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Head-to-head · Video Surveillance Software

Spot AI vs Frigate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Spot AI #5 in Video Surveillance Software 8.2/10 Pricing on request · 15-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Spot AI
Frigate #8 in Video Surveillance Software 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Frigate

Spot AI leads on 0 checks, Frigate on 1, and 0 are 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 scoreSpot AI · 8.2/10
  • Free planonly Frigate
  • Free trialonly Spot AI

Spot AI scores higher on our rubric for video surveillance software: 8.2 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Frigate offers free plan; Spot AI doesn't.

Spot AI is the better fit for organizations prioritizing edge analytics and video search. Frigate is the better fit for DIY users wanting open-source local AI detection.

  • Spot AI fits best

    Organizations prioritizing edge analytics and video search

  • 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 Spot AI 8.2/10 Visit ↗ Frigate 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 7.8
Ranking #5 in Video Surveillance Software #8 in Video Surveillance Software
Best for Organizations prioritizing edge analytics and video search DIY users wanting open-source local AI detection
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request · 15-day trial $50/yr
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 15 days —
Deployment Cloud Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Docs Docs, Community
Integrations 12 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Spot AI 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
  • Analyzes video at the edge and sends real-time event alerts.
  • Searches footage with AI and supports custom AI agent configuration.
  • Works with ONVIF and RTSP cameras, with local retention and cloud archiving.
  • 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
  • Pricing is custom and requires contacting sales.
  • There is no free plan.
  • Support is listed through email and documentation, not 24/7.
  • Requires self-hosting on user-controlled hardware
  • Support is centered on documentation and the community
  • Frigate+ model access costs $50 per year
Our verdict

Spot AI connects to existing IP cameras and analyzes footage for security, workplace safety, and operational use. Its Intelligent Video Recorder handles real-time analytics at the edge, while a cloud dashboard supports remote 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. Spot AIVideo Surveillance Software 8.2Pricing on request · 15-day trial
  2. FrigateVideo Surveillance Software 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Spot AI — where it wins

    • Analyzes video at the edge and sends real-time event alerts.
    • Searches footage with AI and supports custom AI agent configuration.
    • Works with ONVIF and RTSP cameras, with local retention and cloud archiving.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is custom and requires contacting sales.
    • There is no free plan.
    • Support is listed through email and documentation, not 24/7.

  • 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
  • Spot AI8.2/10 · Pricing on request · 15-day trial

    Edge analytics and AI search suit multi-site teams, with custom pricing requiring a sales conversation.

    Visit Spot AIFull 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