Best Video Surveillance Systems of 2020

Update: We've added more answers to the Video Surveillance System FAQs.

When you have a small business, one of the most important things is protecting your assets. Luckily, video surveillance systems have advanced to the point where many of them function like miniature computers, capable of motion detection, intelligent zone identification and smart alerts. Some systems automatically contact law enforcement or integrate with other security systems. 

There are many options for video surveillance systems out there, built for every type of business need. Some businesses need advanced functionality and multilocation cameras, while others only require a basic system to capture and record footage. 

To help businesses of all sizes, Business News Daily conducted thorough reviews of more than 40 of the most popular video surveillance systems to find the best ones on the market today. Our top recommendations are below, but if you want to take a step back and learn more about the different types of video surveillance systems and what you should look for when shopping for a system, read our buyer's guide.

Because each business has different security requirements, costs, of course, run the gamut. 

You must also take into account how much or how little you need your system to do for you. For example, you should expect to pay more for an advanced video management system with analytics and centralized management, and less for a system that has limited viewing and control from an app. The number and type of cameras you plan to use will also contribute to your cost – if you have a large facility with many places you want to surveil, your costs will go up compared to a smaller business. 

Video surveillance systems typically range anywhere from $100 to $5,000 depending on the type, quality and number of cameras you require, as well as the amount and type of storage you use. 

Here is an example of how much a surveillance system can cost. If you have a small business with two doors, one main room, a parking lot and a stairwell, you will want a camera at each door, one in the parking lot, and one in the stairwell. Ideally, you want 30 days' worth of footage stored in the cloud. For a four-camera system with cloud storage, expect to pay roughly $600.00 upfront for the cameras and $30 per camera, per month for storage. Many companies offer plug-and-play cameras, but for advanced systems, be prepared to pay for professional installation, which can cost $1,500 or more if installation will be complicated or there are several cameras to be installed. So, all told, hardware and installation costs could top $2,100, and your monthly fees would then cost $120, or $1,440 annually.

Before you start contacting surveillance system companies, know what you want or need your system to do for you. Ask yourself these questions:

• How many cameras will I need?
• How do I want my video footage stored?
• How long do I want to store video footage?
• How do I want to manage my surveillance system?
• Do my cameras need to be weatherproof, vandalproof and able to pan, tilt or zoom?
• Do I want to integrate my video surveillance system with other systems?
• Will I ever need to scale my system?

Once you have a general understanding of the specific features you need in a system, you'll then want to determine what type of cameras you want and how you will place them. Cameras in plain sight can be a deterrent to intruders, though hidden cameras can help you build evidence or catch an incident in real time.

Next, decide which type of storage you would prefer. There are several options when it comes to how your footage is stored, how you access it and how long it stays in storage. A popular new form of storage is in the cloud, though many services provide it as a hybrid along with an NVR.

The last consideration is your preferred mode of managing the system. The most common method is by mobile app, which most services provide with the purchase of a system. The app allows you to control your cameras, review and share footage, and manage your storage.

Business News Daily strives to find the best products and services for your small business. We invest hours into identifying and researching the best products and services so you feel confident about our recommendations.

We revisit our categories each year, evaluating new changes in the industry and new companies. Our process involves revisiting our previous best picks to determine if they are still the best in their category.

In addition to our current recommendations, here are the companies we selected as best picks last year:

Best Overall Surveillance System: TRENDnet

Best Budget System: SecurityMan

What equipment do you need for a video surveillance system?

A basic video surveillance system requires at least one camera, either wired or wireless, and a way to store your video data. If you want more advanced features, or have several cameras to manage, you can also add a remote management system.

There are many types of cameras to choose from. The main types include:

• Box: One of the most commonly used camera types. These are practical and cost-effective with minimal features. 

• Dome: Dome cameras feature a compact, discreet shape and are well suited for dirty environments, like kitchens or warehouses. 

• Pan tilt zoom: These cameras feature pan-tilt-zoom capability, which allows the camera to move and survey a wide area. 

