Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Security Monitor Pro VS Blue Iris

Compare Security Monitor Pro VS Blue Iris and see what are their differences

Security Monitor Pro logo Security Monitor Pro

Professional video surveillance / security software with support for multiple IP cameras. Detect motion, record video, take photos, sound alarms and send email

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.
  • Security Monitor Pro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-10-24
  • Blue Iris Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-19

Security Monitor Pro features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

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.

Security Monitor Pro videos

Motion Detection with Security Monitor Pro

More videos:

  • Review - Motion Detection with Security Monitor Pro

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 Security Monitor Pro and Blue Iris)
Security
10 10%
90% 90
Video Surveillance
12 12%
88% 88
3D
0 0%
100% 100
Surveillance
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Security Monitor Pro and Blue Iris. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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  1. User avatar
    Mike Johnson
    · over 2 years ago
    · Reply

    I recently installed Security Monitor Pro and I am extremely impressed with its features and performance. Each camera has its own settings for motion detection, recording, and actions, allowing me to customize the system to my specific needs. I love the ability to schedule cameras to only monitor for motion during certain times or on specific days of the week. Additionally, the fact that Security Monitor Pro records events from the very beginning, a few seconds before motion is detected, is extremely useful. It allows me to see the exact moment when an event was triggered and provides valuable evidence. The event log is also a great feature, allowing me to easily view a record of all activities by date and camera name. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this software and would highly recommend it to others.

  2. User avatar
    Josh Miller
    · over 2 years ago
    · Reply

    Security Monitor Pro is an excellent video surveillance system. I can schedule video recordings at a specific time, monitor cameras to automatically start recording based on motion detection, and get instant notifications of activity while I am away. I love using the mobile app, "IP Camera Monitor" to view and control all my cameras from my Smartphone. Security Monitor Pro has one of the best compatible mobile apps that makes it so easy to monitor all my cameras from anywhere.

  3. User avatar
    Alex Jones
    · over 2 years ago
    · Reply

    I have tried many different video security software's including Blue Iris, iSpy, MotionEye, Omnigo. However, I have found that Security Monitor Pro is much better than the competition right now. The latest version has improved significantly in terms of performance, and usability. Security Monitor Pro has such an intuitive interface that was so easy to setup and use. I have installed several cameras across my buildings and get real-time notifications, can view live camera feed from the mobile app, and automatically start recording when suspicious activity is detected. These are just some of the key features this product provides. I would highly recommend Security Monitor Pro.

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Security Monitor Pro and Blue Iris

Security Monitor Pro Reviews

  1. Mike Johnson
    The Standard in Surveillance Software

    We use Security Monitor Pro for all our buildings and we could not be happier. A fantastic surveillance product with the best features!

  2. Cory Williams
    Excellent Video Surveillance Software

    Highly Recommend Security Monitor Pro! I have caught two alarming incidents in my parking lots, and footage from two of the incidents have become part of investigations. You never know what happens in your neighborhood until you have eyes there 24-7! The peace of mind that this software provides is irreplaceable.


10 Best ZoneMinder Alternatives: Free and Paid Video Surveillance
Offering most of the features you will find in a paid surveillance suite, Security Monitor Pro is a solid choice. It supports many cameras and configuration options while being easy to set up.

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 more popular. It has been mentiond 56 times since March 2021. 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.

Security Monitor Pro mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Security Monitor Pro yet. Tracking of Security Monitor Pro recommendations started around Mar 2021.

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 Security Monitor Pro and Blue Iris, you can also consider the following products

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.

Viseron - Self-hosted, local only NVR and AI Computer Vision software.

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

Ivideon - Remote webcam/security monitoring free.

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.

Luxriot Evo - Luxriot Evo is an IP camera surveillance software that comes with advanced technology for users to deliver outstanding quality performance.

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