TL;DR:
Verkada’s all-in-one video system suits some businesses, but others want more flexibility. Alternatives like Videoloft, Coram AI, Eagle Eye Networks, Avigilon, and Genetec offer different approaches, from hardware compatibility and affordability, to advanced analytics and large-scale integration.
Video surveillance continues to evolve in 2026. From AI-driven analytics to hybrid cloud storage, the industry is seeing rapid changes – but the core challenges for businesses remain the same: ensuring reliable access to footage, reducing costs, and maintaining visibility across multiple sites.
This updated guide (November 2025) highlights 5 of the best Verkada alternatives for 2026 – including the latest pricing, features, and trends shaping how organizations modernize their video surveillance.
Video surveillance is a vital part of modern business security. Whether it’s staying compliant, protecting staff and customers, or investigating incidents, organizations need reliable access to their footage – often across multiple sites.
However, many businesses face the same problems:
- Outdated hardware that’s expensive to upgrade.
- Rising costs as they add more cameras and locations.
- Being locked into one vendor’s proprietary equipment.
- Systems that are hard to manage across multiple sites.
Verkada is a well-known name in cloud-based video surveillance. Its all-in-one system includes cameras and tightly integrated software, and it also offers related products like access control, environmental sensors, and air quality monitoring – including vape detection.
For organizations looking to source everything from a single provider, Verkada can be a compelling choice.
But many businesses primarily care about their camera systems and want to modernize surveillance without being tied to a proprietary ecosystem or paying for features they’ll never use. In these cases, Verkada’s bundled approach can feel restrictive and costly as you scale.
The good news is there are now excellent alternatives focused specifically on video surveillance. These solutions give organizations more flexibility, better scalability, and often significantly lower total cost of ownership – especially if you already have existing cameras you want to keep.
Why businesses look for Verkada alternatives
Here are some of the main reasons organizations start exploring other cloud video management solutions:
- Cost: Verkada’s bundled hardware and subscription pricing can quickly become expensive for growing businesses.
- Hardware lock-in: You must purchase Verkada cameras, even if you already have perfectly good equipment.
- Support challenges: Some users have reported frustration with the company’s support, especially after the initial sale has been completed. (Trustpilot)
1 Videoloft
Best for: Businesses that want to move to the cloud affordably and at scale – while keeping their current cameras.
Overview
Videoloft makes it simple and affordable to modernize video surveillance. Unlike Verkada, which requires proprietary hardware, Videoloft works with hundreds of existing camera brands and models.
This means you can keep the cameras you already own and connect them to the cloud using the Videoloft Cloud Adapter.
The Cloud Adapter comes in two forms:
- A physical plug-and-play device that links your on-site system to the cloud in minutes with no complex network configuration or port forwarding required.
- A virtual, software-only version that delivers the same functionality but without any hardware, ideal for organizations that want a completely hardware-free setup or faster deployment at scale.
Whether physical or virtual, the Cloud Adapter makes it easy to move to the cloud quickly and cost-effectively, without replacing your existing cameras.
For organizations with multiple locations, such as retailers, schools, and enterprises, Videoloft makes it easy to roll out cloud surveillance quickly and cost-effectively, without major disruptions or capital expenses.
Key features
Compatible with existing hardware
Works with a wide range of IP cameras and DVR/NVR systems.
Fast, simple setup
Plug-and-play installation takes just minutes.
Scalable growth
Easily add new sites or cameras as your organization expands.
Affordable cloud storage
Videoloft is one of the most budget-friendly options available.
AI analytics
Object detection is included as standard with every plan, with add-ons available for license plate recognition, people counting, and PPE detection
Centralized multi-site management
Works with a View and control cameras across all locations in one dashboard. range of IP cameras and DVR/NVR systems.
Affordability and scalability
Videoloft’s pricing model makes it easy to start small and grow over time. You only pay for the cameras you connect, with no hidden costs.
Because you can keep your current hardware, you avoid the huge upfront expenses that come with a rip and replace project. This makes it ideal for businesses looking to upgrade gradually – for example, moving one location to the cloud first, then expanding to others once they’re ready.
Customers don’t just try Videoloft – they grow with it. In 2024, 63% of cameras added to Videoloft came from existing customers, showing that most businesses expand their deployments after seeing the platform’s value in action. This real-world behavior highlights both customer satisfaction and Videoloft’s scalability.
Multi-site camera management
Managing surveillance across multiple sites is a challenge for many organizations. Videoloft simplifies this by bringing all cameras into a single, cloud-based dashboard.
It’s a popular choice for multi-site retailers, energy companies, and enterprises with distributed teams. In fact, 71% of all cameras recording to Videoloft are part of multi-site setups, reflecting how well the platform supports centralized management and visibility across locations.
Analytics that work for you
Verkada is known for its wide range of advanced AI analytics. While impressive on paper, many businesses find that these features go largely unused.
Videoloft takes a different approach. It focuses on core analytics that most businesses need every day, like:
- License plate recognition
- People counting
- Object detection – people and vehicles
- And for construction sites – PPE detection
This keeps the system simple and easy to use while avoiding the cost and complexity of unnecessary features. Videoloft also continuously updates and improves its analytics, so businesses benefit from new capabilities over time.
Customer experience
Videoloft has a solid 5.0 rating on Gartner Peer Insights, with users praising:
- Its fast, straightforward setup
- Helpful customer support
- The ability to scale affordably without replacing hardware.
