Public Storage is the largest brand of self-storage services in the United States. There are more than 2,200 Public Storage locations in the U.S. and Europe, and the company employs over 5,000 people. Some consumers prefer not to do business with corporations of that size, especially given some of Public Storage’s customer satisfaction issues. So who are Public Storage’s competitors? Let’s dig into some of the best Public Storage alternatives.
Why go with a company other than Public Storage?
Most customers will be fine with Public Storage, but the company does have a history of issues. Many Public Storage customers have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, for example, regarding the company’s insurance policies. These individuals have had their units broken into, then had their insurance claims denied for what consumers argue are illegitimate reasons. Another issue the company itself raised in a public filing is a rising number of complaints regarding moisture infiltration, which could damage renters’ belongings and cause mold or mildew. So, while Public Storage may be just fine for your needs, it’s always good to investigate your options! Here are some of Public Storage’s competitors:
1. BuxBear Storage
We’d be remiss if we didn’t tell you about ourselves. BuxBear’s state-of-the-art facilities are among the best in the industry. Our pricing is competitive, and BuxBear storage units have various amenities, from climate control options to excellent security. BuxBear’s convenient locations are staffed with friendly and knowledgeable storage experts. Since many customers use self-storage units when they’re moving, BuxBear also offers a variety of moving resources, including truck rentals. An online bill payment option saves you time and headaches. Veterans and seniors can receive a discount at BuxBear facilities, too. So whether you’re looking for a place to store a boat or R.V. during the off-season, need extra space for furniture during a move, or just need a little more room when the garage gets full, BuxBear has you covered.
2. Extra Space Storage
Among the most well-known Public Storage competitors is Extra Space Storage. They’re large enough to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker EXR. They operate in 41 states and Washington, D.C., and own or operate nearly as many facilities as Public Storage—a total of around 1.4 million units. Extra Space Storage describes the hallmarks of its service as “security, attractive landscaping, and professional property management.” Given its size, it’s no surprise that Extra Space Storage offers a large variety of storage unit options, from commercial business storage to RV-sized units and climate-controlled spaces. However, Move.org says Extra Space Storage is about 20% more expensive than other Public Storage competitors.
3. Life Storage
Life Storage is one of the best storage unit companies today, though it’s not perfect. They offer a wholly contactless and online rental process, which is convenient—you can rent right from your phone, get a facility access code, and go right to your unit. For movers, they also have perks like truck rentals and moving supply services. You can have boxes, tape, and other moving supplies shipped directly to your home or pick them up at any Life Storage location. By all accounts, their customer service is better than average. However, like Extra Space Storage, LifeStorage is more expensive than average. They also have fewer locations than some other Public Storage competitors, so you may not be able to find a location near you at all.
4. CubeSmart
CubeSmart is a more competitively-priced option, especially since they run frequent discount promotions. They also offer discounts to military personnel and students and partner with local moving companies to bring customers added deals. Some CubeSmart locations offer Internet-enabled remote surveillance, allowing customers to check in on their units whenever possible. CubeSmart offers 24-hour recorded video surveillance, too. When visiting your unit, you can also enjoy some free coffee and use one of CubeSmart’s workspaces, which is a nice feature. So is the ability to add extra amenities for your unit, like shelves or automatic door openers—since these features are optional, you’re not paying for what you don’t use, but they’re there if you want them. According to Move.org, however, CubeSmart does skimp on security. They also mentioned that CubeSmart units become much pricier when they have climate control, and at some locations, it’s hard to find units that don’t have climate control—so the price might be higher than you’re planning to pay. Finally, at some locations, you have to pay extra for 24/7 access to your unit—otherwise, you’ll only have access during their regular “access hours.”
5. SpareFoot
Among companies that are Public Storage competitors, SpareFoot is unique in the self-storage industry. The Austin-based company is “the world’s largest online self-storage marketplace.” It offers customers the ability to connect with smaller, local self-storage businesses. On the one hand, this can be convenient since it can provide access to facilities you might not otherwise be aware of or make it easier to find when you live outside the range of bigger chains. In most places, SpareFoot offers tremendous variety. However, renting through an intermediary like this can come with complications, such as communication breakdowns. For example, a Better Business Bureau complaint mentions a customer renting a storage space through SpareFoot, only to show up at the facility with an entire truckload of belongings and be told that the facility had no record of the rental and that they wouldn’t honor the price. Furthermore, according to MoveBuddha, in some service areas, SpareFoot has partnership agreements with third-party vendors and doesn’t offer customers other options that are available to them—like only offering Penske truck rentals. That’s nothing nefarious, but customers should be aware that SpareFoot isn’t showing them all the options that may exist in their area.
6. U-Haul
Although they may be more well-known for their rental trucks and trailers, U-Haul also operates a booming self-storage business. MyMove.org highlights many standout features, especially regarding security—more U-Haul locations include security cameras, individually alarmed rooms, fire sprinklers, electronic access, and intercoms. U-Haul locations are available in all 50 states, so there’s likely one near you. Cons highlighted include that U-Haul requires proof of insurance and has a track record of poor customer service. Move.org mentions U-Haul’s great pricing, lack of administrative fees, and the fact that prices are the same whether you book online or in-person (which is often not the case.) However, they echoed the popular sentiment that U-Haul has poor customer service.
7. Neighbor
Like SpareFoot, Neighbor is a popular Public Storage competitor that isn’t a conventional self-storage company. Neighbor aims to shake up the self-storage industry by providing a platform to connect renters with third-party storage solutions. Think of it like Airbnb for self-storage. Anyone with extra space can be a host for Neighbor, listing their garage, attic, shed, etc., for others to rent. As a result, Neighbor can be a good option for customers looking for a budget option—it’s often less expensive than its competitors. Depending on the number and quality of Neighbor hosts in your area, you might also be able to find a space that’s very convenient for you—even in your neighborhood. Neighbor takes measures to ensure this process is smooth and safe with secure and paperless billing. They also offer host liability protection and renter’s protection, the ability to read host reviews, and identity verification. Even so, Neighbor struggles with customer complaints. Neighbor currently has an F rating from the Better Business Bureau, and complaints include unresponsive customer service, customers not receiving refunds they’re owed, or being charged for services they never signed up for. Do your due diligence! Using Neighbor, you just may find a gem of a space for a low price, but you may also get burned—so it’s essential to do your research.
Who are Public Storage’s Competitors? Now you know
Among the most popular companies that are Public Storage’s competitors, there are pros and cons. Choosing the right self-storage company for you will come down to your particular needs, how much you want to spend, and your “deal-breaker” services. At BuxBear, we’ve studied the highlights and drawbacks of other self-storage companies across the United States and tried to learn from what customers like and what they don’t, and we’ve tailored our services to best fit those needs. As such, we invite you to give us a peek and compare us to your local Public Storage location—you may be surprised at what you learn.