This report provides the most extensive comparison of Video Management System software in the world. Inside the premium section, members may watch 1 hour of video screencasts, review 20+ comparison tables and benefit from dozens of recommendations on strength and weaknesses.
Vendors Compared
This comparison is based on our test results of 14 VMS systems :
Axis Camera Station (ACS)
Axis Video Hosted Service (AVHS)
Avigilon Control Center
Digifort
DVTel Latitude
Genetec Omnicast
ipConfigure
Exacq
Luxriot
Milestone Corporate
Milestone Enterprise
Mobotix
NUUO
OnSSI NetDVMS & Ocularis Client Lite
Pelco Digital Sentry
This collection provides a broad range of global VMS system from basic to advanced, from free to very expensive. Additionally, we will continue to test more VMS systems on an ongoing basis and those systems to future versions of this report.
Pre-Requisite
Optimally understanding and using this comparison requires review of our 2 hour VMS training or hands-on experience with multiple VMS systems.
Comparison by Differentiators
We identified 9 elements important to many specifiers where VMS systems materially differed:
Price
Simplicity
3rd Party IP Camera Support
3rd Party Security System Support
Enterprise Management
Analytics
Redundancy
Video Distribution
Alarm / Event Management
We analyze each of these elements and assess the relative strength of each VMS system in all of these elements.
Comparison by Vertical / Segment
We identified 5 verticals / market segments, providing recommendations on best fits for each. These segments are:
Residential
Small / Medium Business
Single Site Corporation
Multi-Branch Corporation
Municipal / Government
Restrictions on Use
This comparison is for the private use of members to make better decisions on VMS selection. No one is allowed to use these comparisons to publicly promote products.
As in all research we perform, IP Video Market accepts no advertising, no sponsorships, no consulting nor reprint fees from manufacturers. We are here to help integrators and end users make better decisions, not manufacturers market.
Preview of the Competitive Comparison
The following 2 minute video provides a look of what's inside:
In this introductory video below, we explain what we found to be the key 9 differentiators. For more details, read our 3 page report explaining the drivers and metrics for the top 9 differentiators .
Why top 9 differentiators? (00:16 min)
Pricing (01:49 min)
Enterprise Management (03:48 min)
3rd Party System Integration (06:21 min)
Redundancy (07:52 min)
Analytics (10:07 min)
Alarm / Event Monitoring (11:50 min)
Video Distribution (13:30 min)
Simplicity (14:50 min)
3rd Party Camera Support (19:27 min)
VMS Vendor Competitive Overview
In the video below, we provide commentary on the strengths and weaknesses of each VMS system one vendor at a time, for all 14 systems.
Best and Worst for Each Top 9 Differentiator
In the following video screencast, we examine each differentiator and analyze how strong or weak each VMS provider was for that item.
Pricing (00:50 min)
Enterprise Management (02:13 min)
3rd Party System Integration (03:22 min)
Redundancy (04:30 min)
Analytics (05:22 min)
Event Monitoring (06:37 min)
Video Distribution (07:41 min)
Simplicity (08:28 min)
3rd Party Camera Support (11:09 min)
Top VMS Fits for Market Segments
In the video below, we provide an overview of different market segments and the best fits for each segment.
Vertical Markets Explained (00:51 min)
Residential - 'family size' (01:14 min)
Small Business (SMB), Less than 20 Employess (04:30 min)
Single Site Corporation, 50 + Employess (06:57 min)
Multi-Branch Corporation, 100s - 1000s of Employees (09:57 min)
Municipal / Government, 100 - 1000+ Cameras (12:35 min)
Master Comparison Table
The following table provides a summary comparison of all VMS systems and all differentiators.
