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Head-to-head · Video Surveillance Software

Avigilon Unity Video vs Frigate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Avigilon Unity Video #2 in Video Surveillance Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Avigilon
Frigate #8 in Video Surveillance Software 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Frigate

Avigilon Unity Video leads on 0 checks, Frigate on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAvigilon Unity Video · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly Frigate

Avigilon Unity Video scores higher on our rubric for video surveillance software: 8.7 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Avigilon Unity Video is the better fit for multi-site security teams needing video analytics. Frigate is the better fit for DIY users wanting open-source local AI detection.

  • Avigilon Unity Video fits best

    Multi-site security teams needing video analytics

  • Frigate fits best

    DIY users wanting open-source local AI detection

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Side by side

Feature Avigilon Unity Video 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Frigate 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 7.8
Ranking #2 in Video Surveillance Software #8 in Video Surveillance Software
Best for Multi-site security teams needing video analytics DIY users wanting open-source local AI detection
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request $50/yr
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Web
Support Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Docs, Community
Integrations 5 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Avigilon Unity Video 0/1 · Frigate 0/1
RTSP/ONVIF support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Camera limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Video retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
AI analytics Not checked yet Not checked yet
Alert channels Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines on-premise recording with cloud-managed camera access.
  • AI tools cover appearance search, watch lists and multiple analytics types.
  • Supports ONVIF cameras, Unity Access and REST/.NET API integrations.
  • Runs real-time AI object detection locally on user-controlled hardware
  • Zones, masks, and object-based retention refine alerts and recordings
  • Connects with Home Assistant, MQTT, HomeKit, and an HTTP API
Cons
  • On-premise recording requires suitable local infrastructure.
  • Pricing is quote-based, so buyers need a sales conversation.
  • Its features are centered on video security rather than general video workflows.
  • Requires self-hosting on user-controlled hardware
  • Support is centered on documentation and the community
  • Frigate+ model access costs $50 per year
Our verdict

Avigilon Unity Video is an on-premise video management system for commercial, institutional and enterprise security deployments. It combines local video recording and management with optional cloud services for remote camera access,…

Read the review →

Frigate is an open-source, self-hosted network video recorder for IP cameras, designed with Home Assistant in mind. It suits solo and small-scale DIY users who want video processed locally rather than through a hosted surveillance service.…

Read the review →
  1. Avigilon Unity VideoVideo Surveillance Software 8.7Pricing on request
  2. FrigateVideo Surveillance Software 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Avigilon Unity Video — where it wins

    • Combines on-premise recording with cloud-managed camera access.
    • AI tools cover appearance search, watch lists and multiple analytics types.
    • Supports ONVIF cameras, Unity Access and REST/.NET API integrations.

    Where it doesn't

    • On-premise recording requires suitable local infrastructure.
    • Pricing is quote-based, so buyers need a sales conversation.
    • Its features are centered on video security rather than general video workflows.

  • Frigate — where it wins

    • Runs real-time AI object detection locally on user-controlled hardware
    • Zones, masks, and object-based retention refine alerts and recordings
    • Connects with Home Assistant, MQTT, HomeKit, and an HTTP API

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosting on user-controlled hardware
    • Support is centered on documentation and the community
    • Frigate+ model access costs $50 per year
  • Avigilon Unity Video8.7/10 · Pricing on request

    Local video management pairs with cloud access, AI search and multi-site controls.

    Visit AvigilonFull verdict →
  • Frigate7.8/10 · Free plan

    A self-hosted NVR for local object detection, with Frigate+ models as an optional paid add-on.

    Visit FrigateFull verdict →

More comparisons

All video surveillance software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update