Parks Associates: 37% of Recent Home Security System Buyers are Renters as Apple Enters The Smart Home Market

New research highlights growing opportunities for providers to reach renters, expand pro-coinstallation, and increase recurring service revenue

PLANO, Texas, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates' latest consumer study, Home Security in Transition: The Future of Protection, finds that renters are becoming an increasingly important customer segment for home security providers, as new competitors, including Apple, enter the market with connected security devices and installation partnerships.

The study of 8,000 US Internet households finds that 37% of security system owners who acquired their systems within the past year rent their home, compared to just 8% of those who purchased more than six years ago. The findings highlight a significant shift in the profile of recent security system buyers.

"Renters represent an important growth opportunity for the security industry," said Jennifer Kent, SVP and Principal Analyst, Parks Associates. "Security providers have traditionally focused on homeowners, but the market is changing. Companies that can offer affordable, easy-to-install systems, flexible monitoring, and solutions that move with the customer will be better positioned to capture this demand."

The research also finds that nearly one-third of households that purchased a security system within the past year moved during that period. Moving is an important trigger for security purchases, giving providers an opportunity to reach consumers when they are establishing new households and evaluating technology and service options.

The shift comes as the overall security market continues to expand. Parks Associates reports that:

• 37% of US internet households own a security system, up from 31% in 2022.
• 12% of households own a security camera or video doorbell without also owning a security system, compared to 7% in 2022.
• 36% of households subscribe to a paid security service, including professional monitoring and paid services attached to standalone video devices.

The expansion of standalone cameras and video doorbells is creating additional entry points into home security. Apple's expansion into the smart home space, including its collaboration with LG on security cameras and video doorbells and ADT's role in professional installation, introduces another major competitor into this evolving market.

"Apple's entry brings another major consumer brand into a market where cameras, video doorbells, and connected devices are increasingly driving adoption," said Kent. "ADT's installation role is particularly interesting because it creates a potential relationship with Apple households that could extend beyond the initial device purchase. Professional monitoring has not been announced as part of this collaboration, but installation could open opportunities for additional devices, upgrades, and paid services over time."

For security providers, the growth of renters also creates opportunities to develop relationships with multifamily property owners and operators. Property-supported security offerings, portable devices, and flexible service agreements could help providers reach residents through new distribution channels while building recurring revenue.

Home Security in Transition: The Future of Protection examines consumer security needs, adoption trends, and monitoring preferences, including hybrid models. It identifies churn drivers, satisfaction metrics, and openness to new technologies like proactive deterrents and automated detection. The research tracks the future trajectory of home protection, from traditional systems to emerging service models.

For data insights or more information, contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein or visit www.parksassociates.com.

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates helps companies identify new opportunities, refine strategy, and accelerate growth in connected technology markets through data-driven insights and industry expertise. With more than 40 years of experience, the firm delivers proprietary consumer and industry research, market forecasts, and strategic analysis that guide business decisions across personal, connected home, small business, and commercial technology ecosystems. Parks Associates supports clients in navigating evolving markets, including AI, security, smart home, broadband, entertainment, energy, multifamily, smart buildings, and connected health.

The firm also fosters industry growth and collaboration by convening thousands of leaders each year through its flagship executive conferences, including CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video.  Learn more at https://www.parksassociates.com.

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For Immediate Release
Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein
Parks Associates
972.490.1113
[email protected]

SOURCE Parks Associates