: Highly scalable. The free license supports up to 64 cameras, with a newer version supporting up to 128 cameras . To add more, you only need to upgrade your PC hardware—no additional licensing fees.

: It offers superior motion detection (including AI integration like CodeProject.AI

If you want to map out your specific deployment, let me know:

Operating costs and system stability vary wildly between a dedicated appliance and a Windows PC. Power Efficiency

: Extremely flexible . It supports over 7,000 camera models and any camera that uses ONVIF or RTSP protocols . You can mix and match brands (e.g., Hikvision, Dahua, Amcrest, Reolink) without being locked into a single vendor. This is a major advantage for those who want to choose the best camera for each location.

Blue Iris (for privacy and transparency).