Best Security Cameras With No Subscription in 2024

No fees, contracts, or subscriptions, and you won't sacrifice storage, quality, or vital features with these security cameras.

Page Hero Image
Lorex Image
Lorex
SecureScore™: 9.2/10
From major commercial applications to making sure porch pirates don’t steal your latest Amazon delivery, Lorex offers something for everyone. And with no subscription plan or monthly fees, what you see is what you get.
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Zmodo Image
Zmodo
SecureScore™: 7.3/10
Zmodo’s extremely affordable equipment is made even more affordable by the fact that it doesn’t cost anything after the initial purchase. If you’re looking to secure your property on a budget, they’re worth consideration.
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Wyze Image
Wyze
SecureScore™: 8.7/10
Impressive features offered at a great value, Wyze is another affordable option for folks who don’t want to get locked into a security system subscription.
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  • Lorex Product Image
    Lorex
    SecureScore™: 9.2/10
    From major commercial applications to making sure porch pirates don’t steal your latest Amazon delivery, Lorex offers something for everyone. And with no subscription plan or monthly fees, what you see is what you get.
    View Packages
  • Zmodo Product Image
    Zmodo
    SecureScore™: 7.3/10
    Zmodo’s extremely affordable equipment is made even more affordable by the fact that it doesn’t cost anything after the initial purchase. If you’re looking to secure your property on a budget, they’re worth consideration.
    View on Amazon
  • Wyze Product Image
    Wyze
    SecureScore™: 8.7/10
    Impressive features offered at a great value, Wyze is another affordable option for folks who don’t want to get locked into a security system subscription.
    View Packages

Editor’s Note: If subscription prices are getting in the way of you choosing a security camera, we have good news for you. Our roundup of the home security systems without monthly fees is the perfect combination of security systems with cameras at the best prices.

Security Camera Subscriptions vs. Subscription-Free Systems

When you’re talking about security camera pricing, you’ll need to take into consideration that most manufacturers require a monthly subscription for video storage, additional features, or monitoring. That’s kind of a downer, considering you just spent a good chunk of change on the equipment. Now you have to spend more money each month for your cameras to work? That feels a bit like buying a new car and having to pay $10 a month to run the air conditioner.

That’s not the case with all manufacturers, though. We’ll run you through some of our favorite systems that require no monthly fee to operate. Right out of the box, you’re going to have access to all the features you paid for, no signing on any dotted line or setting up automatic payments required.

Before we get going, though, it’s worth noting that some camera systems, like Canary, Arlo, and the ever-popular Ring cameras, can be purchased and used without signing up for a subscription, but you’re going to miss out on some features like two-way talk or 4K cloud storage.

For the purposes of this article, we’re going to be focused on cameras that don’t require a monthly subscription to use at their full capacity.

All set? Let’s jump in.

Top No Monthly Fee Security Cameras

  • Lorex - highest quality no-subscription security cameras
  • Zmodo - most affordable no-subscription security cameras
  • Wyze - best features with no subscription
  • Night Owl - best packages with no subscription
  • 1 Lorex - Highest Quality No-Subscription Security Cameras

    Lorex Product Image
    SecureScore™ 9.2
    Customer Service
    8.8
    Value
    8.9
    Equipment
    9.6
    Features & Technology
    9.7
    Ease Of Use
    8.9
    SecureScore™
    9.2

    If you’re considering building out a network of security cameras to protect your property, we’d argue Lorex should definitely be on your shortlist of manufacturers to research. They’re one of the few companies that don’t require a subscription to get the most out of their equipment, and their equipment is some of the best in the industry. Let’s break it down.

    When we compiled our favorite 4K cameras, Lorex topped the list, meaning they offer some of the best picture quality currently available for consumer-grade security cameras. They also provide customers with a wide variety of system options, including wireless, wired, and some of the best PoE cameras around. Their color night vision is among the best we’ve seen, and their equipment is extremely tough and built to last.

