Monitoring your property has never been easier, thanks to the mobile apps you can use to control security cameras. These apps play an essential role in keeping your house safe and offer plenty of valuable features that enhance your user experience.
Some apps work only with a specific brand, while others aren’t limited to one company. There isn’t a universal “best” app for everyone. Which one suits you depends solely on your preferences and expectations. but it’s important to know what to consider before opting for an app.
If you want to learn more about security camera apps, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss different app types, review some of their features, and suggest several options to help you with your search.
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Most security cameras are controlled by a mobile app. To better understand how they work, let’s discuss the two main security camera app types:
Proprietary Apps
These apps are offered by specific camera brands. This means the app was designed and adjusted to the brand you’re purchasing.
The most significant advantage of proprietary apps is that you can get the most out of them without experiencing compatibility issues. Since each company is responsible for its app, they often offer updates and fix bugs to ensure customer satisfaction. However, this isn’t universal and depends on the company.
Most proprietary apps are free.
A potential downside appears if you have multiple cameras from different brands. If each has a proprietary app, you’ll need to install a number of them and jump back and forth to control the cameras.
Third-Party/Universal Apps
Many companies don’t develop their apps and instead enable security camera connectivity to any third-party app.
The biggest advantage of using third-party apps is monitoring different security cameras at once without limiting yourself to one brand.
The most significant downside is compatibility. Since security companies aren’t manufacturing the app, you might not be able to connect your camera to a particular app. Plus, you may experience bugs, glitches, or other app errors.
Alarm.com
You’ll find many apps labeled Alarm.com. Namely, some companies that don’t have an app partner up with Alarm.com, a provider that works with security equipment and related technology. Essentially, Alarm.com is a unique ecosystem you can use to monitor various smart home devices. Instead of installing an app for each device, with Alarm.com, you can control all of them.
Factors to Consider
In addition to choosing between proprietary or third-party apps, there are numerous options to consider before opting for the best one for you.
Reliability
You want to use a security camera app that doesn’t glitch and is frequently updated. If you purchase a camera from a well-known brand, you’ll most likely get an app that doesn’t feature bugs and issues.
Even if you experience a problem with the app, reputable companies typically have customer service that will resolve it in a matter of minutes.
Ease of Use
This factor is essential for first-time users or those unfamiliar with the technology. The right security camera app is straightforward to navigate.
Tip: Look for apps that have video tutorials or detailed instructions on how to navigate them.
Integration
In addition to controlling your security camera, some apps allow you to manage your entire smart home. You could use an app to unlock your doors, turn off the lights, set the temperature, or connect to Alexa or Google Nest for voice commands.
Many security camera manufacturers are owned by larger companies such as Amazon or Google, thus allowing you to set up your ecosystem with only one app. This significantly improves the user experience and saves your time.
Those that don’t have smart home devices won’t find this feature relevant, which once again proves the best security camera app depends on your needs and preferences.
Notifications
All security camera apps feature alerts that inform you about motion detection. However, customizing those notifications isn’t possible in every app.
Look for an app that enables you to adjust when to receive alerts and customize the sensitivity.
Many apps can efficiently distinguish between people, animals, packages, vehicles, etc., enabling you to select the notifications you’re interested in.
Cost
Unlike third-party apps, most proprietary ones are free. However, they may require you to sign a contract with the company.
Some apps may require payment if you want to use additional features that are unavailable with a basic plan. Others only require a one-time fee before installation.
These potential extra fees are also another factor to consider before opting for a brand.
Extra Features
Many security camera apps offer additional features that can further improve your experience. For example, some allow you to save a person’s face and stop receiving unnecessary notifications for them. This is useful for family members or people that come to your house frequently.
Other camera apps allow you to save your pet information and detect its movements while you’re away from home.
Another extra feature many find useful is zooming in on an area. If you have an outdoor camera, you can use this feature to exclude street traffic and focus only on a specific part.
When considering installing an outdoor camera, you should check whether it features two-way communication. That way, you can hear and speak to the people at your front door without getting up.
Many people that live in areas with a high crime rate install security cameras. If you’re one of them, consider getting a camera that features a siren or a floodlight. When necessary, you can enable them within the app, thus scaring the intruders away, be it people or animals.
Reviews
Regardless of whether you’re looking for a proprietary or a third-party app, it’s necessary to look at reviews and ratings by customers. This information can be valuable and help you learn more about the pros and cons of each app.
Remember to read the most recent reviews and ratings because they reflect the current app’s functionality. Unfortunately, many apps get ruined with frequent updates that cause bugs and glitches. You want to get the best value for your money and use a top-rated app.
Camera
Although apps that control cameras are an important piece of the puzzle, remember that they can’t perform well if you have a poor-quality camera. For example, if the camera’s resolution is low-quality, there isn’t an app that can improve this.
The best camera app typically comes hand in hand with the best cameras. First, you need to decide what you’re looking for in a camera. Choose where you want to install it and whether you want it to be wired or wireless. Then, think about the desired design and durability, storage fees, and ultimately, your budget.
Make the app one of your priorities, but don’t treat it as the most important one.
This content was originally published here.
