TL;DR:
Cloud CCTV storage can often be more cost-effective than traditional on-site storage. While local storage requires upfront costs for hardware and ongoing maintenance, cloud storage offers scalable pricing, reduced maintenance, and eliminates the need for physical security of stored data. Omdia’s 2026 analysis highlights growing adoption of cloud video surveillance services and recommends that organisations explore hybrid cloud storage to help manage total cost of ownership.
Did you know that the price of storing your CCTV footage varies massively depending on what storage option you choose?
It might surprise you to know that cloud storage can be one of the most cost-effective and efficient methods of storing your CCTV footage.
Find out all you need to know about the different CCTV storage options and associated costs:
Why cloud storage? How different CCTV storage pricing methods compare
Figuring out the best way to store and back up your CCTV footage can be hard. There are a lot of different options, all with their own complexities and costs to consider. Do you go for traditional, onsite storage options such as NVRs (Network Video Recorders) or DVRs (Digital Video Recorders)? Do you choose cloud storage? Or do you choose a combination of local storage and cloud storage – this is known as a hybrid approach to CCTV storage.
Cloud and hybrid storage are becoming more widely adopted in video surveillance. Omdia’s 2026 analysis highlights growing adoption of cloud video surveillance services and recommends exploring hybrid cloud to help manage total cost of ownership. For businesses, cloud storage provides secure offsite backup to a centralized platform to view and manage cameras across multiple sites. Teams can access footage remotely and receive motion alerts to help them respond to activity. It can also reduce the cost and maintenance involved in storing footage locally, with savings depending on the number of cameras, recording settings and retention period.
Let’s explore some other options and why they may be costly before comparing cloud storage providers.
Costs of a local recorder (NVR/DVR)
Storing your footage on a local recorder (NVR/DVR) can be adequate as a primary storage method, but it has a lots of associated costs:
- Requires large upfront costs for hardware purchase. As a rough guide, an 8- or 16-channel NVR can cost around $300–$1,200, depending on its features and included storage. Larger recorders can cost several thousand dollars, before installation and cameras.
- Fixed storage capacity, meaning that you could end up paying for more than you need, or that you may not have enough storage
- Requires costly maintenance and sometimes repairs
Hardware costs are also under pressure from growing demand for AI. Omdia’s 2026 analysis reports that the expansion of AI data centres is increasing competition for memory chips and storage devices, pushing up component prices and extending lead times. These cost pressures are expected to continue through 2027.
Aside from being costly, storing footage on local recorders also comes with several other disadvantages.
Storing locally limits the amount of footage you can keep and, without the owner knowing it, the recorder may overwrite the footage when it reaches capacity. Most local recorders don’t alert users if they start overwriting footage, stop recording or encounter some other malfunction. Local recorders are also vulnerable to physical damage such as theft or fire.
You’re also responsible for the health of the system, which takes time and money.
While some recorders do offer options to remotely view footage, these frequently require port-forwarding which leaves your system vulnerable to infiltration.
Finally, storing footage from multiple cameras at different locations can make it hard to view and manage your footage. It also becomes very expensive to buy recorders for all sites.
Cost of NAS (Network Attached Storage)
What does NAS mean?
NAS stands for Network Attached Storage, which is a device that stores your footage. It is essentially like a mini computer that runs 24/7. NAS can both be used as the main storage option for security cameras or as a backup.
But this storage method really encounters problems for sites with more than a couple of cameras, both with its ability to manage multiple cameras and also its costs:
- Expensive licenses
- Very expensive hardware
- Maintenance costs
For a few cameras you might be willing to pay the high price, but as you add more cameras and require more licenses the cost can become untenable.
Pricing – Specialized cloud cameras + cloud storage
One way to get cloud storage for your analog or IP camera is to buy specialized plug-and-play cloud cameras from certain providers. But this can also be really expensive and not the most robust solution.
Pricing advantages
- Often you can choose to record-on-motion (ROM), meaning you can use your cloud storage much more efficiently as you’re only recording footage when motion is detected
- No need to worry about the cost of maintaining the storage, your cloud provider will do that
Pricing disadvantages
- If you already have cameras, you’re going to have pay to replace them
- You’ll pay a premium for the specialized cloud cameras
- You’ll pay a premium for cloud storage as you are locked in with the provider
Such providers of cloud cameras often charge a premium for their cameras, especially as they likely manufacture lower volumes of such cameras compared to normal analog or IP cameras from established brands.
The other reason why it becomes very expensive is that they frequently tie you into their cloud storage pricing. Once you’ve bought their hardware they know that you have no choice but to also buy their cloud storage, so the storage is often overpriced.
