Best Apartment Security Systems in 2024

It doesn’t matter whether you live in a luxury high-rise or a dingy attic conversion, rent or own, or live alone or with roommates. Your apartment is safer with a security system. But which home security system?

I’ve spent countless hours researching security systems and most of my life living in apartments. Here’s what I’ve learned: The best security system for an apartment is flexible, removable, and affordable.

Forget monitoring contracts. You might have to move before you’ve finished paying for that ADT plan. That’s just one more thing you’d have to deal with. Instead, go for a contract-free DIY option. They’re the best for apartments. There’s no need to pester neighbors with your drilling when you can have stick-on sensors. And when it’s time to up and leave, it’s easy to box up the system and take it to your next residence.

There are numerous options out there that fit those criteria. I’ve tested and compared most of them, so now I’ll be going over the best options for apartments, from SimpliSafe to Scout Alarm.

>> Read More: Top 5 Best Home Security Systems for Your Safety

What I Look for in an Apartment Security System

The best security system for a large home is not the same as the best security system for a small apartment. If I was securing a mansion, I might look for 4K security cameras, advanced environmental sensors, and plenty of them. If I was securing a studio apartment, I’d skip all that.

Different qualities are important for an apartment security system.

• No contract: Unless you live in a gorgeous, rent-controlled New York City apartment (lucky you!), you probably won’t stay at your current place forever. You need a security system that won’t punish you for moving. That means no ironclad contracts.
• Easy install: Don’t bother coordinating your landlord, maintenance staff, and security technicians to install your alarm. Just do it yourself. It’s easy with a peel-and-stick system.
• Affordable: Don’t spend more on your security system than you do on apartment maintenance fees. There are cheap, effective options with all the coverage you need.

Did You Know: Over one-third of renters live in apartments.¹ Check out our favorite security systems for renters.

Comparison of the Best Apartment Security Systems

System	SimpliSafe	abode	Ring Alarm	Cove	Scout Alarm
Ranking	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
Ratings	9.2/10Best Overall	8.0/10Best for Smart Apartments	7.7/10Best for Alexa Users	8.7/10Best for Affordable Professional Monitoring	7.0/10Best Value
Cost of starter package	$279.95	$139.99	$199.99	$265	$229
Cost per month of professional monitoring	$19.99	$21.99	$20	$17.99	$19.99
How to cancel	Phone call with safe word	In the app	On the website	Phone call	Call or email
Read Review	SimpliSafe Review	abode Review	Ring Alarm Review	Cove Review	Scout Alarm Review

Summary of the Best Apartment Security Systems

1. SimpliSafe – Best Overall
2. abode – Best for Smart Apartments
3. Ring Alarm – Best for Alexa Users
4. Cove – Best for Affordable Professional Monitoring
5. Scout Alarm – Best Value

1. SimpliSafe – Best OverallEditors Rating:9.2 /10800-544-5942View Sale  40% off with Fast Protect MonitoringHow We ReviewProduct SpecsEquipment CostsPackages starting at $280Monitoring OptionsProfessional and DIYMonthly Monitoring Costs$19.99 per monthContract LengthsMonth-to-monthInstallation OptionsDIY or professionalSmart Platform IntegrationAlexa and Google HomeSimpliSafe OverviewI’m always a little skeptical of companies with a hefty marketing budget. Sure, you hear their ads all the time, but are the products any good? Are Casper mattresses really better to sleep on? Is Hello Fresh actually tasty? Is SimpliSafe truly a great security system?¹The SimpliSafe security system.I’ve never slept on a Casper mattress, and Hello Fresh is hit or miss, in my humble opinion. But I’ve tested every single one of SimpliSafe’s three generations of security systems, and they’ve always been great.The equipment is affordable but effective. Installation is dead simple, and there’s help if you need it. And the Fast Protect subscription plan is one of the best in the business. That makes it a great choice for your apartment.What We Like

• Super-easy installationAffordable deluxe monitoringBasic functionality without a subscription

