IP CCTV vs Cloud Based CCTV: What’s the Right Choice for Your Business?

By admin | November 18, 2025

CCTV has come a long way in recent years. The days of grainy footage, clunky recorders and systems that only work when they feel like it are well behind us. Today, businesses have two main routes to choose from: IP CCTV systems and Cloud CCTV.

Both offer big advantages. Both can transform the way you keep an eye on your sites. But they’re not identical, and the right choice depends on how your organisation operates day to day.

Below, we break down the differences in plain English, so you can make a confident, informed decision.

What Is an IP CCTV System?

An IP (Internet Protocol) CCTV system is the modern version of a traditional CCTV setup. It uses network-connected cameras that send high-quality digital footage to a recorder or server on your premises.

Think of it as a local, self-contained system that lives inside your building.

How it works

  • Cameras connect to your network
  • Footage is stored on a recorder or server on-site
  • You can still view cameras remotely if you want to
  • You stay in full control of your storage and data

Where IP systems make sense

We often install them for:

  • Factories and warehouses
  • High-security environments
  • Sites with strict data control policies
  • Businesses with poor or unreliable internet
  • Large premises that need robust, high-capacity recording

Benefits of IP CCTV

  • Very reliable, works independently of the internet
  • Footage stays on your premises
  • Ideal for high volumes of cameras
  • Strong clarity and performance
  • Low long-term running costs

Things to keep in mind

  • You’ll need physical hardware on-site
  • Storage depends on the recorder you install
  • Upgrades may involve reconfiguring equipment

What Is Cloud CCTV?

Cloud CCTV takes the IP setup a step further by storing and managing your footage in the cloud, rather than only on a local recorder.

In other words, the cameras stay on your site, but the brains of the system live online.

How it works

  • IP cameras send footage to secure cloud servers
  • You access everything through an online portal or app
  • Updates, analytics and monitoring happen automatically
  • Your system becomes easier to scale across multiple sites

Where Cloud CCTV shines

We recommend it for:

  • Multi-site businesses
  • Retail, hospitality and office environments
  • Organisations with mobile or off-site management teams
  • Businesses wanting easy access to footage from anywhere
  • Companies looking to reduce on-site hardware

Benefits of Cloud CCTV

  • View live and recorded video from any device
  • Off-site storage protects footage from theft or damage
  • Easy to add new cameras or sites
  • Automatic updates and new features
  • Excellent for distributed teams and remote management

Things to keep in mind

  • Relies on stable, consistent internet
  • Cloud storage costs are ongoing
  • Not always ideal for very sensitive or isolated sites

IP vs Cloud: Which Should You Choose?

Many businesses ask for a simple “which is better?” but the honest answer is that it depends on your environment and security priorities.

Here’s the clearest way to decide:

Choose IP CCTV (On-Premises) if you want:

  • Maximum control over your footage
  • A system independent of internet performance
  • Strong local recording for industrial or high-security sites
  • A one-time investment with minimal ongoing costs

Choose Cloud CCTV if you want:

  • Easy access to your cameras from anywhere
  • One platform to manage multiple buildings
  • Off-site storage for better resilience
  • Automatic updates without downtime
  • Simple, fast scalability

Or choose a Hybrid CCTV System

A combination of on-site recording with cloud access is becoming increasingly popular.
You get the robustness of IP recording plus the flexibility of cloud management. It’s a smart middle ground for businesses wanting both resilience and convenience.

So, what’s right for your business?

Every site is different. Layout, lighting, staff numbers, access points, operations, risks, they all play a part in choosing the right system.

That’s why a proper survey is essential. We take a look at how your business actually works, and then design a system that fits not just what looks good in a brochure.

At Advance Fire & Security, we install both IP and Cloud CCTV systems (including Avigilon), and we’ll always recommend what genuinely suits your site rather than what’s easiest to sell.

If you’d like clear advice, a site survey or a quote, call 01223 566 599 or send us a message to arrange a visit.

Posted in Access Control, Security