Top 5 Security Camera Apps for iPhone Users – Our Expert Take
With each passing day, the need for security is increasing because burglaries and theft are rampant. Similarly, home security is becoming extremely user-friendly and smart. For this reason, the home security applications are becoming more popular.
However, there are people who want to use their regular smartphones to keep an eye on their home and family. So, with this article, we are sharing the best security for iPhone users (don’t worry, we will share multiple options).
5 Best Security Camera Apps for iPhone
When you choose the iPhone security camera, you will be able to keep an eye on your home and family remotely. You not only get around-the-clock surveillance but protection as well. So, if you want to use your old iPhone as a security camera, we are sharing the five best options!
1Best Overall – Alfred Home Security Camera
Alfred Home Security Camera stands out as a user-friendly and affordable option for transforming your old phone into a home security camera. You can download and use the app for free, with features like live streaming, basic cloud storage, and walkie-talkie functionality readily available.
You will be able to breathe new life into your unused smartphones by giving them a security purpose. This is a cost-effective way to set up extra surveillance around your home. The free tier offers a good foundation for basic home monitoring. You can check in live, receive alerts, and even have two-way communication through the walkie-talkie feature.
Also, upgrading to a paid plan unlocks additional features like HD recording, which can be important for capturing clear evidence in case of an incident. The paid plan is for $5.99 monthly and $29.99 annually. Overall, you can keep an eye on your children or pets from anywhere with a live stream.
Pros
- Free plan available
- Ability to work on old iPhones
- User-friendly interface
- Walkie-talkie feature for two-way communication
- Live streaming
Cons
- Not sufficient information about smart detection
- Data storage practices aren’t shared
2Best Budget Option - Presence Video Security Camera
Presence Video Security Camera takes a unique approach to home security because it can transform your unused iPhones or iPads into a video monitoring system. Presence goes beyond just video. It has compatibility with various smart home sensors. This includes window and door entry sensors, motion detectors, water leak sensors, and even temperature and touch sensors. This allows you to create an amazing security system that can detect threats and automate actions in your home.
Presence can be integrated with Amazon Alexa, enabling voice control for added convenience. On top of everything, the app itself is free to download, making it an attractive option initially. However, to access the premium feature, you might need a subscription. Increased cloud storage and access to priority customer support require a paid plan as well. The good thing is that pricing starts from only $1.99.
Pros
- Transforms old iPhones/iPads into security cameras
- Works with various smart home sensors
- Integrates with Amazon Alexa for voice control
- Free app download
Cons
- Subscription required for increased storage and support
- Limited to iOS devices (iPhone/iPad)
- Requires two Apple devices (one for camera, one for monitoring)
3Best for Privacy - Faceter – Home Security Camera
Faceter is a security system that leverages the power of your old phone and facial recognition technology. It has a 99.78% accuracy rate in identifying individuals, which helps improve security by detecting threats.
In addition, it goes beyond facial recognition with age detection and person re-identification. This will allow you to track individuals across cameras. You can put your unused phones to work by installing the Faceter app and turning them into security cameras.
The best thing is that it works seamlessly with existing CCTV setups. As a result, it will enhance their capabilities with facial recognition. Lastly, you can earn FACE tokens by contributing your device's processing power to the network. These tokens can then be used to pay for cloud storage or other services within the system. Overall, it’s the best free security camera app for iPhone.
Pros
- High-accuracy facial recognition
- Integrates with existing CCTV systems
- Repurposes old phones
- Flexible payment options with FACE tokens
Cons
- Limited pricing information available
- Lack of details on alternative solutions
4Best for Smart Detection - AiCam AI Smart Security Camera
AiCam goes beyond a simple security camera app. You can receive alerts only when it matters. AiCam uses advanced algorithms to recognize and differentiate between humans, pets, familiar faces, sounds like breaking glass or baby cries, and more.
Also, you will be able to review past events easily. For instance, you can filter by date and type (motion, sound, etc.) to find specific recordings. Secondly, you can see what's happening in real time, trigger manual recordings, and switch between cameras remotely.
All data processing, including detection and recognition, happens directly on your device. This means that you will be able to keep your information private. All in all, an internet connection is only required for features like cloud storage (iCloud) and push notifications.
The free tier offers basic monitoring. However, a premium subscription offers additional features like unlimited streaming, HD/4K recording, and the ability to monitor all events simultaneously.
Pros
- Remote access
- Event detection for only important details
- Access the review of previous recordings
- Manual recording and camera switching
- Everything is processed on your device, promising privacy
Cons
- Only basic recording in the free plan
- Cloud storage limitations
5Best for Parental Control - AirDroid Parental Control
AirDroid Parental Control offers a convenient way to monitor and manage your child's Android device. This helps promote their safety and responsible digital habits. You can keep an eye on your child's whereabouts for peace of mind.
In addition, you can see where your child has been and track their movements over time. The best thing is that you can set time limits for app usage, ensuring a healthy balance between screen time and other activities. The good thing is that you can restrict access to specific apps you deem inappropriate or distracting.
The parents can monitor their child's online activity, including browsing history or social media usage. Also, it can filter inappropriate content online, potentially restricting access to certain websites or content types.
Pros
- Remote monitoring
- Screen time management
- App blocking
- Monitor online activity and filter content
Cons
- Requires installation of the AirDroid app on the child's phone
Comparison with Security Camera Apps for iPhone
Now that you have information about the best security camera apps for iPhone, we are sharing a comprehensive comparison chart!
Feature | Alfred | Presence | Faceter | AiCam | AirDroid Parental Control |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type of Device | Old Smartphone | Old iPhone/iPad | Old Phone | Old iPhone/iPad | Child's Android Device |
Type of Device | Old Smartphone | Old iPhone/iPad | Old Phone | Old iPhone/iPad | Child's Android Device |
Price | Free (basic), $5.99/month (HD recording) | Free (app), $1.99+ (increased storage/support) | Limited info | Free (basic), Premium (unlimited streaming/recording) | $9.99 a month |
Smart Detection | No details | No details | Facial Recognition, Age Detection, Person Re-identification | Human, Pet, Familiar Face Detection, Sound Recognition | No |
Event History | Yes | No details | No details | Yes | Yes |
Live Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Remote Access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Privacy Focus | No details on data storage | No details | Processing on device | Processing on device | Yes |
Cloud Storage | Basic free, Paid plans for more | Free app, Subscription for increased storage | N/A (integrates with existing CCTV) | Basic free, Paid plans for more | Yes |
Smart Home Integration | No | Yes (various sensors) | No | No | No |
Voice Control | No | Yes (Alexa) | No | No | Yes |
Best For | Affordability, User-friendliness | Budget, Smart Home Integration | Privacy, Facial Recognition | Smart Detection, Event History | Parental Control |
The Bottom Line
Finding the best security camera app for iPhone free can be challenging. With this article, we tried our best to share the security camera apps that you can install on your iPhone. We recommend that you go through all the details to weigh the pros and cons because that’s the only way of choosing the right tool. Before we go, we do want to mention that AirDroid is an all-in-one option!
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