Cloud vs. Local: What is the best for the security camera movies? (2025)

If you want To keep an eye on your children, deliveries of packaging or pets when you are away from home, security cameras and video bells are an accessible and easy way to do it. But there is an important question to be satisfied before deciding your ideal home security configuration: where will you memorize those videos? The comfort of the cloud can be perfect for some, while others may prefer to maintain local things and without subscriptions.

I have tested the security cameras and video bells for many years and I will guide you through the main differences between the cloud and local storage, discuss the pros and cons of each and I will provide you with a comparison on the costs that includes all the main cloud storage services.

Are you looking for recommended devices? Our best outdoor security cameras, the best indoor security cameras, the best video bells and the best pets for pet cameras can help.

Cloud storage vs. local

The videos stored in the cloud are uploaded or downloaded by archiving servers connected to the internet in a remote position, most likely the structure of the camera manufacturer or on hardware they hired. Locally stored videos are saved on hardware in the camera (like a microSD card) or on an hub or a plug-in inside your home.

What is the cloud storage?

Cloud storage is a safe remote server space. Your videos will be encrypted and access details are required to access it. You can stream your video from anywhere using the app on your phone. There are only a couple of different types of cloud storage for the videos of the security camera.

• CLIP registration: When a camera detects the movement, it will activate a short recording, usually between 10 and 30 seconds. The duration is often configurable and sometimes there is a recovery period before it can be activated again. A handful of producers offers a free registration of free clips, but this is rare nowadays. Subscriptions usually give you 30 or 60 days of recording of events, after which any unpaid clips are eliminated. Only the loading clips help to keep the band width and power needs low.
• Continuing registration: With a continuous recording, the camera constantly loaded video in the cloud. When you review your video, you usually have a temporal sequence you can rub with the detection detection events. Once again, it is rare that this is offered for free, but some producers offer a few hours of video without subscription. For a monthly rate, it is possible to extend the recording period, generally from about seven to 30 days. The cameras that continuously record in the cloud need a strong Wi-Fi signal and a lot of bandwidth, and generally must be connected (some battery-powered cameras can continuously record now, but only at very low frame speed, usually a maximum of 1 FPS).

Cloud storage professionals

• The video is stored safely online (if someone steals or destroys your camera, the movie still exists)
• The video is usually quick to access and stream wherever you are or any device you are using
• You don’t need any additional hardware, only the camera and an Internet connection
• The loss of the video is less likely (a lower failure risk and no maintenance required)

The cons of cloud storage

• Cloud storage usually requires a paid subscription
• If the camera is offline for any reason, it will not register any video
• You trust the provider with your video (data violations and suppliers can increase the prices of the season tickets)
• The loading and download of videos can consume a lot of bandwidth

Compare these cloud storage services

Top Cloud Storage Chamber

What is local storage?

Local storage is storage hardware inside your home. When storing the videos of the security camera at the local level, it is not sent to the Internet. You can access your video from anywhere using the app on the phone (provided that the device is connected to the Internet). Your videos will be encrypted and you need your access details to access it. There are a couple of different types of local storage.

• Integrated storage: Some security cameras, video bells or hub devices are equipped with an integrated storage that cannot be removed. It would usually be limited to a few gigabytes. Network video recorders (NVR) or digital video recorders (DVR) are also often equipped with integrated storage, but tend to offer Terabyte.
• Removable archiving: Most security cameras with a local recording option use removable storage. This includes microSD cards, USB flash unit, SSD or rigid discs. Whether the removable storage goes to the camera itself, a connected hub or a carno or a DVR or NVR, usually it will be sold separately and generally there will be a limit of size, therefore it always controls.

Pro of local deposit

• No subscription necessary; You pay once for hardware and there are no costs in progress
• The video will be recorded even if your internet drops
• Locally stored clips are more difficult for anyone else
• You can keep the videos and share or support them until the hardware works

Against local storage

• Often you have to buy storage, like a microSD card or a hard drive, separately
• If someone physically steals the camera or hub, it can destroy the movie
• Most cameras have a storage limit and can be quite low (for example, 128 GB)
• Local storage can be slower for access, especially when you are away from home

Best local storage cameras

Should I choose local storage or cloud or both?

It depends on your home, on the favorite brand and other preferences. If you don’t mind paying for a subscription and you think you access videos when you are far from home frequently, Cloud Storage is probably the best option for you. If you get to another monthly share or worry that a camera company has all your videos, opt for the local storage space. To get the most out of your security cameras and make sure not to lose videos, consider both.

While the subscriptions are technically optional for some security cameras, I would not recommend buying Nest, Arlo, Ring, Blink or Philips Hue cameras if you don’t go to the pony for the subscription, because their best features are bundle. If annoyingly, TP-Link and Reolink, both solid local options, notifications rich in bundles that include photos in their subscriptions.

Cloud vs. local storage costs

Cloud storage plans can be expensive over the years, but generally you get a discount if you pay every year. While the camera plans are relatively expensive, the season tickets have a better value if you have multiple devices. Local storage is all the initial costs unless your hardware has failed, but this is unlikely (I have never had a microSD card or a failure ssd in several years of testing, even if it can happen).

As a final decision maker, we compare the cost of some of our main recommendations over time. This is based on prices at the time of writing, so it can change.