Delve into Subscription-Free Doorbells and Security Cameras to tackle the rising subscription fees (Megathread)

Sorry but if you going to give advice make it balanced

Privacy: These doorbells often let you store data locally, which means you have more control over your information and less risk of unauthorized access

Simply not the case many of them still require you to send information into the cloud as they need to do that to register notifications to you as your local networks has not tools to do so - Its just there is no recording functionality so its not a blanket your data is private, read about Eufy's issues with streams being unprotected for example.

Ease of Use: They're typically easy to set up and use, even for those without technical skills

Actually the other way around cloud setup is normally cleaner as they don't need to make you do so much work to do the setup as they don't need to integrate into you ecosystem as much.

Accessible Features: Many of these doorbells offer basic functions like motion detection and smartphone alerts without needing a subscription.

All of them offer this free so feeding the mistaken view that you have to pay for this - you dont.

Transparent Costs: There are no hidden fees or additional charges, so you know exactly what you're paying for.

Sorry but again wrong Ring do tell you and say for instance Eufy who must be milking this still allow subscription and hide that probably more than Ring do

Long-Term Value: Since you're not constantly paying fees, these doorbells offer better value over time for users who plan to keep them for a while.

One missing element to this if your focused on Ring is they have lifetime warranty whilst you pay for the subscription and if a old model is no longer avaialable they will offer a new model replacement - so Long term its no so clear cut.

There are Cons to local storage which was ignored but a few are

Incorrect Setup

A nod to the comment I made about simple setup, you could install a small SD card which loops so don't get the history as far back as you might like.

In fact Ive seen on some forums some complaining about a device not recording as they didnt realise it needed sd card.

Theft

Some of the cheaper makes have sd card inbuilt so all thief has to do is steal the camera and you've lost any footage, even if its in a hub if they break in and find the hub same issue, its mostly the subscription models that also enable disablement of the device rendering them useless to thieves in resale value

Known to Thieves

Thieves come to learn which have local, which are subscription, or local/subscription and so will know how to target the device. Remember here this is more about the Video Capture side of the doorbell and if you didnt care for that you'd not be paying Ring anything anyway...

Damage

Either fire damage or simply SD card gets corrupt means you have lost any history.

Alternative Approach

Finally absolutely no information on what you can do if you want to cancel subscription but carry on with your current camera, as there are ways to capture the stream and record still without subscription

I have a ring doorbell and use it without a subscription. It rings alexa devices and phone and you can view the doorbell, talk etc. But it doesn't record. I use a subscription-free camera to do this (tapo but lots of others are available). It's cheaper and more secure I think (as more hidden than the doorbell camera).

Just another option to avoid paying the increased subscription. Keep ring but without a subscription and add another camera to record. 

Reolink doorbell is good too and can insert SD card so no subscription

Anyone who humours paying a subscription service for a "smart" doorbell needs to have a good word with themselves....this is exactly what all greedy capitalist companies want- the consumer to be completely reliant and dependent on them and guaranteed ongoing revenue from these fools paying for such subscriptions...

I bought one for the mother in law from eufy that wouldn’t connect for love nor money. They sent a troubleshoot guide and when that didn’t work they replaced it for a brand new one. Nice and easy to deal with. Just my tuppence worth.

I've always wondered about the pros and cons of cloud vs local storage. Theoretically speaking isn't cloud storage better? What if someone were to break into your home and take the kit there would be no recording.

you have to pay monthly for security cameras?

I'm only sticking with Ring because only they have chime alert on motion. I've tried Google doorbell which doesn't have this feature. Is there any other doorbell that has this feature?

Terrible suggestions. Eufy, with loads of security issues and dodgy practices. No thanks.

I'm just about to pull the trigger on a Ubiquiti G4 Pro Doorbell. Expensive but total local control, no subscription and a great app with all the usuals you'd expect from a smart doorbell.

I'm a recent blink + syncbox owner and I must say so far it's been flawless very little delays on the doorbell and video playback etc has been very good, really cannot go wrong for the price.

I've been a Netatmo customer for years, and am delighted with the quality of the kit, the standard of the app, and of course no subscription. You can use local storage, either a simple SD card, or you can set up your own STP server, or you can connect to a remote cloud service of your choice (they have Dropbox integration as well). Works with Apple Home Kit, Google, Amazon, etc. Not the cheapest for sure, but great quality and good customer service from a European manufacturer. They also have smart home and weather services as well in the same eco-system. If I am allowed, here is the link: netatmo.com/en-gb feel free to add to your list @sisqoboy (edited)

Hi I was wondering if anyone could recommend few companies that are great for home security. I’m looking for a non subscription video doorbell and security cameras.

I know a few people have mentioned ring and eufy on the post but there’s a lot of mixed reviews especially eufy regarding the cloud server issue about data so wanted to look at another option.

Any recommendations would be great thanks a lot

None of these do what I want. I want 4k with night vision for a window-sill pointing out with mains power available, with recording to a microsd that I can connect to using a computer or phone over wifi. With no subscription.

Anything out there?

