Full Service vs. Self Storage: Comparing Prices, Benefits, & Units

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Plus tips on choosing the best storage unit & service for you

Co-authored by Clutter and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: November 13, 2025 Fact Checked

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Self-Storage vs. Full Service

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Pros & Cons

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Cost

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Choosing a Storage Unit

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Who is self-storage best for?

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Who is full-service storage best for?

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Finding a secure and affordable storage unit (let alone actually packing and moving your belongings) can feel super overwhelming and stressful. We get it! And, if you’re trying to decide what type of storage company to use—full-service or self-storage—you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this guide to help you get answers to questions like: What’s full-service storage? What’s self-service storage?How much do they cost? What are the pros and cons of each? And most importantly, Which one is best for me? Keep reading to make your moving, renovating, or storing process as simple and convenient as possible!

What’s the difference between full-service and self-storage?

With self-storage, you must rent a unit, pack your items, and load them into the space yourself. Full-service storage companies, like Clutter, pick up your items for you and deliver them to storage.

Section 1 of 6:

What is full-service vs. self-service storage?

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With self-service storage, you rent out a locker or unit, and it’s your responsibility to independently store, access, and retrieve your belongings. With full-service storage, the storage company handles the whole process for you. They’ll pick up your items, pack them safely, log them into an inventory, and transport them to a storage center for you. Self-storage is often considered more flexible, as you can access your items at any time, and it may be more cost-effective. However, full-service storage is much more convenient and can provide greater peace of mind when it comes to your important belongings.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 6:

Pros and Cons of Self-Storage & Full Service-Storage

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Pros & Cons of Full-Service Storage While it can come at a greater cost, full-service storage companies pay you back in convenience and amenities by handling your whole moving and storage experience for you. For example, a company like Clutter will send professional movers to your home and office, carefully pack your items (if needed), and move them to a secure storage unit. Plus, when you need something back, you can easily schedule a delivery, and the company will do all of the heavy lifting for you. You’ll never have to visit a storage unit again, which is a huge plus for a lot of people. Here are some more pros and cons to consider for full-service storage:^{[2]
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- Pros:
  - Items are conveniently picked up for you and taken safely to a storage unit.
  - Some companies will securely pack your belongings for you.
  - When you want certain items back, they’re delivered to your home.
  - Units generally have higher security with 24/7 surveillance.
  - Some companies, like Clutter, give you an online photo catalog of your items, so you can view them at any time and have them delivered to you with a click.
- Cons:
  - You can’t access your items yourself—you must arrange for their delivery.
  - It can be more costly than self-service storage.
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Pros & Cons of Self Storage Self-storage is a common choice for its flexibility and budget-friendly reputation, and it’s a good option for people who want to access their belongings at any time. However, self-storage can also have some drawbacks, including potential security issues, lack of cleanliness, and customer service frustrations. In a nutshell, here are the main pros and cons of self-service storage:^{[3]
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- Pros:
  - You can access your belongings at any time (during open hours).
  - The cost of self-storage is typically lower than that of full-service storage.
  - You have complete control over the packing and handling of your items between your home and the unit.
- Cons:
  - Your items won’t be easy to locate, unlike with a full-service inventory system.
  - Hidden fees often arise, such as for locks, insurance, and administrative fees.
  - Storage facilities can differ in security, cleanliness, pest control, and customer service quality.
  - You’re responsible for moving all of your items, which may include physical labor and financial costs (like renting a truck).

Section 3 of 6:

How much is self-storage vs. full-service storage?

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The exact price of either service depends on your location, unit size, and other factors. It’s difficult to say exactly how much a self-storage or full-service storage unit near you will cost, since the price relies on several different factors. In general, however, self-storage services are more affordable than full-service ones. Self-storage units can range from $35 to over $300 per month, depending on the unit’s size, location, and any extra features (e.g., climate control). Depending on the same factors, full-service storage costs can range from $50 to over $500 per month.^{[4]
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- While full-service storage is more expensive, some companies offer discounts and deals when you sign up. For example, Clutter offers one month of storage for free when you sign up for a move.

Section 4 of 6:

Factors to Look For in a Storage Unit

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Proximity to You First of all, you want to make sure you find a storage unit that’s near you. Proximity is especially important if you choose self-service storage, since you’ll need to physically bring your own items to your storage unit and revisit it anytime you want to access your belongings. However, in major cities or populated areas, self-service storage units can be more expensive due to higher demand. For some people, it can actually be more cost-effective to hire a full-service storage company that will handle the delivery of your items to a unit located farther away (where costs are lower).^{[5]
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- Remember that storage access is also an important factor here. If you want to access your stored items frequently, you want a storage unit that’s closer to you (and you likely want to go with self-service). If you don’t need frequent access, you might use a storage unit that’s slightly further away.
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Affordability & Transparent Pricing Any reputable storage company or center worth working with will be up-front and transparent about their costs. If you can’t easily find a price for your specific unit size online or get a quote through a simple set of steps, then that doesn’t bode well for the rest of your experience. Self-storage service units will sometimes tack on “hidden fees” that dramatically increase your price by the time you actually store your belongings.^{[6]
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- When looking into affordability, also consider insurance coverage. You’ll likely want to purchase insurance for your belongings while they’re stored, but make sure that the company you choose is up-front with you about how much that will cost.
Your belongings are important to you, so it’s best to use a company or service that you can trust. Look for positive online reviews, and make sure that they’re from reputable sources (and that there’s more than just a handful of them). Well-known companies are a safer bet than newer, less established companies. Also, look for companies that specifically vet and train their storage service professionals to be the best of the best.^{[7]
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When it comes to the specifics of your storage unit, many people want a climate- or temperature-controlled space to store their items in. Some companies, such as Clutter, provide temperature-controlled storage units to maintain ideal conditions for valuable or sensitive items. This can include electronics, photographs, wooden furniture, legal documents, paintings and artwork, and any other items that might be sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.^{[8]
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Depending on your needs, you might want extra amenities that can be provided by your storage service. Certain full-storage service companies, like Clutter, offer assistance with the disposal or donation of unwanted items, and you can also digitally track your mover’s arrival time on the day of pick-up. Other storage centers and services may offer additional extras, such as free packing supplies, drive-up access, elevator access, and other bonus features.

Section 5 of 6:

Who is self-storage best for?

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While self-storage can fit a lot of people’s needs, it’s usually ideal for students, families, or cost-conscious individuals who need a temporary place to leave things that they need regular access to. For example, self-storage services might work for students who are going home for the summer, families that are downsizing or renovating, and business owners who need extra space for inventory or documents. It may also be useful for storing collectible items, project materials, seasonal items, spare vehicles, or any other belongings that you want access to but don’t need cluttering up your home.^{[9]
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Section 6 of 6:

Who is full-service storage best for?

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Full-service storage is best for busy people who may have valuable or fragile items to store. Full-service storage is primarily about convenience—if you’re willing to pay slightly more, a valet storage company will professionally pack, handle, and store your belongings. This can be useful for people who are too busy to pack or move, or people who are physically unable to pack and load their belongings on their own. It’s also a preferred option for individuals who want to store highly fragile or valuable items. The belongings will be professionally packed and handled by a trusted team, and they’ll generally have higher security than they would in a self-storage center.^{[10]
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- Full-service doesn’t allow you to access your items yourself at any time, which can be a drawback for some. However, you can easily schedule the items you need to be delivered to your home within a reasonable timeframe.