16 Free Open-source NVR Solutions for CCTV and Home Security
A Network Video Recorder (NVR) system is a crucial component of home security and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) setups. It is responsible for capturing, storing, and managing video footage from IP cameras connected to a network.
NVR systems offer several important benefits for home security and CCTV:
- Centralized Video Management: NVR systems allow you to centrally manage and monitor video feeds from multiple cameras. This provides a comprehensive view of your property and enhances situational awareness.
- High-Quality Recording: NVR systems provide high-quality video recording capabilities, ensuring clear and detailed footage. This is essential for identifying potential threats or incidents.
- Remote Access: NVR systems enable remote access to live video feeds and recorded footage. You can monitor your property from anywhere using a computer, smartphone, or tablet, enhancing convenience and peace of mind.
- Scalability: NVR systems are highly scalable, allowing you to add more cameras as your surveillance needs grow. This flexibility ensures that your security system can adapt to changing requirements.
- Advanced Features: NVR systems often come with advanced features such as motion detection, video analytics, and event notifications. These features enhance the effectiveness of your security system by alerting you to suspicious activities or events.
- Reliable Storage: NVR systems provide reliable and secure storage for video footage. They offer options for local storage or cloud-based storage, ensuring that your recordings are protected and accessible when needed.
Overall, NVR systems play a crucial role in home security and CCTV by providing centralized management, high-quality recording, remote access, scalability, advanced features, and reliable storage. They enhance the effectiveness of your surveillance system and help protect your property and loved ones.
In this list you will find the best open-source NVR solution for the web, Linux, Windows and macOS.
1- OS-NVR
OS-NVR is a highly versatile and user-friendly mobile-friendly closed-circuit television (CCTV) system.
With its state-of-the-art custom-built front-end, it ensures optimal performance not only on mobile devices but also on low-end devices, providing an enhanced viewing experience for users across various platforms.
The robust back-end, developed in Go, leverages the power of FFmpeg for efficient and seamless video processing, enabling smooth playback and reliable video capture.
With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design, OS-NVR is a game-changer in the field of video surveillance, offering unparalleled features and functionality for both personal and professional use.
2- ZoneMinder
ZoneMinder is a comprehensive surveillance solution that includes a set of integrated applications. It allows for the capture, analysis, recording, and monitoring of CCTV or security cameras connected to a Linux-based machine.
ZoneMinder is designed to run on distributions that support the Video For Linux (V4L) interface. It has been tested with video cameras connected to BTTV cards, various USB cameras, and also supports most IP network cameras.
Features
- It's free and open source.
- You are in control of your data.
- Works with a huge list of cameras.
- Most scalable NVR/ DVR system available.
- Easy to install - from package or source.
- APIs allow for third-party integration.
- zmNinja - Awesome mobile and desktop app.
- Amazing 3rd party integrations - ALPR, Object/Person Detection, Event Blending and more
3- BashNVR
BashNVR is a simple yet powerful Network Video Recorder (NVR) solution written entirely in Bash scripting language. With BashNVR, you can effortlessly record and store high-quality video footage from your IP camera by leveraging the capabilities of FFmpeg, a widely acclaimed multimedia framework.
By seamlessly integrating with FFmpeg, BashNVR ensures the smooth recording of the RTSP stream, guaranteeing that not a single moment of your camera's feed is missed. Whether you need to monitor your home, office, or any other location, BashNVR provides a reliable and efficient solution for capturing, managing, and storing your video recordings with ease and convenience.
Features
- Record rtsp stream
- Support multiple cameras
- Record to local storage
- Specify chunk size
- Delete old recordings
4- Open Source Network Video Recorder (NVR)
This is an open-source web application to monitor your IP Security Camera network, continuously record camera feeds to your computer's hard drive, and monitor motion events through a web app.
