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Plotter VS Blue Iris

Compare Plotter VS Blue Iris and see what are their differences

Plotter

Create, Share, and Discover maps of all kinds.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
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.

Rating
1.0 · 1 review
Alternatives Is it good?
DisplaySwitcher
Switch your monitor’s video input and seamlessly transfer text and files! A Linux/macOS/Windows Desktop Application. sponsored
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Blue Iris seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 56 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 56
Tech popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
42 vs 118

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Plotter
Blue Iris
Website plotterapp.com blueirissoftware.com
Listed in
Tech Custom Canvas Personalized Posters Maps +1
Security WebCamera Apps 3D Surveillance +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Plotter 4 features
Blue Iris 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Plotter offers a clean and intuitive user interface, making it easier for users to focus on writing and plotting without getting lost in complex menus or features.
  • Story Planning Tools
    Plotter provides robust story planning features, such as timeline, outlining, and character development tools, which help writers organize and structure their stories effectively.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Plotter is available on multiple platforms such as Windows, macOS, and mobile devices, allowing users to access their projects across different devices with ease.
  • Collaboration Features
    The app supports collaborative features, enabling writers to share projects and work together in real-time, which is beneficial for team projects or writing partners.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Customization Options
    While Plotter offers excellent structure and planning tools, it may lack customization options for users who have specific needs or prefer more flexibility in their workflows.
  • Subscription Cost
    Plotter operates on a subscription model, which may be a drawback for some users who prefer a one-time purchase or are looking for free alternatives.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a learning curve as they get accustomed to Plotter’s features and functionalities, especially if they are used to more traditional writing tools.
  • Offline Availability
    Some users might find the offline capabilities limited, as the app may require internet access for certain features or for syncing across devices.
  • 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

  • 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

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Plotter
Blue Iris

Overall verdict

  • Plotter is a well-designed, flexible visual planning and note-taking app that combines infinite canvas boards with structured organization, making it a solid choice for those who think spatially and want to connect ideas freely.

Why this product is good

  • Infinite canvas boards let you arrange notes, images, and ideas spatially rather than in rigid linear formats
  • Clean, intuitive interface that balances free-form creativity with organizational structure
  • Great for visual thinkers who want to map out projects, brainstorm, and connect concepts
  • Supports a variety of content types including text, images, links, and files on a single board
  • Useful for both personal knowledge management and collaborative or project-based planning

Recommended for

  • Visual thinkers who prefer spatial layouts over linear notes
  • Creatives, designers, and brainstormers mapping out ideas
  • Students and researchers organizing complex information
  • Project planners who want a flexible, canvas-based workspace
  • Anyone building a personal knowledge management system

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Plotter 0 videos + Add
Blue Iris 3 videos + Add

No Plotter videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Blue Iris Software Security Camera - Why I Recommend it

More videos

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

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Plotter
Blue Iris
100% 100%
Tech
0% 0%
0% 0%
Security
100% 100%
100% 100%
Maps
0% 0%
0% 0%
Video Surveillance
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Plotter and Blue Iris. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Plotter no reviews yet
Blue Iris 1.0 · 1 review

We have no reviews of Plotter yet. Be the first one to post

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Plotter 0 mentions
Blue Iris 56 mentions

Tracking Plotter since Mar 2022.

  • 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... - Source: Hacker News / over 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: almost 3 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... Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Plotter and Blue Iris

When comparing Plotter and Blue Iris, you can also consider the following products.

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