Update for Luxriot Evo (free version) - up to 16 video channels, 1 thick + 1 thin client connections simultaneously, no integrations to external applications, no POS and data sources support, no replication/failover/fallback/redundancy/AD/LDAP and etc. enterprise features, no video analytics/LPR/FR, no digital I/O support, no layout sharing, no maps and user buttons, no email support, no reports, no video walls, no rules for events and actions, no notification panels, limited UI customization. The rest if fully functional.
Free VMS Software Directory
Published Feb 04, 2021 12:50 PM
PUBLIC - This article does not require an IPVM subscription. Feel free to share.
Many Video Management Software (VMS) providers offer free versions, either open source, for a limited number of cameras, or for a limited amount of time.
Minimal Changes in 2021
The free VMS market has shown minimal changes over 3-4 years, with limited adoption of free open source offerings. Large VMS free/trial offerings remained relatively unchanged.
These options may help users with limited needs or those looking to test out VMS before buying it.
We have compiled a list of open-source, restricted use, and trial-version VMSes in this report.
Open Source/Free
Open source options for VMSes are limited, with only a handful available:
- Bluecherry - Free with an optional paid support subscription. Linux, Windows, Mac OSX support, ONVIF/RTSP camera support.
- Camlytics - Free, unlimited camera VMS. A paid premium version adds video analytics, camera events, and heat mapping features. And a paid cloud version allows for real-time occupancy alerts, automated charts/data analysis, multiple users, and greater scalability.
- iSpy - Visual Studio 2019 source code is available as well as precompiled installable versions.
- Kerberos - Free open source VMS for Docker, Kubernetes, and Raspberry PI. Kerberos.io connects to IP cameras through RTSP streams. Optional people counting analytics and cloud storage of alarm/motion events.
- motionEyes - Open source, Linux distribution that turns a single-board computer (Raspberry PI and others) and USB camera into an IP camera with embedded VMS.
- OpenCVR/Rapidvms from Linkingvision
- Shinobi - Open source VMS, developed in node.js. Linux, Windows, and Mac OS support. Offers a mobile app, PTZ controls, and some analytics. A paid version exists with developer support, a commercial use license, and more regular updates.
- Valkka - Open source VMS, python codebase, ONVIF camera support
- Zoneminder - Offers precompiled packages for Linux distros, and also open source code.
Free With Restricted Use
These products all work without any timeout period, but generally have limitations around the number of channels or the amount of storage supported in the free version.
- Alnet Systems Netstation - 128 channels, 7 days recording, software login required every 8 hours
- Argus DVR - Fully functional demo, displays "Unregistered" watermark on video
- Arteco PURE - 10 channels
- ATVideo VMS - No restrictions
- Axxon Next - 4 channels, 1TB storage
- Decline Line - 16 channels, no time limit, but only offers live viewing, no recording
- Eocortex - video streaming stops every hour, limitation of up to 400 IP channels and 1 server, up to 4 GB storage; free full-featured trial upon request
- GeniusVision NVR - 2 channels, non-commercial use only
- Herospeed VMS - 64 channels, but partially stolen from Milestone / Video Insight
- ipConfigure Orchid - 4 Channels/128GB storage free. Single-board computer (Raspberry Pi and others) version with no hard limits, effectively limited to 4-8 cameras, depending on resolution
- ISS SecureOS - 4 channels
- Luxriot Evo - 1080p max resolution supported
- March Networks Command Lite - 6 channels, 1 week of recording
- Milestone Essential - 8 channels, no storage limits, requires annual renewal for free license key
- NovoSun - 64 channels
- Pelco VideoXpert Professional - 1 year trial (renewable) for 4 channels
- Sighthound - 1 channel, low-resolution only
- Trassir - 8 channels
Free For Trial Period
Products in this group generally offer full functionality, but timeout after a limited period.
- 3dEYE - 30-day trial, up to 5 channels, 14 days cloud storage
- Avigilon Control Center - 30 day trial of Enterprise product, salespeople can provide 180 day trial keys
- Axis Camera Station - 30 day trial
- Blue Iris - 15 day trial with a watermark on the video
- CathexisVision - 2 channels and cap of 2 days recording, 60-day trial
- Digital Watchdog Spectrum - 4 cameras, 30 day trial
- Exacq - 4 cameras for 45 days, after that you can use in restricted more on a single camera, request key here
- Hanwha SSM - 45 day trial with all features, free with limited features after 45 days (discontinued in U.S.)
