If you’ve been searching for home security cameras that offer cloud storage, you have probably noticed something frustrating: almost every manufacturer uses the word “cloud,” but the experience can be completely different from one system to another.

One company may give you a small amount of free cloud storage. Another may require a monthly subscription for recorded video. Another may not store your video in its own cloud at all, but instead allow you to back up recordings to a service such as Google Drive or Dropbox.

And then there are systems that record primarily to an NVR inside your home while giving you an option for off-site archiving.

So which approach is actually better?

That depends on what you want your security system to do.

What Does “Cloud Storage” Actually Mean?

Before comparing brands, let’s clear up one of the biggest sources of confusion.

Cloud storage means your video is stored somewhere outside your physical home. Instead of the only copy of your recording sitting on a microSD card, NVR or hard drive inside your house, a copy can be stored on remote servers or another off-site storage destination.

That matters because your security footage needs to survive more than just a camera failure.

Imagine someone breaks into your house and steals your NVR. If all of your video is stored on that NVR, your cameras may have captured the burglary perfectly, but the evidence may have left the house with the burglar.

There Are Three Main Types of Security Camera Storage

Home Security Cameras That Offer Cloud Storage: Our Comparison

For this comparison, we’re looking at four very different approaches: Ubiquiti UniFi Protect, Reolink, Hanwha Wisenet SKY and Google Nest.

*Cloud availability, supported cameras, storage limits and features can vary by model, region and plan. Always check the manufacturer’s current specifications before purchasing.

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect: Cloud Backup Without a Traditional Cloud Subscription

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect is one of the most interesting systems in this comparison because it doesn’t approach cloud storage the same way as a cloud-first consumer camera.

UniFi Protect is primarily a local recording system. Your cameras record to compatible UniFi hardware at your property, which means you aren’t depending on a manufacturer’s cloud server for your primary video archive.

But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with local storage.

Ubiquiti now supports cloud archiving in UniFi Protect. According to Ubiquiti’s current documentation, recordings can be archived to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox or a NAS.

That distinction is important.

You’re not necessarily paying Ubiquiti a monthly fee to keep every second of camera footage in a Ubiquiti cloud. Instead, your UniFi system can continue recording locally while selected footage is archived off-site.

For a homeowner, this can be a very attractive arrangement.

You get the large local storage capacity of an NVR, while important clips can have a second copy somewhere outside the house.

That could be especially useful for incidents such as a burglary, fire or major property damage where the local recording equipment could be destroyed or stolen.

Ubiquiti also gives users considerable control over storage retention. UniFi Protect’s Storage Manager can be configured to manage how footage is retained, including enhanced retention options designed to make better use of available storage.

Reolink: Cloud Storage Is Optional

Reolink takes another flexible approach.

If you are looking for home security cameras that offer cloud storage without requiring a monthly subscription, Reolink is worth a close look.

Reolink states that a cloud subscription is not required. Supported cameras can record locally to options such as a microSD card, Reolink NVR or other supported storage methods.

But Reolink also offers its own cloud service on supported models and in supported regions.

That means you can have local storage and cloud storage working together.

Reolink specifically explains that some cameras can save recordings to an SD card while also recording to Reolink Cloud. The two storage methods operate independently.

That is a useful feature because it gives homeowners a choice rather than forcing everyone into the same storage model.

If you don’t want a monthly cloud bill, you can use local storage. If you want off-site protection for important recordings, you can use Reolink Cloud when your camera and region are supported.

And this is an area where you should pay attention to the fine print. Reolink Cloud availability depends on both the camera model and geographic region, so you should verify that your specific camera supports the cloud plan you want.

Best fit: Homeowners who want flexible storage choices and don’t want a cloud subscription to be mandatory.

Learn more about professional security camera installation or visit our security camera resources for more information about planning a camera system.

Hanwha Wisenet SKY: A Completely Different Approach to Cloud Storage

If Ubiquiti represents the local recording with optional cloud archiving approach and Reolink gives homeowners a choice between local storage and optional cloud storage, Hanwha Wisenet SKY takes a much more cloud-first approach.