Vendor Pricing Simplicity 3rd Party IP Camera Support 3rd Party System Support Analytics Support Enterprise Management Alarm Monitoring Video Distribution Redundancy
Milestone Corporate
Weak
Moderately Weak
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Moderate
Strong
Strong
Mobotix
Strong
Weak
Weak
Moderately Weak
Moderate
Moderately Weak
Moderately Strong
Moderate
Strong
Pelco DS
Moderately Weak
Moderately Strong
Moderate
Weak
Weak
Weak
Moderate
None
None
Axis Camera Station
Moderate
Moderate
None
None
Weak
Moderately Weak
Moderate
None
None
Avigilon
Moderately Weak
Strong
Moderately Weak
Moderate
Moderately Weak
None
Moderately Strong
None
Moderate
Digifort
Moderately Strong
Moderate
Strong
None
None
None
None
None
None
DVTel
Moderately Weak
Moderately Weak
Moderately Weak
Moderate
Moderate
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Genetec
Moderately Weak
Weak
Moderately Strong
Strong
Moderately Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
ipConfigure
Moderate
Moderate
Moderately Weak
None
Weak
Strong
Moderate
None
None
Exacq
Moderately Strong
Strong
Moderate
Moderately Strong
Moderately Weak
Moderate
Moderate
None
None
Luxriot
Strong
Moderately Strong
Strong
Weak
None
None
None
None
None
Milestone Enterprise
Weak
Moderately Weak
Strong
Strong
Strong
Moderately Strong
Moderate
None
None
NUUO
Moderately Strong
Weak
Moderately Strong
Weak
Moderately weak
Weak
Moderate
Moderate
None
OnSSI
Weak
Moderate
Strong
Moderately Strong
Moderate
Moderately Strong
None
Strong
None
Comparison Table by Differentiator
These 9 tables show results for all VMS systems divided by differentiator.
Vendor Pricing
Mobotix
Strong
Luxriot
Strong
Digifort
Moderately Strong
Exacq
Moderately Strong
NUUO
Moderately Strong
Axis Camera Station
Moderate
ipConfigure
Moderate
Pelco DS
Moderately Weak
Avigilon
Moderately Weak
DVTel
Moderately Weak
Genetec
Moderately Weak
Milestone Corporate
Weak
Milestone Enterprise
Weak
OnSSI NetDVMS
Weak
Vendor Simplicity
Exacq
Strong
Avigilon
Strong
Luxriot
Moderately Strong
Pelco DS
Moderately Strong
Digifort
Moderate
Axis Camera Station
Moderate
ipConfigure
Moderate
OnSSI NetDVMS
Moderate
DVTel
Moderately Weak
Milestone Corporate
Moderately Weak
Milestone Enterprise
Moderately Weak
Mobotix
Weak
NUUO
Weak
Genetec
Weak
Vendor 3rd Party IP Camera Support
Luxriot
Strong
Digifort
Strong
OnSSI NetDVMS
Strong
Milestone Corporate
Strong
Milestone Enterprise
Strong
NUUO
Moderately Strong
Genetec
Moderately Strong
Exacq
Moderate
Pelco DS
Moderate
Avigilon
Moderately Weak
ipConfigure
Moderately Weak
DVTel
Moderately Weak
Mobotix
Weak
Axis Camera Station
None
Vendor 3rd Party System Support
Milestone Corporate
Strong
Milestone Enterprise
Strong
Genetec
Strong
OnSSI NetDVMS
Moderately Strong
Exacq
Moderately Strong
Avigilon
Moderate
DVTel
Moderate
Mobotix
Moderately Weak
Luxriot
Weak
NUUO
Weak
Pelco DS
Weak
Digifort
None
ipConfigure
None
Axis Camera Station
None
Vendor Analytics Support
Milestone Corporate
Strong
Milestone Enterprise
Strong
Genetec
Moderately Strong
OnSSI NetDVMS
Moderate
DVTel
Moderate
Mobotix
Moderate
Exacq
Moderately Weak
Avigilon
Moderately Weak
Luxriot
Moderately Weak
NUUO
Moderately Weak
Pelco DS
Weak
ipConfigure
Weak
Axis Camera Station
Weak
Digifort
None
Vendor Enterprise Management
Milestone Corporate
Strong
Genetec
Strong
DVTel
Strong
ipConfigure
Strong
Milestone Enterprise
Moderately Strong
OnSSI NetDVMS NetDVMS
Moderately Strong
Exacq
Moderate
Mobotix
Moderately Weak
Axis Camera Station
Moderately Weak
NUUO
Weak
Pelco DS
Weak
Avigilon
None
Luxriot
None
Digifort
None
Vendor Alarm Monitoring
Genetec
Strong
DVTel
Strong
Milestone Corporate
Moderately Strong
Mobotix
Moderately Strong
Avigilon
Moderately Strong
ipConfigure
Moderate
Exacq
Moderate
Axis Camera Station
Moderate
NUUO
Moderate
Pelco DS
Moderate
OnSSI NetDVMS
None
Luxriot
None
Digifort
None
Vendor Video Distribution
Genetec
Strong
Milestone Corporate
Strong
DVTel
Strong
OnSSI NetDVMS
Strong
Mobotix
Moderate
NUUO
Moderate
Avigilon
None
ipConfigure
None
Exacq
None
Axis Camera Station
None
Pelco DS
None
Milestone Enterprise
None
Luxriot
None
Digifort
None
Vendor Redundancy
Genetec
Strong
Milestone Corporate
Strong
DVTel
Strong
Mobotix
Strong
Avigilon
Moderate
OnSSI NetDVMS
None
NUUO
None
ipConfigure
None
Exacq
None
Axis Camera Station
None
Pelco DS
None
Milestone Enterprise
None
Luxriot
None
Digifort
None
Differentiator Table for each VMS
These 14 tables show the results for all differentiators divided by VMS system.
