Free Video Management Software

Best Free VMS Software in 2021

VMS (video management software) is a video surveillance system management software. It automatically helps users track events from CCTV cameras and other devices and view, record, and store video archives that interact with other security systems.

IPICA Software has compiled a list of the most popular video surveillance management software, which can be divided into the following groups:

Open Source VMS Software

  • Zoneminder is open-source software. It offers pre-compiled packages for Linux distributions. The software allows multiple zones to be defined for each camera, each of which can have sensitivity settings. It supports both IP network cameras and WEB cameras connected via USB. Supported operating systems are Linux, Ubuntu, RedHat, Debian, Gentoo, and Windows.
  • iSpy is software with an unlimited number of IP cameras, webcams, and microphones. The source code is available, as well as pre-compiled installable versions. The software includes motion recording, PTZ camera control, and other settings. The supported operating system is Windows. There are mobile applications for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. The software works with more than 1000 camera models via RTSP, HTTP, or ONVIF.
  • Bluecherry is a client-server software. It supports Linux, Windows, Mac OSX. The software works with ONVIF compliant network cameras and also supports MJPEG or RTSP cameras.
  • Camlytics is a free VMS with unlimited cameras. The paid premium version allows you to analyze video in real-time. In the paid cloud version, you can detect the presence of people in real-time, identify, track them, detect and classify vehicles and other types of objects, automatically build graphs and analyze data. Supported operating systems are Windows. Supports REST API.
  • MotionEyes is open-source software that runs on a Linux distribution. The software was initially designed to work with motionEye and motionEye OS-based cameras but currently also supports other network cameras.
  • OpenCVR / Rapidvms from Linkingvision is open-source software that supports ONVIF ProfileS RTSP and MJPEG. Supported operating systems are Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • OpenALPR is open-source software for license plate recognition. The software allows you to recognize license plates from a video camera stream, a local file, as well as from image files. OpenALPR supported operating systems – Debian, CentOS.
  • Shinobi is an open-source video surveillance software developed on Node.JS. There is a paid version with developer support, a license for commercial use, and more regular updates. Supported operating systems are Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • Valkka – open source VMS based on Python, supports ONVIF cameras. Supported operating system – Linux (Ubuntu).
  • Motion is a video surveillance software for Linux. It supports motion detection recording.
  • Vargus is open-source software. The operating system is Linux.
  • Viseron> is video surveillance software written in Python that uses machine learning to record when motion is detected. It can be installed on any Linux computer as a regular application.
  • Frigate is video surveillance software with object detection using artificial intelligence.
  • Kerberos is a free, open-source VMS. The software connects to IP cameras via RTSP streams. The supported operating system is Linux.

Video surveillance design software

A list of video surveillance design software allows you to plan the location of cameras, calculate network capacity and create a professional video surveillance project.

  • IP Video System Design Tool is software for professional video surveillance system design. There is a free 90-day trial version. With IP Video System Design Tool, you can select the necessary cameras and their location on the floor plan or a map (supported by Google Maps), as well as add to the project other video surveillance equipment, such as video recorders, PoE injectors, power supplies, etc. The program allows you to quickly model systems in 3D and show the customer what the cameras will see. The program contains a library of 3D models (doors, turnstiles, people, cars) and an updatable database of cameras (over 9,500 models) to facilitate the conceptual design. For professionals, the Fish-eye and multi-sensor camera modeling functions will be useful. At the end of the project, planning software creates a PDF report containing a full description of all cameras, camera view areas, and cables.

ip-video-system-design-tool

  • Online CCTV Lens Calculator (IPICA Software LLC) is a free lens calculator with a built-in database of cameras (more than 9000 models) and 3D modeling. It allows you to select camera characteristics for various tasks and plan their placement. The calculator will automatically calculate the pixel density to help you choose a specific model, add a site plan, and place the camera on the plan.