Wisenet SKY is a cloud-based video management platform from Hanwha Vision. Instead of treating the cloud as simply a place to send a few important clips, the system is designed around cloud video management.

That distinction matters.

With a traditional NVR system, your cameras send video to a recorder sitting somewhere inside the home or business. With a cloud-first system, the video is sent to the cloud where it can be accessed remotely without relying on a recorder sitting next to your router or television.

For someone who wants home security cameras that offer cloud storage and wants the cloud to be a central part of the system rather than an optional backup, Wisenet SKY is a very different proposition.

What Makes Wisenet SKY Different?

One of the biggest advantages of a cloud-first platform is accessibility.

Instead of thinking about the NVR as the center of the security system, the cloud becomes the place where video management happens. This can make remote access, system management and sharing footage much easier, particularly for people who don’t want to maintain a traditional recorder.

Wisenet SKY also isn’t simply a consumer camera app. It is positioned as a professional video surveillance platform, which makes it especially interesting for businesses, multi-site applications and more sophisticated security installations.

That said, there is an important consideration when comparing Wisenet SKY with a local NVR.

Cloud storage generally comes with an ongoing service cost.

That cost is not necessarily a bad thing. You’re paying for the infrastructure, remote accessibility, storage and management that come with a cloud platform. But homeowners should understand the long-term cost before choosing a cloud-first system.

If you’re comparing a system that costs nothing monthly after installation with a cloud platform that has a recurring subscription, the initial equipment price doesn’t tell the whole story.

Wisenet SKY and Cloud Archive Storage

Wisenet SKY also provides cloud archive capabilities. Hanwha’s support documentation states that each Wisenet SKY account includes 10 GB of cloud archive storage, with additional archive storage available depending on the service configuration.

This is another example of why it is important to distinguish between video retention and cloud archive storage.

Video retention refers to how long your recorded footage remains available in the system. Archive storage refers to footage that you specifically preserve rather than allowing it to disappear as the normal retention period expires.

For example, if you have an incident that you know you may need later, archiving that footage can prevent it from disappearing as newer recordings replace older ones.

For professional surveillance applications, that distinction can be extremely important.

Who Is Wisenet SKY Best For?

Wisenet SKY makes the most sense for someone who values cloud-based video management and is comfortable paying for a professional cloud service.

It can be particularly attractive when remote management, multiple locations or centralized access to cameras is important.

For the average homeowner who simply wants a few cameras around the house, however, it may be more technology and recurring expense than they actually need.

Best fit: Homeowners and businesses looking for a professional cloud-first surveillance platform with centralized remote video management.

Google Nest: Cloud-First Security for the Smart Home

Google Nest takes perhaps the most familiar consumer approach to cloud video storage in this comparison.

Nest cameras are designed around cloud-connected video history. Google explains that Nest cameras can save event video to the cloud, while eligible cameras can also provide 24/7 video history when the appropriate subscription and power configuration are in place.

That makes Nest very different from something like a UniFi Protect system.

With UniFi, your NVR is generally the heart of the recording system. With Nest, the cloud is a fundamental part of how recorded video history works.

Google Home Premium Replaced Nest Aware

There is a naming change homeowners should know about if they’re researching older articles or videos.

As of October 1, 2025, Google’s second-generation Nest Aware subscription became Google Home Premium. Google describes Google Home Premium as a whole-home subscription that builds on Nest’s security features and adds additional smart-home and AI capabilities.

So if you see older information online talking about “Nest Aware,” don’t automatically assume the information is current.

The subscription structure and features have changed.

Does Google Nest Have Free Cloud Storage?

This is where the answer gets a little more complicated.

Google does provide limited video history without a paid subscription on certain current Nest cameras. For example, Google currently lists up to three hours of event video history for several supported Nest cameras and doorbells without a subscription. Some newer models have different free preview limitations.

