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Head-to-head · Video Surveillance Software

Milestone XProtect vs Frigate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Milestone XProtect #1 in Video Surveillance Software 8.9/10 Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Milestone
Frigate #8 in Video Surveillance Software 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Frigate

Milestone XProtect 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 scoreMilestone XProtect · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Milestone XProtect

Milestone XProtect scores higher on our rubric for video surveillance software: 8.9 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Milestone XProtect is the better fit for organizations needing a scalable, integration-rich VMS. Frigate is the better fit for DIY users wanting open-source local AI detection.

  • Milestone XProtect fits best

    Organizations needing a scalable, integration-rich VMS

  • Frigate fits best

    DIY users wanting open-source local AI detection

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Milestone XProtect 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Frigate 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 7.8
Ranking #1 in Video Surveillance Software #8 in Video Surveillance Software
Best for Organizations needing a scalable, integration-rich VMS DIY users wanting open-source local AI detection
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $50/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Web
Support Phone, Live chat, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Docs, Community
Integrations 1,000+ integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Milestone XProtect 0/1 · Frigate 0/1
RTSP/ONVIF support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Hybrid Not checked yet
Camera limit 100 cameras 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
  • Supports multi-site, federated and redundant recording architectures
  • Integrates with over 1,000 third-party applications and ONVIF devices
  • Offers centralized monitoring, evidence tools and access-control integration
  • 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
  • Essential+ is limited to eight device licenses and one server
  • AI analytics rely mainly on camera-side or partner integrations
  • Licensing is handled through Milestone partners and resellers
  • Requires self-hosting on user-controlled hardware
  • Support is centered on documentation and the community
  • Frigate+ model access costs $50 per year
Our verdict

Milestone XProtect is a video management system for organizations ranging from small businesses to mission-critical, multi-site operations. It centralizes live and recorded video, cameras, sensors, alarms, maps and evidence workflows.…

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. Milestone XProtectVideo Surveillance Software 8.9Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. FrigateVideo Surveillance Software 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Milestone XProtect — where it wins

    • Supports multi-site, federated and redundant recording architectures
    • Integrates with over 1,000 third-party applications and ONVIF devices
    • Offers centralized monitoring, evidence tools and access-control integration

    Where it doesn't

    • Essential+ is limited to eight device licenses and one server
    • AI analytics rely mainly on camera-side or partner integrations
    • Licensing is handled through Milestone partners and resellers

  • 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
  • Milestone XProtect8.9/10 · Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A scalable VMS with multi-site resilience and an extensive integration ecosystem.

    Visit MilestoneFull 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