feet and seven feet high.
Unlike ADT and SimpliSafe, Frontpoint only has one plan for monitoring. It’s a flat $49.99 per month no matter how many sensors or cameras you buy. This is why we think Frontpoint has no-nonsense pricing. That makes it a great choice if you’re renting a larger home and want a fully equipped security system.
As for the actual quality of the monitoring, it beat the average system but didn’t impress us a ton either. We measured a 25-second response time which is better than the 30 to 40-second response times that most security systems have. However, it didn’t quite compete with the fastest home security response times we’ve seen with Vivint’s text alerts that arrived in under 10 seconds. Still, for a flat $49.99, Frontpoint’s professional monitoring didn’t give us much to complain about. It also came with cellular backup.
Pro Tip: That flat rate isn’t ideal for everybody, especially if you’re renting a smaller apartment or if you’re not looking to get security cameras. If that’s the case, you’ll get better value from the Cove Basic ($17.99 per month) or SimpliSafe Standard ($19.99 per month) plans.
If renting for you means apartment life, like it does for us, you’ll appreciate the fact that Frontpoint offers not one video doorbell option but two, both a wired and wireless version. After all, where we live, we don’t need an outdoor camera. We like having the ability to talk to people out in our hallways before we let them in, though. Installation was a breeze, even with the wired doorbell, and these devices work in temperatures down to negative 58 degrees Fahrenheit. We don’t usually get down to those temperatures in NYC, but our cousin in Buffalo could use one of these in late January.
| Features | Wired Video Doorbell | Wireless Video Doorbell |
|---|---|---|
| Smart notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Two-way audio | Yes | Yes |
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| Infrared night vision | Yes | Yes |
| Requires removal of current doorbell | Yes | No |
| Battery life | N/A | About 6 months |
| Operating temperatures | 122 to -58 degrees Fahrenheit | 122 to -4 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Price | $299.98 | $199.99 |
FYI: Frontpoint constantly runs sales, bringing down the price of the Wired Video Doorbell down to $199.98 and the price of the Wireless Video Doorbell down to $129.99.
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $79 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional |
| Monitoring cost | Starting at $49 per month |
| Contract lengths | Monthly or 36 months |
| Installation options | DIY |
| Smart platform integrations | Google Home, Alexa, and Siri |
If security cameras are an important part of your total security system setup, Alder makes a great choice. While they no longer offer a video doorbell, their indoor and outdoor cameras are packed with features. You have to be ready to sign up for three years of Alder service. The company won’t let you purchase equipment upfront, and financing involves a minimum 36-month commitment. You also have to endure a bit of marketing hyperbole. Alder stacks up great with the rest of the industry, but it likes to inflate its assets. Guess that’s what it takes to get noticed when you move from a regional market to a national one.
Alder security equipment
Okay, we’re calling Alder out here. They say installation only takes 10 minutes, but it took us over half an hour. Yeah, we know, half an hour to install an entire security system isn’t bad. But, when you’re told it’s only going to take 10 minutes, you only set aside 10 minutes to install the system. That’s why we had to leave halfway through our installation to go get our hair cut and then finish the installation when we got back.
With that out of the way, the actual installation was pretty straightforward. Thankfully, we didn’t need to take out any tools. It used the same adhesive backing as most other DIY systems these days. So, it went up quickly once we had enough time to set everything up.
Again, Alder makes some pretty bold claims here that it failed to live up to in our hands-on tests. But, that doesn’t mean its monitoring is bad. In Alder’s marketing material, it claims a response time of just 3.4 seconds. In our experience, response times like those are nothing short of miraculous. So, let’s bring Alder back down to reality.
We got a response time of 30 seconds, which is right on par with the industry standard, if not a bit better. Just like with the installation, Alder’s actual stats are generally considered good even though it doesn’t live up to its marketing.
Somehow, a video doorbell has left Alder’s product lineup. It used to offer two different types of video doorbells. We even tested the Skybell Video Doorbell they used to sell. And it was a pretty big hit in our home. It featured industry-standard features like 1080p HD resolution and smart home integrations on top of some premium features like 180-degree field-of-view. That field-of-view really came in handy for apartments since it lets you see all the way down both ends of a hallway or balcony. Unfortunately, you can no longer get one of these video doorbells with an Alder system.