Features
- No expensive hardware required, use your old computers & hard drives
- Supports one or multiple cameras, with single, filtered, motion list
- No cloud account required, self-contained
- Enhance your Camera's motion detection with Object Detection tagging/filtering
- Continuously monitors hardrives, deleting the oldest video segments when almost full
In addition, if your camera's motion sensor triggers a detection, the app will take a still of the detection, and run a Object Detection process, to tag the still with the objects in the picture. You can then use these tags to filter and review your motion events. This is very useful to avoid false positives, like the sun going behind a cloud, or a rain shower.
5- Network Video Surveillance (Android)
This is an open-source JavaScript Network Video Surveillance system that you can download, install and setup on your server.
Features
- Task to monitor HD space for recording (default 20 GB)
- Monitor user logins and more for a security report (logs in root folder)
- Replaced the canvas element for the stream with the video element
- Picture-in-Picture (PiP)
- Support only onvif protocol
- Support audio/video
- Web socket for stream and commands
- Recording H24
- Motion detection
- PTZ / PRESET
- Server static for host client
6- Simple Network Video Recorder (Node.js)
This is a simple open-source self-hosted Network Video Recorder (NVR) that is designed to run on cheap hardware, such as a Raspberry Pi with a hard drive. 24/7 video streams from network cameras are saved, and the recorded files are browsable from a basic web interface.
7- Hover
This is an open-source free Home network video recorder for IP camera (based on VideoLAN).
This software is designed to be used with Hikvision IP cameras that support RTP H.264 streaming. The main goals of this recorder are:
- Capture video streams and save them as short pieces in an organized folder structure.
- Take periodic snapshots.
- Recycle outdated recordings.
- Provide a REST API.
- Offer user-friendly configurations for camera settings, schedule, and recording profiles.
- Easy to install using Docker.
License: GPLv3
8- Fenix
Fenix is a free and open-source computer based NVR (Network Video Recorder) with AI capabilities.
9- Shinobi
Shinobi is an open-source CCTV solution written in Node.js. It is designed with a multiple account system, streams video via WebSocket, and supports direct saving to MP4. With Shinobi, you can record IP Cameras and Local Cameras.
10- Camera.ui
Camera.ui is a web-based application that functions as a NVR (Network Video Recorder) for controlling RTSP capable cameras.
It offers features such as live streams, a resizable camera overview, multi-language support, motion detection, image recognition, notifications via various platforms, local saving of snapshots/videos, prebuffering, a user-friendly interface with customizable themes, and integration with Apple HomeKit.
Features
- Live Streams on Web
- Camview: A resizable, drag & drop camera overview
- Web Application with almost full PWA support like push notification and more
- Multi-language: Easily expandable multi-language support
- Motion Detection via video analysis, MQTT, FTP, SMT or HTTP.
- Image Rekognition via AWS Rekognition
- Notifications via Alexa, Telegram, Webhook and WebPush
- Snapshot/Video: Save recording of snapshots/videos locally when motion is detected
- Prebuffering: See the seconds before the movement event
- User Interface: Beautiful and with love designed interface with 8 different color themes, darkmode and more
- HomeKit: Easily expose the cameras to Apple Home with HSV support
11- Viseron
Viseron is a powerful and versatile self-hosted software solution designed for local use only. It serves as both an NVR (Network Video Recorder) and an AI Computer Vision platform.
With Viseron, you can enjoy a wide array of advanced features that enhance security and surveillance. These include highly accurate object detection capabilities, which can identify and track various objects in real-time. Additionally, Viseron offers robust motion detection functionality, allowing you to receive instant alerts whenever any movement is detected within your monitored area.
Furthermore, Viseron's cutting-edge face recognition technology provides an added layer of security, enabling you to easily identify individuals who enter your premises. This feature can be particularly useful for keeping track of authorized personnel or for monitoring access to restricted areas.
Viseron can be install on the cloud, Windows, Linux, or macOS.
