Quick answer
Verkada is a cloud-managed platform with cameras that record to onboard storage and are licensed per device. Avigilon offers two paths: Avigilon Unity for on-premises recording and Avigilon Alta for cloud. Hanwha Vision sells open-standards Wisenet cameras that work with its WAVE VMS, its OnCloud service or many third-party VMS platforms. The right pick depends on how you want to manage, store and license video.
Key takeaways
- Verkada centralizes management in its cloud platform, Command, with recording stored on each camera; hardware and software are tightly integrated.
- Avigilon (a Motorola Solutions company) offers on-premises Avigilon Unity and cloud-native Avigilon Alta, so buyers can choose a deployment model.
- Hanwha Vision focuses on cameras with edge AI and broad third-party VMS compatibility, plus its own Wisenet WAVE VMS and OnCloud service.
- Licensing models differ significantly: per-device subscription terms, per-channel VMS licenses, or cloud subscriptions.
- Ask about storage, retention, internet dependency, license renewal and exit options before committing.
How do Verkada, Avigilon and Hanwha Vision compare at a glance?
All three are established names in commercial video surveillance, and each can serve offices, warehouses, schools, retail and multi-site businesses. Their core difference is architecture: where video is recorded, where the system is managed, and how much freedom you have to mix hardware and software.
This comparison describes general platform approaches and pricing models as we understand them in 2026. Product lines change often, so confirm current details with each manufacturer or your integrator.
| Factor | Verkada | Avigilon | Hanwha Vision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Cloud-managed; cameras record to onboard storage | Unity: on-prem servers/NVRs. Alta: cloud-native | Cameras + Wisenet WAVE VMS (on-prem), OnCloud (cloud), or third-party VMS |
| Where video is stored | On the camera; optional cloud archiving | Unity: local servers. Alta: cloud and/or on-site depending on setup | Wherever your chosen VMS or NVR records |
| Management | Web and mobile via Verkada Command | Unity client/web; Alta web and mobile | Depends on VMS; WAVE offers desktop, web and mobile access |
| Licensing model | Hardware purchase + per-device software license term | Unity: per-camera-channel licenses. Alta: subscription | Cameras purchased; VMS licensing per channel or subscription by choice |
| Third-party cameras | Limited; ONVIF cameras via Command Connector | Unity supports ONVIF cameras; Alta options vary | Cameras support ONVIF and integrate with major VMS platforms |
| Best fit | Multi-site teams wanting simple cloud management | Organizations wanting enterprise analytics with a choice of on-prem or cloud | Buyers prioritizing open standards and VMS flexibility |
Architecture: cloud-managed, on-premises or hybrid?
Architecture determines your bandwidth needs, your dependence on internet service and how you maintain the system over time. If you are still weighing older coax systems against network cameras, start with our comparison of IP vs analog CCTV.
Verkada: cloud-managed with onboard storage
Verkada cameras store footage on internal solid-state storage, and administrators manage cameras, users and alerts through Verkada Command in a browser or mobile app. There is no separate on-site NVR to maintain. Because video stays on the camera, day-to-day viewing does not require uploading everything to the cloud, though cloud archiving is available as an option.
Verkada also offers access control, intercoms, environmental sensors and other devices in the same Command platform, which appeals to organizations that want one dashboard.
Avigilon: Unity on-premises and Alta in the cloud
Avigilon Unity, which evolved from Avigilon Control Center (ACC), is a server-based platform where video records to on-site servers or appliances. It suits organizations that want local control, large camera counts and minimal reliance on internet connectivity.
Avigilon Alta is the cloud-native line for video and access control, managed through a web portal. Having both options lets a buyer stay within one manufacturer while choosing the deployment model per site.
Hanwha Vision: cameras first, VMS of your choice
Hanwha Vision (formerly Hanwha Techwin, maker of Wisenet cameras) primarily sells cameras, recorders and software that can be mixed and matched. Wisenet WAVE is its on-premises VMS, and OnCloud is its direct-to-cloud video service. Many installers also pair Hanwha cameras with third-party VMS platforms such as Genetec or Milestone.
AI analytics: what does each platform offer?
All three platforms offer AI-driven search and alerting, but they deliver it differently. Verkada runs analytics within its integrated camera-plus-cloud stack, offering features such as people and vehicle search and configurable alerts in Command. Avigilon is known for Appearance Search, which helps find a person or vehicle across cameras, and Unusual Motion Detection, which flags atypical activity for review.
Hanwha Vision’s AI-capable Wisenet cameras perform object detection and classification on the camera itself. That metadata can then be used by WAVE or a compatible third-party VMS, so the analytics travel with the camera rather than being locked to one software platform.