What We Don’t Like

• Must call to cancel subscriptionMust subscribe for key featuresLimited equipment range

SimpliSafe ContractHow hard is it to cancel a security system contract? It’s a spectrum. On one end, you have Vivint. Good luck trying to cancel that early without incurring some hefty fees. On the other hand, you have Ring Alarm. All you have to do is click a button on the website.Apartment-dwellers should go with security systems on the easy end of the spectrum. If your landlord raises the rent, your building raises its fees, or you decide to upgrade to a house, you want to be able to cancel your security subscription.So, where does SimpliSafe fall? SimpliSafe is close to the easy-to-cancel end of things — but not all the way. You still have to call a phone number (in 2024? Really?) and tell the representative your safe word.How to Cancel a SimpliSafe Contract

1. Call (888) 910-1458.Say your safe word.Prepare to resist sweet deals.

But do you really need to cancel your SimpliSafe contract? Not really, especially since they have one of the best moving policies I’ve seen. SimpliSafe will send you a free Mover’s Kit. It contains fresh packaging and adhesive so you can take the system with you and reinstall it in your new address. You paid for it, so why leave it? Just call ahead of time (at least 30 days before the big move) and don’t forget to update your monitoring address.SimpliSafe InstallLeave the hardwired security systems to the homeowners. Your apartment needs something super simple to install. Something that won’t damage your walls or lose your deposit. Something like SimpliSafe.SimpliSafe keypadWhen we tested SimpliSafe, we plugged in the base station, set our PIN, and let the app guide us through the rest.The most difficult thing we had to do was install the sensors. But every sensor we needed was peel and stick. Peel. Stick. Done.We did have the option to add on devices that are a little more complicated. The SimpliSafe smart lock, for example, requires a screwdriver. But that’s about it. Even that is easy-install with SimpliSafe’s easy-to-follow instructions.Just note that there’s one SimpliSafe device that might not work in your apartment: the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro. It’s a hardwired doorbell camera, so your front door would have to have existing wiring for a traditional doorbell. That one was also the hardest piece of SimpliSafe equipment we had to install.Pro Tip: If you do run into problems, SimpliSafe offers professional installation starting at $124.99.²SimpliSafe PriceSimpliSafe’s Indoor Essentials kit costs $279.95. If you’ve never purchased a security system, that might seem like a lot. That is, until you compare SimpliSafe to ADT. A price of $280 is nothing compared to ADT’s $600 starting price. I’ve seen cheaper options on the market, but not by much.Equipment is only one portion of security system costs. What about monthly fees?Good news: SimpliSafe works without a subscription at all. You can use the app to view live security camera footage and arm your system — no subscription required. That’s why SimpliSafe was our pick for top no-monthly-fee security system.The bad news: You have to pay for several key features. For $9.99 per month, SimpliSafe will store your SimpliCam footage. For $19.99 per month, you get professional monitoring.A rate of $29.99 per month gets you the real good stuff. Sure, the SimpliSafe discounts are nice. But my favorite feature is Live Guard Protection. If you opt in, a live guard will be on call to respond to threats in real time through your indoor camera’s speakers. But for this, you would need the $139 Smart Alarm indoor camera.FYI: Paying just $29.99 per month for a Live Guard is a fantastic deal. Ring’s Virtual Security Guard costs $99 per month.Self-MonitoringStandardFast ProtectMonthly price$9.99$19.99$29.99Professional monitoringNoYesYesCellular backupNoYesYesVideo storageYesNoYesSmart home integrationYesNoYesEvent timelineYesYesYesWhichever SimpliSafe package you choose, you can rest assured that you won’t spend more on security than you do on co-op fees.

