Best security cameras with no subscription
Facts last verified · Every claim is linked to its source · Methodology
"No subscription" means different things. Some cameras record everything locally for free; others save nothing without a plan. The table shows what each manufacturer documents. "Partly" means core recording works free but some features (AI detection, full-length cloud clips, longer history) need a plan.
| Device | Score | Offline | Local storage | Home Assistant | RTSP/ONVIF | Subscription | Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell ProDoorbell · Wired (doorbell wiring or PoE kit) | 90 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Ubiquiti UniFi G5 FlexCamera · PoE | 90 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Ubiquiti UniFi G5 BulletCamera · PoE | 90 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Ubiquiti UniFi G4 InstantCamera · USB-C, Wi-Fi | 90 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Reolink Video Doorbell (PoE / WiFi)Doorbell · Wired (PoE or 12–24 VAC) | 82 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Reolink E1 Outdoor ProCamera · Plug-in, Wi-Fi | 82 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Reolink RLC-811A (PoE)Camera · PoE | 82 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Reolink E1 ZoomCamera · Plug-in, Wi-Fi | 82 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Reolink Duo 3 PoECamera · PoE | 82 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Yes | Not needed | Not required |
| Amcrest AD410 Video DoorbellDoorbell · Wired (doorbell wiring) | 73 | Yes | Yes | Local polling | Yes | Not needed | Unverified |
| Reolink Argus 4 ProCamera · Battery + solar, Wi-Fi | 72 | Yes | Yes | Local push | Via hub only | Not needed | Not required |
| TP-Link (Tapo, Kasa) C210Camera · Plug-in, Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) | 68 | Yes | Yes | Local polling | Yes | Not needed | Required |
| TP-Link (Tapo, Kasa) C120Camera · Plug-in, Wi-Fi | 68 | Yes | Yes | Local polling | Yes | Not needed | Required |
| Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4Doorbell · Battery or wired | 43 | Partial | Yes | Community only | No | Not needed | Unverified |
| Aqara Camera Hub G3Camera · Plug-in (USB-C), Wi-Fi | 43 | Partial | Yes | Community only | Unverified | Not needed | Unverified |
| Wyze Cam v4Camera · Plug-in, Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) | 35 | Partial | Yes | Community only | No | Partly | Required |
| Wyze Video Doorbell v2Doorbell · Wired | 35 | Partial | Yes | Community only | No | Partly | Unverified |
| Wyze Cam Pan v3Camera · Plug-in, Wi-Fi | 35 | Partial | Yes | Community only | No | Partly | Unverified |
| eufy (Anker) Video Doorbell E340Doorbell · Battery or wired | 31 | Unverified | Yes | Community only | Unverified | Not needed | Unverified |
| eufy (Anker) SoloCam S340Camera · Battery + solar | 31 | Unverified | Yes | Community only | No | Not needed | Unverified |
| Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)Doorbell · Battery or wired | 31 | Partial | Hub only | None | Unverified | Partly | Required |
| Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight CameraCamera · Battery, Wi-Fi | 31 | Partial | Hub only | None | Unverified | Partly | Required |
| Lorex 2K Wired Video Doorbell (B451AJD)Doorbell · Wired, Wi-Fi | 30 | Unverified | Yes | Unverified | Unverified | Not needed | Unverified |
| Lockly Vision Elite (video smart lock)Doorbell · Rechargeable battery + solar panel; Wi-Fi hub | 30 | Unverified | Yes | Unverified | Unverified | Not needed | Unverified |
| Wyze Battery Cam ProCamera · Battery (solar optional), Wi-Fi | 29 | Partial | Yes | Unverified | No | Partly | Unverified |
| Swann EVO Wireless Video Doorbell (SWIFI-EVOVDB)Doorbell · Battery or wired, Wi-Fi | 28 | Unverified | Yes | Unverified | Unverified | Not needed | Unverified |
| Blink (Amazon) Outdoor 4Camera · Battery | 23 | No | Hub only | Cloud | No | Partly | Required |
| Blink (Amazon) Mini 2Camera · Plug-in | 23 | No | Hub only | Cloud | No | Partly | Required |
| Blink (Amazon) Video DoorbellDoorbell · Battery or wired | 23 | No | Hub only | Cloud | No | Partly | Required |
| TP-Link (Tapo, Kasa) Kasa KD110Doorbell · Wired, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi | 23 | Unverified | Yes | None | No | Not needed | Required |
| Google Nest Doorbell (battery)Doorbell · Battery or wired | 22 | Partial | Buffer only | Cloud | No | Partly | Required |
| Google Nest Cam (battery)Camera · Battery or wired | 22 | Partial | Buffer only | Cloud | No | Partly | Required |
| EZVIZ DB2Doorbell · Battery (5,200 mAh), Wi-Fi | 22 | Unverified | Hub only | Unverified | No | Not needed | Unverified |
| Wyze Duo Cam DoorbellDoorbell · Battery or wired (10–24 VAC) | 21 | Unverified | Yes | Unverified | No | Partly | Unverified |
| Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen)Doorbell · Wired | 19 | Partial | Buffer only | Unverified | No | Partly | Required |
| Google Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen)Camera · Plug-in | 19 | Partial | Buffer only | Unverified | No | Partly | Required |
Reolink RTSP/ONVIF setup note (added Oct 22, 2026): on many current Reolink models, RTSP and ONVIF (and on some, HTTP) ship switched off. Reolink says to enable them once in the Reolink App or desktop Client under Network > Advanced > Server Settings, or in the web interface where it is reachable12. For cameras attached to a Reolink NVR or Home Hub, enable the ports on the NVR/hub instead1. The App and Client can manage a camera as a "Local Device" using only its UID, username and password, so no Reolink account is needed for this step3. Home Assistant users report the same out-of-the-box behavior on recent firmware4.
Cameras that need a subscription to record
Ring requires a subscription to record or review video 5; its only local option, Ring Edge, needs a Ring Alarm Pro and a compatible subscription and supports only 1080p devices. 6
Free, but with a hub
Blink can store clips locally on a Sync Module 2 USB drive or Sync Module XR microSD card without a plan; smart detection still needs one. 78 Arlo's local backup also needs a SmartHub or Base Station. 9
Free, with limits
Google's Nest Doorbell (battery) and Nest Cam (battery) include 3 hours of free event history; the wired 3rd-gen doorbell includes 6 hours of 10-second event previews. Longer history needs Google Home Premium (Advanced is $20/month or $200/year). 10
Informational only, not legal advice. Found an error? Tell us.
Sources
- Reolink: How to configure Reolink ports settings · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Reolink: Reolink Home Assistant integration (prerequisites) · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Reolink: Local Device vs Account Device · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Home Assistant Community (user report): Reolink cameras ship with open-protocol ports off · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Ring: Understanding Ring subscriptions · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Ring: Store and process videos locally with Ring Edge and Alarm Pro · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Blink: Storage options · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Blink: Sync Module 2 local storage operation · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Arlo: SmartHub and Base Station compatibility · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Google Store: Nest Doorbell · checked Oct 22, 2026