Some features, such as face search or license plate recognition, depend on specific camera models, license tiers and configuration. Before enabling any biometric or identity-related feature, review your internal policies and California privacy obligations with counsel.
How do the licensing models differ?
Comparing sticker prices across these platforms can be misleading, because what you pay for differs. Look at total cost of ownership over five to ten years, including hardware, licenses, storage, support and installation.
- Verkada: You buy the hardware and a per-device Command license for a set term, commonly multi-year. Ongoing use of cloud management and many features depends on keeping licenses current, so confirm renewal terms and what happens if a license lapses.
- Avigilon Unity: Typically licensed per camera channel, with different editions unlocking features and scale, plus optional support and upgrade plans. You also budget for servers or recording appliances.
- Avigilon Alta: Subscription-based cloud licensing per camera or device, which shifts spending toward predictable recurring costs.
- Hanwha Vision: Cameras are purchased outright. Wisenet WAVE uses per-channel licensing, and OnCloud is a subscription service. If you choose a third-party VMS, that vendor’s licensing model applies.
Openness: ONVIF and third-party integrations
ONVIF is an industry standard that lets cameras and VMS software from different manufacturers work together. Openness matters if you have existing cameras, plan to switch software later, or need to integrate video with access control, alarms or business systems.
Hanwha Vision is generally the most open of the three, with ONVIF-conformant cameras and integrations across many VMS platforms. Avigilon cameras support ONVIF, and Unity can record many third-party ONVIF cameras. Verkada is designed as an integrated ecosystem; its Command Connector can bring some existing third-party ONVIF cameras into Command, while Verkada cameras themselves are built to run on Verkada’s platform.
Neither approach is inherently better. An integrated system can simplify support and updates, while an open system offers more flexibility in hardware choice and long-term migration.
Which platform is best for which business?
Use these profiles as a starting point. The right answer depends on your sites, network, IT staffing and retention requirements.
- Verkada fits multi-location businesses with limited on-site IT that want centralized cloud management and are comfortable with a subscription model and a single-vendor ecosystem.
- Avigilon Unity fits larger facilities that prefer on-premises recording, need high camera counts or must limit reliance on internet uplinks.
- Avigilon Alta fits organizations that want cloud-native video and access control from an enterprise manufacturer.
- Hanwha Vision fits buyers who value open standards, want to choose or keep their VMS, or need a wide range of camera form factors.
What we’d ask before choosing
These are the questions our IP surveillance team works through with clients before recommending any platform. If you are comparing installers too, see our guide to commercial security camera installers in San Diego.
- How many days of retention do you need, and does onboard, server or cloud storage meet it at your required resolution?
- How much upload bandwidth do you have at each site, and what happens to recording if the internet goes down?
- What are the license terms, renewal costs and consequences of letting licenses lapse?
- Do you have existing cameras or a VMS you want to keep, and are they ONVIF-compatible?
- Do you need video integrated with access control, intercoms or alarms, and on which platform?
- Who manages users, firmware and updates, and how is access secured with SSO or multi-factor authentication?
- What is the exit plan if you change platforms in five years?
Installation and network planning
Every one of these platforms depends on reliable network cabling, PoE switching and correct VLAN design. Camera runs should be tested and documented, and PoE budgets sized for heaters, IR illumination and PTZ motors where applicable. Our structured cabling work is designed around these requirements.
If you are planning a new system or replacing an aging one, schedule a free on-site assessment and we can map camera coverage, retention needs and network capacity before you choose a platform.
Frequently asked questions
Does Verkada require an NVR?
No. Verkada cameras record to onboard storage and are managed through the cloud-based Command platform, so there is no separate on-site NVR for its own cameras.
What is the difference between Avigilon Unity and Avigilon Alta?
Avigilon Unity is the on-premises, server-based platform that grew out of Avigilon Control Center. Avigilon Alta is the cloud-native platform for video and access control. Both come from Avigilon, a Motorola Solutions company.
Can Hanwha Vision cameras work with other VMS software?
Yes. Hanwha’s Wisenet cameras support ONVIF and integrate with many third-party VMS platforms, in addition to Hanwha’s own Wisenet WAVE and OnCloud.
Which is cheapest: Verkada, Avigilon or Hanwha?
It depends on camera count, retention, storage and license terms. Compare total cost over five to ten years, including hardware, software licenses, storage, support and installation, rather than camera unit prices alone.
Is a cloud camera system secure?
Cloud and on-premises systems can both be secure when configured well. Look for encryption, SSO and multi-factor authentication, role-based permissions, audit logs and a clear firmware update process.
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