Cameras

Frigate vs Blue Iris vs Scrypted

Pick the right self-hosted NVR for your situation — a use-case map of Frigate, Blue Iris, and Scrypted by platform, AI detection, HomeKit, and cost. Not a 'winner'.

Problem summary

There's no single best NVR — they fit different homes. Frigate is free/open-source with strong local AI object detection (needs Linux/Docker + an accelerator). Blue Iris is a paid, Windows-only powerhouse. Scrypted is free/open-source and the cleanest path to HomeKit Secure Video and multi-platform bridging. Choose by platform, AI needs, and ecosystem — not a leaderboard.

Operator snapshotEvidence first

First proof

State your host OS and appetite to run it.

Screen to open

ffprobe the RTSP URL; check ONVIF in ONVIF Device Manager

Expected signal

You know whether you'll run Linux/Docker, a Windows box, or want appliance-like simplicity.

Stop boundary

Don't expect HKSV to replace local AI alerts — pair with Frigate if you want both.

Layer path

1There is no universally 'best' NVR — Frigate, Blue Iris, and Scrypted are built for different homes, so the decision is a use-case map across platform, AI detection, ecosystem, and cost.

2Frigate: free/open-source, strongest at local AI object detection (Coral/Hailo/OpenVINO), runs on Linux/Docker, integrates tightly with Home Assistant, needs an accelerator for good detection.

3Blue Iris: paid, Windows-only, very mature and deeply configurable, runs on a dedicated Windows box, adds AI via CodeProject.AI/DeepStack; check the current price on its site.

4Scrypted: free/open-source, the cleanest path to HomeKit Secure Video and to bridging cameras into HomeKit/Google/Alexa; optional paid Scrypted NVR plugin for 24/7 recording + smart detections. Running two (Frigate + Scrypted) is common.

Runbook

Step-by-step runbook

Start here. Do each check in order, compare it to the expected result, and stop when the evidence explains the failure or the safe stop point applies.

Pin your constraints

Check: Write down host OS, AI need, ecosystem target, and budget model.

Expected result: You have the four inputs that decide the fit.

If not: Skipping this leads to a tool that fights your setup.

Map constraints to a primary tool

Check: Linux+AI → Frigate; Windows+mature → Blue Iris; HomeKit → Scrypted.

Expected result: You have a primary NVR candidate.

If not: Treat this as a fit, not a ranking.

Check camera compatibility

Check: Confirm your cameras expose standard RTSP/ONVIF for the chosen tool.

Expected result: The cameras integrate via standard protocols.

If not: Cloud-locked cameras narrow your options — prefer RTSP/ONVIF.

Provision the hardware

Check: Frigate: host + accelerator; Blue Iris: Windows box; Scrypted: HomeKit prerequisites.

Expected result: The platform meets the tool's requirements.

If not: Size detection with the Frigate hardware planner where relevant.

Consider pairing tools

Check: If you need both local AI and HomeKit, run Frigate + Scrypted together.

Expected result: Each tool does the job it's best at.

If not: Don't force one tool to cover a need it's weak at.

Decision tree

If: Linux/Docker home, want local AI detection.

Then: Frigate fits best.

Action: Run Frigate with an accelerator (see /cameras/coral-vs-hailo-vs-intel-npu); integrate with Home Assistant.

If: Windows-centric, want a mature deeply-configurable NVR.

Then: Blue Iris fits best.

Action: Run Blue Iris on a dedicated Windows box; add CodeProject.AI for detection; verify the current license price.

If: Priority is HomeKit Secure Video / multi-platform bridging.

Then: Scrypted fits best.

Action: Use Scrypted for HKSV/bridging; note HKSV needs a Home hub + iCloud+ storage.

Safe stop: Don't expect HKSV to replace local AI alerts — pair with Frigate if you want both.

If: You want both strong local AI and HomeKit.

Then: Two tools is reasonable.

Action: Run Frigate for detection and Scrypted for HomeKit on the same host.

Evidence

Evidence table

Symptom	Evidence to collect	Likely layer	Next action
Choosing an NVR platform.	Host OS and willingness to manage it.	Platform fit	Linux/Docker → Frigate/Scrypted; Windows → Blue Iris.
Need local person/car detection.	Whether you'll add an accelerator.	AI detection	Frigate + Coral/Hailo/OpenVINO.
Want cameras in HomeKit.	HKSV/bridging requirement.	Ecosystem	Scrypted (+ Home hub + iCloud+ for HKSV).
Budget sensitivity.	Free OSS vs paid one-time license.	Cost model	Frigate/Scrypted core free; Blue Iris paid (verify price).

Reference

Commands and settings paths

Confirm cameras expose standard RTSP/ONVIF

ffprobe the RTSP URL; check ONVIF in ONVIF Device Manager

Where: On the LAN with camera credentials.

Expected: Cameras stream standard RTSP and expose ONVIF — all three NVRs can use them.

Failure means: Cloud-only cameras with no RTSP/ONVIF limit your NVR options.

