Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Alarm.com for Business VS Blue Iris

Compare Alarm.com for Business VS Blue Iris and see what are their differences

Alarm.com for Business logo Alarm.com for Business

Smarter Business Security combines intelligent IDS, video surveillance, access control, and energy management into a single solution.

Blue Iris logo 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.
  • Alarm.com for Business Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-15
  • Blue Iris Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-19

Alarm.com for Business features and specs

  • Comprehensive Security Solutions
    Alarm.com offers a wide range of security products and services, including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, and energy management, providing businesses with an integrated approach to security.
  • Remote Monitoring
    Businesses can monitor their security systems remotely via a mobile app, allowing for real-time alerts and the ability to manage security settings from anywhere.
  • Customizable Alerts
    Users can set up customized alerts that notify them of specific events, such as unauthorized access or system malfunctions, ensuring prompt response to potential issues.
  • Scalability
    The solutions offered by Alarm.com are scalable, making them suitable for small to medium businesses with needs ranging from basic to more complex security requirements.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Alarm.com's platform can integrate with a variety of third-party devices and services, allowing businesses to create a cohesive security ecosystem tailored to their needs.

Possible disadvantages of Alarm.com for Business

  • Cost
    The cost of using Alarm.com services can be high, especially for small businesses with limited budgets, due to hardware, installation, and subscription fees.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up the system may require professional installation and configuration, which can be time-consuming and potentially costly, especially for businesses without in-house technical expertise.
  • Subscription Model
    The recurring subscription fees could be a downside for some businesses, as ongoing costs may accumulate over time compared to one-time payment solutions.
  • Dependence on Internet Connectivity
    The effectiveness of Alarm.com's remote monitoring and alerts can be compromised if the business's internet connection is poor or experiences outages.
  • Learning Curve
    Some users may find the system's interface and features complex to navigate and use effectively without some initial training or experience.

Blue Iris features and specs

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • User-friendly interface
    The software provides a relatively intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which makes it accessible for both novice and advanced users.
  • Good performance
    Blue Iris is known for its reliable performance and efficiency in handling multiple camera feeds simultaneously, without significant lag.
  • Affordable pricing
    Compared to other surveillance software options, Blue Iris offers competitive pricing without compromising on core features.

Possible disadvantages of Blue Iris

  • Initial setup complexity
    Setting up Blue Iris for the first time can be complicated, particularly for users who are not familiar with surveillance systems or networking.
  • Resource intensive
    Running Blue Iris requires a relatively powerful computer with a good amount of RAM and CPU. This can be a limitation for users with less robust hardware.
  • Lack of cloud storage
    Blue Iris does not offer a built-in cloud storage solution, thus users must rely on local storage or third-party cloud services for storing their footage.
  • Windows-only
    The software is only available for Windows, which excludes users who operate on macOS or Linux systems.
  • Paid updates
    While Blue Iris is affordable initially, updates and major version upgrades require an additional purchase, which can add to the long-term cost.

Analysis of Blue Iris

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Blue Iris is considered a good choice for those looking to set up a flexible and customizeable surveillance system without investing in overly expensive enterprise solutions. Its cost-effectiveness relative to features offered and active user community support are notable advantages.

Why this product is good

  • Blue Iris is widely regarded as a robust and versatile video management software, particularly for home and small business security cameras. It offers extensive support for various camera models, real-time recording and streaming, and a plethora of configuration options. Users appreciate the customization capabilities, user-friendly interface, and regular updates that keep the software relative to current security needs.

Recommended for

    Blue Iris is highly recommended for tech-savvy users who are comfortable managing network settings and configuring software. It is a great fit for homeowners, small business owners, and security enthusiasts who want a comprehensive, DIY-friendly security solution. Less ideal for users seeking a plug-and-play setup due to its complex configuration.

Alarm.com for Business videos

An Essential Business Tool: Alarm.com for Business Review

More videos:

  • Review - It Makes Everything Easier: Alarm.com for Business Review
  • Review - A New Level of Efficiency: Alarm.com for Business Review

Blue Iris videos

Blue Iris Software Security Camera - Why I Recommend it

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Blue Iris Detailed Tutorial - The Best Security Camera Software
  • Review - Is the Synology Surveillance Station better than Blue Iris?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Alarm.com for Business and Blue Iris)
Security
15 15%
85% 85
Security Workforce Management
3D
0 0%
100% 100
Security Operations
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Alarm.com for Business and Blue Iris

Alarm.com for Business Reviews

We have no reviews of Alarm.com for Business yet.
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Blue Iris Reviews

  1. 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.


10 Best ZoneMinder Alternatives: Free and Paid Video Surveillance
Blue Iris is a commercial option that charges a yearly license, starting at $39.95 for one camera. The full version supports up to 64 cameras and goes for $79.95 per year. If you want to try the software there is a 15-day demo available. This company also offers support plans costing up to $99.95, which gets you phone and remote desktop support.
15 Best Blue Iris Alternatives 2024
However, it is not the only software in the category that gives excellent performance. Among the more popular Blue Iris alternatives are ZoneMinder, Shinobi, YawCam, and others. However, iSpy is the best Blue Iris alternative thanks to its affordability and feature-packed design.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Blue Iris seems to be a lot more popular than Alarm.com for Business. While we know about 56 links to Blue Iris, we've tracked only 1 mention of Alarm.com for Business. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Alarm.com for Business mentions (1)

  • Looking to install security camera/system?
    Take a look at Alarm.com. Also check whether your local jurisdiction requires video or audio verification for police dispatch. This is where having a security system and video surveillance system tied together is necessary. Source: over 2 years ago

Blue Iris mentions (56)

  • 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 / 12 months 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 1 year 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 2 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 2 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 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Alarm.com for Business and Blue Iris, you can also consider the following products

Omnigo - Omnigo ensures a safer tomorrow by delivering security management, incident reporting, and public safety software for law enforcement, education, dispatch, and more

ZoneMinder - ZoneMinder is a free and open-source piece of security software that can be used at home or in your business. The software puts you in control of all of your data, and it is exceptionally easy to setup. Read more about ZoneMinder.

TrackTik - TrackTik is a security workforce management software that allows you to view, analyze and control your entire security operations in one place.

iSpy - iSpy is software that allows the user to view and control video surveillance cameras. The software began development in 2007 and now has over 2 million users around the world, according to the software's website. Read more about iSpy.

Mobotix - MOBOTIX offer uncompromisingly reliable products that keep unique events in the field of view - even when the surrounding conditions are bitterly cold, hot or explosive.

MotionEye - motionEye is a web frontend for the motion daemon, written in Python.