I have a mains powered Aosu wireless outdoor camera that rotates nearly 360 degrees, cost less than £40 on Amazon. Completely blown away by functionality and quality, comes with a great app that is really user friendly. The camera records to a SD card continuously they also have paid cloud service but no features are withheld by not subscribing. Camera can be rotated and moved around with the app, video playback is instant even when looking at last months footage, “events” are recorded on a timeline so you can check easily in the morning what was going on whilst asleep. The camera does tracking, sensitivity and notification frequency can be adjusted, picture quality is great to and it also records sound and allows you to talk through the camera via your phone. My brother was so impressed he has bought 4 of them, and I’m planning on getting their video doorbell when pay day arrives which is rechargeable and has wireless storage in the base station so nobody can steal your footage.
Notifications come through when movement is detected within about a second.
It probably sounds like I work for Aosu, but they are that good for the money I don’t know how they do it, oh and they work with Alexa also.

Can someone break down the 500 messages in the thread ...... Or not

I have three Tapo cameras around my home one of them is placed about 50metres up my garden and works spot on. I just have sd cards in them no subscription and using their app it’s been all good so far after 18mths .

Yeah. I've just cancelled my Ring door bell. I'll manage fine without it. Did before! (edited)

For those who are currrently paying a subscription, you can cancel (get a partial refund of whats left on your subscription) and re-subscribe before the price hike

heres money saving expert Martin Lewis info on this ...

beat the 43% ring doorball price increase (edited)

At the moment I have a Ring Pro, which is wired and had to buy an additional plug adapter. I like not having to recharge batteries all the time. Is there a suitable replacement, ideally one where I can use the existing Ring adapter to wire it rather than buy a new one? 

You can make your own CCTV system for about £50. You will need
1 Raspberry Pi Zero 2W £17.10
2 Raspberry Pi Zero camera £12
3 Power supply £9
4 Micro SD card about £10 - I generally buy from my memory and get a 128 GB card which is perhaps too large but gives lots of scope for storage - https//ww…
5 If you are really fussed you could buy a case for another around £6

I buy 1-4 from Pimoroni search
but you could use The Pi hut thepihut.com/sea…e=1

The best guide to setting it all up is here (there are loads of others too):

youtube.com/wat…KB0

You may be able to do this all quickly or it might drive you to distraction depending on your competence and how lucky you are on setting it up. It has taken me some time but I have three outside cameras working. You can also back up the video to the cloud, get live streaming from anywhere and email notifications of movement in the cameras. Good luck and lots of patience! (edited)

I use two Blink outdoor battery cameras and one Blink doorbell with SD Cards and don't pay any subscription fees (I've had them a couple of years now), a Reolink pan/tilt camera in the porch and an Anran camera with pan/tilt and optical zoom for the back garden, both with SD Cards.

Anyone using a doorbell cam with apple HomeKit secure video. I have an apple one subscription so would like to use that instead of ring. Ring only let you use their cloud solution

Can’t someone find a work around on the ring so it records to your own storage or saying that any storage device.

For those thinking of the Blink, do get a outdoor cover/housing as they suffer from notorious water ingress.

Worth noting if you are already a Google One subscriber, they now include the best plan in the cost

Go on to YouTube and look for the video "These home cameras are NOT private" by NBTV.
Many of the camera systems are not secure in terms of privacy, with company staff being able to view the footage from any camera. 
ADT has gone into partnership with Google, so you have to wonder why Google owns 6% of the company. Eufy base station will not operate unless it is allowed to connect to the internet, even if only used locally. 
The Surveillance Station that comes with the Synology NAS was deemed OK, but with cautions, and the Apple setup was deemed good, but many points that one expects of a system were missing, and again there were cautions. 
Overall, in terms of personal privacy, and not its function as a security system, nothing came out as being great

I'm pleased with my Reolink Wifi Doorbell (has ethernet too), got it recording motion to it's internal microSD card, accessible via the app (but didn't need to make an account, I believe it uses the devices serial number and a password you create, or you can make an account to link with Alexa etc.). Also got it recording 24/7 to a Raspberry Pi over FTP. (edited)

The sooner everyone stops paying the sub the better, these rip off corporations will then change their tactics.

Ditched my 3 camera ring system yesterday for a 3 camer blink system with usb drive!

Ring can do one!

Any opinion about Tapo cameras?

I’m happy to pay for my doorbell subscription. I’ve had to hand over recordings to the police before and would not of had the recordings if I did not pay. I have had parcels stolen etc and had proof of this. Without paying it would only show me live and not record and save anything

Cheap Chinese stuff looks all fine and dandy from the outside but if you delve deeper, you will realise the massive security and privacy is issues involved with these. If you aren't concerned much with the aforementioned go ahead but if you value it your homes security and privacy then you're glad to pay the premium for Ring to keep your devices as secure as possible imho. To each their own however,

I don't even have a doorbell, lol. Jokes on you lot!

My Scrypted/homebridge raspberry pi has worked flawlessly so goodbye “ring protect” and your ridiculous cloud charges. The repayment funded the raspberry pi. 👋

Subscription free products are great, but all that R&D, product refinement, user experience and slickness that many people desire does come at a well deserved cost.
The eufy system, of which I have 4 cameras and 2 hubs, does not pick up things inside my desired zone unless I make that zone enormous.. The Ring system however, does work flawlessly, and the subscription heavy Ring has a military grade encryption, and none of the security flaws that come with Eufy.
I love a freebie, but to be totally honest I believe to secure your possessions and things that mean a great deal to you is worthy of spending a few quid on each month.