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Indoor smart security cameras are ideal for homeowners to keep an eye on children, and pets. Businesses can also benefit from these cameras for safety and productivity purposes.
Indoor security cameras with local storage options can be hard to find. However, they don’t need a monthly subscription to store footage in the cloud.
My main recommendation for an indoor security camera without a monthly subscription is the Lorex 2K Freestanding Security Camera. It includes a Micro SD card slot and the option to set up cloud storage only when necessary.
My second pick is the Ubiquiti (UniFi) G3 Instant Bullet Security Camera. This device can record at 2K resolution. It can also transfer footage to a Micro SD card or a compatible wireless hub
7 Best Indoor Security Cameras Without Monthly Subscription Fees (2023)
- Only camera listed with Wireless Hub support
- Only camera listed with Apple TV support
- Highest rated camera listed with DC Power option
Lorex 2K Freestanding Security Camera is another affordable camera that can record in 2560x1920 resolution. This camera has a CMOS image sensor, and even though it lacks the WDR option, it makes up for it by allowing you to adjust various video settings.
Unfortunately, the Lorex 2K Freestanding security camera lacks the continuous recording feature, but it has a motion-activated recording. This camera will send you push notifications to the device where you have their app installed when it detects motion.
This camera supports two storage options. The first one is the regular microSD card, and the second one is the wireless hub that comes with a camera. To transmit data to the wireless hub, this camera uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal.
- Integrated Microphone
- Smart Integrations: Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, Fire TV, Apple TV
- Data Transmission: 2.4GHz WiFi
- Night Vision Support: Infrared
- Power Options: DC Power
- Smart Motion Detection Features: Person Detection
- No optical zoom
- No motorized tilt functionality
- Cannot automatically pan
- Highest rated camera listed with AC Power option
- Highest rated camera listed with 5GHz WiFi data
- Highest rated camera listed with NVR support
Ubiquiti (UniFi) G3 Instant Bullet security camera has a noticeably lower video quality than the two cameras previously discussed. This camera can record in full HD, but it has some video features that make up for it.
This camera has a WDR feature, and it can record at 30 FPS. This security camera has a great frame rate for its price, since even more expensive cameras have a lower framerate than Ubiquiti (UniFi) G3 Instant Bullet.
For storage, this camera is somewhat limited since it only supports the NVR as the storage option, but it can use both 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal and 5 GHz Wi-Fi signal to transmit data.
- Night Vision Support: Infrared
- Power Options: AC Power
- Data Transmission: 2.4GHz WiFi, 5GHz WiFi
- Storage Options: NVR
- Integrated Microphone
- No motorized tilt functionality
- Does not have an integrated siren
- No optical zoom
- Low IP Rating: Not Weather Proof / Resistant
- No smart / AI motion detection
- Cannot automatically pan
- Highest rated camera listed with Cloud support
- Highest rated camera listed with Motorized Pan Feature
- Highest rated camera listed with Motorized Tilt Feature
Amcrest 4MP PT Security Camera is more expensive than the cameras previously mentioned, but it comes with the features that are worth the price. This camera uses a 4MP image sensor to record footage in 2560x1440 resolution, and it comes with a WDR.
This camera can record at 30 FPS, and it comes with a variety of features such as BLC, HLC, black and white balance, and other helpful video adjusting settings.
Amcrest 4MP PT Security Camera has an app that supports iOS and Android, Web Browsers, and Windows and Mac.
This camera has various options to store data, including microSD, NVR, FTP, and cloud. It also supports interoperability with different network-attached storage systems.
- Motorized Pan Feature
- Data Transmission: 2.4GHz WiFi
- Power Options: DC Power
- Storage Options: microSD, NVR, NAS, FTP, Cloud
- Motorized Tilt Feature
- Night Vision Support: Infrared
- Does not have an integrated siren
- Low IP Rating: Not Weather Proof / Resistant
- No smart home integrations
- No smart / AI motion detection
- No optical zoom
- Only camera listed with Google Nest Hub support
Reolink E1 Pro PT Security Camera can record 2560x1440 resolution at 25 frames per second. Although this camera can be controlled through its desktop or smartphone app, it’s not possible to adjust the color of the footage and similar parameters.
This camera can even record footage during the night using its infrared sensors. On the downside, this footage is black and white.
Virtual assistants such as Google Assistant, Chromecast, and Google Nest Hub are compatible with this camera.
Reolink E1 Pro PT Security Camera has smart features such as configurable motion zones and configurable motion sensitivity. When this camera detects motion, you will be notified through your Reolink app.
- Integrated Siren / Alarm
- Motorized Tilt Feature
- Integrated Microphone
- Storage Options: microSD, NVR, Cloud
- Power Options: DC Power
- Data Transmission: 2.4GHz WiFi, 5GHz WiFi
- No optical zoom
- No smart / AI motion detection
- Only camera listed with Sound Detection
- Only camera listed with Apple HomeKit support
Our top pick in this category is Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 Freestanding security camera. This security camera is an affordable option that can record in 2K, and it comes with many useful security features.
Most importantly, Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 Freestanding security camera can record continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
24/7 recording means that any potential intruders will be captured on video.
Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 Freestanding security camera comes with multiple storage options, including microSD, Network-Attached Storage, and cloud storage.
