Video Surveillance Cost. Expensive Luxury or Affordable Service for Every Home?

The argument that “video surveillance cost is too expensive” for residents to afford is a common objection. It gains strength when telecoms and operators view these projects solely as capital-intensive investments (CAPEX). Such projects often require large initial expenses for hardware, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

The global market has already moved beyond the outdated “pay once, pay big” model. Today, businesses and consumers increasingly adopt subscription-based payment approaches. This shift first transformed industries such as telecom, entertainment streaming, and enterprise software delivered through cloud-based SaaS, and is now expanding into many other sectors. 

The security industry now uses Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) to shift capital expenses into affordable monthly payments which enable broad access to advanced security solutions. The subscription model as a video surveillance cost provides clear dual benefits for both users and operators.

This approach opens new opportunities worldwide:

• For residents — access to smart, secure living for the cost of a few cups of coffee per month.
• For operators — a scalable, recurring revenue model with stronger customer retention.

1. Video Surveillance Service: From “Luxury” to Mainstream Service

The high price point of a single “turnkey” system that costs thousands of dollars makes the solution seem both specialized and unreachable to most residents. 

The financial investment becomes affordable through monthly payments that spread the cost over time thus changing how people perceive the solution.

The financial investment becomes affordable through monthly payments that spread the cost over time thus changing how people perceive the solution. By combining video surveillance with internet services, cloud intercom, smart home solutions, and digital TV packages, this technology becomes readily accessible to the general public. The service presents itself through a subscription model which makes it feel as accessible as cloud storage or antivirus protection. The new approach turns what used to be considered a high-end product into a standard service that people use daily.

The actual issue revolves around how technology gets presented to consumers rather than its monetary value.

2. New Video Service: Lower Entry Barrier, Higher Adoption

The main obstacle to video surveillance adoption disappears through subscription services because they allow customers to pay for equipment and services in manageable installments. 

The subscription model enables families to spread their costs over time rather than bearing the burden of expensive upfront expenses. The initial expenses for traditional security systems include cameras and servers and storage devices and professional installation reach costs of hundreds to thousands of dollars thus making them inaccessible to most home budgets.

By distributing payments, the subscription approach makes professional-grade video surveillance far more accessible and manageable for the average family.

Most families worldwide find it easier to subscribe to a $5–$10 monthly fee for digital services. Rather than spending a large money on security equipment that competes with their essential costs for housing, education and medical care.

The video surveillance subscription model eliminates financial barriers which enables both middle and lower-income families to access security services while establishing security as an essential utility that people can afford to use every day.

For operators, this means:

• Wider market reach — more households can afford the service.
• Controlled CAPEX — using standardized solutions with predictable costs.
• Scalable business models — where pricing can adapt to different regions and customer segments.

3. Cloud Security as a Loyalty Driver

Video surveillance systems provide more than just equipment and recorded video content because they generate actual value. Research conducted in various market segments demonstrates that video surveillance systems decrease the occurrence of minor criminal activities and property damage in residential neighborhoods.

• For families — peace of mind for children’s safety.
• For seniors — a stronger sense of home security.
• For communities — a safer, cleaner environment.

As a result, operators benefit from stronger customer loyalty, since subscribers are less likely to switch to competitors offering only internet services when doing so would mean losing essential security features. This increased retention directly contributes to higher ARPU and lower churn, which are critical performance indicators for telecoms across global markets.

4. Video Surveillance Systems. DIY Is More Expensive Than It Looks

The initial cost of buying standard cameras with a basic recorder seems affordable yet this apparent savings proves deceptive. The total cost of ownership for do-it-yourself security solutions exceeds that of managed service models over a 3 to 5 year period. This is true not only because of higher financial expenses but also due to ongoing operational challenges.

The total cost of ownership increases rapidly because software maintenance often requires paid licenses and manual updates, while growing storage needs for archives demand additional investments in hard drives or cloud services. On top of this, hardware failures with HDDs experiencing an average 1.6% annual failure rate require equipment replacements and additional system maintenance time, further driving up costs and complexity for DIY setups.

In DIY systems, the need for user-based technical support combined with ongoing hardware maintenance creates both operational challenges and potential security vulnerabilities. These demands often lead to unexpected video surveillance cost, making DIY solutions less predictable and more burdensome than managed service alternatives.

Why?

• Ongoing software updates and security patches.
• Storage and data retention requirements.
• Equipment replacement (HDD failure rates ~1.6% annually).
• Cybersecurity vulnerabilities and lack of professional support.

For residents, this means extra costs and headaches. For operators, it’s an opportunity: the service model absorbs these risks and converts them into predictable recurring revenue.

Conclusion for Global Operators about Video Surveillance as a service

Video surveillance through subscription is not a luxury, but a mature global service model that:

• Fits naturally into bundled offers with internet, mobile, and smart-home services.
• Converts heavy CAPEX into manageable OPEX for customers.
• Increases service value, driving retention and loyalty.
• Generates sustainable subscription revenue without price wars on internet access.

Operators worldwide should move beyond the pursuit of the cheapest hardware and instead focus on designing comprehensive video surveillance packages that integrate data and connectivity features. By doing so, they deliver substantial value to end users, turning security services into accessible part of everyday life.

The correct positioning of video surveillance systems allows residents to access budget–friendly, reliable security solutions fitting naturally with their habits. At the same time, operators benefit from sustainable market leadership. This approach also unlocks global business potential for long-term growth.

How Aipix Leads the Way

The Aipix VSaaS software acts as a transformative solution, converting traditional surveillance expenses into a scalable, subscription-based service. This allows operators to deploy video surveillance efficiently across diverse markets, minimizing upfront costs while maximizing reach and recurring revenue potential.

The Aipix VAS solution allows operators to transform capital-intensive surveillance projects into subscription-based operational expenses through its adaptable deployment options and unified data management system and seamless IoT and smart home and telecom system integration. The platform provides residents with professional-grade security through an easy subscription process that mirrors their internet and cloud storage experiences. The Aipix VSaaS platform enables operators to increase their ARPU while reducing customer turnover. At the same time, it allows telcos to offer value-added services that set them apart from competitors.

Aipix serves as a strategic business enabler, empowering partners worldwide to transform surveillance into a utility service that enhances safety and customer loyalty. This approach also supports sustainable business expansion across global markets.

Discover how Aipix can help you transform video surveillance into a subscription-based growth engine. Take the next step toward smarter, safer, and more profitable services.