3. Ring Alarm – Best for Alexa UsersEditors Rating:7.7 /10View on AmazonHow We ReviewProduct SpecsEquipment CostsStarting at $199Monitoring OptionsProfessional and DIYMonthly Monitoring CostsStarting at $20Contract Lengths1-12 monthsInstallation OptionsDIY or professionalSmart Platform IntegrationAlexa and Google HomeRing Alarm OverviewIf you live in an apartment complex, there’s a chance that your neighbors already have Ring. It’s that ubiquitous. And it’s that good.Ring Alarm SystemWhen we tested the Ring Alarm system, we were actually pretty impressed. The cameras recorded clear footage. The sensors detected people and ignored cats. And the Ring – Always Home app kept us informed about every little event.Even better? It’s affordable. For $200 up front and $20 per month, you get a functional, professionally monitored security system. That’s hard to beat.What We Like

• Wide range of equipment, from bare bones to advancedWorks with AlexaOnly $20 per month for professional monitoring

What We Don’t Like

• Some equipment is priceyVirtual Guard feature is expensiveNot fully compatible with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant

Ring Alarm ContractMaybe someday, you’ll want to upgrade your apartment to a home and your Ring Alarm to ADT. (Hey, it could happen.)If that day comes, Ring Alarm will be easy to cancel. All you have to do is click, well, cancel.How to Cancel Ring Protect Pro

1. Log in to Ring.com.Select Protect Plan.Click Cancel Plan.Select now or at end of billing cycle.Confirm.

FYI: Did you sign up on the Amazon website? You can head over there instead.⁵Ring Alarm InstallThe basic Ring Alarm package is dead simple to install. It took us under half an hour to get the five-piece package up and running.Ring Alarm Equipment with AlexaThat’s even more impressive because we ran into some technical difficulties. Our base station wouldn’t connect to the Wi-Fi network at first. Obviously, it would be better if the process was bug-free. But the fact that we handled this snag and installed everything else in less than 30 minutes is telling of Ring’s user-friendliness.The “everything else” came together so quickly thanks to Ring’s peel-and-stick sensors. All we had to do was remove the pull tabs from the battery slots, peel off the protective film, and affix the sensors on our doors, windows, and walls.The Ring store does sell some more complicated equipment. You wouldn’t want to try installing a high-tech pipe sensor on your own, for example.If you do choose to add on some advanced tech, you might want to fork over the $129.99⁶ for professional installation.Ring Alarm PriceAt $199.99, the Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit is one of the most affordable security systems in the business.Does that mean Ring is cheap? Not necessarily. You could go all out on Ring.com buying up the place. The most expensive piece of equipment I’ve found on the site is nearly $800.⁷If you’re renting a room in an apartment to save money, you probably don’t want a luxury water monitor. Skip the extras and stick with the basic kit.Pro Tip: If you do decide to buy a pricey Ring package, you can spread out the cost with Affirm.Ring Alarm will function without any extra purchases. You can view live security footage from the app, free of charge. But if you do decide to subscribe, Ring’s  plans range from affordable to luxe.BasicPlusProMonthly price$3.99$10$20Professional monitoringNoNoYesCellular backupNoNoYesVideo storageYesYesYesSmart home integrationYesYesYesEvent timelineYesYesYesRing Protect plans range from $3.99 to $20 per month. Where is the luxe plan, you may ask? That would be the Virtual Security Guard, which rings up for an additional $99 per month.⁸ Think of this feature like supercharged professional monitoring. Your virtual guard can respond to security events in real time.Sound familiar? That’s because SimpliSafe offers a similar feature for a fraction of the price. If you love the idea of a virtual guard but you’re on a tight budget, you might want to go with SimpliSafe.