Axis Camera Station
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Moderate
Single server, limited to Axis cameras
Simplicity Moderate
Investigations can be confusing
3rd Party IP Camera Support None
Not supported
3rd Party System Support None
Not supported
Analytics Support Weak
Next version supports Axis Tripwire
Enterprise Management Moderately Weak
Via ACM , provides camera configuration, none on VMS
Alarm Monitoring Moderate
Built in monitoring pane
Video Distribution None
Not supported
Redundancy None
Not supported
Avigilon
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Moderately Weak
Only provides one tier pricing, cameras require storage intensive JPEG2000, pricing offset by inexpensive camera costs
Simplicity Strong
Setup / configuration simple, investigations straightforward
3rd Party IP Camera Support Moderately weak
Limited to handful of predominately large vendors
3rd Party System Support Moderately Weak
Support for some leading access control systems
Analytics Support Moderately Weak
LPR, SightLogix
Enterprise Management None
Not supported
Alarm Monitoring Moderately strong
Alarm button provides alarm tab
Video Distribution None
Not supported
Redundancy Moderate
Recording channel failover
Digifort
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Moderately Strong
Pricing can be fairly low but certain functionalities limited to higher pricing
Simplicity Moderate
Investigations challenging, administration in separate client
3rd Party IP Camera Support Strong
Fairly extensive
3rd Party System Support None
Not supported
Analytics Support None
Not supported
Enterprise Management None
Not supported
Alarm Monitoring None
None supported
Video Distribution None
Not supported
Redundancy None
Not supported
DVTel
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Moderately weak
Multi-tier pricing structure, less expensive compared to some competitors
Simplicity Moderately Weak
Wizards and logical layout but extensive options
3rd Party IP Camera Support Moderately Weak
Limited to 10 vendors, plus DVTel's product line
3rd Party System Support Moderate
Supports 5 ACS's including Lenel
Analytics Support Moderate
Supports handful of analytics providers
Enterprise Management Strong
Is a core feature, not an add-on
Alarm Monitoring Strong
Integrated management, Advanced Use Options
Video Distribution Strong
Video distribution supported
Redundancy Strong
For both Archiver and Directory
Genetec
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Moderately Weak
Tiered pricing structure
Simplicity Weak
Multiple admin & multiple monitoring applications, buried options
3rd Party IP Camera Support Moderately Strong
Broad support but not as extensive than a few VMS providers
3rd Party System Support Strong
Supports PSIM, matrix switches, keyboard, etc.
Analytics Support Moderately Strong
Handful of providers
Enterprise Management Strong
Including Federation for multiple Genetec system
Alarm Monitoring Strong
Integrated pane plus alarm forwarding & management
Video Distribution Strong
Integrated virtual matrix, keyboard controls
Redundancy Strong
On management side, plus on the camera side
ipConfigure
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Moderate
Lower than many direct competitors
Simplicity Moderate
Advanced IT skill required installation, some common functions confusing on web client
3rd Party IP Camera Support Moderately Weak
Limited number of vendors
3rd Party System Support None
Not supported
Analytics Support Weak
LPR support
Enterprise Management Strong
Built into interface
Alarm Monitoring Moderate
Separate window, w/out db change, refresh rate minimum 15 sec.
