SEiNG vs UniFi: Which CCTV Platform Is Best for Your UK Business?

Local vs Cloud CCTV: What’s the Real Difference?

Traditional on-prem CCTV stores and processes recordings locally. You buy the hardware, you host the footage, and you’re responsible for everything—from storage and updates to redundancy, security patches and system failures. For some organisations, that level of control is ideal. For others, it becomes an unexpected maintenance burden.

Cloud CCTV, on the other hand, centralises storage and management in the cloud. With a platform like SEiNG, cameras securely stream to a UK-hosted data centre, updates happen automatically, and analytics run in the cloud rather than on your hardware. There’s no NVR to maintain, no disks to replace, and no need for onsite technical expertise. Managed Cloud providers like SEiNG take all this a step further, taking on system set-up, training, and continuously monitoring uptime for you. UniFi sits somewhere in-between. Video is stored and processed locally on a dedicated device like UNVR Cloud Key Gen2+ or Dream Machine Pro. All footage is kept on the hardware, giving you physical control. The hybrid aspect comes into play with remote access and management. Ubiquiti’s Cloud Services allow you to access cameras remotely, manage users, and configure alerts – but video does not live in the Cloud by default. When choosing which is best suited for your business, you’ve got to decide where you want the “weight” of your CCTV system to sit: with your internal team and hardware, or with a managed cloud provider.

SEiNG vs UniFi: A Quick Comparison

Before we get into the benefits and drawbacks of SEiNG and UniFi, here’s a quick overview of each CCTV system:

Feature / Factor	SEiNG (Cloud VSaaS)	UniFi Protect (On-Prem + Hybrid Cloud)
Architecture	Cloud-based, managed service (hybrid option available)	Local recording, hybrid remote management
Camera Support	Open (ONVIF/RTSP)	Closed (UniFi cameras only)
Data Hosting	UK data centre	Stored locally on your device
Scalability	High, multi-site friendly	Limited by hardware capacity
Maintenance	Fully managed by SEiNG	Your responsibility (hardware, software)
Analytics	Cloud AI & continuous updates	Basic built-in AI, processed locally
Upfront Cost	None	High (hardware-led)
Ongoing Cost	Subscription from £5/month	No licence fees, hardware maintenance only
Internet Dependence	Required (with edge buffering)	Remote access requires internet; local recording works offline
Vendor Lock-in	None	High (ecosystem lock-in)
Security History	Modern cloud security practices	Notable 2021 data breach (cloud management system)

Why Businesses Choose SEiNG

Businesses choose SEiNG because it removes the operational burden of running CCTV. Instead of managing hard drives, patching NVR firmware, or replacing failed hardware, teams get a fully managed, cloud-hosted platform designed for reliability and compliance.

SEiNG is also attractive to organisations that prioritise UK-based data hosting, multi-site visibility, and the flexibility that comes with open camera compatibility. The platform is built for scalability, resilience and simplicity—letting businesses focus on security outcomes rather than system administration.

Watch 5-minute demo video

Benefits of SEiNG

Easily scalable across sites – monitor and manage all your locations from a single, centralised dashboard.
Cloud-first design – no need for on-site servers or NVRs, simplifying setup, reducing costs, and lowering cybersecurity exposure.
Camera flexibility – compatible with most ONVIF or RTSP cameras, with support for new hardware if required.
Smart cloud analytics – AI-driven alerts and insights enable faster incident detection, without burdening your local hardware.
Vendor-independent – retain the freedom to change cameras or switch providers without being locked in.
Predictable subscription – simple, transparent pricing starting at £5 per camera per month for easy budgeting. Usually lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to on-prem systems and no upfront fees.
Quick, guided deployment – multiple setup options and fully managed support mean your system can be operational in no time.
Enterprise-grade security – includes encryption, multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, and other advanced security safeguards.

Considerations for SEiNG

Subscription approach: requires a shift in budgeting and operational workflows for some businesses.
Internet dependence: Cloud streaming requires reliable connectivity, though edge recording mitigates brief outages.
Platform dependency: While hardware is flexible, your video management workflow relies on SEiNG. Migration to another service may require manual effort.

Why Businesses Choose UniFi Protect

UniFi Protect is popular with organisations seeking full on-prem control and affordability. Many businesses already use UniFi networking gear, making Protect an easy addition to their existing ecosystem. Its hybrid model also provides remote access, combining local recording with cloud-assisted management.

UniFi works particularly well for single-site deployments or IT teams comfortable with managing servers and storage. It offers a hands-on solution where organisations maintain complete control over their video and system architecture.

Benefits of UniFi Protect

Affordable hardware: Lower upfront cost per camera compared with fully managed cloud solutions.
Local data control: Video is stored on-site, giving IT teams full responsibility for access and retention.
No ongoing license fees: Once you own the hardware, there are currently no recurring subscription costs for Protect.
Hybrid cloud management: Remote access and configuration is simple via Ubiquiti’s Site Manager.

Considerations for UniFi Protect

Closed ecosystem: Only UniFi cameras are compatible; migrating away requires replacing all cameras and NVR hardware, which may add cost and time.
Maintenance responsibility: Firmware updates, storage management, backups, and hardware failures fall on your IT team.
Limited support: User feedback suggests support mostly falls on community forums rather than a staffed support teams. There is a paid-for support tier available for $100/ month per site (roughly £80-90).
Scaling limitations: Multi-site or large deployments require additional NVRs and infrastructure.
Security history: In 2021, Ubiquiti experienced a cloud management breach, exposing customer account information. While addressed, security-conscious businesses should be aware.

Hybrid on-prem with UniFi or true Cloud VSaaS with SEiNG: which is better for you?

Both SEiNG and UniFi Protect provide reliable video security, but they take fundamentally different approaches. The best choice depends on your priorities, operational workflow, and long-term strategy.

SEiNG is ideal if you:

Want a fully managed service with minimal maintenance.
Prefer UK-based cloud storage and support.
Need to scale easily across multiple sites from a single dashboard.
Value flexibility and hardware-agnostic options (works with ONVIF/RTSP cameras).
Require AI-driven analytics and smart cloud monitoring without adding on-site infrastructure.

UniFi Protect is ideal if you:

Prefer to keep all video recordings local and under your direct control.
Are comfortable managing hardware, updates, and storage yourself.
Already use UniFi networking equipment and want ecosystem cohesion.
Are focused on a smaller or single-site deployment.
Want lower upfront hardware costs without a subscription model.

For UK businesses, SEiNG delivers managed support, scalability, and cloud-first convenience, while UniFi Protect offers on-premises control, hands-on management, and ecosystem integration. The right choice depends on whether your priority is minimising operational effort or maintaining local control over hardware and recordings.

Watch a 5-minute SEiNG demo

See Cloud CCTV in action with the 5-minute SEiNG demo. Watch it here.