Cloud video surveillance vs on-premise CCTV: understanding the true cost
The key difference between on-premise and cloud-based CCTV systems is the payment structure. When evaluating options, it's important to consider the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), which includes both setup and ongoing costs.
On-premise CCTV pricing: CapEx model
Traditional on-premise CCTV solutions operate on a Capital Expenditure (CapEx) model, requiring significant upfront investment for system components and infrastructure.
In addition to upfront fees, you also must budget for:
- Ongoing support
- Maintenance
- Running costs e.g. power requirements
- Operating system upgrades
- Security patches
As such, the TCO for on-premise CCTV solutions can be high – particularly if you want to scale your business in the future and need to add cameras, storage, hard drives or new Network Video Recorders.
Cloud Video Surveillance pricing: OpEx model
Cloud Video Surveillance is offered on an Operating Expenditure (OpEx) model, featuring predictable comprehensive subscription payments on flexible terms, with no upfront capital costs.
This enables you to implement projects quickly—especially when using a hardware-agnostic platform like SEiNG. This approach allows you to avoid the cost of purchasing new cameras by upgrading your existing security system with the latest intelligent video analytics technology simultaneously. Take a look at the range of cameras supported by SEiNG.
Your SEiNG subscription payment includes:
- Monthly processing of camera streams
- Secure video storage at a UK data centre
- Real-time system health monitoring
- System updates
- Maintenance
- Day to day management
- New features
- User support
- Cameras (if you choose to purchase new cameras rather than use existing ones)
In contrast to on-premise CCTV solutions, it’s also very quick and cost effective to scale with a Cloud-based CCTV platform according to changing operational requirements – whether you need additional cameras or increased storage.
As a result, your total cost of ownership is likely to be considerably lower for a Cloud based video surveillance like SEiNG compared to traditional on-premise CCTV.
How much does a Cloud CCTV system cost?
Cloud CCTV systems vary in their cost structures, depending on your provider. For instance, certain providers may require an initial payment for 'Cloud adapter devices', while others might include the expense of advanced cameras. Additionally, some systems may implement tiered pricing for premium features.
As a true Cloud based surveillance system, SEiNG pricing is determined by the following:
- The number of IP Cameras to be connected
- Camera resolution
- Frame Rates per Second
- Number of days of storage required
- Whether you choose to use existing cameras or purchase new ones
SEiNG supports your existing cameras; however, if you choose to purchase new ones, there is an affordable range available and the cost can be added to your subscription or purchased up front.
Cloud CCTV, managed for you
SEiNG is a Managed VSaaS provider - we don’t just give you Cloud CCTV software, we set it up and manage it for you.
You’ll get everything you expect from a cutting-edge Cloud CCTV solution: AI-powered analytics, secure GDPR-compliant cloud storage, and remote access from anywhere. Plus, we’ll:
- Train your team so they can get the most from the Cloud CCTV system
- Configure your setup for optimal performance and security
- Install your cameras (or integrate your existing ones - SEiNG works with any ONVIF or RTSP security camera)
- Proactively monitor your system health to catch issues before they impact you
- Troubleshoot if something goes wrong, only bothering you if necessary
- Upgrade your system automatically
Perfect if your IT team is small or stretched, you operate multiple sites, or you want all the benefits of Cloud CCTV without the hassle of managing it yourself.
Watch the 5-minute demo video for a quick run through the features.
To request your quote, fill out the form at the top of this page.
Key differences between on-premise CCTV and Cloud video surveillance
| On-premise CCTV | SEiNG Cloud Video Surveillance | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Capital Expenditure (CapEx) – Large upfront cost | Operating Expenditure (OpEx) – Subscription-based |
| Scalability | Requires additional purchases (e.g., hard drives, NVRs) | Easy to scale with no long-term commitment |
| Ongoing Costs | Ongoing support, maintenance, system upgrades, power, and cooling costs | Predictable ongoing subscription fees, no hardware management |
| System Management | Managed in-house, including updates and security patches | Managed by service provider, including updates and maintenance |
| Hardware | Typically requires proprietary or specific hardware | Hardware-agnostic, supports existing cameras, easy to add new ones |
| System Flexibility | Limited flexibility for changes or upgrades | Flexible with quick adjustments to changing needs |
| Cost Control | Less predictable due to upfront costs and long-term maintenance | Predictable costs with subscription-based pricing |
| Long-Term Commitment | Often involves long-term equipment investments | Flexible term contracts: choose between 12, 24 or 36 months. |
| Additional Features/Costs | May require purchase of new equipment (e.g., NVRs, hard drives) | Your pay per camera fee includes all additional features. |
Summary
- Payment Model Differences:
On-premise CCTV systems require significant upfront investment (CapEx model), while cloud video surveillance operates on a subscription-based, ongoing cost model (OpEx), with little to no upfront capital costs - Total Cost of Ownership (TCO):
On-premise systems incur high TCO due to maintenance, upgrades, and scalability issues, whereas cloud-based solutions like SEiNG offer a lower TCO, especially for scalability and flexible subscriptions. - Scalability and Flexibility:
Cloud-based systems are more cost-effective and easier to scale, offering quick project implementation, system updates, and maintenance, with the option to use existing cameras or purchase new ones as needed. - Cloud CCTV pricing varies by provider:
Some systems require new devices and offer premium features at an additional cost. Being a true Cloud offering, your SEiNG subscription covers the most feature-rich version and no upfront costs are required (unless you choose to purchase new cameras upfront)
FAQs about Cloud CCTV pricing
The cost of cloud CCTV for your business depends on several factors: whether you need new cameras, how many cameras you have, the video resolution, retention period, cloud storage, and whether you choose a managed service or a self-managed platform.