Safe next step: Prefer cameras with standard RTSP/ONVIF (see /cameras/poe-camera-selection-criteria).

Check host suitability for Frigate

Verify Linux/Docker + an accelerator (Coral/Hailo/Intel iGPU-NPU) availability

Where: On the intended Frigate host.

Expected: The host runs Docker and has (or can add) an accelerator.

Failure means: No accelerator means CPU inference — not recommended for real detection.

Safe next step: Plan the detector with /cameras/coral-vs-hailo-vs-intel-npu and the hardware planner.

Verify HomeKit prerequisites for Scrypted

Confirm a Home hub (HomePod/Apple TV) and an iCloud+ plan for HKSV recording

Where: In the Apple Home app / iCloud settings.

Expected: A Home hub and iCloud+ storage exist for HKSV.

Failure means: Without them, HKSV recording won't work even with Scrypted bridging.

Safe next step: Provision the Home hub + iCloud+ or use Scrypted NVR / Frigate for local recording.

Hardware boundary

Hardware and platform boundary

Change only when

Choose by your platform, AI need, ecosystem, and budget — and accept that running two complementary tools (e.g. Frigate + Scrypted) is often the best 'pick'.

Evidence that matters

Cameras with standard RTSP/ONVIF, a host that matches the tool (Linux/Docker, Windows, or HomeKit prerequisites), and an accelerator for Frigate AI.

Evidence that does not matter

A single 'winner' verdict — the right NVR depends on your constraints, not a leaderboard.

Avoid

Locking into cloud-only cameras (limits every NVR) or assuming HKSV replaces local AI detection.

Related tool/calculator

Use the linked calculator or tool to turn this runbook into numbers for your exact setup.

Frigate hardware planner

Last reviewed

2026-06-03 · Reviewed by HomeTechOps. Built from June-2026 research verified against the Frigate docs, Blue Iris official site (Windows-only; paid one-time license — price not asserted statically), and Scrypted (free/open-source, HomeKit Secure Video, optional paid Scrypted NVR); framed strictly as a use-case map across platform/AI/ecosystem/cost, never a 'winner', per the no-fake-claims rule.

Sources/assumptions

Assumes self-hosting (not a cloud subscription) and cameras that expose standard RTSP/ONVIF.
Feature sets and licensing change — verify the current Blue Iris price on its site and Scrypted's plugin model before deciding.
This is a use-case map, not a ranking; the right choice depends on platform, AI needs, and ecosystem.

Source-backed checks

HomeTechOps turns official docs and conservative safety rules into a shorter runbook. These links are the source trail for the page direction.

Frigate docs: Recommended hardwareUsed for detector inference times, the cameras ≈ (1000 ÷ inference_ms) ÷ detect_fps capacity model, and the current 'Coral no longer recommended for new installs' guidance.Frigate docs: Camera setup (detect vs record streams)Used for the detect-on-substream / record-on-main pattern that drives bandwidth and detector load.FS.com: Understanding PoE standards and wattageUsed for the 802.3af/at/bt source-vs-delivered power figures and the switch total-PoE-budget constraint.Frigate documentationUsed as the first-party reference for Frigate camera setup, detectors, recording, and configuration.Blue Iris (Perspective Software) — official siteUsed to confirm Blue Iris is Windows-only NVR software with a one-time paid license (price verified on the buy page, not asserted statically).Scrypted — home video platformUsed for Scrypted as free/open-source camera bridging (HomeKit/Google/Alexa) and HomeKit Secure Video support, with an optional paid Scrypted NVR plugin.Apple Support: HomeKit Secure VideoUsed for what HomeKit Secure Video requires (a home hub + iCloud+ storage plan) when comparing Scrypted's HKSV path to a self-hosted NVR.

Diagnostic rule

1. Check the simplest signal first.
2. Change one thing at a time.
3. Prove the stream/reachability before deep config.
4. Stop when the evidence says the risk moved.

FAQ

Which NVR is best — Frigate, Blue Iris, or Scrypted?

Wrong question — they target different needs. Choose Frigate if you want free, local AI object detection and run Linux/Docker with an accelerator. Choose Blue Iris if you're on Windows and want a mature, deeply configurable NVR and don't mind a paid license. Choose Scrypted if your priority is HomeKit Secure Video or bridging cameras into HomeKit/Google/Alexa. Many people run two (e.g. Frigate for detection + Scrypted for HomeKit).

What does each one cost?

Frigate is free and open-source (you pay only for hardware/accelerator). Scrypted's core platform is free and open-source, with an optional paid Scrypted NVR plugin for 24/7 recording and smart detections. Blue Iris is a paid one-time Windows license with a year of included maintenance — check the current price on its official site rather than trusting a figure that may be out of date.

I want HomeKit Secure Video — which should I use?

Scrypted is the standard answer; it's widely used to bring non-native RTSP/ONVIF cameras into HomeKit Secure Video. Note HKSV itself needs a Home hub and an iCloud+ plan for recording storage. If you also want local AI alerts and recording independent of Apple, pair Scrypted (for HomeKit) with Frigate (for detection).