    But that’s just on paper. What’s it like actually working with these cameras? We have to say, when we reviewed Lorex, we were surprised by how easy they were to install and how few hassles we had in day-to-day operation. Sure, Lorex wasn’t without its drawbacks like the occasional false notification or laggy live feed, but overall we were extremely pleased with the performance.

    One thing we will say, though, is that by forgoing the monthly service fee, you’re not going to have access to the professional monitoring options offered by some camera manufacturers, and their storage app can be a little unwieldy. Their equipment can also get a little on the expensive side — more on that in our guide to Lorex’s services and costs.

    At the end of the day, though, Lorex is still our number one pick for a subscription-free security camera system.

    Lorex Outdoor Camera Installed

    Lorex Outdoor Camera

    • Up to 4K resolution
    • Long-range color and Infrared night vision
    • Lots of equipment options
    • Free local recording with up to 2 TB internal storage space
    • Smooth app experience
    • Strong reputation in security camera manufacturing

    • Overwhelming amount of options
    • No professional monitoring for cameras
    • Occasional false alarms
    • Wired cameras can be tedious to install

    Lorex is one of our favorite camera manufacturers for a variety of reasons. Their equipment is well designed, robustly built, and jam-packed with industry-leading features.

    Connectivity Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or PoE
    Power Wired, battery, or PoE
    Field of View Up to 180°
    Resolution Up to 4K
    Storage Free local, optional cloud
    Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home
  • 2 Zmodo - Most Affordable No-Subscription Security Cameras

    Zmodo Product Image
    SecureScore™ 7.3
    Customer Service
    6.9
    Value
    8.1
    Equipment
    7.4
    Features & Technology
    6.8
    Ease Of Use
    7.2
    SecureScore™
    7.3

    If you’re more concerned with your bottom line than you are with high-tech bells and whistles when it comes to your security cameras, Zmodo might be the manufacturer for you. They offer no-frills equipment at rock-bottom prices, and since they don’t require a subscription, you don’t have to factor ongoing costs into the equation.

    In our tests of Zmodo, we found their indoor and outdoor options both to be more than serviceable, even if they didn’t offer leading-edge features. Their 1080p resolution was more than enough to clearly see around our property both day and night, and their smart home integration — while taking a little bit of effort — was relatively seamless.

    The big selling point, though, as we discuss in our analysis of Zmodo’s products and costs, is the price. The vast majority of the company’s cameras are all well under $100 apiece, meaning you can build out an entire network of solid equipment without breaking the bank.

    Zmodo Camera

    Zmodo Camera

    • Low-Cost Cameras
    • Simple, Discreet Design
    • No Paid Subscription Required
    • Clear 1080p Video Quality
    • Numerous Indoor Camera Options
    • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
    • 30-day Money-Back Guarantee
    • 1-year Warranty

    • Limited Features
    • Some Delay on Wake Time in App
    • Bulky design

    Funny name aside, Zmodo offers high-quality cameras at an affordable price point. And with no monthly subscription, you’ll end up saving even more when you go with this manufacturer.

    Connectivity Wi-fi, ethernet
    Power Wired, battery, PoE
    Field of View Up to 360°
    Resolution Up to 1080p
    Storage Cloud
    Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home
  • 3 Wyze - Best Features With No Subscription

    Wyze Product Image
    SecureScore™ 8.7
    Customer Service
    8.5
    Value
    9.4
    Equipment
    8.1
    Features & Technology
    8.5
    Ease Of Use
    8.8
    SecureScore™
    8.7

    Wyze is another respectable manufacturer of powerful security cameras, and the company gets bonus points in our book for not requiring a subscription to fully unlock the potential of their equipment.

    What potential are we talking about, exactly? In our review of Wyze, we found features, features, and more features. Wyze offers person detection, custom motion zones, two-way talk, and can even monitor your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. For the uninitiated, these aren’t necessarily unique functions, but they are features that are usually only accessible by paying for a monthly subscription service through most manufacturers. We have to say, it’s refreshing to see a company offer them right out of the box.

    Wyze also has affordability on its side. While their equipment doesn’t feel as hefty as that of some competitors, the price point is tough to argue with. You can learn more about what we mean in our breakdown of Wyze’s products and prices.

