Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Blue Iris

Blue Iris is a high end security monitoring system that lets you view and control the feeds from all the cameras at your home or place of business.

Blue Iris

Blue Iris Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Blue Iris is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Blue Iris Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-19

Features & Specs

  1. Comprehensive functionality

    Blue Iris offers a wide range of features including motion detection, remote viewing, and integration with various camera brands. This makes it a versatile solution for different surveillance needs.

  2. Customizable alerts

    Users can set up custom alerts based on motion, audio, or predefined schedules. Notifications can be sent via email, SMS, or push notifications.

  3. User-friendly interface

    The software provides a relatively intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which makes it accessible for both novice and advanced users.

  4. Good performance

    Blue Iris is known for its reliable performance and efficiency in handling multiple camera feeds simultaneously, without significant lag.

  5. Affordable pricing

    Compared to other surveillance software options, Blue Iris offers competitive pricing without compromising on core features.

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Videos

Blue Iris Software Security Camera - Why I Recommend it

Blue Iris Detailed Tutorial - The Best Security Camera Software

Is the Synology Surveillance Station better than Blue Iris?

Reviews

  1. User avatar
    Mike Johnson
     
    Terrible Experience

    I have tried this software and it was the worst experience I have had. First, I had so much trouble connecting up my IP Cameras. I would error messages multiple times and the application kept crashing. Once I finally got everything up and running, I would periodically loose connection to my cameras. I had contacted customer support regarding my issues and they would never respond. There are many other better products than Blue Iris.

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Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Blue Iris and what they use it for.
  • Which Security Cameras?
    I use Annke (rebranded HikVision, and firewalled off from the Internet) and Eufy cameras in non-cloud (RTSP) mode. I use Blue Iris[1] as an NVR. I also run Skrypted[2] container on my Synology that concurrently makes me able to use HomeKit Secure Video. I've been using this setup for years. I kinda miss the ease of the cloud, but love the configurability and modularity. 1. https://blueirissoftware.com/ . Blue Iris... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Security cams
    Frigate https://frigate.video/ and ZoneMinder https://zoneminder.com/ come to mind. Blue Iris https://blueirissoftware.com/ is not open source but is what I prefer to use for my PoE systems ($80/yr). Source: over 2 years ago
  • unable to activate-- blueirissoftware.com down?
    I've had BI running for years-- something went haywire with my setup this morning and now I need to re-activate my license. However, I'm unable to do so within BI, and it appears that blueirissoftware.com is down. Anyone else having issues or know what's going on? Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Trying to get a Blue Iris license - no response from IPcam-central
    Blue Iris' official site is blueirissoftware.com and the company is Perspective Software. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Looking for an alternative
    Could look into a diy solution like https://blueirissoftware.com/ See what cameras are compatible. Might be some Ethernet based or wifi based cameras out there that would do what you need. Keeps it all local no clouds. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Alternative "Reolink cameras" clients
    Blue Iris is said to work well. https://blueirissoftware.com/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What desktop software or server to use for p2p CCTV camera.
    On the Windows OS Blue Iris seems to be the go to software. Source: about 3 years ago
  • security cameras on tivimate
    I could never get rtsp to work. What I did was purchase Blue Iris for $60, then I ran my cameras through that so I could have an http address to use in an m3u. I created an m3u and added that to TiviMate. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Security Camera Recommendations
    BACKGROUND I've been testing cameras at home: Wyzecam v3 and Reolink E1 Pro, $25 and $30, respectively, on eBay. I'm going to test Frigate NVR, but I'm not opposed to buying Blue Iris either. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I bought cctv cameras (connected via Ethernet) thinking they were safe from hackers. How do hackers get into Ethernet connected devices?
    Next, I use https://shinobi.video/ for my software, but if you're not exactly technically inclined and up to the challenge of setting that up, I use https://blueirissoftware.com/ for friends and family that need more of a user friendly experience. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Further evidence why you should avoid companies like Ring
    I haven't looked into Blue Iris much, but if you're technically inclined then perhaps that'd be the move: https://blueirissoftware.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Arlo End-of-Life Policy
    Full-custom build run on Blue Iris. You can mix and match your choice of compatible manufacturers' IP cameras, build/buy a PC (with the right specs for your needs), install Blue Iris, and customize it as needed. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Most used selfhosted services in 2022?
    BlueIris/Deepstack - Lots of security cam software exists but BlueIris gave me the best performance for my situation. I use Unraid moistly and I was getting terrible performance on just about every other docker. I spun up a Windows VM and it's been rock solid. Deepstack is a self-hosted object detection "AI". I use it with BlueIris. All my cameras record 24/7 at a low resolution then when an object (that I... Source: over 3 years ago
  • PoE Camera Recommendations
    I use Vivotek cameras and Blue Iris vms. All local, nothing phones home. Source: over 3 years ago
  • DVR recommendation?
    Putting that together requires skilled labor and time, though. It might be that you can solve the problem with less total costs by just buying a new system. There are software-based, domestically-sourced options like Blue Iris. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Survellance monitor
    Blue iris tends to be popular in that area. https://blueirissoftware.com/. You can setup your PC to load it on startup. Source: over 3 years ago
  • system design help
    Oh, and also I will wave Blue Iris at you. https://blueirissoftware.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • OS & Hardware Suggestions
    Running Blue Iris surveillance software (must be run within Windows) with at least 4 4k cameras hooked up. Source: over 3 years ago
  • BlueIris software updates โ€œError establishing a database connectionโ€.
    The entire blueirissoftware.com website is down... Yet again... Source: over 3 years ago
  • My home lab: development server, media server, VM server, and game server, cctv server, all in one rack. What do you think?)
    Windows: Blue Iris ~$70 one time, then ~$35.00 annual. https://blueirissoftware.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • blue iris and true nas vm
    Has anyone put https://blueirissoftware.com/ on a true nas server if so did it work well? Source: over 3 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Blue Iris

