Blue Iris vs VCam
Blue Iris
blueiris.software
VCam
vcam.aiSide by side
| Figure | Blue Iris | VCam |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3.75/mo | $4/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 5 |
| Spec score · Webcam Software | 8.6 (#7) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Integrations | Blue Iris can control Sonoff (eWeLink) devices configured for DIY mode and has a new RTMP streamer for YouTube, Facebook, Wowza, and OBS. | The maker lists Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Discord, OBS Studio, NCR TellerNow and other camera-compatible software. |
| Product | Blue Iris is video management software for video security and webcam monitoring. | VCam describes itself as a locally powered AI meeting companion with webcam background removal, branding, and camera enhancement effects. |
| Support | 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. | The pricing page lists Basic Support for Starter, Chat & Email Support for Personal, Priority Support for Business, and a Dedicated Success Manager for Enterprise. |
| System requirements | The minimum requirements include a newer Intel processor, at least 8 GB of system RAM, and 64-bit Windows 10 or an equivalent server. | Supported systems are 64-bit Windows 10/11 or macOS Ventura and later with current Intel, AMD or NVIDIA graphics drivers; Windows on ARM is unsupported. |
Plans
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
VCam
- StarterFree
- Personal$48 a year
- Personal Lifetime$59, paid once
- Business$72 a year
- EnterprisePriced on request
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.
VCam
VCam is a locally powered AI meeting companion for changing webcam backgrounds and enhancing camera video. It can remove, replace, or blur backgrounds, with more than 1,000 virtual backgrounds and options to use an uploaded image, video, or Unsplash stock photo. AI auto-framing follows the user's face, while studio lighting effects brighten the feed. Pause Loop repeats the camera feed during a break so the user can return without disturbing the meeting. Nametags show a name and job title; four designs are listed, with customization described as coming soon. VCam lists compatibility with Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Discord, OBS Studio, and specialized software such as NCR's TellerNow, and its virtual camera can be used across multiple platforms at once. VCam says processing runs on the user's device and camera-feed data is not sent to its servers. Starter is free, but includes a watermark and up to 500MB storage. Personal costs $48 a year; Business costs $72 a year per user. Recommended systems are Windows 10 or higher and macOS Ventura 13.1 or higher.