How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Rhombus is the closest cloud-first swap, with cameras, access control, and sensors in one console and no on-site recorder.
- Eagle Eye Networks suits buyers who already own cameras, since it accepts third-party ONVIF hardware instead of locking you to one brand.
- Genetec and Milestone fit large campuses and regulated sites, but expect partner-led installation and longer buying cycles.
- Avigilon Alta brings Motorola-backed cloud security for organizations that want one vendor across video and access.
- Verkada raised catalog prices for orders from 5 June 2026, so treat any older per-camera quote as stale and re-check it.
Quick comparison
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best Verkada alternatives
#1Rhombus
Best for: Cloud-first multi-site security4.6/5 on
G2 (610 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit rhombus.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Rhombus is the most natural move for a buyer who likes Verkada's simplicity but wants a different vendor. Its cameras, door readers, and environmental sensors all report to one web console, and footage is stored on-device and in the cloud, so no recorder sits in a closet at each site. Setup is close to plug-and-play, and multi-site operators can push policies and firmware from one place.
The platform also stands out on openness. Rhombus publishes a REST API with around 900 endpoints, plus an official CLI and SDKs, which makes it easier to connect security events to other business systems. Pricing runs on per-device license tiers (Core, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise) that bundle storage, analytics, and support. The catch is the same as with Verkada: cameras come from Rhombus, so switching vendors later still means replacing hardware.
What we like- Cameras, access, and sensors in one cloud console
- No NVR or DVR required
- Open API with roughly 900 endpoints
Watch out for- Per-device licensing on tiered plans
- Still a vendor hardware ecosystem for cameras
#2Eagle Eye Networks
Best for: Camera-agnostic cloud video4.8/5 on
G2 (50 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit een.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Eagle Eye Networks is the pick when you already own cameras and do not want to rip them out. Its cloud video platform accepts ONVIF cameras from many brands, so a retail chain or school district can move video to the cloud in stages instead of replacing every camera at once. It also supports hybrid deployments where some footage stays local.
That flexibility comes with a less tidy buying process. Pricing runs per camera per month, varies by resolution and retention, and is usually quoted through resellers rather than published on the site. Reviewers also note that costs climb with longer retention or higher resolution. For buyers who value hardware freedom over a single-vendor bundle, Eagle Eye is still the strongest alternative here.
What we like- Works with a wide range of third-party ONVIF cameras
- Cloud and hybrid deployment options
- Strong multi-site management
Watch out for- Pricing is quote-based through resellers
- Analytics depth trails AI-first rivals
#3Avigilon Alta
Best for: Motorola-backed cloud suite4.6/5 on
G2 (34 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit avigilon.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Avigilon Alta is Motorola Solutions' cloud security suite, combining video, access control, and intercom under one brand. Organizations that already use Motorola radios or Avigilon cameras get a consistent vendor relationship and a roadmap backed by a large public-safety company. The hardware range covers everything from compact dome cameras to multi-sensor units for large perimeters.
The downside is scale and sales process. Avigilon Alta is sold through partners with quote-based pricing, and the platform is aimed more at mid-market and enterprise buyers than at a single small office. Buyers should also confirm which Avigilon products sit in the Alta cloud line versus the on-premises Unity line, since the two are sold and managed differently.
What we like- Cloud video, access control, and intercom from one Motorola-owned vendor
- Enterprise-grade hardware
- Open platform options
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Enterprise focus means smaller sites may find it heavy
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Genetec Security Center is the enterprise answer on this list. It unifies video surveillance, access control, and automatic license plate recognition in one platform, and it is widely used in airports, universities, and city surveillance programs. That breadth matters when a buyer needs one system to cover many sites, many user roles, and strict audit requirements.
Everything about Genetec is heavier than the cloud-first tools above. Deployment is partner-led, pricing is negotiated, and customization work adds both cost and time. Small teams will find it more platform than they need. For a large campus or a regulated operator that cannot accept a closed camera ecosystem, though, Genetec's openness and unified approach justify the effort.
What we like- Unifies video, access control, and license plate recognition
- Strong in airports, cities, and campuses
- Hybrid cloud options
Watch out for- Enterprise pricing and partner-led deployment
- Customization adds cost and time
#5Milestone XProtect
Best for: Open platform, existing cameras4.5/5 on
G2 (90 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit milestonesys.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Milestone XProtect is the open-platform veteran. It supports an enormous range of cameras and devices, and its free tier covers up to 8 cameras, which makes it the only genuinely free starting point in this comparison. Larger editions scale to thousands of cameras with failover, centralized management, and a marketplace of integrations.
The trade-off is that Milestone is a platform, not a finished bundle. Advanced analytics usually arrive as third-party add-ons, and running it well takes IT capacity for servers, storage, and updates. Buyers who already own cameras and have IT staff will get the most from it. Buyers who want a hands-off cloud service should look at Rhombus or Eagle Eye instead.
