How to choose video analytics software
By Muhammad Talha · Product Manager and CTONine years building computer vision and automated surveillance systems
Choosing video analytics software requires evaluating detection accuracy, camera compatibility, deployment model, total cost of ownership, and the specific capabilities your security program needs. This guide provides a practical framework for making that decision.
Start with the problem, not the technology
Before evaluating vendors, define what you need the system to do. Common requirements: perimeter intrusion detection, after-hours monitoring, zone-based access control, patrol verification, and compliance reporting. Your requirements determine which capabilities matter most.
Detection accuracy and false alarm rate
Ask every vendor: what is your false alarm rate for the detections I need? Request a proof of concept on your own cameras. False alarms are the primary reason video analytics deployments fail — if the system alerts too often on irrelevant events, operators stop paying attention. Camzify uses object-track-based detection rather than pixel-based motion to minimize false positives.
Camera compatibility
Verify that the platform works with your existing cameras. Key protocols: ONVIF, RTSP, RTMP, HLS. If your cameras are on a local network without cloud access, confirm the vendor offers a relay solution. Camzify supports all of them across its three connection types — RTSP, RTMP and HTTPS — plus the Camzify Connector for local-only cameras.
Cloud vs on-premise
Cloud deployments are simpler and cheaper to start. On-premise gives more control but requires IT infrastructure. See the cloud vs on-premise comparison. Virtual patrolling is a cloud-native capability — it requires cloud connectivity to run automated patrols across your cameras.
Total cost of ownership
Include: per-camera subscription or license, hardware (if on-premise), installation, internet bandwidth, storage, ongoing maintenance, and staff training. The ROI calculator can model the comparison against your current security spend.