Blue Iris

Not yet benchmarked

Vendor: Blue Iris Software
License: Licence perpétuelle unique (LE $34.95 / Full ~$69.95, tarif 2026 ; build 5.9.9.99 en attente de v6.0.0.00)
Platforms: Windows

Long-standing commercial Windows VMS with very broad camera support (up to 128 cameras) and a low one-time licence fee. Build 5.9.9.99 is current (documentation pending for v6.0.0.00). Not yet benchmarked on our test bench.

Strengths

Camera-agnostic (ONVIF/RTSP/RTMP + USB), up to 128 cameras, deeply configurable.
One-time perpetual licence with no mandatory cloud account; local-first operation.

Limitations

Windows-only server with a dated, complex UI.
Facial recognition is not built in — it requires an external AI add-on (CodeProject.AI).
No encryption of stored footage; remote access relies on user-configured port forwarding or tunnels.

Criteria

Open source (auditable code)	✗
Self-hosted (runs on your hardware)	✓
Works without a mandatory vendor account	✓
Works with any ONVIF/RTSP camera (no hardware lock-in)	✓
Built-in facial recognition	✗
Encrypts stored footage at rest	✗
Remote access without a vendor cloud	✓
Web + desktop + mobile apps	✓

Sources

https://blueirissoftware.com/?p=1020 — officiel (v5.9.9.99 courant, v6.0.0.00 en attente doc) (2026-07-22)
https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/version-6.83954/ — communautaire (version courante confirmée) (2026-07-22)
https://codeproject.github.io/codeproject.ai/faq/blue-iris.html — officiel CodeProject.AI (reco faciale = module externe) (2026-07-21)

This product has not yet been tested on our bench. The information above comes from dated documentary sources; no comparative verdict is published until a real test has taken place.