But if you want a meaningful amount of recorded history, you’re generally looking at a Google Home Premium subscription.

The current Google Home Premium plans can provide up to 30 days of event video history on the Standard plan and up to 60 days of event video history plus 10 days of 24/7 video history on the Advanced plan for supported cameras.

And there’s another important distinction.

Event history is not the same as continuous recording.

An event-based system records when something happens, such as a person, animal, vehicle or other detected activity. Continuous recording means the camera is recording all the time.

Google Nest 24/7 Video History

For homeowners who want continuous video, Google’s current system does offer 24/7 video history on supported cameras with the appropriate Google Home Premium plan.

Google currently states that the Advanced plan can provide up to 10 days of 24/7 video history for supported wired Nest cameras. Battery-powered cameras have additional limitations, because continuous recording requires the camera to remain connected to power.

That is an important consideration if you’re looking for a camera to continuously record a driveway, pool area, side gate or other critical location.

A battery camera may be convenient, but continuous recording and battery operation don’t always make a good combination.

So Which Cloud Storage Approach Is Best?

After looking at these four brands, there isn’t one universal winner.

The better question is:

What do you actually want your security system to do?

The Question You Should Ask Before Buying

Instead of simply asking, “Does this camera have cloud storage?”, we recommend asking five better questions:

1. Where is my primary video stored?
2. How much storage do I get for free?
3. How much does additional storage cost?
4. Is the recording event-based or continuous?
5. What happens to my footage if the camera or recorder is stolen?

That last question is one that often gets overlooked.

A security camera system is supposed to preserve evidence. If the only copy of your evidence lives on a device that can be physically removed from the property, that’s something worth considering during the design of the system.

Cloud Storage Isn’t the Only Thing That Matters

When you’re comparing home security cameras that offer cloud storage, it’s easy to get focused on how many days of video a company gives you.

But storage is only one part of the equation.

Camera resolution, night vision, AI detection, field of view, weather resistance, recording reliability, cybersecurity, installation quality and where the cameras are physically positioned can all have a major impact on how useful your security system will be.

A camera that records 30 days of video isn’t much help if it is pointed at the wrong part of the driveway.

And a camera with incredible resolution isn’t necessarily useful if the lighting at night prevents you from identifying the person standing in front of it.

This is why we always recommend thinking about the entire security system rather than choosing cameras based on one specification on the box.

If you’re trying to figure out how many cameras your home actually needs, take a look at our guide on where security cameras should be placed on a house. You can also explore our security camera resources for additional planning information.

The Bottom Line

So, which home security cameras offer cloud storage?

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect, Reolink, Hanwha Wisenet SKY and Google Nest all offer ways to use cloud-based storage or archiving, but they do it very differently.

UniFi Protect is primarily a local-recording platform with cloud archiving capabilities.

Reolink offers flexible local storage with optional cloud services on supported products and in supported regions.

Hanwha Wisenet SKY is designed around a cloud-based video management model.

Google Nest is a cloud-first consumer system where extended video history is tied closely to Google’s subscription services.

There isn’t one answer that’s right for every homeowner.

The best system depends on whether your priority is avoiding monthly fees, having maximum local control, getting simple cloud access, maintaining off-site backups or having a professional cloud-based surveillance platform.

And if you’re still not sure which approach makes sense for your home, that’s where a professional security camera installer can help. The goal isn’t to sell you the most expensive storage plan. It’s to design a system that gives you the footage you need, where you need it, when you need it.

Which Security Camera Storage Option Makes the Most Sense for Your Home?

After comparing all four systems, the answer really comes down to what you value most.

There isn’t one storage method that is automatically the best for every homeowner. A family that wants a simple camera they can install themselves may have completely different priorities from a homeowner who wants a professionally installed system covering every entrance, driveway and backyard.

Here is how we would break it down.

What About Internet Outages?

This is another important question that often gets overlooked when comparing home security cameras that offer cloud storage.

If your camera depends on the internet to upload video to the cloud, what happens when your internet connection goes down?

