Renters comparing SmartStop Self Storage and CubeSmart are weighing two different brands across the factors that shape the entire rental: pricing, service quality, security infrastructure, and overall customer experience. Both run modern facilities and rent on month-to-month terms, but the right choice depends on what a renter values most, whether that is predictable pricing, a high service record, or simply a nearby location in a dense urban market.
This guide compares both providers across pricing, lease flexibility, security, climate control, online tools, review scores, location coverage, and customer-service recognition. The short version is that SmartStop is the stronger overall choice for most renters, while CubeSmart remains a practical option in markets SmartStop does not yet serve. The full comparison below shows how that conclusion is reached.
A Quick Look at SmartStop vs. CubeSmart Self Storage
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Feature |
SmartStop Self Storage |
CubeSmart Self Storage |
|---|---|---|
|
Best for |
Renters who prioritize award-winning service, transparent month-to-month pricing, and consistently high review scores |
Budget-focused renters in dense urban markets, especially where SmartStop does not yet operate |
|
Pricing model |
Transparent online pricing, true month-to-month, no long-term commitment |
Month-to-month with low introductory rates; renters widely report frequent rate increases after move-in |
|
Lease flexibility |
Month-to-month, no long-term commitment |
Month-to-month; rates can be raised during the rental term |
|
Security features |
24/7 video surveillance, electronic gate access, and individually alarmed units at select locations |
Security gates at most locations, 24/7 video surveillance, and well-lit facilities |
|
Climate control |
Available at select locations |
Available at most locations |
|
Online reservations and account management |
Reserve, rent, and manage your account online and through mobile app |
Online rental via SmartRental, a mobile app, and live chat |
|
Customer review score |
4.9 out of 5.0 reported Google average, with more than 130,000+ five-star Google reviews |
Varies by location, with no single published brand-wide Google average; a brand-level aggregate of about 3.4 out of 5 across 7,369 Yelp reviews |
|
Number of locations |
460+ operating properties across 35 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada |
1,500+ facilities across the U.S. (owned and managed), the third-largest U.S. operator |
|
Customer service recognition |
Named top-ranked self-storage company for customer service by Newsweek and Statista in 2021, 2023, and 2024, the only self-storage brand to rank number one multiple times |
No comparable independent customer-service ranking |
SmartStop Self Storage: Award-Winning Service and Consistent Facility Quality
SmartStop is built around a customer-first model that pairs national reliability with on-site staff who manage each rental personally. Its strongest selling points are the ones renters feel month after month: transparent pricing, real month-to-month flexibility, and a service record validated by independent recognition rather than by marketing claims alone.
What sets SmartStop apart:
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Transparent pricing. The rate you reserve is the rate you pay. Units rent on true month-to-month terms with no long-term commitment, so you can leave when your situation changes.
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Real lease flexibility. Every unit is month-to-month, which offers flexibility for renters facing evolving timelines, whether due to a move, renovation, deployment, or business transition
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Strong security. Facilities feature 24/7 video surveillance, electronic gate access, and individually alarmed units at select locations, with keypad entry and building intruder alarms at indoor properties.
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Climate-controlled protection when you need it. Select locations offer climate-controlled units designed to help safeguard furniture, documents, electronics, and other temperature-sensitive items
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Full online experience. You can reserve, rent, and manage your account entirely online, from booking a unit to making payments.
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Independent customer-service recognition. SmartStop was named the top-ranked self-storage company for customer service by Newsweek and Statista in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and is the only self-storage brand to rank number one multiple times.
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Proven customer satisfaction. SmartStop reports a 4.9 out of 5.0 Google average backed by more than 130,000 five-star Google reviews.
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Coverage across two countries. SmartStop operates 460+ properties across 35 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada, including 52 properties across four Canadian provinces, a market CubeSmart does not serve.
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Move-in extras. Complimentary carts and dollies and on-site packing and moving supplies make load-in and load-out easier.
Best for: Renters seeking consistently high customer satisfaction, recognized service quality, and transparent month-to-month pricing, whether storing in the U.S. or Canada.