Online-CCTV-Lens-Calculator

  • IPVM Camera Calculator – IPVM’s Lens Calculator displays camera coverage online and performs pixel density calculations to make choosing the right camera easy. Like the JVSG calculator, it contains a database of cameras. The IPVM calculator does not allow you to display a picture from the camera, but some basic points will be clear from the image shown by the calculator. The calculator is free with a limited number of cameras. If you want to add more than four cameras, you need a subscription, which costs $200 per year.IPVM-Camera-Calculator
  • AXIS Site Designer is an online video surveillance design tool that estimates the network bandwidth and video archive capacity for one or more surveillance cameras and allows you to plan your surveillance system. In Site Designer, you can select possible scenarios, such as highway, reception, parking lot, or street corner, and select the necessary parameters for each camera to get the required network bandwidth and video archive volume suitable for the surveillance situation. It allows you to add a terrain plan and cameras and view camera zones. AXIS also has a lens calculator, but only for AXIS cameras.AXIS-Site-Designer
  • Bandwidth and Storage Calculator (IPICA Software LLC) is an IP camera bandwidth calculator for calculating the amount of video archive and estimating network bandwidth.Bandwidth-and-Storage-Calculator
  • The CCTV Calculator (cctvcalculator.net) is a few simple calculators for beginners in CCTV design. These calculators don’t have many functions, and the angle calculator doesn’t work correctly for wide-angle lenses, like all simple calculators without a camera database, but the other tools are pretty easy to use and help you do basic calculations. For example, you can use one of the calculators to calculate the recommended amount of video archive to record by resolution, the number of cameras, and the time to store the video archive.

cctvcalculatornet

VMS with limited functions

The software on this list has limited features (channel/storage capacity limitations) but no limit on the duration.

  • Alnet Systems Netstation – supports up to 128 cameras per server, archive depth of 7 days, recording four channels. Supports more than 1000 modern IP cameras. Supported operating systems – Windows, macOS. Mobile applications for Windows Phone, Android, iOS.
  • Argus DVR is software for standalone security systems. It supports capturing images from an unlimited number of cameras. The only limitation is the display of the watermark “not registered” on the video. The rest of the functions work without restrictions. Supported operating system is Windows.
  • Arteco PURE – 10 channels, ONVIF support. Supported operating system – Windows. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • ATVideo VMS – supports all basic functions. Maximum quality of 4K recording. Simultaneous playback of up to 64 channels. Windows or macOS operating system.
  • Axxon Next is a free program from ITV with the following limitations: 16 IP cameras, only one video server in the system, five remote workstations, four channels, 1 TB of memory. Supported operating systems: Windows, Android, iOS, Windows Phone (*conditions for paid versions of Axxon differ depending on the language selected).
  • DevLine – maximum 16 channels, no time limit, but only live viewing is available, no recording.
  • Eocortex is software for building intelligent IP video surveillance systems. In a limited version, video streaming stops every hour, limited to 400 IP channels and a maximum of 1 server, up to 4 GB of storage. A free full-featured trial version is available upon request.
  • GeniusVision NVR is a free software for non-commercial use, supports two channels and up to 16 cameras.
  • Xeoma is a free version allows you to use an unlimited number of IP cameras, five days of archive storage. No remote access and PTZ control capability. Operating systems: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, iOS, Android.
  • Herospeed VMS is a client-server software, supports 64 channels. Supported operating systems – Windows and macOS.
  • ipConfigure Orchid – limited to connect up to 4 cameras and archive size up to 128 GB. The software works with more than 4500 different IP cameras. Supported operating systems are Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
  • ISS SecureOS – supports four channels, up to 32 IP cameras, the depth of the archive is not limited. The software supports more than 10000 models of cameras and can be integrated into other security systems. There is support for PTZ-devices and the ability to bind the location of cameras to the site plan. The supported operating system is Windows. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • Luxriot Evo is software for small surveillance systems of 9 cameras or less, supporting a maximum resolution of 1080p and over 4000 IP cameras. The software is free, but there is no tech support. Supported operating systems are Windows, macOS.
  • AVReg is a software for creating audio/video recorders based on personal computers or Linux servers. For non-commercial use with a recording limit of up to 4 cameras per user.
  • March Networks Command Lite is a free basic level system for non-commercial use. Limited to 6 channels, one week of recording.
  • Milestone Essential – up to 8 IP cameras (up to 8,000 different camera models supported), no storage limitations. Supported operating system – Windows. There is support for viewing on smartphones and tablets. After 30 days of use, the license can be renewed for one year free of charge. To do this, the program must be registered for free on the manufacturer’s website. The license can also be renewed for another year free of charge every year.
  • NovoSun – limit to 64 cameras. Supports a variety of video sources, not only from IP cameras. A built-in CMS supports PTZ, motion sensor, archive viewer, eMAPS, and many other functions. There is a mobile client.
  • Pelco VideoXpert Professional – 1-year trial version (renewable) for four channels. Supported operating system – Windows.
  • Sighthound – 1 channel, the low resolution only. The software allows you to detect people and moving objects in video streams for security and monitoring.
  • Trassir – 8 channel limit, max 30 minutes per session, maximum 4 hours per day. Supported operating system – Windows. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • Revisor VMS is a free version supports only one camera. The maximum size of the video archive on disk is 10 GB. An extended demo mode is available upon request, which removes the limitation of connecting only one camera to the system Supported operating systems – Windows, Android, iOS.

