Under 24 Hours: The Ring Spotlight Cam And Nest Cam Indoor Offer Little To No Free Cloud Storage
Ring, the “Shark Tank” reject that was is the stingiest company when it comes to a free cloud storage plan because it doesn’t have one at all. You can watch a live feed from the Ring Spotlight Cam at any time, and it will send your phone a notification when it detects motion, but you’re out of luck if you miss it. A subscription to Ring’s Protect Plan, which includes 60 days of cloud storage clips, starts at $3.99 a month or $30 a year for each camera. Its pricier plan costs $10 a month or $100 a year, but covers all of the Ring devices at one address, includes a 10% discount on Ring devices, and 24/7 professional home monitoring for Ring Alarm System owners. With home monitoring, someone from Ring will reach out to you if your security system is triggered, and give you the option of calling the police.
Features Of Cloud Security Cameras
Wireless
A wireless cloud security camera is one that is battery-powered and doesn’t require any hardwiring or an external power source to function. A wireless security system is generally very easy to set up because there are no wires or electrical issues to deal with.
Night Vision
The night vision feature gives your camera the ability to see in low-light conditions. This feature works by using infrared light or thermal imaging to observe objects at night or other low-light conditions.
Motion Detection
Motion detection sensors use multiple technologies to detect movement. Once movement is detected, it will trigger an alarm and send you an alert so you can respond accordingly.
App Control
App control refers to a brand’s mobile app. Brand mobile apps give you the ability to access, monitor, and control your home’s security and automation systems, as well as receive alerts in real-time from a single dashboard.
High Resolution
High resolution is the feature on a security camera that displays your video recordings. The higher the resolution is on any given camera, the more clear the images on your video streams will be. If you have a low-resolution video, your images will be grainy and/or blurry to the point you might not be able to distinguish people and objects.
Video Recording
Cloud Storage
Live View
Smart Home Integration
Ways To Choose The Right Product
The article gives a brief introduction about the different types of the best video doorbell with free storage. Different types of the best video doorbell with free storage are used for different purposes. All these types of the best video doorbell with free storage are available in the market, so it is a matter of choosing the right one for your needs.
Tools, especially the best video doorbell with free storage tools, are a big investment. They will be useful for a long time. If you want to get the best one for your garden, here are some tips on choosing the right one.
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Google Nest Cam : Best Smart Detection
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
The is awesome for image, video, and sound quality, producing some of our testing’s best recordings. Plus, it fixes one of our biggest complaints about the Nest Cam IQ by opening up most of its smart alerts to users without a Nest Aware subscription.
This is Google’s first battery-powered security camera, and we’re pleased to say its battery holds up well in tests. Still, Google says the battery won’t charge in freezing temperatures, so you may need to bring it inside to warm up during the winter charging sessions. This isn’t unique to Googlemany wireless outdoor cameras like Arlo and Reolink have similar limitations.
There’s even free cloud storage now, making Nest a lot more viable for folks on a budget. It stores only three hours of video clips, but that’s better than Arlo and Ring’s complete lack of free storage. As a bonus, built-in video storage keeps the camera recording up to a week’s worth of clips when the internet drops.
Among the smart alerts you can use for free are person, animal, and vehicle detection, along with motion zones. Using so many features without a monthly subscription is a big improvement. You still need to pay to use the facial recognition, but we’re not as excited about that. We especially like that you don’t need to pay a separate fee for each IP camera in your home.
Check out our full Nest Cam Battery review for more info.
Wide Angle Night Vision And Motion Detection

With 120° wide view angle, crystal clear day-night vision, and motion sensor, the indoor cam let you monitor your baby, elderly, puppy around the clock, smart AI audio and video detection including a baby crying, dog barking make sure no movement goes unnoticed and send a notification to your phone.
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How To Set Up Ftp Storage For Ip Cameras
FTP storage for IP camera is a great substitute of the free IP camera cloud storage and the NVR security camera system cloud storage.
After you set up the FTP storage for IP camera, all the motion event recordings will be automatically uploaded online, so the thieves can never take your evidence again.
Here is how you can set up the security camera with cloud storage via FTP. Take Reolink cameras as an example:
Step 1. Download the Cerberus FTP Server and install it.
Step 2. Configure the FTP service.
Step 3. Setup the FTP settings on your camera.
Actually, the free FTP storage is most commonly used, as a perfect substitute, in the non-battery powered cameras, since they are less likely to be supported by the CCTV cloud storage in manufacture.
Do You Need Cloud Storage For Security Cameras
Cloud-based storage is a feature of many outdoor security cameras. However, self-monitoring is an option without a monthly subscription or contract. Some outdoor security cameras are available without cloud storage or trial plans. Cloud technology has many benefits, including increased security and ease of use. Cloud technology can be used to store and playback security camera footage without the need for a physical device or server.