Many providers charge a subscription per camera, often covering storage, software updates, and support. For larger deployments, costs scale with the number of cameras and the amount of data retained. Managed VSaaS services, such as SEiNG, can reduce hidden expenses like IT staffing and system maintenance.
Choosing a provider that can work with your existing cameras rather than requiring new ones can also lower costs significantly.
Some providers, like Verkada, require proprietary hardware and charge both upfront fees and ongoing subscription costs. Others, such as SEiNG, have no upfront costs and work with the cameras you have — you simply pay a subscription starting from £5 per month.
Your TCO includes not just any hardware you need upfront, but also ongoing costs such as maintenance and upgrades.
On-prem systems charge large, upfront costs (CapEx) for hardware like cameras and servers, then additional fees throughout the lifetime of your system for patches and updates. The burden of managing your on-prem CCTV system is usually on your internal IT team, as is setting up your users and troubleshooting - all of which takes time. Hardware like servers need replacing every few years, so you face these high costs again and again.
Cloud CCTV operates on an OpEx model, charging regular, predictable subscription payments that include:
- New cameras (if needed - this cost is eliminated if you choose a system that works with your existing security cameras)
- Compliant Cloud storage
- Feature and security updates
- Installation and setup (if you have a managed Cloud solution)
- Proactive system health monitoring and troubleshooting (managed Cloud solutions
With a true-Cloud solution, no hardware is needed which saves your IT maintenance time and cost.
All of this considered, Cloud systems often come out with a lower TCO compared to on-prem systems.
Cloud CCTV is ideal if you want:
- Remote access to footage from anywhere, on any device
- Automatic software updates and security patches
- Flexible scaling for multiple locations or growing teams
- Reduced IT burden — less time spent managing servers and storage
- Advanced features like AI analytics, motion detection, and automated alerts
It’s particularly useful for businesses with small or stretched IT teams, multi-site operations, or those who want reliable, always-on monitoring without managing the infrastructure themselves.
Key factors include:
- Whether new cameras are required or not
- Number of cameras and coverage area
- Video resolution and frame rate
- Data retention period (how long footage is stored)
- Cloud storage location and security standards
- Analytics and AI features (people counting, motion alerts)
- Whether the service is managed or self-managed
SEiNG starts at £5/month. As a fully managed Video Surveillance as a Service (VSAAS) platform, it includes set-up, onboarding, training, system health monitoring, maintenance and upgrades. It works with your existing cameras so there's no need to rip and replace (unless you need to), saving you money and downtime.
Other Cloud solutions can cost more when they require you to purchase their branded cameras and have tiered subscription pricing, so you have to pay more to unlock certain features.
As a managed VSaaS, SEiNG goes beyond just providing you software; when you choose SEiNG as your security partner, you also get ongoing support.
From £5/month, your SEiNG subscription includes:
- Training of your team, so everyone can get the most out of the platform
- Set-up of the system, so it's configured correctly and quickly
- Ongoing system health monitoring and troubleshooting if something goes wrong, so your system is reliable
- Use of the full software - no tiers, so every SEiNG user gets the most secure and feature-rich version
- Cloud storage at a UK data centre, for GDPR compliance
- Feature and security upgrades, automatically applied to save you hassle
- Single Sign On, 2 Factor Authentication and role based access controls, so your system is secure
- A single dashboard for all of your sites, streamlining multi-site management
This makes SEiNG one of the most cost-effective and feature-rich Cloud CCTV platforms for businesses in the market.