Best Security Cameras in Australia 2026 (No Subscription Required)

Why Choose Subscription-Free Cameras?

The biggest names in security cameras — Ring, Arlo, and Google Nest — all push you toward monthly subscriptions to unlock basic features like video history and smart alerts. That means on top of the camera purchase price, you’re paying $5–$30/month per camera, forever.

The cameras in this guide work without any ongoing fees. They store footage locally on microSD cards or NVRs, process AI detection on-device, and give you full functionality out of the box. Key benefits:

• No monthly fees — pay once, own it forever
• Local storage — your footage stays on your property, not on a US company’s cloud servers
• Better privacy — no video uploaded to third-party servers by default
• No service shutdowns — your cameras keep working even if the company changes its plans

Prefer cloud features? If you’d rather have cloud backup, professional monitoring, or don’t mind a monthly fee, check out our guide to the best subscription-based security cameras in Australia.

Detailed Reviews

Reolink Argus 4 Pro

Our top pick for Australians wanting a no-compromise security camera. 4K resolution, colour night vision, and recordings stored on a microSD card or Reolink NVR.

Pros:

• True 4K resolution
• Colour night vision (dual-lens)
• 100% local storage (microSD + NVR option)
• WiFi 6 support
• Solar panel accessory available
• Works with Home Assistant

Cons:

• App could be more polished
• WiFi only (no PoE option for this model)
• Limited smart home integrations beyond HA

AU Price: $249 at Amazon AU

Availability: Amazon AU, Reolink AU store. Occasionally stocked at Bunnings.

Compatibility: Home Assistant (ONVIF/RTSP), Alexa, Google Home. No Apple HomeKit support.

Data & Privacy:

• HQ: Shenzhen, China
• Data storage: 100% local — microSD card or Reolink NVR. Optional Reolink Cloud available (servers in AU/US/EU).
• Cloud required: No
• Security track record: No major data breaches or incidents reported. Firmware updates delivered regularly.

Eufy S350

The Eufy S350 (also sold as the eufyCam S350) is a dual-lens camera that pairs a wide-angle 4K sensor with a telephoto lens offering 8x hybrid zoom. It stores all footage locally on the included HomeBase 3, meaning no subscription fees and no cloud dependency.

The zoom capability sets it apart — you can digitally pan into distant areas with surprising clarity. The HomeBase 3 includes 16GB of onboard storage and supports an additional USB hard drive for expanded capacity. It’s a proper local NVR setup without the complexity.

Pros:

• Dual-lens system with 8x hybrid zoom
• 4K wide-angle + dedicated telephoto lens
• All storage handled locally via HomeBase 3
• Expandable storage (USB HDD on HomeBase)
• Apple HomeKit support (a rarity in this category)
• BionicMind AI for face recognition (processed locally)
• No subscription needed for any features

Cons:

• Requires HomeBase 3 (adds cost if buying as a standalone camera)
• HomeBase must be wired via Ethernet — no WiFi option for the hub
• App can be sluggish, especially live view startup
• 2022 security incident raised trust concerns (unencrypted video streams were briefly accessible — Eufy has since patched and improved encryption)

AU Price: $199 per camera at Amazon AU (typically sold in kits with HomeBase 3 from $449)

Availability: Amazon AU, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, eufy AU online store. Also available at The Good Guys.

Compatibility: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Home Assistant (via RTSP on HomeBase 3).

Data & Privacy:

• HQ: Shenzhen, China (Anker Innovations subsidiary)
• Data storage: Local only by default — all footage stored on HomeBase 3. Optional eufy cloud backup available (servers in AWS regions including Sydney).
• Cloud required: No
• Security track record: In late 2022, security researchers discovered eufy cameras were sending thumbnail data to cloud servers and that live streams could be accessed without encryption via direct URLs. Eufy/Anker initially denied the claims before acknowledging the issues. They’ve since rolled out end-to-end encryption and improved their privacy practices, but the incident damaged trust. Worth noting: the core local storage promise still holds, and no mass data breach occurred.

TP-Link Tapo C520WS

The budget pick that punches well above its weight. The Tapo C520WS delivers 2K QHD resolution, motorised pan/tilt with 360° horizontal coverage, and a starlight sensor that produces colour night vision without needing to blast spotlights. All for under $90.

Footage saves to a microSD card (up to 512GB supported), so there are zero ongoing costs. The Tapo app is genuinely well-designed — one of the better camera apps we’ve used — with AI detection for people, pets, and vehicles included at no extra charge. It’s also IP66 weatherproof and offers both WiFi and wired Ethernet connectivity.

Pros:

• Exceptional value — 2K, pan/tilt, colour night vision under $90
• Starlight sensor produces colour images even without spotlights
• 360° pan and 130° tilt coverage
• Free AI detection (people, pets, vehicles)
• microSD storage up to 512GB — no subscription needed
• IP66 weatherproof with dual external antennas
• Wired Ethernet option for reliable connection
• Tapo app is clean and responsive

Cons:

• No Apple HomeKit support
• 2K resolution is sharp but not 4K
• Pan/tilt motor can be audible in quiet environments
• Tapo Care cloud subscription exists but is entirely optional
• TP-Link (as a brand) has faced scrutiny over router security in the past, though no Tapo camera–specific breaches

AU Price: $89 at Amazon AU

Availability: Amazon AU, Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys. Widely stocked across Australian retailers.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home. ONVIF support for NVR integration. No Apple HomeKit. Works with Home Assistant via Tapo integration.

Data & Privacy:

• HQ: Shenzhen, China
• Data storage: Local via microSD card. Optional Tapo Care cloud subscription stores clips on AWS servers (region-selectable).
• Cloud required: No — all core features work with local storage only
• Security track record: No major security breaches specific to Tapo cameras. TP-Link has faced criticism over router firmware vulnerabilities in the past, and in 2024 US lawmakers flagged potential national security concerns about TP-Link products broadly. No Tapo camera–specific incidents have been reported. The Tapo ecosystem keeps local storage as the default, which limits cloud exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are security cameras legal in Australia?

Yes, but you generally cannot record areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Point cameras at your own property. Rules vary by state.

Do I need internet for local storage cameras?

For recording, no — they save to local storage. You do need internet for remote viewing via the app.