Cloud VMS Pricing
How Much Does Cloud
Video Surveillance Cost?
A direct answer on cloud VMS pricing — per-camera cost, what’s included, hidden costs of NVR alternatives, and a 3-year TCO comparison.
Direct Answer
How much does cloud video surveillance cost?
Cloud video surveillance costs $15–$30 per camera per month. A 10-camera system runs $150–$300/month. The subscription includes cloud storage, all AI analytics, remote access, and software updates. No hardware purchase, no server, no IT maintenance fees.
- ✓No upfront hardware cost — connects to cameras you already own
- ✓All 10 AI analytics included — ALPR, AI search, people counting, and more
- ✓Scales linearly — add cameras or locations without per-site infrastructure
What’s Included in the Per-Camera Monthly Subscription
Every iFovea subscription includes all of the following at a single per-camera per-month rate — no separate licenses, no per-feature charges:
Cloud Video Storage
Configurable retention: 14 days, 30 days, or 90 days. AES-256 encrypted. Stored in redundant cloud infrastructure.
All 10 AI Analytics
ALPR, people counting, heat maps, AI video search, object detection, PPE compliance, perimeter alerts, face recognition — all included.
Remote Access
Browser and mobile app access from anywhere. No VPN required. Role-based access for different staff levels.
Automatic Updates
Platform software and AI model updates deploy automatically. No manual patches, no downtime windows.
Multi-Site Dashboard
All locations on one login. Manage cameras, access, and analytics across 1 site or 500 from the same interface.
ONVIF Camera Support
Connects to any ONVIF-compatible camera — Hikvision, Axis, Dahua, Hanwha, Bosch, Uniview, and hundreds more.
Cloud VMS vs NVR: 3-Year Cost Comparison (10 Cameras)
| Cost Item | NVR (On-Premise) | Cloud VMS |
|---|---|---|
| NVR hardware (upfront) | $800–$1,500 | $0 |
| Camera installation labor | $500–$1,200 | $500–$1,200 (same) |
| Monthly subscription (3 yr) | $0 | $5,400–$10,800 |
| HDD replacement (every 18 mo) | $300–$600 | $0 |
| IT maintenance labor (1hr/mo) | $2,160–$7,200 | $0 |
| Remote access / VPN | $120–$360 | $0 (included) |
| AI analytics (if added) | $1,200–$3,600/yr | $0 (included) |
| 3-Year Total | $5,080–$14,460 | $5,900–$12,000 |
NVR estimates based on 10-camera system, $15/hr IT labor, $30/camera/month AI analytics add-on. Cloud VMS at $15–$30/camera/month.
Run your own numbers.
The iFovea cost calculator takes 90 seconds and shows per-month cost, 3-year TCO, and NVR comparison for your exact camera count and retention needs.
Pricing Factors That Affect Your Monthly Cost
Camera Count
The biggest factor. Per-camera monthly rate may decrease at higher camera counts (volume discount). 10 cameras = $150–$300/mo; 50 cameras = $500–$1,000/mo; 200 cameras = $1,800–$3,600/mo.
Video Retention Period
14-day retention is lower cost than 30-day, which is lower than 90-day. Compliance industries (healthcare, cannabis) often require 30–90 day minimum retention. Longer retention = more cloud storage = higher cost.
Camera Resolution
4K cameras generate 4× more data than 1080p cameras. Higher resolution = higher storage cost. Most businesses use 1080p for interior cameras and 4K only for critical entry/exit points.
Integrator vs Direct
Security integrators add their margin (typically 20–40%) to the platform cost. Purchasing direct from iFovea eliminates this markup. Integrators provide installation and ongoing support that may justify the premium.
Cloud VMS Pricing FAQ
How much does a 10-camera cloud VMS system cost per month?
A 10-camera cloud VMS system on iFovea costs approximately $150–$300 per month depending on retention period (14, 30, or 90 days) and any integrator margin. The subscription includes all AI analytics, cloud storage, remote access, and software updates — no additional per-feature fees.
What is the total cost of ownership for cloud VMS vs NVR over 3 years?
For a 20-camera system over 3 years: NVR costs $800–$1,500 hardware + $600/year HDD replacement + $240/year IT maintenance + $120/year VPN = ~$4,400 total. Cloud VMS at $20/camera/month = $14,400 — but includes zero hardware capital, zero IT time, and full AI analytics the NVR does not provide. The NVR option is cheaper in raw subscription math but costlier in total IT burden.
Does cloud VMS cost more than on-premise NVR?
Cloud VMS subscription costs more per month than an NVR that is already paid off. But the NVR model includes capital expenditure, IT labor for maintenance, HDD replacement cycles, VPN licensing for remote access, and no AI analytics. For businesses that value total cost including labor and time, cloud VMS is often neutral to lower over 3+ years.
Are AI analytics included in the cloud VMS price or charged separately?
All 10 AI analytics types are included in every iFovea subscription at no additional charge. ALPR, people counting, AI video search, heat maps, object detection, PPE compliance, perimeter alerts, and face recognition are all part of the base per-camera monthly fee. No per-analytics licenses.
What pricing factors affect cloud VMS cost?
Four factors determine cloud VMS cost: (1) camera count — priced per camera per month, (2) video retention period — 14-day vs 30-day vs 90-day storage, (3) resolution — 4K storage costs more than 1080p, (4) integrator margin — if deployed through a security integrator, their markup is added to the platform cost. iFovea pricing is available via the cost calculator or custom quote request.
Get a Pricing Quote for Your Business
Share your camera count, locations, and retention requirements — receive a custom per-camera monthly rate within 24 hours.