If you've ever Googled "best security camera for my business," chances are Ring and Arlo popped up—right alongside a few sponsored ads and maybe a YouTube unboxing video or two. These brands are everywhere. They’re sleek, affordable, and easy to set up.
But here’s the thing: just because they work well for homes doesn’t mean they’re built for businesses.
And if you're here, you're probably wondering—how does a business-grade platform like Verkada actually compare to DIY options like Ring and Arlo?
Let’s break it down in plain English.
First, What Are These Systems Actually Made For?
Before we dive into side-by-side comparisons, it’s worth understanding the origin stories:
- Ring started as a home video doorbell. It has evolved into a smart home security brand, now owned by Amazon.
- Arlo is another home-focused brand, known for wireless cameras and user-friendly mobile apps.
- Verkada, on the other hand, is purpose-built for business and enterprise environments—think schools, hospitals, warehouses, retail chains, and corporate campuses.
All three have cameras. All three offer cloud storage and mobile apps. But what’s under the hood, and how they scale, is where things start to look really different.
Feature Showdown: What Actually Matters for Business Use?
Let’s unpack the key aspects that matter most to business owners, starting with the most significant differentiators.
Camera Quality and Reliability
- Ring and Arlo both offer HD video with night vision. That’s great for seeing who’s at your door or checking in on your pets.
- Verkada elevates its offerings with enterprise-grade 4K options, advanced smart motion detection, and built-in storage, along with cloud backup. So if your internet goes down, your footage doesn’t.
For business use: Verkada is designed to protect critical assets, not just deter porch pirates.
Footage Storage and Retention
- Ring and Arlo store footage in the cloud, but only for a few days—unless you pay for upgraded plans. Need 30 days of footage? That’s an extra monthly fee per camera.
- Verkada includes built-in solid-state storage on each camera (up to 365 days), with seamless cloud access. No clunky hard drives. No scrambling to upgrade cloud plans after an incident.
Why it matters: In a business, you might not even know about a problem for weeks. If your footage is gone, you’re out of luck.
Access Control and System Integration
- Ring and Arlo are mainly standalone systems. They work with smart locks and Alexa, but that’s about it.
- Verkada is part of a complete security ecosystem. That means:
- Cameras
- Door access
- Sensors (environmental + motion)
- Alarms
- User permissions
All connected under one secure platform.
- Cameras
Bottom line: Businesses need more than video. Verkada gives you full control from a single dashboard.
Mobile Access and Management
All three systems have apps. But there’s a massive difference in how they’re used.
- Ring and Arlo are built for homeowners who check in occasionally. Settings are often limited, and multi-user access can get messy.
- Verkada is designed for businesses managing multiple users, locations, and roles. You can set up:
- Live alerts by user
- Role-based access (e.g., managers vs. staff)
- Scheduled permissions
- Audit logs
- Live alerts by user
Translation: If someone props open a delivery door at 11:30 p.m., you’ll know who, when, and where—instantly.
But What About Cost?
This is where DIY systems shine—on paper.
- Ring/Arlo: Low upfront cost, great for small spaces. Expect to pay for cloud plans, storage upgrades, and add-ons. The long-term cost increases rapidly with the addition of more cameras and features.
- Verkada: Higher upfront investment, but fewer surprises later. Business-grade hardware with built-in storage, centralized support, and no need to juggle third-party cloud services.
True cost comparison: When you factor in time saved, support needs, risk exposure, and actual functionality, Verkada often becomes the smarter long-term move, especially for businesses with staff, customers, or inventory to protect.
Where Ring and Arlo Fall Short for Businesses
Here are a few real-world examples that highlight the limits of DIY security in business environments:
Scenario 1: Missed Footage
A retail shop using Arlo realized two days too late that inventory had gone missing. But by then, their footage had already auto-deleted due to storage limits.
Scenario 2: No Accountability
A coworking space installed Ring to monitor entry points. But when an unauthorized visitor walked in during off-hours, they couldn’t determine who gave access, because Ring doesn’t log entry data like a proper access control system.
Scenario 3: Too Many Logins
A business with three locations used a mix of Arlo and Ring. Each location had its own login, dashboard, and storage plan. Staff were overwhelmed, footage was missed, and alerts went unnoticed.
In contrast, Verkada users manage everything through one dashboard—no chaos, no confusion.
When DIY Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
We’re not here to dunk on Ring or Arlo. They’re great products for what they’re built for.
Ring/Arlo are fine for:
- Solo-run small businesses with one entrance
- Temporary setups (pop-up shops, event booths)
- Owners who don’t need access logs or long-term storage
But if you’re:
- Growing your team
- Managing inventory or sensitive info
- Handling compliance or liability risks
- Running multiple locations
…you’ll likely outgrow DIY faster than you think.
Why Businesses Choose Verkada (Even If It Costs More Upfront)
Because they want:
- Real-time alerts that matter
- Smart, secure footage access
- A system that scales with their business
- One place to manage everything
- Support that actually shows up when needed
It’s not just about cameras—it’s about confidence.
Not Sure What You Really Need? Let’s Talk.
At AIS, we help businesses compare apples to apples. We don’t just push one system; we help you understand what works for your space, your team, and your budget.
Sometimes that means recommending a hybrid approach. Sometimes it means waiting until your next phase of growth. But you’ll always get the truth about what will actually protect your business.
Final Word: Choose the Right System for the Job
You wouldn’t run your payroll through a personal Venmo account. So why trust your business’s security to tools made for homes?
Ring and Arlo do what they do well. But if your business is growing, hiring, or needs tighter control, a platform like Verkada is more than a camera system—it’s a serious security strategy.
And that’s something you’ll notice on day one.
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