The answer depends on the camera and system.

Some cameras can continue recording locally even when the internet connection is unavailable. Others rely much more heavily on the cloud and may have limited functionality during an outage.

This is one reason local storage can still be valuable even when you want cloud access.

For example, a camera system could continue recording to an NVR or SD card while the internet is unavailable. Once connectivity is restored, the system can resume remote access and cloud functions.

That doesn’t mean every local-storage system is automatically better. It means you should understand what happens when your internet connection isn’t behaving perfectly.

What Happens If Someone Steals the Camera?

Here’s another scenario worth thinking about.

Imagine you have a camera covering your front door. Someone approaches the house, notices the camera and decides to rip it off the wall.

If the camera was recording locally to an SD card inside that camera, the evidence may physically leave with the camera.

If the camera was sending recordings to an NVR inside the house, you may still have the footage, assuming the recorder remains secure.

If the footage was also being archived to the cloud, you may have another copy even if the local equipment is damaged or stolen.

This is why redundancy can be so valuable in a security system.

You don’t necessarily have to choose between local and cloud storage.

In many situations, you can use both.

Should You Use Local Storage, Cloud Storage or Both?

For many homeowners, our preferred answer is simple:

Use both when the system and budget make sense.

Local storage gives you a large amount of recording capacity without necessarily paying a monthly fee. It can also give you fast access to recordings inside your own system.

Cloud storage or off-site archiving gives you another layer of protection if something happens to the local equipment.

Think of it like having two copies of important photographs.

You wouldn’t necessarily want your only copy sitting in one place.

Your security footage deserves the same consideration.

Don’t Forget About Cybersecurity

Cloud storage also introduces another consideration: account security.

If your security camera account is protected by a weak password that you use on multiple websites, the fact that your video is stored in the cloud doesn’t magically make the system secure.

Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication whenever the manufacturer supports it.

Keep your camera firmware and NVR software updated. Use reputable manufacturers and be careful about who has access to your camera accounts.

For homeowners interested in the broader question of whether smart-home devices are secure, we also recommend reading our guide on whether smart home devices and apps are secure.

What We Would Look At Before Buying

If you are standing in a store or browsing online trying to decide which camera to buy, don’t start with the question, “How many days of cloud storage do I get?”

Start with these questions:

1. Where does the primary recording live?
2. Can the camera record if the internet goes down?
3. What happens if the camera itself is stolen?
4. How long is the free video history?
5. Is the storage event-based or 24/7?
6. What does the subscription actually include?
7. How much will that subscription cost over five years?
8. Can I export important video?
9. Can I create an off-site backup?
10. Will I still be able to access my recordings if the manufacturer changes its service?

That last question is particularly important because security cameras are not something most homeowners want to replace every couple of years.

Don’t Just Compare the Monthly Price

A $100 camera with a $10 monthly subscription may initially look cheaper than a $500 camera system with no monthly video subscription.

But the math can change quickly.

Over five years, a $10 monthly subscription adds up to $600.

That’s why we recommend looking at the total cost of ownership, not just the price on the box.

Of course, monthly cloud storage can absolutely be worth the money. You’re paying for convenience, remote access, infrastructure, storage and features that may not be practical to provide yourself.

The point isn’t that subscriptions are bad.

The point is that homeowners should know what they’re paying for.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Security Cameras and Cloud Storage

Our Final Take

There is no shortage of security cameras claiming to offer “cloud storage.” The important thing is understanding what that phrase actually means for the camera you’re buying.

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect gives you local recording with the ability to archive footage off-site.

Reolink gives homeowners considerable flexibility between local storage and optional cloud services.

Hanwha Wisenet SKY takes a professional cloud-first approach.

Google Nest integrates cloud video history into the Google Home ecosystem, with more extensive storage and recording capabilities available through Google Home Premium.

Each approach has a place.

The right choice depends on your home, your internet connection, how much video you need to retain, whether you want to pay a monthly fee and, most importantly, what you want to happen to your evidence if something happens to your camera system.