SimpliSafe 2026 Review: Our top pick for renters

The best home security system for renters is one that can move with you—no strings attached. If you want no contracts, easy installation and the most proactive monitoring around, SimpliSafe is for you.

The SimpliSafe home security system delivers a triple threat to bad actors: video verification, Rapid SOS integration, and Active Guard monitoring. Plus, it’s the only top-rated system that lets you start and stop professional monitoring anytime, with the option for self-monitoring at no monthly cost. Best of all, you can try out SimpliSafe's pro monitoring for 30 days for free.

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—which means they need to be wireless, free of contracts, and can move with you whenever your lease is up. The top DIY security systems costs under $50 per month and have flexible up-front equipment purchasing options so they can fit your budget while protecting your personal property.

SimpliSafe's equipment packages start at around $280 and usually include a free indoor camera. We tallied up the costs of the same equipment from other DIY security companies and found that SimpliSafe has some of the best prices.

Even if you select tons of equipment and rack up an impressive total, you don't have to shell out all that money at once—SimpliSafe finally offers equipment financing through Affirm.

As for monthly monitoring payments, using your SimpliSafe system costs between $0 and $80 per month. Most impressive, its top-tier plan includes 24/7 Active Guard monitoring outside your home for just around $80 per month—that's as much as some other systems charge, and they don't have trained monitors interacting with bad actors while calling for help in real-time.

SimpliSafe’s 24/7 professional monitoring is optional, and you can add, cancel, upgrade, or downgrade your monitoring service plan at any time without any extra fees. Plus, you get 30 days to try out SimpliSafe's monitoring to see if you think it's worth the money.

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SimpliSafe is perfect for renters or anyone who doesn't want to mess with tools. A lot of the equipment is just peel-and-stick. That's right; you can stick the sensors and even the keypad right to the wall with adhesive backing attached to each device. The app guides you through every step.

In our experience, installing SimpliSafe is a straightforward process unless you're getting a used system from a friend, previous tenant, or marketplace seller. Used systems need to be reset, which adds a smidge of extra hassle to the process. 

Unlike some other DIY security companies—notably Cove and Frontpoint—SimpliSafe's sensors don't arrive pre-paired with the base station. You name and pair everything yourself by following the setup instructions on the keypad. 

It's pretty easy, but the pairing process takes time. Still, it took less than an hour to install the system, and the app helps speed things along too. 

Learn what to expect in our updated SimpliSafe installation guide. We've also written an installation guide for the SimpliSafe doorbell.

We've talked to SimpliSafe a lot, both as industry professionals and confused consumers. Everyone at SimpliSafe has treated us with kindness and courtesy, from the phone reps to the forum moderators to the marketing pros.

Here's what our video lead Katie McEntire. had to say about her experience calling the helpline to reset the PIN during her latest round of SimpliSafe tests:

But we didn’t stop there:

• We met with SimpliSafe.
• We read hundreds of customer reviews.
• We visited the SimpliSafe online forum to find out what long-time users have experienced with their SimpliSafe security system.
• We collected feedback from SafeWise readers
• We even tried jamming our SimpliSafe system.

SimpliSafe is a straightforward, low-cost, do-it-yourself home security solution. Its discreet equipment is ideal for small living spaces and renters.

For those looking to add home security on a budget, SimpliSafe’s affordable equipment and no-contract professional monitoring are hard to beat.