Guardian Eye vs Synology Surveillance Station
Don't want to buy expensive NAS hardware? Guardian Eye works on any Windows or Linux PC.
Independent Testing & Comparison Updated Aug 2025
Our team tested both Guardian Eye and Synology Surveillance extensively with real cameras, comparing setup time, features, and daily use. This comparison is based on hands-on experience and feedback from extensive hands-on testing and market research.
Hands-on tested
Real user feedback
Updated pricing
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Guardian Eye | Synology SS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 - $49 | $300+ NAS + License |
| Free plan available | ✅ | ❌ (2 camera limit) |
| Hardware Required | Any PC | Requires Synology NAS |
| Camera Licenses | Unlimited (Pro) | Pay per camera |
| Privacy-first | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cross-platform | Windows, Linux | Synology DSM only |
| Motion detection | ✅ AI-powered | ✅ Advanced |
| Vendor Lock-in | ❌ None | ✅ Synology only |
Total Cost Comparison (4 cameras)
Guardian Eye Pro
- • Software: $49 one-time
- • Hardware: Use existing PC ($0)
- • Camera licenses: Unlimited ($0)
- Total: $49
Synology Surveillance Station
- • NAS Hardware: $300-600
- • 4-camera license: $170
- • Setup complexity: High
- Total: $470-770
Why Choose Guardian Eye?
10x Lower Cost
Save $400-700 compared to buying NAS hardware and camera licenses.
No Hardware Lock-in
Use any Windows or Linux PC. No vendor-specific hardware required.
Easy Setup - Up and running in minutes
Free Plan - Try all features with 1 camera
Try Guardian Eye Free
No NAS hardware required. No per-camera licenses. Just simple, powerful surveillance.
Download Free