Businesses are investing more heavily in security camera systems as the technology and software powering security tech enable new and more powerful capabilities. Physical security — the industry category in which video surveillance and other security systems fall — was a $116 billion industry in 2021. And it’s growing rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate projected at 6.5% to 9.4% through 2030.
But in such a rapidly growing market, it can be hard for business owners to know where to start their search. We’ve done the work for you below: read all about the seven best security camera systems available to your business today.
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Features to look for in security camera systems for business
As you look for the right camera equipment for your business security, you should prioritize these features.
Up-to-date software design
A security camera on its own is little more than a piece of wall décor. The camera itself is just a tool: The software that controls that camera and reads and stores the footage from the camera matters just as much as (if not more than) the camera’s tech specs.
That’s because every moment you spend interacting with security footage, you spend in the software — so it matters whether that software is easy to use and full of modern features like AI-powered video intelligence, or stuck somewhere in the previous decade.
Not just made for security
At one time, video cameras were about security and little else. But today, they're used for much more: safety, efficiency, training, risk management, and more. For example:
- Schools being able to ensure the safety and security of their staff, students, and locations by setting alerts and understanding how, when, and where people or vehicles are present.
- Car wash owners and operators saving hours of time each week defending against damage claims by quickly finding footage, annotating, commenting, and collaborating directly within the dashboard.
- Manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation industries improving operational efficiency by analyzing video data to automate stock management.
Today, both software and hardware must be built with these expanded use cases in view.
Compatibility with many different cameras
Most businesses will benefit from a security system that uses multiple camera types, and not every manufacturer makes products that fit every use case. As a result, it’s common for businesses to end up with products from multiple manufacturers.
But before you go that route, you need to know what cameras (types and brands) a given security system can work with. Some brands are very picky, while others offer broad compatibility.
Opt for systems with broader compatibility, not narrower, to give yourself the most flexibility down the road.
Built for multiple locations
The ability to instantly pull security footage from any location is a massive productivity and security enhancement. For many businesses, this is a blocker for efficiency before, during, and after an incident. It could take hours or days to find the footage needed at any given location because there are different log-ins and different camera systems at each location.
Today, having the ability to view all camera footage and all locations from one dashboard is critical.
Built-in cybersecurity protections and privacy
Many of today’s video security systems are cloud-enabled, which means they’re constantly sending video footage to a cloud server located elsewhere. Some systems are cloud-only, with no on-site storage whatsoever.
Given this shift to cloud video security, having strong cybersecurity protection and privacy is more important than ever.
The best security camera systems
1) Spot AI
Spot AI is a modern AI camera system that helps businesses manage operations with an easier-to-use, more intelligent approach to video security. Spot AI’s unique approach means any IP business security camera will work with the system.
Spot AI combines an on-site Intelligent Video Recorder (IVR) edge server with the power of the cloud, allowing for a single dashboard interface no matter your device, as well as collaboration and business video intelligence unlike what you’ve seen before.
Why does this matter? Because businesses are generating more video from business security cameras than ever, and simply having camera footage isn’t enough. Businesses need the ability to process and truly understand the content of that footage.
And doing that requires a new approach. One that goes beyond security and extends into many facets of your business operations.
Spot AI is software and hardware working together to deliver video intelligence. It’s camera-agnostic, so you can use the cameras you already have. Or, if you need them, receive premium turret or bullet cameras directly from us — at no additional charge.
Standout features and benefits
- Beautiful, functional UI that delivers a satisfying and efficient user experience
- Single, united dashboard for all cameras — no more juggling systems or fighting incompatibility
- Easy to install and maintain; no IT expertise required
- All the benefits of local storage with the convenience of cloud
- Video data and summaries of videos to unlock more value
- Search and find actions
- Low training requirements
Pricing
Pricing for Spot AI is custom calculated for every client but starts at $1,500 per location per year. The number of camera feeds, days of storage, and license term all influence the price.
2) Verkada
Verkada is another video management platform that allows users to pull in video from all connected hardware. The platform gives users a single pane of glass, an integrated dashboard from which you can view every camera. It also offers remote access in any browser or the accompanying mobile video security app.
There are a few limitations to note about the Verkada ecosystem, though. For one, it’s a closed ecosystem — meaning it does a great job collecting footage from Verkada devices but won’t work with other brands.
Second, Verkada can’t operate as a connected experience across multiple physical spaces. Each separate branch, franchise, or store would need its own Verkada video management system, which is far from ideal for most businesses.
Standout features and benefits
- Plug-and-play system
- Minimal hardware requirements for a functioning security system
- Dedicated fixed storage recording time
- Mobile video security app for access on the go
Pricing
Verkada has a wide range of product and service combinations, so pricing gets complicated quickly. Their least expensive camera and license combination is their Mini Series, the 5MP CM41, which lands at $998 per camera (with a one-year license). Their Dome and Bullet series start at $1,198 and $1,598, respectively.
3) Eagle Eye
Eagle Eye Networks offers two software products: the Eagle Eye Cloud Video Management System and the Eagle Eye Video API Platform. The former is a good option for most businesses, while larger or more tech-forward businesses may enjoy the freedom and flexibility of Eagle Eye’s API platform.
One of the best elements of Eagle Eye’s cloud VMS is its openness: it works with the cameras you already have and doesn’t lock you into a particular device ecosystem. Of course, if you need hardware, Eagle Eye is happy to provide it.
Eagle Eye’s products falter when it comes to user-friendliness or ease of installation/use, partly due to how the company targets larger businesses that can absorb those resource costs. The system also takes some time to install, set up, and configure. And due to the complexity, no one will jump right into using the system without significant training.