12- Frigate
Frigate is a local NVR designed for Home Assistant that utilizes AI object detection using OpenCV and Tensorflow for IP cameras. It offers tight integration with Home Assistant, minimizes resource use, leverages multiprocessing for real-time object detection, communicates over MQTT, records video based on detected objects, supports 24/7 recording, re-streaming via RTSP, and offers low-latency live view with WebRTC and MSE support.
Features
- Tight integration with Home Assistant via a custom component
- Designed to minimize resource use and maximize performance by only looking for objects when and where it is necessary
- Leverages multiprocessing heavily with an emphasis on realtime over processing every frame
- Uses a very low overhead motion detection to determine where to run object detection
- Object detection with TensorFlow runs in separate processes for maximum FPS
- Communicates over MQTT for easy integration into other systems
- Records video with retention settings based on detected objects
- 24/7 recording
- Re-streaming via RTSP to reduce the number of connections to your camera
- WebRTC & MSE support for low-latency live view
13- Moonfire
Moonfire NVR is a comprehensive Network Video Recorder (NVR) solution designed for video surveillance. It offers a range of features and functionalities to capture, analyze, and store video footage from IP cameras.
With Moonfire NVR, you can easily manage and monitor your camera feeds, configure settings, and access recorded videos. It provides a user-friendly interface and supports various advanced capabilities such as motion detection, image recognition, and live view.
Moonfire NVR is a reliable solution for ensuring the security and surveillance of your premises.
14- Rapidvms
Rapidvms is an open-source Video Management System (VMS) and Network Video Recorder (NVR) solution. It provides a comprehensive set of features and functionalities for video surveillance. With Rapidvms, you can capture, monitor, and manage video streams from IP cameras.
It offers advanced capabilities such as motion detection, recording, and playback of video footage. Rapidvms is designed to be user-friendly and customizable, allowing you to configure settings and access recorded videos with ease.
As an open-source solution, Rapidvms provides flexibility and the ability to customize and extend its functionality according to your specific requirements.
15- Motion
Motion and MotionPlus are configurable programs that monitor video signals and perform actions when movement is detected. Motion is the original software, while MotionPlus is a newer application that adds new functionalities and removes rarely used ones.
The applications include features such as video recording, live streaming, script invocation, database logging, customizable masks, and support for various types of cameras and devices.
The applications include the ablity to:
- Create videos or save pictures of the activity
- Passthrough recording from many IP cameras
- View live stream of cameras
- Invoke scripts when activities occur
- Log activity into multiple types of databases
- Fully customizable masks for privacy or motion detection
- Full tls(https) support with authentication for webcontrol and streams
Use with many types of devices:
- Network cameras via RTSP, RTMP and HTTP
- PI cameras
- V4L2 webcams
- Video capture cards
- Existing movie files
16- veyesys
Veyesys is an open-source Network Video Recorder (NVR) and Video Management System (VMS) that provides a comprehensive solution for video surveillance. It offers a range of features and functionalities to capture, monitor, and manage video streams from IP cameras.
HTML5 RTSP Gateway
Veyesys includes an HTML5 RTSP gateway that enables real-time streaming protocol (RTSP) video feeds to be accessed and viewed through a web browser. This allows for seamless and convenient access to live camera feeds without the need for additional software or plugins.
Features
- Video Recording: Veyesys allows for the recording of video footage from IP cameras, providing a reliable and secure storage solution for surveillance recordings.
- Motion Detection: The system offers advanced motion detection capabilities, allowing for the automatic triggering of events or notifications when movement is detected within the camera's field of view.
- Live View: Veyesys enables real-time live viewing of camera feeds, providing users with immediate access to monitor their premises or desired locations.
- Flexible Configuration: The system offers customizable settings and configurations, allowing users to tailor the system to their specific needs and requirements.
- Integration: Veyesys supports integration with various devices and cameras, providing compatibility and flexibility to suit different surveillance setups.
- User-Friendly Interface: The interface of Veyesys is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate and access the system's features efficiently.