The Best Security Camera Apps to Turn Your Old Phones and Webcams into Security Cameras – 24/7 Home Security
Even though security cameras have the best reputation in terms of security and overall impact, there is a huge possibility of them being more or less effective. Maybe it’s the unique nature of your home or workplace that makes them more or less effective, or maybe it’s your style of installation that makes them less or more effective, so we decided to dig a bit deeper and see what we could find. We have come up with the best security camera apps for turning your old phones and webcams into security cameras. Let’s review each of them below:
1. Security Cam 360
Security Cam 360 is the best app that we could recommend to anyone with an old device because it allows you to take and edit beautiful 360° panoramic photos and videos, and even record live videos in 4K. You can set up motion detectors and preset geofences to have your camera only record in areas where you choose to do so. You can control the camera from your phone. The app has lots of advanced features that would be great for those who love experimenting with their cameras, and you can download all of it to your new or old device. The app costs $6.99 and it supports iOS too.
2. Home Camera 360
Home Camera 360 is a nice app, but not as good as Security Cam 360 since it doesn’t allow you to customize the motion sensor and geofence settings as much as the latter does. It also does not support 4K as Security Cam 360 does. Another downside of this app is that it doesn’t allow for taking panoramic pictures, just standard pictures and videos. It is a very basic app and it is far cheaper than the other two on the list. The app costs $4.99.
3. US Backyard Home Security Camera
The US Backyard Home Security Camera app lets you see your camera feed on your device and it even lets you control the camera with your phone. You can set up motion detectors and geofences, and you can download all the features to your device. The only thing the app doesn’t offer is live video feeds, but if you live in the US, then this app is probably the best one available. The app costs $1.99.
4. IP Cameras 360
IP Cameras 360 allows you to set up your security camera. It includes a couple of cool features, including automatic motion detection and time-lapse video support. The camera can be used in two modes: a day mode and an evening mode. The app is free, but you will need to register your account to gain access to all of its features.
5. Uplant Camera 360
Uplant Camera 360 allows you to take panoramic pictures and videos, and it can also set up geofences. Unlike the other two apps that we have discussed, Uplant Camera 360 doesn’t have any advanced features, and it costs $1.99.
6. 3D
3D, or Add-On Camera, allows you to see your camera feed in 3D. Like the other apps that we have discussed, this app allows you to take 360° panoramic pictures and videos, as well as to save them in 4K. You can also view the videos and pictures in 3D through your TV, and with the help of an adapter. This app is free, but the 3D image effect is only available to premium subscribers.
7. HandySecurity
HandySecurity app allows you to set up a security camera that is controlled with a smartwatch or an Android Wear device. You can set up motion sensors and geofences, and you can download all the features to your device. You can connect this app to your Facebook account so you can check your live feed. The app costs $4.99.
8. ADT LogViewer
ADT LogViewer is another app that I’ve been using for some time now. It is a very easy app to use, and it requires no skill to set up and monitor your security camera. You simply install the app on your Android device, plug it into your router, and you’re ready to go. ADT LogViewer can be used for up to 30 days. It costs $4.99.
9. Nest Cam 2
Nest Cam 2 is an updated version of Nest Cam with a dual-channel camera. The app allows you to control your camera from your phone, even though it is a smartphone app. You can see your live feed, receive alerts, and take photos and videos. The app is free, but you will need to subscribe to a service if you want to get access to all the features. Nest Cam 2 is $299.
10. Get Current, Not Top Spot
Get Current, Not Top Spot is another great app that lets you monitor your security camera. The app works with most of the security camera apps that we’ve discussed. It does have some limitations, including the fact that it doesn’t support night vision. The app costs $2.99.
11. Check Point ZoneAlarm 2
Check Point ZoneAlarm 2 is an updated version of ZoneAlarm 2. It still allows you to monitor your camera’s live feed, receive alerts, and view photos and videos. The app is free, but the advanced features are available only if you pay a subscription fee. The subscription costs $9.99 per month.
12. 3Cam Security Camera
3Cam Security Camera is another app that lets you set up a security camera, but this one allows you to control it with a smartwatch. You can set up geofences and motion sensors and even save your videos in 4K. You can also use a third-party app like YouTube to view the videos that you take. The app is free, but you will need to register your account to gain access to all of its features.
