Which is the best free Security Camera app?
Today, we’re answering a tough problem for many new security system owners: my camera system app is driving me insane! Is there anything better for free?
Apps like IVMS and Hik Connect are great for many home owners because they’re free! Who doesn’t like free?
And they get the job done for people who just want to check on their security system every so often. You get decent playback on your computer, tablet, and phone. Not bad, right?
Ya, not bad…but not great either! Free apps are included with the cameras you buy from companies who specialize in making cameras. They don’t really profit from the free software these companies offer, so they don’t invest time into optimizing it for customer use. They also are not reliable enough for businesses who need real-time viewing or integration into other security solutions.
So, what you get is often clunky, unorganized and slow software with little support from the company that sold you the camera. Plus, you’ll get patches with features and fixes for specific issues, but fixing that specific issue might affect the whole app and even cause it to crash.
Ok, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. These free apps are a good option for the casual camera viewer, but if you want to check your cameras more often, you may want to upgrade to a third-party viewing platform
Yes, third-party software costs money. So, I can’t write the catchy line “Who doesn’t like free??”, but in the place of free there are other positives.
For example, you will get cleaner software with lighter computer hardware requirements. The apps are more intuitive and easy to use, produce higher quality images, and have extra features, like video analytics, video search features, and more. Pairing a few great value cameras with third party software can turn a plain camera system into a feature filled, efficient one.
Although it may seem like it, I’m not here to say that one is better than the other. If your free app is working for you, then there’s no need to change. After all, third party apps will charge you per camera and there can even be an annual fee for the higher end software. You’ll also need to replace your recorder with a computer or server, which is a bit of a hassle.
With third party software, it can also be hard to find a dealer to program them correctly and be able to continuously customize your needs. Make sure you talk to one of our security advisors. They can show you software options and the differences between them too.
Whether free app or third-party, do what’s right for your needs and your budget!