Customers who need to build out a system and don’t want to pay for cameras should look elsewhere. (Spot AI, for example, provides those cameras for free.)
Standout features and benefits
- Strong, robust software built on open architecture so you can use the cameras you already have
- Video API platform for deep, direct, powerful access to what Eagle Eye can do
- AI video analytics and smart video search help you glean actionable data from video and find exactly what you need when you need it
- License plate recognition (LPR) (for the industries and applications that need it)
Pricing
Eagle Eye Networks doesn’t publicly disclose pricing for its software or its hardware.
4) Rhombus Systems
Rhombus Systems is a newer company in the surveillance system and software space, and they have entered the market at a relatively affordable price point compared to legacy providers.
Rhombus is a cloud-native platform, which puts access to your system in the palm of your hand, no matter where you are, over a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. At the same time, its cameras can deliver up to 180 days of on-device storage.
Rhombus delivers in the camera department, but its line of connected sensors further sets it apart. Vape detection, entry and motion detection, and even audio analytics add to the system’s capabilities.
Their combination of hardware plus licensing helps to keep costs low on the front end, but it also means that your system becomes functionally useless if you don’t keep up with the yearly licensing fees.
Standout features and benefits
- Relatively affordable cameras and sensors compared to some vendors
- Line of sensors (in addition to cameras) that enable organizations to detect motion (via motion alerts), entry, and environmental factors (such as vape or smoke detection)
- Audio gateway for intelligent audio analytics
Pricing
Rhombus Systems uses a camera + license pricing structure. Their least expensive camera, the 2MP R120 Mini Dome, costs $349, while their high-end Bullet R510 runs $1,499. All cameras add the same license costs: $149/year for a professional license or $199/year for an enterprise license.
5) Lorex
Lorex is one of the largest providers of business security solutions, offering all types of cameras: outdoor security cameras, indoor cameras, bullet cameras, dome cameras, battery-powered, wired.
The same goes for video quality: Get as many pixels as you require, all the way up to 1080p HD and even ultra HD. In terms of storage options, Lorex sells numerous Network video recorders (NVRs) for use with PoE IP security cameras and digital video recorders (DVRs) for use with analog cameras.
What isn’t here matters, though: Lorex doesn’t offer any monitoring service or cloud video storage nor a cohesive software product that pulls all these cameras together. Businesses are on their own for all of this, which may not be the right choice for small businesses.
Standout features and benefits
- Retail-style website with frequent discounts and sales
- Professional-grade equipment
- Large catalog with capabilities many competitors don’t offer (like color night vision)
Pricing
Lorex offers a staggering array of security camera system products at just about any imaginable price point. The company does not appear to use a licensing model and relies on local storage, not cloud storage.
6) Ring
Ring made a name for itself with smart home products that integrate with Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, or Amazon Alexa. Its home security cameras perform well, and its iconic doorbell cam provides high-quality two-way audio and clear images to give homeowners peace of mind.
Ring’s primary focus on home video surveillance systems is obvious throughout their website and marketing materials, but the company does offer business products. Its products are simple to use and easy to install, and prices are pretty low (for devices as well as monitoring and video storage).
While Ring isn’t as robust as more business-oriented vendors, it’s worth a look for many small businesses. However, it does run an ecosystem risk: Businesses that eventually outgrow their Ring systems will usually need to start from scratch.
Standout features and benefits
- Products are easy to use and easy to install
- Professional monitoring or DIY monitoring
- Sixty days of video storage by default (double what Arlo, Ring’s closest competitor, offers)
Pricing
Ring offers customized business packages primarily, but it also offers security bundles starting at $299.99. Ongoing service starts at $20/month.
7) Ava
Ava is last on our list of top picks for wireless security camera systems. Unlike Ring’s smart home focus, Ava’s cloud-native platform is built with businesses and organizations in mind.
The software’s open architecture means that users can use Ava-brand security camera equipment or their existing on-premises cameras, all using a single interface. Receive real-time alerts and analytics, activity logs, and single-pane video adjustments.
Ava’s storage options make it easy to record and safeguard footage on your local file system or their robust cloud storage network. You don’t need to worry about grainy or blurry footage — capture video in 4K resolution or less.
That said, you’ll need to request a quote to learn the cost of Ava’s main platform, which usually indicates a higher cost. Ava also requires you to pay for certain features while keeping pricing hidden. For example, Ava only offers 30 days of free cloud storage per camera. After that, you’ll need to pay for more storage for each device on a license-by-license basis, which could become costly quickly.
Standout features and benefits
- Complete, cloud-native solution for a variety of industries
- Available add-ons like license plate recognition, sensors, and AI enhancements that detect humans, pets, and objects
- 10-year warranty on Ava cameras
Pricing
Ava requires you to request a quote to understand how pricing works for its Ava Cloud Video Security platform. Buying cloud storage beyond the free 30 days is done through a device-by-device licensing system, which could be complicated or time-consuming.
Power up your security camera system with Spot AI to get more than just security
Upgrading your security system today makes sense — you’ll gain access to new, powerful features powered by AI and other modern tech, not to mention more capable hardware and devices.
But don’t settle for a system that gives you security capabilities alone. With Spot AI, you can manage your business operations with visual intelligence — not just to review the occasional break-in. Spot AI leverages the best of the edge and the cloud to deliver unparalleled intelligent results.
Ready to take your physical security to the next level with next-gen video intelligence? Get started with Spot AI today.