    Wyze Camera v3 Outside

    Wyze Camera v3 Outside

    • Low-Price and Feature-Rich Smart Home Cameras
    • Easy Online Shopping with Clear Product Selection
    • 14-Day Free Cloud Storage
    • Unique Motion Tagging Accelerates Video History
    • Motion Detection Zones Reduce False Alerts
    • Advanced Sound Recognition
    • Smart Home Accessories Available
    • Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT

    • Face recognition requires monitoring plan
    • Corded Cameras Require Power Outlets
    • No Backup Batteries
    • Limited Video Storage without Upgrade

    If you’re looking to get some cutting-edge features without having to pay for them every month, Wyze might be for you.

    Connectivity Wi-fi
    Power Wired
    Field of View Up to 110°
    Resolution Up to 1080p
    Storage Cloud, local
    Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home
  • 4 Night Owl - Best Packages With No Subscription

    Night Owl Product Image
    SecureScore™ 7.2
    Customer Service
    7.4
    Value
    7.1
    Equipment
    7.7
    Features & Technology
    7.9
    Ease Of Use
    6.1
    SecureScore™
    7.2

    Night Owl offers a wide array of indoor and outdoor cameras, making it easy to tailor your system to your specific needs; they also offer several equipment bundles if you’re looking to purchase your network in one go. Either way, you’re not going to have to pay anything beyond the initial cost, since Night Owl is not subscription-based.

    In our Night Owl analysis, we found their higher-end cameras to be packed with high-tech features like person detection and facial recognition, and their more affordable options were solid choices for basic monitoring. Their package deals make protecting large areas easy, and their stand-alone equipment can supplement existing security measures.

    They’re not the most affordable on the list, and their field of view isn’t the best. They do, however, offer pre-made systems that you’ll be 100 percent in control of in the form of DVR and NVR systems. That means on-site storage and no need to connect anything to a broader service provider. This is good news for folks who take their privacy seriously.

    Night Owl Indoor-Outdoor Wireless Cam

    Night Owl Indoor-Outdoor Wireless Cam

    • Choice of Wired or Wireless Cameras
    • No Contracts
    • 1080p HD Video Resolution
    • NVR, DVR Systems Stabilize Connection
    • Night Vision
    • Two-Way Audio
    • Facial Recognition and Human Detection Features
    • Works With Google Assistant

    • App Is Buggy
    • Wide Selection Can Be Overwhelming
    • No Livestreaming on Battery-Powered Cameras
    • Limited Home Automation Integrations

    If you’re looking to purchase a system that’s completely in your control, Night Owl has some interesting packages available. No subscriptions, no monthly maintenance fees, no cloud storage. Just you and your cameras.

    Connectivity Wi-fi
    Power Wired, battery
    Field of View Up to 180°
    Resolution Up to 1080p
    Storage Cloud, local
    Smart Platform Compatibility Google Home

Final Thoughts on Security Camera Subscriptions

While some people might be okay paying a few bucks a month to access all of their security camera’s features or to have their feed professionally monitored, we certainly understand how that could be a turnoff for some consumers. Luckily there are some really solid security camera manufacturers out there that agree with this notion and have made their equipment fully functional without the need to continue paying for it.

Over the years we’ve analyzed hundreds of different cameras and dozens of manufacturers to develop a list of the best security camera systems of 2024. If you’re not convinced the manufacturers on this list are right for you, there’s sure to be something over there that’ll fit your needs and your budget.

Security Camera Subscription FAQs

Rob Gabriele
Written By
Rob Gabriele
Managing Editor & Home Security Expert

As a home security expert and Managing Editor for SafeHome.org, Rob Gabriele has written and edited over 1,000 articles related to home security. His expertise is in smart home protection with thousands of hours of testing and research under his belt. Formerly a reporter and producer for the USAToday network, Rob has been a writer and editor for over 10 years. He holds a Master’s of Science with an emphasis on writing from the University of Montana, and he currently lives in Indianapolis, IN.