Let’s compare Verkada with an independent cloud storage provider, Videoloft. Verkada’s one-year camera licence costs $249 per camera – equivalent to $20.75 per month – and includes 30 days of cloud backup, with camera hardware purchased separately. Videoloft’s 30-day cloud storage plan with 24/7 continuous recording at 2MP costs $8.99 per camera per month, plus the required Cloud Adapter setup. The recording approaches differ, so these are subscription cost examples rather than identical plans.
Pricing – Connecting analog / IP camera with independent cloud storage providers
Advantages of cloud storage pricing with an independent cloud service:
- Often you can choose to record on motion, meaning you can use your cloud storage much more efficiently as you’re only recording footage when motion is detected
- You can usually use the surveillance system that you already own
- You can upgrade your security cameras, even legacy systems, with new features with no additional hardware cost
- No need to worry about the cost of maintaining the storage, your cloud provider will do that
If you consider pricing as a factor for your CCTV footage solution, using an independent cloud storage provider is a great option.
If you already have security cameras that are compatible with the cloud provider’s service, there’s no need to replace them. If you need to buy security cameras you can do so for a very reasonable price from a range of well-established professional security camera brands. To connect them to the cloud all you need is a Videoloft Cloud Adapter, which takes just minutes to set up.
The exciting bonus is that by connecting them to the Cloud Adapter you can instantly upgrade your analog or IP camera with new features. This means you can have everything from motion detection, live camera health monitoring, and video analytics. This is an important factor to consider if price is important to you because you can buy cheap security cameras and have features that would otherwise cost you a considerable amount.
There is also no operational cost of maintaining cloud storage as you would find with an NVR or DVR. One of the benefits of cloud storage is that all of that worry and time is left to the cloud storage provider.
Cloud storage providers pricing comparison
Videoloft’s cloud storage plans offer affordable options for different recording requirements. For example, for 7 days storage, recording when motion is detected, at 2MP resolution prices start at $5.09 per month.
Eagle Eye Networks also offers cloud storage subscriptions based on resolution and retention period. To compare costs accurately, request a current quote for your camera setup, including any required hardware.
Camcloud advertises a 30-day personal plan for motion recording at $15 per camera per month, while its business plans with continuous recording require a quote. Videoloft’s 30-day plans at 2MP cost $5.99 per camera per month for motion-triggered recording or $8.99 for 24/7 continuous recording.
Videoloft offers discounted enterprise pricing and trade pricing for registered partners. Paying annually also gives you a 10% subscription discount. Every security system has unique cloud storage requirements, so you can get a free quote for the cloud storage you need.
When comparing providers, include any required hardware and installation costs alongside the subscription.
Cloud viewing solution for analog and IP cameras
Videoloft allows you to connect your existing analog or IP cameras to the cloud with a Videoloft Cloud Adapter. You can use your existing analog or IP cameras, or buy new ones from reliable brands as the Videoloft Cloud Adapter is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Hikvision, Dahua and many more.
Once connected to the cloud you can remotely view live and stored videos.
You can upgrade your plan at any time, and you can add additional features such as video analytics to your plan if you require it.
You can easily try our free demo on the Videoloft website.
Cloud storage plan for security professionals
Videoloft offers a discounted Cloud Adapter to all registered partners. All you need to do is join our free partner program. We also offer a free cloud storage plan including up to 5 cameras with 30 days cloud storage for our partners to test the system before offering it to their customers.
Joining the Videoloft partner program also comes with a host of other benefits such as technical and marketing support and a management portal to manage your customer’s recurring payments.
Videoloft offers free co-branding on the Videoloft platform, meaning that your logo and contact details would be shown to your customers through the Videoloft app and web viewer. Alternatively, we offer a free lightweight white label on the CCTV Connect app, where your app icon, branding and colours can appear.
As mentioned above, Videoloft offers affordable pricing and registered partners can also access discounted trade plans.
Videoloft is also not limited by restricted resolution like some other cloud providers and can record up to (8MP) video straight to the cloud.
Conclusion
There are many options available for CCTV storage but not all are equal, especially in price!
While NVRs/DVRs and NAS are useful as basic recording devices, they’re not the most risk-free given they’re so vulnerable to physical damage. They’re also quite expensive if you have a lot of cameras and it can be really hard to manage lots of cameras from different sites.
You could choose a special cloud camera from certain providers but you face the cost of having to buy their expensive new cameras. Then you face additional costs as you pay a premium for their cloud storage given you are tied in.
Finally, you could choose an independent cloud storage provider such as Videoloft.
Interested in Videoloft? Look no further, choose your cloud plan, and create your account by getting started. Videoloft gives you secure offsite video storage, a centralized remote viewing platform and much more.
If you are a security professional learn more about our free partner program for security installers, integrators and dealers.
Information last checked and updated October 2026
