Network Video Recorder
lastmod 2026-02-27created 2021-01-2215 edits
About network video recorders.
VMS vs NVR
See Video management system#VMS vs NVR for details.
Concept diagrams
| |
| |
Rear panel connections
| |
Softwares
On-premises
Cloud
Comparison of major CCTV VMS solutions
A VMS is software that manages recording, playback, search, and monitoring for video surveillance cameras. As of 2025, the global VMS market is about $19.2B and is projected to reach $43.25B by 2032 (CAGR 12.1%).
Major trends in modern VMS:
- AI/ML-based video analytics account for about 1/3 of new deployments
- Cloud/hybrid VMS growing ~16% per year
- Expanding edge AI processing
- Stronger cybersecurity requirements
Price comparison (16 cameras)
| Solution | Category | Pricing model | Estimated annual cost for 16 cameras | Notes |
| Open source | Completely free | $0 | Slowing development, complex setup | |
| Open source | Free + paid options | $0 (base) | AI object detection, Home Assistant integration | |
| Value | Annual license | ~$80/year | Windows only, up to 64 cameras | |
| Open source | Free (home)/paid (commercial) | $175/year (commercial) | Lightweight, cross-platform | |
| Cloud | Subscription (monthly) | ~$2,500–5,800/year (estimated) | Requires Bridge device | |
| Enterprise | Perpetual license | $1,600–5,000 (upfront) | No SMA, Motorola ecosystem | |
| Enterprise | Perpetual + maintenance | $2,000–6,000+ (upfront) | Compatible with 14,000+ devices | |
| Enterprise | Perpetual + SMA | $3,000–8,000+ (upfront) | Unified security platform (VMS+AC+ALPR) | |
| Cloud | HW purchase + mandatory subscription | $11,000–27,000+ (HW+subscription) | No server needed, closed |
| INFORMATION |
| Upfront costs for enterprise solutions do not include server hardware, storage, or installation. |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Milestone | Genetec | Avigilon | Verkada | Eagle Eye | Blue Iris | Frigate | Shinobi | ZoneMinder |
| Max cameras | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 64 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Cloud | Hybrid | SaaS option | Alta Aware | Native | Native | X | X | X | X |
| AI analytics | 3rd-party | Mission Control | Appearance Search | Built-in | AI training | DeepStack integration | Built-in (Coral) | Basic | X |
| Open platform | ✓ | ✓ | △ | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access control integration | Extensible | Built-in (Synergis) | Separate product | Built-in | API | X | X | X | X |
| ALPR | Extensible | Built-in (AutoVu) | X | Built-in | X | X | X | X | X |
| H.265 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | △ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | HA app | Web | Web |
| Linux support | X | X | X | N/A | N/A | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Docker | X | X | X | N/A | N/A | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Selection guide
Recommendations by scale
| Scale | Recommended solution | Reason |
| Home/hobby (1–5 cameras) | Free/low cost, AI detection, easy | |
| Small business (5–20 cameras) | Best value, easy to manage | |
| Medium (20–100 cameras) | Milestone XProtect Express+/Pro+ | Scalability, open platform |
| Large (100–1000 cameras) | Milestone XProtect Expert/Corporate, Genetec | Multi-site, advanced features |
| Serverless, easy management | Cloud native | |
| Unified security (video+access+ALPR) | Integrated on a single platform |
Recommendations by IT capability
- No IT staff: Verkada (Plug & Play) or Eagle Eye
- Basic IT skills: Blue Iris (Windows) or Milestone Express+
- DevOps/Linux skills: Frigate (Docker) or Shinobi
- Dedicated IT team: Milestone Expert/Corporate or Genetec
Notes
- Prices are estimates based on public information as of 2025; actual quotes vary by reseller/region
- Enterprise solutions add server hardware, storage, network infrastructure, and installation costs
- Hikvision/Dahua products are restricted for North American government agencies due to NDAA non-compliance
- VMS software is about 10% of the total cost of a security project
Open Source Softwares
- Best 20 Free Open-source CCTV, NVR and DVR solutions
- iSpy - https://www.ispyconnect.com/
- ZoneMinder - https://zoneminder.com/
- Shinobi - https://shinobi.video/
- Kerberos - https://kerberos.io/
- Bluecherry - https://www.bluecherrydvr.com/
- Motion - https://motion-project.github.io/
- DeepCamera - https://github.com/SharpAI/DeepCamera
- OpenCCTV - https://github.com/ait-vgl/OpenCCTV
- JeVois - http://jevois.org/
- MONITOR - https://sourceforge.net/projects/fm-cctv-ip-camera/
- BioSuite Professional - https://sourceforge.net/projects/biosuitepro/
- Dolphin DVR Player - https://sourceforge.net/projects/dolphin-dvr-player/
- Frigate - https://github.com/blakeblackshear/frigate
- zmNinja - https://github.com/ZoneMinder/zmNinja
- Viseron - https://github.com/roflcoopter/viseron
- Simple NVR - https://github.com/TomHumphries/simple-nvr
- motionEyeOS - https://github.com/motioneye-project/motioneyeos
- ContaCam - https://www.contaware.com/contacam.html
- Yawcam - https://www.yawcam.com/
- Ivideon - https://www.ivideon.com/ivideon-server-linux/
- ONVIF - https://www.onvif.org/
- Frigate NVR
With Raspberry Pi
- 16 Open-source Projects to Build a CCTV System With Raspberry Pi
- SmartCCTV Camera - https://github.com/EbenKouao/SmartCCTV-Camera
- Rpisurv 3 - Raspberry Pi surveillance - https://github.com/SvenVD/rpisurv
- Raspberry Pi Security Camera - https://github.com/rpellerin/raspberry-pi-home-automation
- Build a Raspberry Pi CCTV camera network - https://github.com/tdamdouni/Raspberry-Pi-DIY-Projects/blob/master/_WebArticles/build-a-raspberry-pi-cctv-camera-network.md
- Smart-Security-Camera - https://github.com/HackerShackOfficial/Smart-Security-Camera
- pi-cctv: Turns your Raspberry Pi into a CCTV Camera - https://github.com/richardARPANET/pi-cctv
- Raspberry Pi Smart Security Camera - https://github.com/MieszkoMakuch/pi-security-camera
- Raspberry Pi security camera system - https://github.com/Ruud14/SecurityCamera
- picamera - https://github.com/waveform80/picamera
- Piro: A Raspberry Pi Rover Guard with a Security Camera - https://github.com/benbusby/piro
- Pi-Camera-in-a-box - https://github.com/benjamin-maynard/Pi-Camera-in-a-box
- Pi H264 To Browser
- RPiMotionCam
- CCTV Raspberry Pi
- Pi Video Streaming Demo - https://github.com/waveform80/pistreaming
See also
- Video management system (VMS, Video management software, Video management solution)
- Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
- ONVIF
- Video content analysis - A keyword that came up while searching for intelligent video analytics software.
- NVT (Network Video Transmitter) - A device that transmits video (IP Camera)
- NVC (Network Video Client) - A device that receives video (PC)
- NVD (Network Video Display) - A device that displays video
- NVS (Network Video Storage) - A device that stores video
- NVA (Network Video Analytic) - A device that analyzes video
Favorite site
- QVR Pro Surveillance | IP video surveillance system for NAS | QNAP - Looks like a good sample for development..
- Best FREE IP Camera Software (CCTV Viewer) for Windows PC - Free CCTV viewer recommendations