Video Distribution None
No network distribution
Redundancy None
Not supported
Exacq
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Modeately Strong
Enterprise management relatively inexpensive add-on
Simplicity Strong
Single client, limited number of features laid out logically
3rd Party IP Camera Support Moderate
Good selection of commonly used cameras
3rd Party System Support Moderately Strong
Supports 9 ACS's including Lenel and S2
Analytics Support Moderately Weak
Supports Viasys & ioimage
Enterprise Management Moderate
Alarm Monitoring Moderate
Integrated pane and pop-up can be difficult to setup and use
Video Distribution None
Not supported
Redundancy None
Not supported
Luxriot
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Strong
Lowest priced open VMS we tested
Simplicity Moderately Strong
Some common functionalities can be difficult to find
3rd Party IP Camera Support Strong
Broad for top-selling / niche cameras
3rd Party System Support Weak
only one supported
Analytics Support None
Not supported
Enterprise Management None
Not supported
Alarm Monitoring None
Not supported
Video Distribution None
Not supported
Redundancy None
Not supported
Milestone Corporate
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Weak
High even for large scale systems, plus many separately purchased add ons needed for full functionality
Simplicity Moderately Weak
Investigations especially weak, need for add-ons (e.g., Central, Analytics, etc.) increases complexity; administration fairly simple
3rd Party IP Camera Support Strong
Strong but be careful as some cameras are supported by Enterprise but not Corporate version
3rd Party System Support Strong
Be careful that some 3rd party systems integrate with Milestone Enterprise but not Corporate
Analytics Support Strong
With addition of Video Analytics add-on [link no longer available]
Enterprise Management Strong
Be aware of requirement for using Windows only authentication
Alarm Monitoring Moderate
With addition of Central and use of second client
Video Distribution Strong
With addition of SmartWall (expensive $20k MSRP flat)
Redundancy Strong
Be aware that Management Server redundancy requires Windows Clustering to be enabled/deployed
Milestone Enterprise
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Weak
Significant base license + higher per camera fee
Simplicity Moderately Weak
Investigations complex, admin settings complex
3rd Party IP Camera Support Strong
Support key manufacturers but limited total number
3rd Party System Support Strong
Strong but be careful as some cameras are supported by Enterprise but not Corporate version
Analytics Support Strong
XProtect Analytics framework
Enterprise Management Moderately Strong
Awkward master / slave setup
Alarm Monitoring Moderate
Requires Add-on of XProtect Central and use of second client
Video Distribution None
Does not support Video Wall (only in Milestone Corporate)
Redundancy None
Not supported
NUUO
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Moderately Strong
Even including CMS, price is still fairly low
Simplicity Weak
Problematic defaults, maze of options, fractured monitoring between VMS / CMS
3rd Party IP Camera Support Moderately Strong
Broad support
3rd Party System Support Weak
Less than a handful of systems
Analytics Support Moderately weak
Extensive built-in options but questionable accuracy
Enterprise Management Weak
No enterprise administration, only enterprise monitoring via CMS
Alarm Monitoring Moderate
Fragmented administration and operation with VMS / CMS
Video Distribution Moderate
Fragmented with VMS / Matrix Client
Redundancy None
Not supported
MOBOTIX
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Strong
VMS Software Free, Storage can be done entirely and directly to low cost NAS devices
Simplicity Weak
Training critical, infeasible for people to learn by experimentation; violates standard conventions making it hard for even experience operators to figure out without training
3rd Party IP Camera Support Weak
Limited range of support, only MJPEG encoding, only continuous recording
3rd Party System Support Moderately Weak
Little to no 'out of box' integrations, requires custom integration using IP Notify/Receive
Analytics Support Moderate
Not true video analytics but complex event configuration possible with VMD and audio analytics
Enterprise Management Moderately Weak
Limited enterprise management, requires 'work-arounds' to centralize configuration
Alarm Monitoring Moderately Strong
Integrated column, provides tracking of alarms, instructions for guards
Video Distribution Moderate
IP Notify can trigger changes to applications and switching to preferred views
Redundancy Strong
Eliminates VMS Server as central point of failure
Pelco DS
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Moderate - Weak
Depends on sales promotion and use of 3rd party cameras
Simplicity Moderately Strong
Be careful for advanced administration in DSAdmin
3rd Party IP Camera Support Moderate
Support key manufacturers but limited total number
3rd Party System Support Weak
Amag and Continuum being the two
Analytics Support Weak
Active Alert
Enterprise Management Weak
No enterprise user management and very limited central server administration
Alarm Monitoring Moderate
Integrated pane and provides tracking of alarms
Video Distribution None
Not supported
Redundancy None
Not supported
OnSSI
Criteria Strength Description
Pricing Weak
Significant base license + higher per camera fee
Simplicity Moderate
Somewhat complex but two client options
3rd Party IP Camera Support Strong
Support key manufacturers but limited total number
3rd Party System Support Moderately Strong
Supports 10 ACS's including a number of top selling ACS's
Analytics Support Moderate
OEM AgentVi, supports Briefcam
Enterprise Management Moderately Strong
Awkward master / slave setup
Alarm Monitoring None
Not supported
Video Distribution Strong
NetSwitcher [link no longer available]
Redundancy None
Not supported