Un-matched cloud surveillance service and hardware bundle deals. Better than regular IP cameras, DVRs, CCTV and security services.

Camera Hardware Comparison

Below is a quick comparison of IP Camera, DVR, NVR and CCTV devices. They serve different purposes, but CameraFTP clearly offers more features and options.

CameraFTP
Service Only
CameraFTP
Cloud CCTV NVR
IP Cameras DVRs / NVRs
Main Features Cloud Recording and Surveillance service that supports almost all IP cameras. Features include: Live View, Playback, cloud Storage, Share and Publish. Also supports webcams and smart devices. Pre-configured hardware, software and cloud service bundle, includes all CameraFTP features, plus cloud-enabled CCTV / NVR features with a dedicated wireless router and/or Windows tablet. Live view (and optionally playback with local recording, if the camera supports local storage) Multi-camera surveillance system + local recording, live view and playback
Hardware Price No hardware included
(Supports any FTP IP cameras)
$79 - $349 $29 - $399
for one camera, plus additional memory card cost
$199 - $499
for a 2 to 4-camera system, plus additional hard drive cost
Hardware cost (3 cameras) for monitoring Front Door, Backyard and Living Room N/A Free with 2-yr contract $87 - $900, plus the cost of 3 additional memory cards $199 - $499, plus additional hard drive cost
Support Wi-Fi Device dependent Yes Device dependent Device dependent
Support Night-vision Device dependent Yes Device dependent Device dependent
Use Webcam as IP camera Yes N/A N/A N/A
Use iPhone, Android, WP or iPad as IP Camera Yes N/A N/A N/A
Use iPhone / Android as viewer Yes Yes Yes Yes
Using Windows Phone as viewer Yes Yes No No
Support out-door IP cameras Yes Special order only Device-dependent Device-dependent
Audio Recording Device-dependent Special order only Device-dependent Device-dependent
Device Setup Time Usually 3-15 minutes per camera Pre-configured
Just connect, power up and log on.
Can take some time Usually requires cabling as most DVRs don't support Wi-Fi.
Include Dedicated Wi-Fi Router No Yes No No
Include a Tablet / Display No Yes(for some bundles) No No
Upload Bandwidth Usually <= 100Kbps/Camera Usually <= 100Kbps/Camera Requires up to 512kbps/Camera Does not support cloud / networking; or requires up to 512kbps/Camera
Can upload to the Cloud Yes Yes Device-dependent Device-dependent

Security and Surveillance Service Comparison

Below is a quick comparison of some Security and Surveillance Services. You can see CameraFTP has many advantages, such as: more features, more flexible and lower cost. Also, CameraFTP does not directly compete with some security services (such as ADT) as their main service is not cloud surveillance and storage service.

CameraFTP ADT Other Cloud Surveillance Services
Main Services Cloud recording and surveillance service, incl. live view, playback, cloud recording, sharing and publishing cameras Security, monitoring and alarm service Cloud recording and surveillance service
Service Price As low as $1.50/camera/month $99 Installation, Starts from $36.99/month Mostly $9/camera/month
Retention Days 7 days to 1 year N/A (No IP camera is offered in the standard service) Mostly 7 days or 30 days
Contract No contract 3-year contract Varies
Easy Installation Varies
Support Continuous Real-time Cloud Recording N/A Mostly No
Remote Real-time Monitoring N/A Difficult, usually requires paid DDNS service and router configuration.
Play Back Recorded Data remotely N/A Mostly No
Support All FTP IP Cameras N/A Usually No
Support Webcam N/A Mostly No
Using iPhone/iPad as IP Camera N/A Mostly No
Using Android as IP Camera N/A Mostly No
Using Windows Phone as IP Camera N/A
Windows Webcam Security Camera N/A
Browser-based viewer N/A Mostly Yes
iOS / Android Viewer App N/A Mostly Yes
Windows Phone Viewer App N/A
Share / Publish Camera N/A
No storage restriction N/A
Recorded data cannot be tempered N/A Mostly No

CameraFTP vs. Nest Cam and Nest Cam-Alternative Cameras

Nest Cam is a very impressive IP camera. Its sleek design and high-quality video make it very appealing at the first glance; but for most users, CameraFTP has a much better solution:

  • Nest Cam does not support motion triggered recording
    1. It will keep using your upload bandwidth even if there are no activities. Note many ISPs have a monthly cap on data usage.
  • Nest Cam may significantly slow down your network connection
    1. Uploading HD video requires very large upload bandwidth; however, broadband services usually have small upload bandwidth. Using Nest Cam with HD video setting is usually not feasible for most consumers and businesses, esp. those with multiple Nest Cam cameras. In the end, you will have to reduce your video resolution.
  • Only one model, and in-door model only
    1. Nest Cam does not have PTZ, out-door, bullet, Dome and PoE models.
  • Nest Cam is unnecessarily expensive
    1. At $199 per unit, you can buy 2 to 4 other IP cameras while still meeting your surveillance needs.
  • Nest Cam Aware (Cloud Recording) service is even more expensive!
    1. For 7-day video retention, the cost is $100/year; for 30-day video retention, the cost is $300/year!

CameraFTP Advantages:

  • Support almost all IP cameras
    1. CameraFTP service can work with most in-door and out-door IP cameras.
    2. You can choose from many best-in-class cameras from many different manufacturers.
    3. More choices mean lower camera cost.
  • Lower bandwidth usage and motion-triggered recording
    1. For most consumers and businesses' surveillance needs, CameraFTP uses very low upload bandwidth; you can further reduce bandwidth usage by setting up motion-triggered recording.
  • Super high quality image or video recording
    1. For high-end users or businesses, CameraFTP supports up to 12MP cameras for large site monitoring.
  • Low hardware cost
    1. For the price of one Nest Cam camera, you can buy 3 cameras monitoring your front door, backyard and living room. You can even use webcam or an old smartphone as your IP camera.
  • Our Cloud Recording service cost is even lower!
    1. Our cloud recording service starts at $1.50/camera/month for image recording and $2.50/camera/month for video recording. For a single-camera Nest Aware service, you can order 3 CameraFTP camera licenses.
  • CameraFTP Pre-configured Cloud NVR Bundled Solution is even better!
    1. CameraFTP Cloud NVR Bundled Solution is a total solution that includes hardware, software and cloud recording service.
    2. CameraFTP Cloud NVR Solution includes 3 cameras, enough for most home users and small businesses. You can add more cameras as needed.
    3. CameraFTP Cloud NVR Solution is a pre-configured solution. It works out-of-the-box, easier than Nest Cam.
    4. Some CameraFTP Cloud NVR Solutions include a Windows tablet; thus it also works like a CCTV system with a built-in monitor or TV.