2. abode – Best for Smart ApartmentsEditors Rating:8.0 /10View PackagesHow We ReviewProduct SpecsEquipment CostsPackages starting at $140Monitoring OptionsProfessional and DIYMonthly Monitoring Costs$24.99 per monthContract LengthsMonth-to-month or yearlyInstallation OptionsDIY or professionalSmart Platform IntegrationAlexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKitabode OverviewIs your smart apartment a smart home? You should consider abode. It has all the plug-and-play ease of SimpliSafe with the supercharged home automation of Vivint.Even if you’re not a home automation geek, the possibilities of abode’s CUE system just might turn you into one. When we tested abode, we set a rule that if the front door opened between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., the living room lights would turn on and the Alexa speaker would blast a siren. Take that, intruders.The Abode Iota security system.FYI: Abode’s iota system integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.What We Like

• Works with just about every smart home platformAffordable equipmentCan cancel subscription in-app

What We Don’t Like

• Not every package comes with full smart home integrationsSome sensors require drillingLack of camera options

abode Contractabode doesn’t force you to speak to a human (yuck!) to cancel its monitoring plan. Just open the app and tap unsubscribe.Compare abode to SimpliSafe, which requires you to call its customer service line. abode makes it much easier to opt out of monitoring. When you have to move out because your landlord decided to sell your apartment building, you’ll be glad you went with abode.How to Cancel abode

1. Open the abode app.Tap Plan Details.Tap Unsubscribe.

When it comes to moving, you’re also free to take abode with you. Just know that it won’t send you a free kit like SimpliSafe would.FYI: If you signed up for monitoring through your phone’s app store, you’ll need to cancel your subscription the same way. On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Subscriptions, and, when you find the right one, tap Cancel Subscription.³abode InstallIf you live in an apartment, you’re more likely to call maintenance than break out the power tools. Don’t worry. Even the least confident DIYers can install abode.abode Motion SensorIt took us a grand total of 20 minutes to install the abode security system. For context, it took us about 30 minutes to install SimpliSafe.How did we manage to set it up so quickly? You guessed it: peel and stick sensors. Installing our abode kit was almost as easy as placing stickers in a scrapbook.It would be a different story if we’d gone with abode’s recessed door sensors. They require drilling. We might have needed some professional help. Thankfully, abode offers professional installation starting at $99.FYI: The most confusing part of abode isn’t installation; it’s ordering. The iota hub supports pretty much every smart home protocol, while the security hub supports only Google Home and Alexa. Make sure you order the right hub for your apartment.abode PriceYou don’t need to pay thousands of dollars for dozens of sensors for your studio apartment. You can save money and protect your place for less than $200.The simplest, cheapest abode kit is only $139.99. That’s the lowest price on the list. It’s also as basic as it gets: one contact sensor, one key fob, and a security hub. For context, the Ring Alarm starter kit costs $199.99, but it comes with a keypad, motion detector, and range extender too. If you have a sprawling suite, you might want to go with Ring. But for a tiny apartment, abode is enough.That’s the equipment. What about the features? With abode, you can stream security camera footage, integrate smart home products, and receive push notifications. That’s not so unusual. What is unusual is the price: free 99. In other words, you don’t need a subscription to use abode.If you do decide to upgrade, you have two plan options: Standard and Pro. Both are pretty good deals.StandardProMonthly price$6.99$21.99Professional monitoringNoYesCellular backupNoYesVideo storageYesYesSmart home integrationYesYesEvent timelineYesYesI should mention that abode’s biggest selling point is CUE, the home automation program the system uses to smarten up homes. You can create schedules with it, set up automation rules, and program smart scenes. CUE, however, requires the Pro plan. You can connect smart home devices to abode without a fee, but if you want access to CUE, you’d better pay up.Pro Tip: Want abode on a budget? Try its price-match program. If you find a comparable security package that is cheaper, abode will do its best to match it.⁴

4. Cove – Best for Affordable Professional MonitoringEditors Rating:8.7 /10View PackagesHow We ReviewProduct SpecsEquipment CostsMust customize packageMonitoring OptionsProfessionalMonthly Monitoring CostsStarting at $17.99 per monthContract LengthsNo contract requiredInstallation OptionsDIYSmart Platform IntegrationAlexa and Google HomeCove OverviewCove launched its affordable, top-rated DIY home security system in 2018. But SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm are also affordable DIY systems. What does Cove have that the other guys don’t?Cove’s touchscreen panelFor starters, the cheapest professional monitoring in the game. If you live in a rough apartment complex and you need extra security, that $17.99 Cove subscription could be money well spent.When we tested Cove, we found more to like than cheap monitoring. The sensors were extra small, so they didn’t stick out on the door. Battery life was extra long, which gave us peace of mind. And everything worked seamlessly with our Google gear. (Cove is one of the best home security systems for Google Home users.)FYI: Cove doesn’t sell Cove cameras. It sells eufy cameras. Is that bad? Not necessarily. Read our eufy 2K camera review to learn more.What We Like

