I'm searching for options for a smart doorbell that isn't Ring. I'm not comfortable with using a device that feels like part of Amazon's surveillance system. However, I still want a way to keep track of who visits my front door—whether through an app or another method of communication. Are there any doorbells that meet these criteria?
5 Answers
Have you looked into Wyze cameras? They have battery-powered doorbells that can be hardwired too. You just need to set them to 'internet only' in your router settings, which might require creating a separate network for them.
If you're focused on privacy, your best bet is to not let any of your data be stored online. You definitely want your video and audio to be saved locally. Even if it’s stored on your device, you can usually access it remotely.
We use Lorex for our setup and host it locally, so we don’t deal with any monthly fees. It works really well and keeps everything in-house!
One thing to keep in mind is that Ring is popular primarily because it's super easy to install and use. There are locally hosted alternatives available, but they'll require more technical setup and maintenance, which might not be ideal if you're not very tech-savvy. Plus, going with a non-local option might put your data in the hands of a third party. Honestly, with their resources, Amazon does have a pretty decent security strategy, which is something to think about.
I recommend checking out UniFi Protect, Reolink, or Lorex; they all offer locally hosted options. This way, you don’t have to worry about ongoing subscription fees or data being stored in the cloud.
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