Per-camera SaaS vs flat-rate camera platforms: which one fits your operation?
Per-camera SaaS vs flat-rate camera platforms comes up constantly when teams plan a camera deployment. The honest answer is: it depends on what you're trying to do, what you already own, and how many sites you run. Here's a clean breakdown.
Takes 2–3 minutes · No credit card required
- Works with existing RTSP cameras
- Flat pricing — no per-camera fees
- Setup typically under 1 hour
Used by: construction sites, municipalities, farms, and multi-site operations.
What per-camera SaaS is good at
- Mature ecosystem and existing deployments
- Familiar to security and IT teams
- Vendor support contracts
Where flat-rate platforms like Gobi pulls ahead
- Hardware-agnostic — runs on cameras you already own
- Flat per-node pricing instead of per-camera
- Built-in AI motion log, license-plate recognition, daily timelapse, public webcam, and camera automation
- Outbound-only networking, no port forwarding or VPN
When each one is the right call
Pick per-camera SaaS when your priorities are vendor consolidation, established workflows or proprietary integrations. Pick flat-rate platforms like Gobi when you want operations visibility on the cameras you already have, with flat pricing and no lock-in.
The five things people ask first.
Will this work with my cameras?
If they expose RTSP on the local network — yes, almost always. Run the compatibility check.
Do I need IT to install it?
No. One small node, plugged into power and the network. Outbound-only — no port forwarding, no VPN, no static IPs.
Is it expensive?
Flat per node, not per camera. Most single-site deployments land between $49 and $199/month. See pricing.
What happens to my data?
You own it. Cameras stay private by default. Data lives in your tenant. Export anytime. Privacy & security overview.
How long does setup take?
A typical single-site deployment is under one hour from node power-on to live dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
Does Gobi work with my existing cameras?
Yes. If your cameras stream RTSP (most IP cameras and NVRs do), Gobi can usually pull them in.
Is Gobi priced per camera?
No. Gobi uses flat per-node pricing.
How long does setup take?
A typical single-site deployment is under one hour.
Do I need port forwarding or VPN?
No — outbound-only connection.