13. GSMGuard
GSMGuard app allows you to create zones to keep an eye on your home when you are away. You can set up motion sensors, and geofences, and customize your alerts so that you don’t miss anything when you are away from home. The app is free, but you will need to register your account to gain access to all of its features.
14. Ring Video Doorbell
Ring Doorbell allows you to view the live feed from your front door on your smartwatch. You can use an Android Wear device or you can connect the device to a smartphone. You can use the app to turn the doorbell on or off, check its battery, view the feed from up to five doors, and create user profiles. You can also find the video feed through your phone’s app, and use your phone to turn on the doorbell. The app is free, but you will need to register your account to gain access to all of its features.
15. Vigilant App
Vigilant App is another security camera app that lets you use a smartwatch to view the live feed from your home or office. You can set up geofences and motion sensors, create user profiles, set up camera control zones, and create up to two motion zones. The app is free, but you will need to register your account to gain access to all of its features.
16. Canary
The Canary app has an outstanding security camera with a 180° lens, and it is compatible with Google Cast. This app also has a live feed that you can view on your smartwatch, but you will have to tether your phone to your smartwatch to use it. The Canary app is free, but you will need to use a Canary for smartwatch membership to gain access to all of its features.
17. Canary Flex
Canary Flex is the last of the Canary security camera apps that we have mentioned here. It is the most expensive of all of them, but it will give you the most features and the best value for your money. The Canary Flex has an incredible 360° lens, and it is compatible with Google Cast. The app is free, but you will need to use a Canary for smartwatch membership to gain access to all of its features.
18. F-Secure Wi-Fi Security Camera
F-Secure Wi-Fi Security Camera has a 360° lens, so you can view your surroundings. The app is free, but you will need to install a different F-Secure security app on your smartphone or tablet to use the camera.
19. ULEMates
ULEMates allows you to set up custom notifications so you don’t miss anything. You can also set up proximity alerts so that you don’t miss anything that occurs when you are away from your home. The app is free, but you will need to register your account to gain access to all of its features.
20. VidStr8r
VidStr8r allows you to stream video and audio from your home security camera to your smartphone. The app is free, but you will need to sign up for a VidStr8r account to get access to all of its features.
21. Guardzilla
Guardzilla is the last of the security camera apps that we have mentioned here. It is compatible with Google Cast, so you will have to pair your phone with it to use the camera. The app is free, but you will need to install a different Guardzilla app on your smartphone or tablet to use the camera.
22. Honeywell Lyric T5
Honeywell Lyric T5 allows you to access your Wi-Fi camera by your smartphone. You will also be able to use the app to set up geofences and motion zones. You can also create custom alerts, and set up settings so that you can keep a close eye on your home. The app is free, but you will need to install a different Honeywell security app on your smartphone or tablet to use the camera.
Best Smartphone Security Camera App Recommendations:
As you can see, there are quite a few security camera apps that you can use, and the choice is really up to you. You can choose any of these apps and set up a security camera from the comfort of your own home. If you want to install a security camera with the help of an app, then check out our best mobile antivirus for Android list.
Conclusion
Google has certainly gone above and beyond with its suite of security camera apps. After all, this is the same company that gives you the Google Glass. If Google wants to compete with Amazon and the rest of the smartwatch market, it will have to start bundling these apps in with the new smartwatches. This would also help Google to create a strong ecosystem, which would help attract users to its ecosystem. These apps were all created with Google watches in mind. It would be interesting to see if Google offers a smartwatch of its own shortly.
As we’ve discussed, there are plenty of security camera apps available for your Android device, but you have to be careful about the kind of security cameras that you get. Before you make your purchase, you must know whether the app allows you to download your videos and photos, or whether it is only set up to monitor the live feed. In addition, you must also consider the various features of the security cameras you want to purchase.
At the end of the day, you may be able to find a better app than the ones mentioned above. But as the saying goes, ‘you get what you pay for’. In case you decide to purchase any of these apps, make sure that you have at least some ways of connecting your devices to your network. Otherwise, you won’t be able to monitor or access the live feed that you create.