Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Home Security Camera Apps

DS cam vs Arlo Secure

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score DS cam #4 in Home Security Camera Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Synology
Arlo Secure #5 in Home Security Camera Apps 8.9/10 30-day trial ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Arlo Secure

DS cam leads on 2 checks, Arlo Secure on 2, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDS cam · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly DS cam
  • Most featuresArlo Secure · 2 of 3

DS cam scores higher on our rubric for home security camera apps: 9.0 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

DS cam offers free plan; Arlo Secure doesn't. Arlo Secure offers cloud recording; DS cam doesn't. DS cam offers local recording; Arlo Secure doesn't publish it. Arlo Secure offers smart display support; DS cam doesn't publish it.

DS cam is the better fit for synology Surveillance Station camera users. Arlo Secure is the better fit for arlo owners who want cloud history and smart alerts.

  • DS cam fits best

    Synology Surveillance Station camera users

  • Arlo Secure fits best

    Arlo owners who want cloud history and smart alerts

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature DS cam 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Arlo Secure 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.9
Ranking #4 in Home Security Camera Apps #5 in Home Security Camera Apps
Best for Synology Surveillance Station camera users Arlo owners who want cloud history and smart alerts
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 3 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features DS cam 1/3 · Arlo Secure 2/3
Cloud recording — ✓ (best)
Local recording ✓ (best) Not published
Smart display support Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Max video resolution Not published 4k
Camera limit Not published Not published
Mobile platforms Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • View up to six live camera feeds at once and navigate recordings by event.
  • Use PTZ controls, snapshots, push notifications, and supported two-way audio.
  • Set Home Mode to activate on a schedule or based on location.
  • Streams live feeds and manages compatible Arlo devices on web and mobile.
  • Eligible plans add 60-day video history and smart activity zones.
  • Detects people, vehicles, animals, and packages; compatible cameras can record up to 4K.
Cons
  • Requires a Synology Surveillance Station system on NAS or NVR hardware.
  • Camera capacity and device licensing depend on the host system and deployment.
  • Two-way audio and camera controls depend on device support.
  • There is no standalone free plan; the service is paid.
  • Cloud history and recording capabilities depend on plan and compatible hardware.
  • Google Home viewing is limited to compatible displays and video devices.
Our verdict

DS cam is Synology’s free mobile companion app for people managing cameras through Surveillance Station. Available on iOS and Android, it connects to a Surveillance Station system running on Synology NAS or NVR hardware. It suits existing…

Read the review →

Arlo Secure brings live camera viewing, device management, and activity alerts together for owners of compatible Arlo cameras and other Arlo devices. It is available through web, iOS, and Android, with cloud video history and detection…

Read the review →
  1. DS camHome Security Camera Apps 9.0Free plan
  2. Arlo SecureHome Security Camera Apps 8.930-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DS cam — where it wins

    • View up to six live camera feeds at once and navigate recordings by event.
    • Use PTZ controls, snapshots, push notifications, and supported two-way audio.
    • Set Home Mode to activate on a schedule or based on location.

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a Synology Surveillance Station system on NAS or NVR hardware.
    • Camera capacity and device licensing depend on the host system and deployment.
    • Two-way audio and camera controls depend on device support.

  • Arlo Secure — where it wins

    • Streams live feeds and manages compatible Arlo devices on web and mobile.
    • Eligible plans add 60-day video history and smart activity zones.
    • Detects people, vehicles, animals, and packages; compatible cameras can record up to 4K.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no standalone free plan; the service is paid.
    • Cloud history and recording capabilities depend on plan and compatible hardware.
    • Google Home viewing is limited to compatible displays and video devices.

More comparisons

All home security camera apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update