VMS with a free trial period

Video surveillance software offers full functionality until the end of the trial period.

  • 3dEYE – 30-day trial, up to 5 channels, 14-day cloud storage.
  • Avigilon Control Center – 30-day Enterprise product trial, the company provides 180-day trial keys. Supported operating system is Windows. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • Axis Camera Station – 30-day trial version. Supported operating systems – Windows, Android, and iOS.
  • Blue Iris – 15-day trial version with a watermark on the video. Supported operating system – Windows.
  • CathexisVision – 2 channels and limited to 2 days of recording, 60-day trial. Supported operating systems – Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
  • Digital Watchdog Spectrum – 4 cameras, 30-day trial. Supported operating systems – Windows, Linux, and macOS. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • Exacq – 4 cameras for 45 days. Supported operating systems – Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire.
  • Hanwha SSM – 45-day trial with all features, free with limited features after 45 days. Supported operating systems are Windows, Linux, and macOS. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • Hanwha Wisenet Wave – 30-day trial, up to 4 cameras.
  • IndigoVision Control Center – 5 cameras / 45-day trial, longer trial periods can be requested. Supported operating systems – Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
  • Logiware go1984 – 30-day trial. Supported operating systems – Windows, Android, and iOS.
  • Obseron (formerly Ksenos) – 90-day trial version
  • Macroscop – 30-day trial version. Supported operating systems – Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.
  • Milestone XProtect – 30-day trial version, 8 channels, 5 days storage.
  • Netavis Observer – 30-day trial, 20 channels. Supported operating systems – Windows and Linux. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • Network Optix nxWitness – 4 cameras, 30-day trial. Supported operating systems – Windows, Linux, macOS, Android and iOS.
  • Panasonic i-PRO VMS – 60-day trial, up to 99 cameras.
  • Qognify Cayuga / Ocularis – 30-day trial, requires project or user information. Supported operating system – Windows. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • SecuritySpy – 30 days trial version.
  • Digifort VMS – 30-day trial.
  • OnSSI Occularis – 30-day trial version.
  • Senstar Symphony (formerly Aimetis Symphony) is a 30-day trial version. Supported operating systems – Windows.
  • Vicon Valerus – 30-day trial version. Supported operating system – Windows. Mobile applications for Android and iOS.
  • Videonetics – 30-day trial version. Supports Linux, Unix, Windows, macOS, Android.
  • Wavestore VMS – 30-day trial. Supported operating system – Windows.
  • SeeTec Cayuga – 30 days trial period.

Video surveillance software that supports only one camera brand

A list of software from manufacturers of video surveillance equipment. Most manufacturers of video surveillance equipment have software that works only with their brand of camera.

There is a wide range of software available on the video surveillance market. For some projects, free software or a free version with limited functionality is suitable. If the software’s functionality is not enough for your tasks, you can try the software with a trial period to understand its work and whether it is suitable for you before you buy it.