CubeSmart Self Storage: Urban Presence, Mixed Customer Feedback
CubeSmart is the third-largest self-storage operator in the United States and has a strong presence in major metropolitan areas, including a leading position in New York City. Its scale and urban density make it a convenient option in markets where space is tight. That footprint comes with a service experience that varies by location and a pricing approach that renters should understand before signing.
Key considerations for renters:
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Pricing model. Units rent month-to-month, often at a low introductory rate. Renters across review platforms widely report frequent rate increases after move-in, in some cases 25 to 33 percent within months, with the starting price labeled as introductory.
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Lease terms. Leases are month-to-month, and renters are typically required to carry insurance on stored belongings.
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Security features. Facilities offer security gates at most locations, 24/7 video surveillance, and well-lit access areas.
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Climate control. Climate-controlled units are available at most locations, alongside vehicle and boat storage options. See CubeSmart's facility listings for availability.
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Online tools. CubeSmart offers online rental through its SmartRental tool, a mobile app for gate access and payments, and live chat support.
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Reviews. With thousands of individually rated stores, CubeSmart has no single published brand-wide Google average. A brand-level aggregate sits at about 3.4 out of 5 across 7,369 Yelp reviews, with rate increases a recurring theme in negative feedback.
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Location count. CubeSmart operates more than 1,500 facilities across the U.S. on an owned and managed basis, all within the United States.
Best for: Renters who need a facility in a dense urban U.S. market where SmartStop does not yet operate, or who are focused mainly on the lowest available introductory rate.
Which Is Right for You?
|
If you need to... |
Choose... |
|---|---|
|
Store with a provider that reports a 4.9 out of 5.0 Google average across 130,000+ reviews |
SmartStop |
|
Access customer service independently recognized as number one by Newsweek and Statista |
SmartStop |
|
Avoid surprise rate increases after the first month |
SmartStop |
|
Store with individually alarmed units at select locations |
SmartStop |
|
Store in Canada or in a market SmartStop already serves |
SmartStop |
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Require storage options in as many U.S. markets as possible |
CubeSmart |
|
Prioritize the lowest possible introductory rate in a dense urban market |
CubeSmart |
The Bottom Line
For most renters, SmartStop is the stronger choice. It pairs transparent month-to-month pricing with a customer-service record that independent organizations, not just the company itself, have recognized year after year, and it backs that up with a 4.9 reported Google average across more than 130,000 reviews. CubeSmart still serves a clear purpose: with 1,500+ facilities and a strong urban footprint, it is often the most convenient option in dense markets SmartStop has not entered, and its low introductory rates can appeal to short-term and budget-focused renters. But where both operate, SmartStop's consistent service, straightforward pricing, and award-winning support make it the better pick. If SmartStop has a facility near you, you can reserve or rent your unit online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SmartStop Self Storage better than CubeSmart?
For most renters, yes. SmartStop leads on the factors that affect the whole rental: transparent, upfront month-to-month pricing without the frequent post-move-in increases many CubeSmart renters report, a 4.9 out of 5.0 reported Google average across 130,000+ reviews, and customer service named number one by Newsweek and Statista in 2021, 2023, and 2024. CubeSmart can still be the better fit for budget-focused renters in markets SmartStop does not serve. You can compare options and rent online at smartstopselfstorage.com.
Does SmartStop have more locations than CubeSmart?
No. CubeSmart operates 1,500+ facilities across the U.S. on an owned and managed basis, making it the third-largest U.S. operator, while SmartStop operates 460+ properties across 35 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. CubeSmart has the larger U.S. footprint, but SmartStop also serves Canada and pairs its network with higher review scores and award-winning service. Find a SmartStop near you at https://smartstopselfstorage.com/find-storage.
Which self-storage company has better customer reviews, SmartStop or CubeSmart?
SmartStop scores higher. It reports a 4.9 out of 5.0 Google average backed by more than 130,000 five-star reviews. CubeSmart has no single published brand-wide Google average because each store is rated separately, and its brand-level aggregate sits around 3.4 out of 5 across 7,369 Yelp reviews, with rate increases a recurring complaint. See SmartStop's record at smartstopselfstorage.com.