This camera can use its two way-audio to record sounds around it or to reproduce sounds that can welcome guests or scare intruders.
- Night Vision Support: Infrared
- Storage Options: microSD, NAS, Cloud
- Smart Motion Detection Features: Person Detection, Animal Detection, Sound Detection
- Power Options: DC Power
- Smart Integrations: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit
- Data Transmission: 2.4GHz WiFi
- Low IP Rating: Not Weather Proof / Resistant
- Does not have an integrated siren
- Cannot automatically pan
- No motorized tilt functionality
- No optical zoom
- Only camera listed with PoE option
- Only camera listed with Ethernet data
- Only camera listed with 5MP: 2944x1656
Hikvision 5MP Freestanding Security Camera is the camera with the best video quality on this list. It can record in 2944x1656 resolution, and it has a true WDR feature.
You can use PoE, DC source, or an AC source to power this camera, and you can also use ethernet for data transmission. Besides this, this camera can also use the standard 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal to transmit data.
Hikvision 5MP Freestanding Security Camera supports various storage options such as microSD, NVR, NAS, and FTP. You can use versions of microSD cards, such as SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
When it comes to interoperability, this camera supports ONVIF and RTSP NAS options.
- High Resolution: 5MP: 2944x1656
- Storage Options: microSD, NVR, NAS, FTP
- Data Transmission: 2.4GHz WiFi, Ethernet
- Night Vision Support: Infrared
- Integrated Microphone
- Power Options: PoE, DC Power, AC Power
- No optical zoom
- No smart home integrations
- Cannot automatically pan
- No motorized tilt functionality
- Does not have an integrated siren
- Low IP Rating: Not Weather Proof / Resistant
LaView 2MP PT Security Camera can record in the surpassed, Full HD resolution, and it supports the true WDR feature, which enhances the look of the footage.
Although this camera lacks helpful security features such as sirens or motion detection, it has some features that people can find useful. Most importantly, you will receive push notifications on your LaView app when this camera detects motion.
LaView 2MP PT Security Camera supports 24/7 recording, and it supports smart integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant. This camera supports PTZ, and it has a motorized tilt feature. The tilt angle of this camera is 360 degrees.
- Data Transmission: 2.4GHz WiFi
- Power Options: DC Power
- Motorized Pan Feature
- Storage Options: microSD, Cloud
- Smart Integrations: Alexa, Google Assistant
- Integrated Microphone
- Low IP Rating: Not Weather Proof / Resistant
- Relatively Low Resolution: 2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
- No smart / AI motion detection
- Does not have an integrated siren
- No optical zoom
Decision Factors when Choosing an Indoor Security Camera Without a Monthly Subscription
Storage Options
Storage is an essential aspect of security cameras. The bare minimum that most IP security cameras in this category have is either a microSD option or an NVR. However, it is handy to have various storage options, such as cloud storage or a wireless hub.
Smart Integrations
Cameras compatible with your virtual assistants, such as Google Assistant or Alexa, will allow you to create your security system.
Motion Detection
A motion detection feature is a significant benefit for your overall security. If someone breaks into your house, you would want to get notified. Many cameras on the list will send you push notifications to your desktop or smartphone app. Also, having a camera that records when it detects motion will save you a lot of storage space. There are different types of motion detection, such as vehicle detection, object detection, person detection, and animal detection. Depending on your requirements, you can find a camera with one of these features, but a camera with different detection features is the best choice.
Siren
Just like with push notifications that will let you know whether someone broke in, having a loud siren that will scare intruders and let you know that someone is in the house is an excellent safety measure.
Continuous Recording
While cameras that record when they notice motion will save you a lot of storage, having the continuous recording feature is much more helpful. You will be able to see the movement around the camera whenever you are interested. Cameras with this feature can record 24/7.
How much do no monthly fee security cameras cost ?
Security cameras without a monthly subscription aren’t necessarily cheaper or more expensive than the cameras that come with a fee. The price of these cameras usually depends on their hardware and features such as video quality and smart features.
However, even though these cameras don’t require a monthly subscription to function, many of them have optional services, most commonly cloud storage services.
What are the benefits of no monthly fee cameras ?
The most important advantage of these cameras is that you won’t need to pay money for them to work. Most of them will provide you with features such as cloud storage and continuous recording without any additional fees. On top of this, these security cameras will be able to work as standalone cameras, or in other words, they don’t need to be a part of a security system to function.
Do no-monthly fee cameras allow smart features ?
Many of the security cameras have the capability of smart integrations, and they can be paired with virtual assistants such as Google Assistant or Alexa. Some of the cameras on the list don’t have this feature, but if they do have, they won’t require an extra subscription or payment to access this feature.
Conclusion
Most brands favor the compact design and low upfront cost. Because of this, they lock storage and other features behind a paywall.
That said, you can still find modern cameras that don't need a monthly subscription. They will still offer cloud storage but only as an optional feature; not a necessity.
My top pick is the Lorex 2K Freestanding Security Camera. It has a compact design and supports sound detection. It can stand in for baby monitors and other situations where you need alerts when there are loud noises.
My second option is the Ubiquiti (UniFi) G3 Instant Bullet Security Camera. It can detect people and keep track of motion events. Also, you can remotely trigger its siren in case of an emergency.