Alder Security Cameras
Pro Tip: While you can’t get a video doorbell, Alder’s outdoor security cameras are surprisingly good with 2K resolution that lets you easily identify faces or see license plates, just like you could with a video doorbell. They even give Vivint a run for their money. See how their cameras stack up in our Alder vs Vivint comparison.
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $360 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional |
| Monitoring cost | Starting at $35 per month |
| Contract length | 36 months |
| Installation options | Professional or DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
SimpliSafe, ADT, Cove, Frontpoint, and Alder are our top-pick security systems for renters. But how exactly did we come to that conclusion? Well, as we said above, we looked at certain factors. These were those factors:
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
In our experience, most apartment complexes prefer professional installation over DIY installation. When you bring in the professionals, your landlord gets a level of assurance that the system will get installed without any collateral damage. With a DIY install, landlords and property managers worry about holes in the wall that are difficult to patch. As a tenant, messing with the wiring in a doorbell is a whole other level of concern for landlords.
>> Read About: Best Professionally Monitored and Installed Home Security Systems of 2024
SimpliSafe, our top-pick for renters, offers both professional and DIY installation; we opted for the latter.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with an easy DIY security system, like ADT Self Setup. You don’t need to change any wiring or even pick up a tool from your toolbox. Everything is peel-and-stick adhesives, just like putting up a command strip. That’s why it made our list of the best DIY home security systems.
Let’s face it, when you rent a home or apartment, you may not have as much in your home to steal and don’t really care that much about vandalism. That’s a problem for your property manager to deal with. So, should you even bother with professional monitoring for your rental’s security system? Well, here are a few reasons you might want to consider professional monitoring:
Okay, that last one is a bit of a joke, but it’s true for me. There are plenty of reasons a renter could benefit from professional monitoring.
There are also other factors to consider, like which state you live in and what type of property you’re renting. For example:
Ultimately, it’s your call whether to get professional monitoring or not. But for most people, it is the safest route.
Generally speaking, tenants can install a security system at the place they rent. However, you won’t be able to put outdoor security cameras up anywhere outside of the space you rent. We always recommend checking with your landlord to see what areas you can install equipment.
We tested a SimpliSafe indoor camera with a privacy shutter to protect your privacy.
Also, check through your lease before buying anything. Make sure there are no clauses against video recording equipment. While recording in your own apartment should never be an issue, if one of your indoor cameras can see through a window into someone else's apartment, it could become one. Basically, just use common sense and always ask your landlord first to avoid any potential fees taken off your security deposit when you leave.
>> Learn About: Can Tenants Install Security Cameras?
At the end of the day, which security system is best for you really depends on the property or apartment you’re renting. In some spots, changing out the current doorbell with SimpliSafe’s Video Doorbell Pro won’t be an issue. Your maintenance guy might even help you with the replacement. Other landlords and property managers will entirely deny your request to make even the smallest modifications.
No matter what though, you deserve to be safe in your own home, whether that’s an apartment, condo, or rental home. And if that means installing a home security system, there are always solutions out there that will still comply with your lease.
Want to know even more about the best home security systems for apartments? Check out our FAQs below.
All in all, we like SimpliSafe the most. But, we’d recommend ADT or Frontpoint if you can’t replace your current doorbell with SimpliSafe’s video doorbell. And if you want to pay for your equipment through a monthly fee, go with Alder.
As long as you don’t cause any damage while installing your home security system, it shouldn’t cause an issue with your deposit. Just remember to make any necessary fixes before leaving after taking down your equipment.
It’s always a bit riskier signing up for a long-term home security contract as a tenant instead of a homeowner. That’s one of the reasons SimpliSafe is our favorite for renters. But, signing a long-term contract isn’t always bad and you can usually move your system with you for a fee of $100 to $200 for most systems.
Even though we really like Vivint as a home security system, we don’t recommend it for renters. Between its contracts that start at 42 months and the hefty relocation fee, Vivint is made more for people who have hunkered down and plan to live the next 10 to 20 years in the same home.
When you don’t own the place, unfortunately, landlords can generally put rules in place that would prevent you from installing a security system. In practice, most would rather their tenants have a security system. So, it shouldn’t be an issue, but you should still check your lease before buying a system.
CloudaStructure. (2023). Multifamily Crime Poll: Significant Increases in Crime in 2023.
https://www.cloudastructure.com/post/multifamily-crime-poll-significant-increases-in-crime-in-2023
