Camera comparison
Verkada vs Avigilon: which camera platform fits?
A side-by-side comparison of Avigilon and Verkada on deployment, storage, analytics, access control and 5-year cost.
The short answer
Avigilon is the more flexible platform, with cloud (Alta), on-premises (Unity) and hybrid options plus deep analytics and access control, which suits hospitals, government and compliance-heavy sites. Verkada is cloud-only with storage on each camera and no servers, which makes it simple for multi-site organizations. Five-year costs often land within about 10% of each other.
Comparison
Verkada vs Avigilon side by side
| Factor | Avigilon | Verkada |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Cloud (Alta), on-premises (Unity) or hybrid | Cloud only |
| Storage | Servers, cloud or both | On each camera, typically 30 to 365 days |
| Analytics | Appearance search, unusual motion detection | People and vehicle search, license plates, included |
| Access control | Unity and Alta, plus third-party integrations | Verkada access control |
| Licensing | Perpetual (Unity) or subscription (Alta) | Annual subscription per camera |
| Existing cameras | Unity can add ONVIF cameras | Verkada cameras only |
| Best fit | Hospitals, government, on-premises requirements | Multi-site, retail, corporate, lean IT |
5-year cost
Example 5-year cost: 50 cameras
| Cost | Avigilon Unity | Verkada |
|---|---|---|
| Cameras | $50,000–$85,000 | $45,000–$70,000 |
| Software or cloud licenses, 5 years | $15,000–$25,000 | $37,500–$56,250 |
| Servers | $8,000–$18,000 | Not needed |
| Installation | $18,000–$32,000 | $15,000–$28,000 |
| Network upgrades | $5,000–$12,000 | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Estimated 5-year total | $96,000–$172,000 | $102,500–$166,250 |
Avigilon Alta (cloud) pricing is closer to Verkada's subscription model.
Recommendations
Which to choose
Hospital or agency with on-premises rules
On-premises storage with modern analytics and access control.
Avigilon
Multi-site company, small IT team
One cloud dashboard and no servers at any site.
Verkada
Manufacturing site
Verkada, Avigilon Alta or Unity can all fit; we model all three.
Either
Migration
Moving to Verkada or Avigilon
Reusing cameras
Verkada and Alta need their own cameras. Unity can add existing ONVIF cameras during a phased move.
Network readiness
Cloud cameras need solid PoE switching and internet; Unity needs server space and a separate network. Networking
Keep old footage
Export anything you need before retiring the old recorder.
FAQ
Verkada vs Avigilon questions
What's the main difference between Verkada and Avigilon?
Verkada is cloud-only with storage on each camera. Avigilon offers cloud (Alta), on-premises (Unity) and hybrid deployments with deeper analytics and access control options.
Which is better for multiple sites?
Verkada is very simple across many sites because there are no servers. Avigilon Alta and Unity also support multi-site management and suit sites that need local storage.
Which is better for healthcare and government?
Avigilon is often preferred where on-premises storage or strict data policies apply. Verkada fits where cloud storage is acceptable.
How do the costs compare?
For 50 cameras over five years, both typically land around $96,000 to $172,000. Verkada is mostly subscription; Avigilon Unity has more upfront cost and lower ongoing licensing.
What's the difference between Avigilon Alta and Unity?
Alta is Avigilon's cloud platform with subscription pricing. Unity is its on-premises and hybrid platform with perpetual license options.
Does WCC install both?
Yes. Avigilon is our lead camera platform, and we also install Verkada when its cloud-only model is the better fit.
Related
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