• Affordable professional monitoringFrequent discountsGoogle Home integration

What We Don’t Like

• Must call to cancel subscriptionSubscription requiredKey features require advanced subscription

Cove ContractYou can cancel your Cove contract anytime as long as that time is at least 30 days before your next billing date. This is not ideal when your lease is up in two weeks and you realize you forgot to cancel your security subscription.You also have to make an actual phone call. Come on, Cove, it’s 2024.Still, compared to a traditional provider like Alder, Cove makes cancellation a walk in the park.How to Cancel Cove

1. Call (855) 268-3669 at least 30 days before your next billing date.

Cove InstallCove is yet another security system that claims to be easy-install. But is it? The short answer is yes. It took our team 25 minutes to install every component. We devoted a full day to testing, but that’s just because we like to be thorough.Installing the Cove Entry SensorsIf you don’t want security technicians (aka strangers) entering your apartment building, don’t fret. This is definitely a system you can DIY.Cove PriceOne of my pet peeves is when a security company hides its true pricing behind perpetually-in-place discounts. (Looking at you, Frontpoint!) Cove is also guilty of this.If you add a Cove hub, panel, and contact sensor to your shopping cart, you’ll see what I mean. Supposedly, the full price is $265. As of publication, a discount brings it down to $92.75. It seems like must-buy savings — until you realize there’s a sale going more often than not.Don’t let my grumbling stop you from picking up Cove equipment. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether the discount is totally honest or not; it’s uber-affordable either way. You can buy a Cove set for less than it took to fill your apartment with Ikea furniture.There is one more thing you should consider before you hit “buy.” Cove requires a subscription.BasicPlusMonthly price$17.99$27.99Professional monitoringYesYesCellular backupYesYesVideo storageNoYesSmart home integrationYesYesEvent timelineYesYesAnnoying? Yes. Affordable? Also yes. A price of $17.99 per month for professional monitoring is one of the cheapest deals I’ve ever seen. Even Ring Alarm charges $20 per month.If you are in the market for professional monitoring anyway, you should consider giving Cove a try. Who knows? Maybe they’ll catch a nosy roommate sneaking into your bedroom while you’re at work.

5. Scout Alarm – Best ValueEditors Rating:7.0 /10View on AmazonHow We ReviewScout Alarm OverviewWhat’s a seven-out-of-10 system doing on our best-of list? Well, let’s take a look at why we knocked points off in the first place. The hardware price can add up for large homes, and the camera is pretty basic.Scout Alarm Security SystemHere’s the thing: That’s not a big deal for apartment-dwellers. You don’t need lots of hardware. And you don’t need a fancy camera.If those issues don’t matter, what are you left with? An affordable, easy-install system.What We Like

• Minimalist system comes with everything an apartment needsCan email to cancel subscriptionPlenty of smart home integrations

What We Don’t Like

• Subscription required for basic functionalityClunky camerasCameras lack local storage

FYI: Scout Alarm is also one of our picks for best rural home security system.Scout Alarm ContractEvery security system on this list had to pass what I call the “sudden move-out test.” If your property manager tells you that your apartment is full of mold and you have to move out immediately, could you cancel your security subscription? Scout passes with flying colors.All you have to do is call or email Scout support. Even a yearly plan will be prorated.How to Cancel Scout Alarm