What we like- Works with thousands of camera models
- Genuinely free tier for up to 8 cameras
- Huge integration ecosystem
Watch out for- Analytics mostly come from third-party add-ons
- Needs IT capacity to run well
#6
Axis Communications
Best for: Enterprise camera hardware
Visit axis.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Axis is a hardware-first alternative rather than a cloud platform. Its Q- and P-series cameras are widely treated as the reference for enterprise video, with long firmware support, strong low-light performance, and an open application platform that lets third-party analytics run on the camera itself. Buyers who care most about image quality and longevity often standardize on Axis hardware.
Axis does not replace Verkada on its own. You still need a video management system, such as Milestone or Genetec, to manage recordings, users, and alerts at scale. Camera prices also sit at the premium end, with enterprise models running from several hundred to several thousand dollars. For organizations building a long-life camera fleet, Axis plus an open VMS is a durable combination.
What we like- Reference-grade camera hardware with long firmware support
- Open application platform for third-party analytics
- Strong low-light models
Watch out for- Cameras are premium priced
- Needs a separate VMS for full management
#7Brivo
Best for: Multi-site cloud access control4.6/5 on
G2 (35 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit brivo.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Brivo fits buyers whose main problem is doors rather than cameras. Its cloud access control platform manages readers, credentials, and schedules across many sites from one dashboard, and it integrates with video systems for a fuller picture. Multi-site operators, from gyms to property managers, use it to standardize access without on-premises servers.
Video buyers should be careful. Brivo's strength is access control, and while it offers video integrations, it is not a camera-first platform like Verkada or Rhombus. Pricing is also quote-based, so budgeting takes a sales conversation. Pick Brivo when access control leads the project and video plays a supporting role.
What we like- Cloud access control across many sites
- Video integration options
- Partner and installer network
Watch out for- Video is not the primary strength
- Pricing is quote-based
#8Spot AI
Best for: AI search over existing cameras4.8/5 on
G2 (75 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit spot.ai
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Spot AI takes a different angle: keep your cameras, add smart search. Its platform layers AI over existing camera feeds so staff can search footage by person, vehicle, or event instead of scrubbing hours of video by hand. That makes it a fast retrofit for warehouses, retailers, and schools that already have cameras in place.
The limits are scope and price transparency. Spot AI is an analytics overlay rather than a complete security platform, so access control and sensors stay separate. Pricing is quote-based per camera, which makes early budgeting harder. For a buyer whose main frustration is finding events in footage, Spot AI is worth a trial alongside a cloud VMS.
What we like- Fast AI-powered video search across existing cameras
- Per-camera subscription
- Quick retrofit without replacing hardware
Watch out for- Quote-based pricing
- Analytics breadth is narrower than full platforms
How we chose
We compared each tool against what Verkada actually sells: cloud-managed cameras, access control, sensors, AI search, and multi-site management. Pricing figures come from vendor pages and recent published comparisons, and anything we could not confirm is written as "See website". We favored actively maintained platforms that serve US buyers, and we flagged where a tool is hardware-only, an overlay, or an enterprise platform rather than a like-for-like cloud bundle.
What to check before you switch
Start with your camera count and your hardware. If you own good ONVIF cameras, Eagle Eye, Milestone, or Spot AI protect that investment. If you want a clean break to one vendor, Rhombus or Avigilon Alta are the closest cloud bundles. Confirm four things on any trial: per-camera license cost at your retention length, what happens to footage if you cancel, whether the platform meets your compliance needs (such as NDAA considerations for public buyers), and the full five-year cost including hardware, licenses, and installation. Cloud per-camera fees look small monthly but overtake a self-run system once you pass a dozen or so sites.
Frequently asked questions
Is Verkada still a good system?
Verkada remains a leading cloud-first security platform with a clean interface and strong multi-site management. Buyers switch mainly over price, hardware lock-in, or a need for open camera support, not because the product has shut down.
Which Verkada alternative is cheapest?
Milestone XProtect has a free tier for up to 8 cameras, which is the cheapest starting point if you already own cameras. Among cloud bundles, Rhombus is often cited as competitively priced, but its per-device licenses are quote-based, so request a written quote at your camera count.
Can I keep my existing cameras when switching?
Yes, with Eagle Eye Networks, Milestone XProtect, or Spot AI, which accept third-party ONVIF cameras. Rhombus, Verkada, and Avigilon Alta bundles are built around their own camera hardware.
Do these tools work for small businesses?
Rhombus and Spot AI suit small and mid-sized buyers best, since both avoid on-site servers. Genetec and Avigilon Alta are aimed more at mid-market and enterprise sites with partner-led installation.
What is NDAA compliance and why does it matter?
The NDAA restricts certain federal buyers from using equipment from named manufacturers. If you sell to or work with government customers, confirm each camera and vendor against current NDAA guidance before purchase.
How much does cloud video really cost over five years?
Add hardware, per-camera licenses at your retention length, and installation, then compare against an on-premises system. Cloud fees are predictable but compound with every camera, so a large fleet can cost more over five years than a self-run VMS.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.rhombus.com/pricing/
- https://www.een.com/
- https://www.avigilon.com/
- https://www.genetec.com/
- https://www.milestonesys.com/
- https://www.axis.com/
- https://www.brivo.com/
- https://www.spot.ai/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Genetec Security Center