AlterCam vs Blue Iris
AlterCam
altercam.comBlue Iris
blueiris.softwareSide by side
| Figure | AlterCam | Blue Iris |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2.50/mo | $3.75/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 6 |
| Spec score · Webcam Software | 8.3 (#9) | 8.6 (#7) |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington, USA | Northville, Michigan, United States |
| Integrations | The maker says the virtual camera can be selected in apps including Teams, Zoom, Discord, and OBS. | Blue Iris can control Sonoff (eWeLink) devices configured for DIY mode and has a new RTMP streamer for YouTube, Facebook, Wowza, and OBS. |
| Product | AlterCam is Windows virtual webcam software for adding live effects and virtual backgrounds to video. | Blue Iris is video management software for video security and webcam monitoring. |
| Recording | The product page lists webcam video and photo recording. | Recording can be triggered by motion or audio sensing, or run continuously or periodically. |
| Support | The maker accepts technical support messages through its contact form and asks bug reports to include the AlterCam version, Windows version, and reproduction details. | The vendor directs customers to the in-software Help page's Email support button and says phone and remote desktop support are very limited and by appointment only. |
Plans
AlterCam
- Single · 1 year$29.95 a year
- Single · Forever$59.95, paid once
- Business · 1 year$480 a year
- Business · Forever$980, paid once
Blue Iris
- Commercial license$39.95 a month
- LE License$39.95, paid once
- Basic maintenance$44.95 a year
- Extended maintenance$49.95 a year
- Full License$99.95, paid once
- Priority maintenance$249.95 a year
In their own words
Blue Iris
Blue Iris is video management software for security monitoring and webcam recording. It accepts up to 128 webcams, network IP cameras, analog cards, or a Windows desktop as camera sources. Recording can run continuously, periodically, or start when motion or audio is detected. Alerts may use a loudspeaker, email, instant message, voice call, or an external program or script. The built-in UI3 web server provides remote desktop and mobile viewing of live cameras, recorded clips, and alerts, with permission-based authentication. Version 6 includes AI services for object classification, tracking, counting, facial recognition, and license plate recognition. Blue Iris can control Sonoff devices configured for DIY mode and stream through RTMP to YouTube, Facebook, Wowza, and OBS. The vendor says HTTPS can encrypt server traffic with a self-generated or CA-signed certificate. Minimum requirements include a newer Intel processor, 8 GB RAM, and 64-bit Windows 10 or an equivalent server. A free 15-day evaluation is offered; initial licensing includes one year of basic maintenance.