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Best Home Security Cameras You Can Buy Today
Don’t let the low price fool you the Wyze Cam v3 is the best home security camera for those on a budget. As its name suggests, it can record video at a resolution of 1080p, and while the quality isn’t up to the same par as the 4K Arlo Ultra, it’s still sharp enough to see who’s there. Its color night vision is especially impressive.
The Wyze Cam v3 comes with two weeks of free cloud storage â though clips are limited to 12 seconds â but it also has a microSD card slot which you can use to enable continuous recording and create time-lapse videos. You can get unlimited-length videos and no cool-down periods if you subscribe to Wyze Cam Plus . That’s cheap but good.
Not only do the Arlo Ultraâs cameras deliver the best home security camera video, but it also uses that extra resolution to enable digital track and zoom, which makes it easier to follow and ID a person as they move across the frame. A built-in spotlight also enables color recording at night, and it has dual microphones for better audio.
All of this will cost you, though: A single camera is $399, and extra cameras are $299 each. The Arlo Ultra doesn’t come with a free tier of cloud storage, so you have to spend at least $3 per month if you want to save any videos. And if you want to save 4K videos, itâs an extra $1.99 per camera per month, on top of the monthly plan, the latter of which is waived for the first year. But if you want the absolute best when it comes to video quality, the Arlo Ultra has it.
How To Access Ip Camera Cloud Storage
So how do I access the security camera with cloud storage to view and to reset or delete recordings?
Its easy! You dont have to do anything other than signing into your account via the cloud security camera app or the cloud website, after you bind cameras to the cloud. And then you can see everything on its cloud section, view and playback those cloud recordings wherever you are.
For example, there are only 3 steps to set up and access Reolink Cloud:
-
Step 1. Create an account on Reolink official website and add cameras on Reolink App.
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Step 2. Come to Device Settings -> Could Storage page to set up the CCTV cloud storage.You are required to log in with the Reolink account you created before, and choose a camera cloud storage plan. Just follow the on-screen prompt and you can bind the camera to CCTV camera cloud easily.
- Step 3. Schedule your IP camera cloud recording, like enable and disable automatic uploading to the CCTV cloud storage and video resolution.
Voila! You got a cloud storage camera now which will upload videos to the cloud right away!
Check out the video below to learn How to Set Up the Reolink Cloud on the App in 3 Easy Steps.
Note: Remember that battery powered cameras only record motion events from your IP camera to cloud storage in order to save the battery life. You will not want large files on the cloud storage for CCTV anyway.
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The Cameras Video Quality
One of the most important features to consider before purchasing a home security camera is video quality. Security cameras with high-quality recordings will be able to capture faces, license plates and other information necessary for law enforcement. The most important features to consider for video quality are frame rate, image resolution and night-vision capability. The higher the frame rate is, the smoother playback will be during live recording.
The 5 Best Outdoor Security Cameras Without A Subscription
We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.
While some popular security cameras dont require you to sign up for a subscription, that usually means you can only access the live footage. The best outdoor security cameras without a subscription, on the other hand, allow you to access recordings without a monthly fee, either via free cloud storage or local storage.
As you shop, first consider if a cloud and local storage option is better for you. Cloud storage saves your video data online and since someone else has to host this storage, it usually requires a subscription fee but not always. While most popular security brands will charge you to access their cloud, some brands allow you to view cloud recordings for free for a shorter period of time, usually up to seven days.
Local storage, on the other hand, is a much more common tactic for subscription-free recording. Local storage means that the data is being stored on the device itself, either on a storage base that comes with your security system or a memory card that slips into the camera.
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What To Look For When Buying An Outdoor Security Camera
Aside from price, there are a few things you’ll want to consider when shopping for an outdoor security camera.
Weatherproofing: Any outdoor security camera should be protected against the elements. While they probably won’t take to being dunked underwater, they should have some resistance to rain, sleet, and snow.
Battery powered: Many outdoor security cameras, such as the Arlo and Blink cameras, can run off battery power alone. That makes them easier to install, as you don’t have to worry about running a power cord to the camera. However, this also means you’ll have to either recharge or replace the batteries on a regular basis. Increasingly, companies are offering solar panels as optional accessories so you don’t have to recharge the batteries as often.
Night vision: Almost all outdoor security cameras record good video during the daytime it’s nighttime video that really separates the haves from the have-nots. Most cameras use infrared lights to illuminate their subjects better cameras will light the scene without blowing out the subject, so you’ll be able to see details more clearly.
Extra lighting: Some outdoor security cameras, such as those from Ring and Arlo, have LED lights built in, so that at night time, you’ll not only be able to see subjects more clearly, but you’ll also be able to see better yourself if you’re outside. Some have spotlights, which are good for a small area, while others have floodlights, which helps illuminate a yard.
