Why Self-Hosted Security Cameras Are Better
No Cloud • No Subscriptions • Complete Privacy
Ring and Nest require $120-240/year in subscriptions just to record video. They share your footage with law enforcement without warrants. They stop working when the internet goes down.
webcam.org costs $0/month forever, keeps your data private, works offline, and works with any camera brand. Over 5 years, you'll save $600-1,200 compared to Ring/Nest.
Get Started Free →| Feature | webcam.org (Frigate) | Ring | Nest (Google) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | ✓ $0 Forever | ✗ $4-20/month | ✗ $6-20/month |
| Video Recording | ✓ Free (local storage) | ✗ Requires subscription | ✗ Requires subscription |
| Privacy / Data Ownership | ✓ Your data, your server | ✗ Amazon owns it | ✗ Google owns it |
| Law Enforcement Access | ✓ Never (you control it) | ✗ Without your consent | ✗ Without warrants |
| Works Offline | ✓ Yes (full functionality) | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| AI Person Detection | ✓ Free (local AI) | ✗ $4-10/month extra | ✗ $6-12/month extra |
| Camera Compatibility | ✓ Any RTSP/ONVIF camera | ✗ Ring cameras only | ✗ Nest cameras only |
| Open Source | ✓ Yes (audit the code) | ✗ Proprietary | ✗ Proprietary |
| Storage Limits | ✓ Unlimited (your disk) | ✗ 60-180 days max | ✗ 30-60 days max |
| Home Assistant Integration | ✓ Native support | Limited (cloud API) | Limited (cloud API) |
| Setup Difficulty | Moderate (one-line install) | Easy (plug & play) | Easy (plug & play) |
| Mobile App | ✓ Yes (webcam.org app) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Total 5-Year Cost: $204
Total 5-Year Cost: $340
(Or $100 + $600 = $700 for Ring Protect Plus with unlimited cameras)
Total 5-Year Cost: $540
✓ Save $136-336 with webcam.org (vs Ring/Nest) over 5 years
| Capability | webcam.org | Ring | Nest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Quality | Up to 4K (camera dependent) | 1080p max | 1080p max |
| Recording Method | Continuous or motion | Motion only (without extra cost) | Motion only (without extra cost) |
| AI Detection | Person, vehicle, animal (free) | Person only ($10/month) | Person, animal ($12/month) |
| Integration Options | MQTT, Home Assistant, APIs | Alexa only | Google Home only |
| Custom Zones | Unlimited zones | Limited zones | Limited zones |
| Notification Latency | Instant (local processing) | 2-10 seconds (cloud delay) | 2-10 seconds (cloud delay) |
Join thousands who ditched Ring and Nest for true privacy. Get started with webcam.org in under 30 minutes.
✓ No credit card required
✓ No monthly fees ever
✓ Complete privacy control
✓ Open source & auditable