• Bullet: These cameras work well in low-light environments; they require little maintenance and have a small footprint, making them ideal for small spaces.

What is the difference between NVR and DVR?

Both an NVR and DVR record video captured by your surveillance cameras. The difference is how those systems process video and which cameras they are paired with.

DVRs are used primarily with analog cameras; they are always a wired system and process video data at the recorder.

NVRs are used with IP cameras; the cameras process and encode the video data, then stream it to the NVR, which is used for storage and remote viewing. NVRs can be a wired or wireless system.

What type of storage is best?

DVRs cost less than NVR systems, but analog systems are quickly falling out of use as image quality and storage capacity for NVRs becomes more advanced.

NVR systems provide greater flexibility in scaling, applying updates and new technology, and NVRs offer more features and customization options.

What main features should I look for in a video surveillance system?

Look for a storage solution that works for you, whether that is DVR, NVR, cloud or hybrid, and high-definition cameras that offer easy control and allow you to easily review footage.

Most cameras come with features like night vision, PTZ capability, a wide-angle lens, motion detection with alerts and weatherproofing. Determine which features are necessary for your business.

You should also look for an easy management solution, whether it's a mobile app or sophisticated software. Most midlevel surveillance systems come with an app that you download on a smart device that allows you to control your cameras and review footage.

What types of businesses could benefit from video surveillance systems?

Any business that is looking to protect its assets and prevent theft or fraud can benefit from implementing a video surveillance system. Often, the mere presence of cameras can be enough to deter thieves or vandals.

Which is better? Wired or wireless security cameras?

Neither system outperforms the other, but there are certain benefits one system may offer over another, depending on your needs. Wired video surveillance systems tend to be more reliable, but can be clunky and difficult to use with modern technology. Wireless systems are easier to install and come with user-friendly software.

How does a surveillance system help improve a business's safety and security?

A video surveillance system can provide a deterrent to intruders just by being placed in a visible location. And if your business is broken into or experiences another type of incident,  a system can provide invaluable information. Video surveillance captures evidence and provides the peace of mind of knowing that you can see what’s going on in your business at any time.

Some systems automatically alert emergency responders if an incident is detected.

To help you find the right Video Surveillance Systems, we researched and analyzed dozens of options. Here is a roundup of our best picks for Video Surveillance Systems and an explanation of how we chose them.

Locating the Best Services

We spent dozens of hours researching various video surveillance systems to come up with our best picks. We gave each vendor equal consideration. 

We began by compiling a list of vendors that offer video surveillance systems. We searched the web and consulted other lists and reviews of the most popular vendors. Our initial list topped 43 video surveillance systems.

Next, we visited the websites of each vendor, comparing pricing and features. We scrutinized the systems companies offered, such as digital or network video recorders, and the variety of cameras available. We spent considerable time comparing features; for example, does the system support IP cameras, mobile viewing and motion detection? Can you easily scale up the system? Does it cover multiple locations? At the end of this process, a pool of 38 candidates remained. 

We also watched product demos (if they were available) to understand the system's interface and how the surveillance system worked.

Choosing the Best Services

We called all of the services we were considering, posing as a customer (except for a few services that offered email-only contact). We wanted to experience how companies handle actual customer interactions. 

We asked all of the customer service reps the same set of questions about features, options, and pricing, and we evaluated the overall experience. Company representatives who were friendly and forthcoming got higher marks, and those who were less than helpful or too pushy scored lower.

Researching Each Service

For our overall best pick, our final decision came down to which company offered the best balance of affordability, desirable features, and ease of setup and use. We shied away from vendors that offered extremely low-priced, off-the-shelf solutions that might not be as durable as other systems. We also ruled out expensive and specialized services that cater to one industry in particular, or that offer advanced capabilities (which most small business owners likely will not need).

Many of these services are great – and worth the investment for some companies – but our goal was to choose the service that provided the best value and benefits for the largest number of businesses.

From 38 candidates, we arrived at our final winners for the best overall surveillance system, the best budget system and the best hybrid system.