Best Home Security Cameras Without a Subscription for 2025
Blink’s people detection works well, but it’s a subscription-only feature.
Solutions and views
We always focus on the solutions and vision of home security cameras. Checking details, close and distance is very important for real-time viewing and the quality of recorded videos. It is important to pay attention to the resolution numbers and the range of view, and if the brand locks the higher resolution behind the subscription (some).
Video storage
Video storage refers to the way video is recorded in the cloud or locally in the cloud or through an additional hub/hard drive. Cloud storage is almost always locked behind a subscription, with the exception of a few cases like Google Nest and some other exceptions. Local storage is often a better way to avoid subscriptions and still get this important quality of life.
Smart home integration
Smart Home Support Voice Assistant (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant) or platforms like Google Home or Apple Home aren’t often locked behind a subscription: what you see in the specs is what you get. This can be limited to one platform (Amazon likes to focus its devices on Alexa now) or distributed among several platforms. If you already use a voice assistant or a complete smart home security system, look for a cam that is compatible with it.
Object detection
Object detection, such as identifying packages or close humanoids, is another feature often locked behind a subscription. Some cameras offer free object detection. Eufy uses the human body to detect many of its cams, TP-Link Tapo Cams offers some free tests, and several Lorex Cams offer packaging and personnel tests.
Application Availability
High-quality safety cams come with intuitive applications and have easy-to-manage settings. This is also a big benefit if they don’t have a continuous pop-up telling you to sign up for a subscription.
Night vision
We always look closely at night vision and its distance to ensure it works properly and provide a lot of utilities to capture images on the other side of the yard or room.
Two-way audio
The two-way audio feature helps scare andruders, talk to strangers or tell kids to eat indoors. They are always free, but we also looked at their quality and scope.
