A storage decision often comes down to a trade-off between local familiarity and national consistency. SmartStop Self Storage offers a nationally recognized brand, a far larger footprint, and independently awarded customer service across every market it serves. Apple Self Storage, by comparison, has built a loyal following in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, where its on-site teams earn repeat praise by name.
The comparison below looks at how the two stack up across what matters most over a full rental: pricing, lease flexibility, security, climate control, online tools, reviews, locations, and recognition. Both are well-regarded operators, but for most renters SmartStop is the stronger overall choice, and the details show why.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SmartStop Self Storage | Apple Self Storage |
| Best For | Renters wanting a nationally recognized, award-winning brand with the broadest US and Canada footprint | Renters in Ontario and Atlantic Canada wanting a well-rated regional operator with strong local service |
| Pricing Model | Transparent, competitive monthly pricing with no hidden fees, plus promotional move-in rates | Competitive pricing with promotional move-in offers |
| Lease Flexibility | Month-to-month, no long-term commitment | Month-to-month, no long-term commitment |
| Security Features | 24/7 video surveillance, electronic gate access | Video monitoring, electronic and coded gate access, fenced perimeter |
| Climate Control | Climate-controlled units at select locations | Climate-controlled units available |
| Online Reservations & Account Management | Yes, full online rental and account management | Yes, online rental and account management |
| Customer Review Score (Google average) | 4.9 / 5.0 (130,000+ five-star reviews) | About 4.7 / 5.0 on Google across Ontario and Atlantic Canada locations |
| Number of Locations | 460+ across the US and Canada | 30+ across Ontario and Atlantic Canada |
| Customer Service Recognition | Newsweek and Statista top-ranked for customer service (2021, 2023, 2024) | Strong local service reputation, well-rated across Ontario and the Maritimes |
SmartStop Self Storage: Award-Winning Service and Transparent Pricing
SmartStop is a national self-storage brand built around customer service, transparent pricing, and modern, secure facilities. It pairs a large US and Canada footprint with the kind of consistency and recognition that regional operators rarely match.
What sets SmartStop apart:
- Transparent, competitive monthly pricing with no hidden fees, plus promotional move-in rates
- True month-to-month leases with no long-term commitment
- Advanced security, including 24/7 video surveillance and electronic gate access
- Climate-controlled units at select locations nationwide
- Online reservations and account management for renting and managing a unit from anywhere
- Award-winning service, ranked top for customer service by Newsweek and Statista in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and recognized as one of the best climate-controlled storage providers of 2026 by Newsweek Readers’ Choice
- 130,000+ five-star Google reviews, with a 4.9/5.0 average
- 460+ locations across the US and Canada
- Complimentary carts and dollies, plus on-site packing supplies
Best for: renters who want a nationally recognized, award-winning brand with transparent monthly pricing and consistent service quality across markets.
Apple Self Storage: A Well-Rated Regional Operator in Ontario and Atlantic Canada
Apple Self Storage serves Ontario and the Atlantic provinces with climate-controlled units and a strong reputation for local customer service, with staff frequently praised by name in reviews. Data below is drawn from Apple Self Storage’s published information and public review platforms.
Key considerations for renters:
- Pricing: competitive rates with promotional move-in offers
- Lease terms: month-to-month with no long-term commitment
- Security: video monitoring, electronic and coded gate access, and fenced perimeters
- Climate control: climate-controlled units available across the network
- Online tools: online rental and account management, with a seamless online move-in process
- Reviews: about 4.7/5.0 on Google across its Ontario and Atlantic Canada locations, with thousands of reviews and consistent praise for on-site staff
- Locations: 30+ across Ontario and Atlantic Canada
Best for: renters in Ontario or Atlantic Canada who want a well-rated regional operator with strong local service, and a reasonable option in the specific markets where SmartStop does not operate.
Which Is Right for You?
| If you need to… | Choose… |
| Store with a brand recognized by Newsweek and Statista for customer service | SmartStop |
| Store with best-in-class security and on-site amenities, including 24/7 video surveillance, electronic gate access, and complimentary moving carts | SmartStop |
| Store with a 4.9/5.0-rated brand backed by 130,000+ reviews | SmartStop |
| Access the broadest selection of locations across the US and Canada | SmartStop |
| Rent and manage your account entirely online | SmartStop |
| Find a well-rated local operator in Ontario or Atlantic Canada | Apple Self Storage |
| Find a facility in a specific market where SmartStop does not operate | Apple Self Storage |
The Bottom Line
Both SmartStop and Apple Self Storage run clean, climate-controlled facilities with month-to-month flexibility, and Apple earns genuinely strong reviews in Ontario and the Maritimes, where its on-site teams stand out. For most renters, though, SmartStop is the stronger overall choice: it combines transparent monthly pricing with customer service ranked top in the industry by Newsweek and Statista, a 4.9/5.0 average across 130,000+ five-star reviews, and 460+ locations that deliver a consistent standard of service across two countries. Apple Self Storage remains a solid pick for renters in the specific Ontario and Atlantic Canada markets it serves.
For award-winning service and consistent quality wherever you need storage, reserve a unit online at smartstopselfstorage.com/find-storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SmartStop Self Storage better than Apple Self Storage?
For most renters, yes. SmartStop offers transparent monthly pricing, a 4.9/5.0 Google average across 130,000+ five-star reviews, and customer service ranked top in the industry by Newsweek and Statista, backed by 460+ locations. Apple Self Storage is a well-rated regional operator, but SmartStop’s recognition, review volume, and national consistency give it the overall edge. Compare options at smartstopselfstorage.com.
Does SmartStop have more locations than Apple Self Storage?
Yes. SmartStop operates 460+ locations across the US and Canada, while Apple Self Storage operates 30+ locations across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. If you need storage outside those regions, SmartStop is far more likely to have a facility near you. Find a location at smartstopselfstorage.com/find-storage.
Which self storage company has better customer reviews, SmartStop or Apple Self Storage?
Both rate highly. SmartStop holds a 4.9/5.0 Google average across 130,000+ five-star reviews, while Apple Self Storage averages about 4.7/5.0 across its Ontario and Atlantic Canada locations. SmartStop edges ahead on rating and far exceeds Apple on review volume. See more at smartstopselfstorage.com.