1. Call (844) 287-2688 or email support@scoutalarm.com.

Scout Alarm InstallScout Alarm sensors are — you guessed it — peel and stick. That makes them easy to install. Unfortunately, there is a “but.” When we tested Scout ourselves, we found the camera to be clunky. It took 20 minutes to set one (one!) up.Scout Door SensorIt’s annoying, but it’s not a dealbreaker. You can still set up Scout Alarm on your own — no awkward calls to your property manager necessary.Pro Tip: Got an old Ring doorbell? You can integrate it with your Scout system. Hop on IFTTT and create automations to link the two.Scout Alarm PriceThe entry-level Scout Alarm package costs $229. When you stack up Ring vs. Scout Alarm, Ring is cheaper, but Scout Alarm comes with one more contact sensor.Always OnAlways On+Monthly price$9.99$19.99Professional monitoringNoYesCellular backupYesYesVideo storageNoYesSmart home integrationYesYesEvent timelineYesYesThere’s one more cost to consider: monitoring. Like Cove, Scout Alarm requires a subscription to work.⁹ Unlike Cove, there’s a cheap self-monitoring option.Still, you have to pay at least $10 per month to use your Scout system. If you’re saving for a nicer place, every dollar counts. You might want to skip Scout.

Why You Need a Security System for Your Apartment

It’s easy to overlook home security when you live in an apartment. There’s a vague sense that if something happens, someone else will take care of it.

But apartments get burgled too. They burn down. They flood. And you’re the one who has to live with the consequences. Here are a few more reasons you might want a security system for your apartment.

FYI: Ground-floor apartments are more likely to be broken into. Make sure you install sensors on every easy-access window.

Protect Yourself From Roommates

Do you share your apartment with friends (or enemies)? Those people are among the most likely to steal from you.

Pop an entry sensor on your bedroom door and an indoor camera in your room. That way, you’ll know if they go rifling through your things.

Prevent Package Theft

An apartment building can be a very attractive target for a porch pirate. (Are they still considered porch pirates if they aren’t stealing from an actual porch? I digress.) They can gain entry to your hallway and scoop up your package — and all your neighbors’ packages too.

FYI: Did your Amazon order get swiped? Report package theft here to be included in our national database.

Stop thieves in their tracks with a doorbell camera. The best doorbell cams alert you when anyone starts snooping, so you can use two-way audio to scare them off.

Get a Discount on Renters Insurance

Insurers love security systems. After all, if you never get robbed, you’ll never file a claim for robbery. Check if your insurance company offers a discount on rental insurance for residences with a monitored security system.

Pro Tip: Don’t have renters insurance? You should probably get it. It won’t stop a disaster from happening, but it will make your life a lot easier when it does.

Can You Install a Security System in Your Apartment?

You can almost certainly install a security system at your place — whether that place is a shared apartment or a farmhouse. There are some questions you should ask yourself first, however.

Will the Security Camera Capture Anyone Else?

The legality of security cameras is pretty clear. You have the right to record your private space — and no one else’s. But, when you live in an apartment complex, it can be tough to place security cameras in a spot where you’re the only one they see.

You could always stick to the basics and skip the security cameras. Alternatively, ask your neighbors. They might appreciate the extra security.

Will Installation Damage the Property?

Many apartment-dwellers rent. Because every renter dreads losing their deposit, it helps to go with a peel-and-stick system. That way, you’re not doing anything more damaging than hanging a poster to the wall.

More Ways to Keep Your Apartment Safe

Your safety doesn’t stop with your security system. Here are three important ways to secure your home — even if your home is a 300-square-foot studio.

Move Into a Safe Apartment

The first step starts before you move in. Choose a safe apartment.

Of course, not everyone can afford to live in a high-rise with a doorman. But you don’t need to. Keep these tips in mind instead:

• Avoid the ground floor. It’s easier for an intruder to access.
• Avoid high-crime areas. Check your local police department’s website for crime stats in the neighborhood you’re considering.
• Inspect thoroughly. Is there a tree nearby that could crash through your window? A neighbor that doesn’t feel right? A rusted old fire escape? Take note when you tour.