Best wireless security cameras without monthly fee

Researching wireless security cameras without subscription quickly reveals that actually finding a security camera without subscription is a difficult task.

Most options have internet-enabled features behind paywalls, including those from leading brands like Google and Arlo.

To avoid bullying wallets with monthly fees, we’ve rounded up some of the best options below.  

So, what is the best security camera without a subscription in 2022?

What are Security Camera Subscriptions For?

Most security cameras on the market have subscription services available as an optional add-on. Subscriptions are usually paid monthly or annually. 

What are the security camera features that require subscriptions?

1. Cloud Storage

The feature most likely to be obtained from paying a subscription is cloud storage. While some folks might roll their eyes at the idea of having to pay for storage space, it’s far from unusual for cloud services to function through a monthly or yearly fee. 

There’s also no denying the benefits of using cloud storage—losing or breaking the physical device will never jeopardize the footage, and it’s a more practical way to save high quality footage with massive file sizes on devices without expandable local storage.

2. Monitoring Services

Much less common is the option to pay a subscription to receive real-time emergency monitoring. IP security camera brands rarely provide this because it’s an expensive operation to run. But it forms a major part of the services provided by larger scale security solution providers, like ADT.

Think of it a bit like a hotline center. The user’s security cameras and alarms are linked to a center, and if something flags up as a major security breach, the team on the other end will contact the relevant emergency services and send them to the user’s property. 

3. Advanced Motion Detection

It’s common to find motion detection in security cameras straight out of the box. Less common is advanced software features like person detection, animal detection, and even package detection.

Most users probably won’t consider these options if using the security camera inside, but they are particularly useful for doorbell cameras. Being able to spot packages is super handy in this context, and allows absent users to then communicate with the delivery person through two-way audio.

Top 8 No Monthly Fee Wireless Cameras

• Best wireless outdoor security camera with no subscription – eufy SoloCam E40
• Best indoor security camera without subscription – AlfredCam
• Cheapest security camera without subscription – AlfredCamera (app)
• Best Wi-Fi security camera without subscription – Blink XT
• Best design security camera no subscription – Abode iota
• Best doorbell camera without subscription – eufy Video Doorbell
• Best floodlight security camera without subscription – eufy Floodlight Camera 2
• Best security camera for small business without subscription – Reolink 4K Ultra HD Security System

eufy SoloCam E40

Best wireless outdoor security camera with no subscription

Available on eufy, Amazon, and Walmart. From $129.99.

Pros

• Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility
• Recharges via a USB
• IP65 weatherproof

Cons

• No floodlight
• Assigning motion detection zones can be finicky
• No expandable physical storage

eufy’s SoloCam E40 is a Wi-Fi enabled security camera that’s weatherproofed, making it perfect for outdoors. Supporting up to 2K resolution and boasting infrared night vision and person detection, the SoloCam E40 is a fantastic and, at $129.99, affordable choice for those looking to monitor outside the home without having to fork out monthly fees.

Cloud storage is an option but the SoloCam E40 comes with 8GB of onboard storage, which will be more than sufficient for most security uses so long as you delete unneeded footage every so often.

There’s no flashlight, but that’s nothing a motion detecting light can’t solve.

Cloud Subscriptions for Outdoor Cameras—Should You Do It?

Sometimes, outdoor security cameras fail to maintain a wireless signal no matter where they are placed. When connection drop-outs are a recurring issue, local or microSD storage is a necessity. Cloud storage won’t cut it if the device can’t maintain a stable internet connection.

AlfredCam

Best indoor security camera without subscription

Available within the AlfredCamera app. From $34.99.

Pros

• Extremely affordable
• Strong color night vision
• microSD card support

Cons

• No third party voice assistant support
• Not weatherproof
• AI-based person detection requires subscription

If a simple surveillance solution for indoors is needed, AlfredCam perfects the basics—great color night vision, up to 1080p recording, and super responsive motion detection notifications are all available right out of the box. It’s lightweight, small and chic, allowing it to slip into interiors seamlessly. 

Continuous recording is possible without the need for subscriptions thanks to the inclusion of microSD support. Setup is simple, and it works great alongside existing AlfredCamera devices for when more eyes are needed to monitor a space.

Not to toot our own horn, but we’re loving AlfredCam. Read our full AlfredCam review where we provide honest feedback about the unboxing & onboarding experience, as well as our thoughts after weeks of hands-on testing.

AlfredCamera (app)

Cheapest security camera without subscription

Available on Google Play Store and the App store. Free, with the option for premium.

Pros

• Free, with the option for affordable Premium upgrades
• No hardware required
• Motion detection, two-way talk, and continuous recording

Cons

• Requires a spare smart device
• Functionality will depend on the phone itself
• Mounting the device may require additional accessories

For those on a strict budget, nothing is better than free. AlfredCamera turns old smartphones into robust security cameras. Yes, 24/7 live streaming, motion detection, and two-way talk are all included for the low price of absolutely nothing.

AlfredCamera is available to download for Android and iOS devices.

Premium adds additional features like person detection, but all the essential features are available as soon as you install the app. While the quality and functionality will largely depend on the phone model, it’s a wise option for those prioritizing budget but still want to feel secure. 

Get some ideas about how and where to place your camera device.

Blink XT

Best Wi-Fi security camera without subscription

Available on Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. From $74.99.