Security Camera Cloud Storage Cost

No one wants to pay for the IP camera cloud storage subscriptions on top of an expensive initial camera set, especially if you are talking about security camera systems with cloud storage.
And the good news is you dont have to, actually.
Now most IP camera cloud storage is FREE for the basic plan with like 7 days retention or 1GB size data storage, meaning youll have the latest recording forever, and it is perfectly adequate even if you put your cloud IP camera in busy areas, especially for those recording motion only.
If there is no free cloud storage available, why dont you just turn to other camera brands that offer such service? You know, free IP camera cloud storage is supported by more and more brands to cover your basic security needs.
So a subscription is only needed if you want the premium storage packages for your cloud IP camera, which may have longer video history, lager storage space, and more supported cameras, costing you about $10 a month. After all, the cloud hosting has an associated cost itself.
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Ip Camera Cloud Storage Alternatives
If you still dont trust the IP camera cloud storage after all these security methods, then the local storage may suit you better with no hacking risks. You know, saving to the SD card or NVR locally also offers remote control over the recordings on your phone, PC and laptop anywhere, as Ive mentioned.
Here Ive rounded up a comparison chart between the IP camera cloud storage and local storage to help you reach a final decision.
CCTV with cloud storage | |
---|---|
Dependent upon your Internet connection | Independent upon the Internet connection |
No concerns about being stolen by thieves | No concerns about hacking & privacy issues |
Data transfer depends on the network | Data transfer speed is fast and stable |
Subscriptions for advanced plans | Initial payment for the hardware |
Actually, local storage often works with the free FTP online cloud storage, meaning the videos can be automatically uploaded to your PC online, and therefore you dont need to worry about the stealing issue after you set up the IP camera FTP server.
And personally, I favor the security camera that opens both local and CCTV cloud storage options to users, like the two above, so that you may choose whichever you need according to your monitoring situations and security needs.
So Which Security Cameras Have Free Cloud Storage
Cloud-based security cameras are certainly making their own unique space in the world of high-end security devices.
The service comes inclusive of video recording, storage management, alerts, cybersecurity, and more than that. These days, most businesses and residential places are adopting cloud solutions with free cloud storage.
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Arlo Pro : Best Outdoor Camera For Smart Homes
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The Arlo Pro 4 offers compatibility with more smart home platforms than any other entry on our list. It works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. Although it’s no longer our top pick, it’s still one of our all-time favorites.
We love that it’s 100% wire-freeit doesn’t need a power cord and still manages to outperform the competition. Its Wi-Fi connection and battery make it easy to install anywhere a ladder can reach.
The Arlo Pro 4 is an excellent battery-powered camera, especially if you want a quick setup, multiple cameras, and outstanding video quality. Its 2K video captures more detail than 1080p outdoor cameras and records clear video any time of day, thanks to infrared night vision and a built-in spotlight.
It’s a breeze to set up, thanks to a helpful tutorial in the Arlo app. And the magnetic wall mount makes it easy to install anywhere. While you have to pay for cloud video storage on the Arlo Pro 4, it’s one of the more affordable subscriptions out there at $2.99 a month.
Arlo 4 fixes the biggest drawback ofArlo Pro 3 in that it no longer requires a base station, which was available only when buying two or more cameras. This makes it a more affordable choice, though it’s still more expensive than the average wireless camera . The price plays a major role in the Reolink Argus 3 Pro claiming the top spot on our listsomething Arlo held for many years.
Ring Stick Up Cam Battery: Best For Alexa
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The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is completely wire-free, so you have a ton of flexibility in where you put it. And it costs around $100, making it a fairly affordable security camera you can use both indoors and outdoors. It’s an ideal wireless camera for an Alexa smart home, though we’d like it better if it supported Google Assistant and HomeKit like Arlo does.
If you need a wireless outdoor camera on a budget, the Stick Up Cam Battery is a great bet. Ring also has one of the most competitive cloud storage plans on the market, Ring Protect Basic costs just $4 a month for 180 days of storage.
We’ve seen reports of short battery life on Ring products , and recharging the Stick Up Cam is tedious since you need to remove the battery each time. There’s a wired optionStick Up Cam Plug-Inbut you lose the flexibility of anywhere installation.
You can get a solar panel accessory so you don’t need to remove the battery as often, but it’ll cost you extra.
Read our full Ring Stick Up Cam review to learn more about this great little camera.
The Ring Spotlight Cam costs twice as much as the Stick Up Cam but has some extra perks: a built-in siren and bright spotlight help deter unwelcome visitors by making the camera hard to ignore. We also like that the spotlight doubles as a path light for walking to the door at night.
Learn more about Ring cameras
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