One of the most common questions we get from homeowners across Metro Vancouver is: "Do I have to pay a monthly fee for my cameras?" The answer is no — and for many households, a local storage solution is actually the better choice.
Cloud Storage vs. Local NVR Storage
Cloud storage means your camera footage is uploaded to a company's servers. You pay a monthly fee — typically $5–$30 per camera — to access and store it. If you stop paying, you lose access. If the company changes their pricing or shuts down, you're affected.
Local NVR (Network Video Recorder) storage keeps your footage on a hard drive at your property. There's no monthly fee, no dependency on a third-party company, and your data stays private.
What You Need for a Local System
A basic local storage setup includes: - IP cameras (wired PoE cameras are more reliable than Wi-Fi) - NVR (records and manages all camera feeds) - Hard drive (1–4 TB for most residential systems, providing 30–60 days of storage depending on camera count and resolution) - Router/switch (to connect the cameras to the NVR)
We source NVRs from brands like Reolink, Hikvision, and Lorex — all of which have strong local storage ecosystems.
The Trade-Off
The main limitation of local storage: if someone steals your NVR along with whatever they came for, you lose the footage. This is why we recommend: - Mounting the NVR in a concealed location (utility room, locked cabinet) - Using a hybrid approach: local NVR plus cloud backup of just the most critical camera (front door)
Remote Access Without a Subscription
Most modern NVR systems include a free mobile app for remote viewing. You can watch a live feed, review recorded footage, and receive motion alerts — all without a subscription. We configure the app and test remote access before we leave every installation.
Brands We Recommend for No-Subscription Systems
- Reolink: Great value, solid reliability, easy app - Hikvision / Hanwha: Enterprise-grade, excellent for larger systems - Ubiquiti: Best in class for performance, strong community support, suits technical users - Lorex: Good mid-range option with local-first design
If you're in the Lower Mainland and want a camera system with no monthly fees, get in touch — we'll design and install the right system for your property.