Blue Iris is a well-regarded video surveillance software solution within the security and webcam application domain. The software is known for its robust features and flexible configuration options, catering to both home users and professional settings. Below is a summary of public opinion based on recent mentions and discussions about Blue Iris.

Pricing and Features

Blue Iris operates under a commercial license model, with pricing tiers starting at $39.95 annually for a single camera, scaling to $79.95 per year for the full version, which supports up to 64 cameras. Users appreciate the option to try out Blue Iris with a 15-day demo, allowing them to evaluate its capabilities before committing to a license. Furthermore, the software offers comprehensive support plans, with the most extensive tier available at $99.95, providing phone and remote desktop support. This pricing strategy positions Blue Iris as a mid-to-high-end offering in the surveillance software market.

Usability and Learning Curve

Public opinions reflect a consensus on Blue Iris's powerful yet complex nature. While some users emphasize the steep learning curve associated with setting up the software, they also highlight the availability of resources, such as tutorial videos, which facilitate a smoother onboarding process. The platform's configurability and modularity are praised, with users appreciating the control it gives them over their surveillance setups.

Performance and Compatibility

From a performance standpoint, Blue Iris is lauded for its reliability and effectiveness in managing multiple camera feeds. Users have successfully integrated it with various camera models, and reviews suggest that meticulous customization can result in a robust surveillance system. This flexibility makes Blue Iris a preferred choice among users who prioritize local solutions over cloud-based alternatives.

Community Recommendations and Alternatives

The software enjoys a strong recommendation from its community, particularly for those using Windows-based systems, where it is often described as the default choice. However, iSpy is frequently mentioned as a leading alternative, primarily due to its affordability and rich feature set. Other alternatives like ZoneMinder and Shinobi also surface in discussions, offering users various options based on their budget and technical expertise.

Technical Support and Reliability

One area of concern involves occasional technical issues, such as website downtime, which has impacted users' ability to activate or manage licenses. While such incidents seem sporadic, they underscore the importance of reliable technical support, especially for commercial users who rely heavily on seamless system operation.

Conclusion

Blue Iris remains a popular choice for video surveillance, noted for its feature-rich offering and high degree of customization. Despite some challenges with the learning curve and occasional technical hiccups, its community of users frequently endorses it, particularly for those committed to leveraging local storage and control over their surveillance systems. Competitors like iSpy present viable alternatives, presenting users with diverse options in this dynamic field.

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Is Blue Iris good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Blue Iris here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.