By comparison, Verkada holds a 4.6 rating, showing that while both platforms are well-regarded, Videoloft excels in delivering value and flexibility.
"Absolutely love it. We have a number of CCTV systems covering our sites and Videoloft brings the footage into one easy to access platform. It allows us to easily download the footage and shere with third parties without a visit to the site."
Why Videoloft is a strong alternative
Videoloft is perfect for businesses that want to:
- Save money by keeping existing cameras and avoiding costly hardware replacements.
- Scale at their own pace, adding cameras or sites over time without huge upfront investment.
- Simplify management with centralized, cloud-based access.
- Use analytics that matter, without paying for tools they won’t use.
While Verkada offers more specialized AI features, most businesses don’t need them. Videoloft focuses on delivering practical, reliable tools while steadily adding new features to meet customer needs.
Considerations
If your organization requires highly niche AI features right now, another platform like Verkada or Coram AI may be a better fit.
For most businesses, however, Videoloft provides the ideal mix of affordability, scalability, and usability, making it one of the best Verkada alternatives available.
2 Coram AI
Best for: Businesses needing advanced, real-time threat detection.
Overview:
Coram AI specializes in proactive security. It’s designed for environments where instant alerts are critical, such as schools, government buildings, and public venues.
Key features:
Real-time weapon and threat detection.
Facial recognition with privacy protections.
License plate recognition (LPR).
Customizable alerts and workflows.
Why it’s a strong alternative:
Coram AI is ideal for businesses that need to prevent incidents before they happen, with advanced analytics for immediate threat response.
Considerations:
Its cutting-edge features come with a higher price tag and may require more technical setup than simpler platforms.
3 Eagle Eye Networks
Best for: Large, multi-site businesses with mixed camera hardware.
Overview
Eagle Eye Networks supports a wide variety of camera brands, making it a potential fit for businesses with different equipment across multiple locations.
Key features:
Cloud-based - no on-site servers required.
Compatible with almost any IP camera.
Robust analytics and reporting.
Global data centers for compliance and performance.
Why it’s a strong alternative:
Eagle Eye offers cloud benefits similar to Verkada but without forcing you to replace your cameras.
Considerations:
Costs can be higher for very large rollouts, and some analytics may require extra licensing.
4 Avigilon
Best for: Organizations needing premium cameras and hybrid setups.
Overview:
Avigilon provides high-end surveillance hardware along with flexible deployment options cloud, on-premises, or hybrid.
Key features:
Ultra high definition cameras.
AI-driven motion and activity detection.
Hybrid deployment options for strict compliance needs.
Integration with access control and third-party systems.
Why it’s a strong alternative:
Avigilon is perfect for businesses that need top-tier video quality and a customizable setup.
Considerations:
It’s more expensive and complex to deploy than fully cloud-native systems like Videoloft.
5 Genetec
Best for: Large enterprises with complex, integrated security requirements.
Overview:
Genetec offers a unified security platform, combining video, access control, and analytics into one system. It’s popular with airports, universities, and large corporate campuses.
Key features:
Unified video and access control in one platform.
Extensive third-party integrations.
Flexible deployment: cloud, on-premises, or hybrid.
Scalable for global enterprise environments.
Why it’s a strong alternative:
Genetec is perfect for organizations needing a tailored, all-in-one solution with deep customization.
Considerations:
It has a steeper learning curve and may require a dedicated IT team to manage.
Why Videoloft Stands Out
Videoloft strikes the right balance between cost, scalability, and functionality.
Its hardware agnostic approach lets you keep your current equipment, while its low-cost plans and simple setup make it easy to expand across multiple sites. Businesses don’t need to pay for advanced features they’ll never use, but they still get access to reliable, practical analytics that improve security and operations.
For organizations focused on scaling quickly and keeping budgets under control, Videoloft is one of the strongest choices on the market today.
FAQs
To reduce costs, avoid hardware lock-in, and gain more flexibility for scaling and integrations.
Yes. Videoloft’s plans start at $2.99/month per camera, much lower than many proprietary systems.
Absolutely. Videoloft works with hundreds of camera brands.
Yes. Videoloft includes object detection as standard, which can automatically identify people and vehicles in your footage.
For businesses that need more advanced analytics, optional add-ons are available, including:
- PPE detection (e.g., hardhats, safety vests) for compliance and workplace safety.
- People counting to track foot traffic and occupancy trends.
- Automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) for vehicle identification and access management.
Coram AI specializes in proactive, real-time detection and alerts.
Yes. Genetec unifies video and access control in a single platform.
Videoloft and Eagle Eye Networks are both designed for easy, cost-effective scaling.
Final thoughts
Verkada may be a well-known name, but it’s not always the most flexible or affordable choice.
Businesses looking for more control, lower costs, and simpler scaling have strong alternatives. Videoloft, in particular, provides a budget-friendly option that works with your existing equipment and grows with you.
For businesses with specialized needs – like advanced AI analytics or premium hardware – platforms like Coram AI and Genetec each offer unique strengths.
By understanding your priorities and budget, you can choose a solution that not only meets your security needs today but also supports your growth for years to come.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond.
The video surveillance market is maturing fast – and flexibility is now the most valuable feature. Cloud-based, hardware-agnostic solutions like Videoloft let businesses modernize on their own terms, combining connectivity, control and convenience.
As 2026 unfolds, the best security systems will be the ones that grow with you.