- Hanwha Wisenet Wave - 30 day trial, up to 4 cameras
- IndigoVision Control Center - 5 camera/45 day trial, longer trial periods can be requested
- Logiware go1984 - 30 day trial
- Obseron (previously Ksenos) - 90 day trial
- Macroscop - 30 day trial
- Milestone XProtect - 30 day trial of any version, 8 channels/5 days storage
- netavis Observer - 30 day trial, 20 channels
- Network Optix nxWitness - 4 cameras, 30 day trial
- Panasonic i-PRO VMS - 60 day trial, up to 99 cameras
- Qognify Cayuga/Ocularis - 30 day trial, requires providing project/user details
- SecuritySpy - (runs on OS X) 30 day trial
- Senstar Symphony (previously Aimetis Symphony) - 30 day trial
- Vicon Valerus - 30 day trial
- Videonetics - 30 day trial
- Wavestore VMS - 30 day trial
Free With Same-Brand Cameras
Several manufacturers have VMSes that do not require a license when used with their own brand of cameras, these are listed here.
- ACTi NVR - Free for use with ACTi cameras + 1 free channel for non-ACTi cameras
- Axis Camera Companion - Only works with Axis cameras, 16 channel limit
- GeoVision G-VMS - Free for up to 32 GeoVision devices
- Mobotix Mx Managment Center (MxMC) - Free for Mobotix cameras, up to 8 third party cameras free
- Panasonic i-PRO VMS - Free when used with Panasonic cameras
- Ubiquiti Unifi NVR - Free for Ubiquiti cameras
- Vivotek VAST - 32 channels free when used with Vivotek cameras
Suggest Others
If you know of other free VMSes please post comments and we will add them to the list.
[Note: this was originally published in 2012 but was substantially revised in 2017 and in 2021.]
Comments (11)
Alexander Ignatenko
Feb 04, 2021Alexander Ignatenko
Feb 08, 2021For those who would prefer marketing - Luxriot Evo offers a complimentary version. Users are not limited with camera vendors and can choose whatever they like form thousands of natively integrated or ONVIF-compatible ones. Up to 16 cameras can be added at no license cost, without any limitation on their resolution or archive duration. In combination with a powerful Watchdog site health self-motioring service (included at no extra cost!) and all the end-to-end encryption and cyber security wheels and whistles it creates a robust SOHO solution, being a NDAA friendly and secure by design. Flexible and easy-to-use Monitoring client for Windows and iOS, versatile mobile and web client applications are free of charge as usual.
For those who will be missing true enterprise capabilities and would like to test in a bit larger, or even unlimited scale - 30-days fully-featured trial licenses for Evo S and Evo Global are always available.
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Feb 04, 2021Camio offers their basic license for free, which is streaming only and a daily highlights email. While not a true solution for recording, it is an easy way to get cameras remotely accessible.
Jörg Steuerwald
Feb 05, 2021The latest MOBOTIX VMS is called Mx Managment Center (MxMC) . The user is not limited in the number of cameras or users. A VMS client for Windows and Mac that has been optimally developed for the decentralised concept of the MOBOITX camera. All MOBOTIX cameras are free of charge.
The integration of ONVIF S compatible third-party cameras is supported in the MxMC VMS Client. Up to eight third-party cameras can even be added free of charge.
A special feature of the VMS Client is also the optimal configuration client for the MOBOTIX cameras. Individual camera settings or mass configuration can be easily implemented with the Advanced Config Assistant. A wide range of assistants are available to maintain and secure the camera system. (Firmware Update, SSL Certification Manager, Secure System Assistant and create Mobile App Configuration). To list just a few!
Sean Patton
Feb 17, 2021Added 3dEYE and Videonetics to the Free for Trial Period section
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Apr 08, 2021Bosch "BVMS Viewer" is another option, although you will need to get a free license using their licensing tool. This is not to be confused with the other Bosch BVMS offerings, as some of them require a paid license.
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #3
Apr 08, 2021Hikvision's iVMS-4500? It's not a very good VMS, but it is free.
UE
Undisclosed End User #4
May 27, 2021Is there any more information on IPVM on Senstar?
Sean Patton
May 28, 2021Thanks U#4, we have not covered Senstar in the last few years, and certainly Senstar has less momentum/interest from members, from what we have seen. They are rarely mentioned or asked about in our surveys or discussions.
Do you have any specific questions or concerns we can address?
UE
Undisclosed End User #4
May 28, 2021I come from a space of "never heard of them before today". Would they be at all appropriate for an enterprise scale, multi campus 2000 camera installation? Do any of the professionals here actually use Senstar VMS? What is their architecture?
Alon Brown
May 28, 2021Hi, I have been involved in the implementation of their "Symphony" VMS And enterprise management modules, in two large scale safe city projects (back in the days when the company's name was "Aimetis"), and in two international Airports.Two of the projects were of redundant centralized topology and two with distributed N+1 farms, some of which were extended over time to include more than 2000 cameras of various vendors. Their UI is very user friendly, so is their API, while their support and development teams are very responsive and cooperative.
RJ
Ryan Johnson
May 28, 2021Hi U#4, I currently work for Senstar and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our VMS. ryan.johnson@senstar.com