Pros

• Supports up to 265GB flash drive storage with the Sync Module 2
• Two-year battery life
• IP65 weatherproof

Cons

• No two-way audio
• Poor quality bracket
• Recordings are short

The streamlined Blink Outdoor is a great Wi-Fi-enabled camera.  It records in up to 1080p HD, supports USB drive local storage (you have to buy an add-on peripheral—thankfully, the camera itself is on the more affordable side), and it boasts infrared motion detection. 

The camera functions via AA batteries, so you can have a truly wire-free system. As its name suggests, it’s also weatherproof. Though there is a microphone on it, there’s unfortunately no option for two-way audio.

Abode iota

Best design security camera no subscription

Available on abode and Amazon. From $245.

Pros

• Attractive design
• Super cross-compatible with Google, Alexa, Siri, and many other automated devices
• SD card storage

Cons

• No facial recognition or person detection
• Expensive
• No multi-factor authentication required for its apps

Many security cameras are unattractive. This is fine if  recording a store or office, but when it comes to the home, some devices can prove to be a real eyesore. Abode has come up with a solution for those that are both more aesthetically inclined and averse to subscription fees.

Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri-compatible, the iota system records at 1080p HD and has excellent infrared night vision. Catch up with burglars via two-way audio or scare them off with a built-in siren. 

All of this can be controlled with a sleek fob, and everything can be saved to an SD card. Cloud storage is an option, but Abode does provide 90 days of it for free should users want to try before they buy.

eufy Video Doorbell

Best doorbell camera without subscription

Available on eufy, Best Buy, and Amazon. From $199.99.

Pros

• High quality (2K) and fast
• No subscription fees
• Easy setup

Cons

• Expensive upfront cost
• Sacrifices an ethernet port for the HomeBase
• 2K video will quickly consume local storage

Most video doorbells require monthly fees to run. Unlike its main competitors, eufy’s doorbell comes with a plain-looking ‘HomeBase’ that plugs into your Wi-Fi router. It’s actually the doorbell chime and a 16GB hard-drive that stores what the camera records. 

Expect unusually high quality from a doorbell cam thanks to the speedy HomeBase, with the camera capable of up to 2K video. It records in 4:3, which makes it much easier to catch facial details of those approaching the door. 

It’s rechargeable, with battery life lasting up to 180 days. Let the mailman know where to leave a package with two-way audio and preset messages.

eufy Floodlight Camera 2

Best floodlight camera without subscription

Available onWalmart, Amazon, andBestBuy. From $145.99.

Pros

• Subscription-free
• 2,500 lumen LED floodlights
• Easy connection with Alexa and Google Assistant

Cons

• Motion activated events only
• Voice control is limited (can’t control lights)
• No expandable internal memory

eufy’s line of security cameras has gained a great reception among users for great quality, great prices, and the lack of monthly fees associated with all their products.

Floodlight cameras are purpose-built for outdoors, making them essential for monitoring poorly-lit exteriors. This 1080p, 2,500 lumen floodlight camera with built-in smart siren is truly a one time purchase, so for those not wanting to be tethered to subscription contracts, look no further.

Looking to shine a light on a backyard, porch, or parking area? Check out more floodlight camera choices. 

Reolink 4K Ultra HD Security System

Best security camera for small business without subscription

Available on Amazon. From $559.99.

Pros

• Tonnes of storage, with option for additional external hard-drive up to 6TB
• Super high quality 4K footage
• Inexpensive option for small businesses

Cons

• Doesn’t support PoE switches (meaning it has to be directly connected to the NVR using cables)
• No two-way audio
• The desktop versions of the Reolink client are poor compared to Android/iOS apps

Business places have different security requirements to homes. Perhaps the most obvious difference is that a business place needs multiple cameras to effectively monitor the area, and significantly more storage for 24/7 recording. Subscription fees for that could wind up very expensive for a small business owner.

Reolink’s inexpensive 4K Ultra HD Security System comes with four different cameras and a HDD with a massive 2TB of onboard storage. There’s also the option to install up to 6TB of additional storage for backup.

Operating or working as part of a larger scale business? Small scale systems won’t cut it—head here for more on large scale business security solutions.

FAQ

What wireless cameras do not require a subscription?

Wireless security cameras that do not require subscriptions include eufy SoloCam E40, Blink Outdoor, and AlfredCamera.

What security cameras do not require a subscription?

Security cameras that don’t require a subscription include AlfredCam, Abode iota, and Reolink E1 Pro.

Do wireless security cameras require a subscription?

Many wireless security cameras have features that can only be accessed via a subscription. Some security cameras require subscribing to access footage, in effect meaning you have to pay fees in addition to the upfront cost of the product 

All the picks in our list above can be run effectively paying additional fees.

For the most part, subscriptions allow access to Cloud storage and AI features. Cloud storage can be, in theory, infinite, so it is a really useful way to store lots of footage, particularly when the footage is high quality.

Conclusion

Though the options are becoming increasingly scarce, Wi-Fi enabled security cameras without subscription are available on the market. Not only that, many of them rival some of the bestsellers that require regular fees to run.

Free options, like AlfredCamera, and higher-end choices, like Abode’s iota, make subscription-free cameras a more cost-effective way to improve your home security. Our picks don’t sacrifice any of the important features that many brands hide behind paywalls.

Recommended reading:
The Best Wireless Security Cameras of 2022
Why Do My Wireless Cameras Keep Disconnecting? | 5 Quick Fixes
How to Install Wireless Security Cameras Indoors in 8 Easy Steps (with Pictures)

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