Short answer: A self-hosted (on-premise) video management system records to a server you own, in your building. A cloud VMS sends video to a provider’s data centre. Self-hosted keeps footage private, keeps camera traffic off your internet connection and avoids a fee per camera. Cloud means no server on site and the provider runs everything for you.
What is a self-hosted VMS?
Video management software that runs on hardware you control: a server or PC on your own network. Cameras stream to it, it records to its disks, and your team watches through its apps. The software vendor never holds your footage.
What is a cloud VMS?
Cameras, often the provider’s own, stream or upload to the provider’s cloud, and you watch through their web or phone app. Some keep a short buffer on the camera or on a small box on site.
How do they compare?
| Self-hosted | Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Where footage is stored | On your server | In the provider’s data centre |
| Who can reach it | The people you give access | You, and the provider’s systems |
| Internet upload | Not needed to record | Needed for every camera |
| Cameras | Usually any ONVIF or RTSP camera | Often the provider’s own |
| Ongoing cost | Hardware and power | Subscription, usually per camera |
| Upkeep | You run the server | The provider runs it |
| If the internet drops | Keeps recording | Depends on the local buffer |
The upload bandwidth cloud video needs
A single modern camera typically streams at a few megabits per second, all day. Twenty of them sending video to the cloud can need more upload than many business connections have. A self-hosted system keeps that traffic on your local network, and the internet is only used when someone watches remotely.
How much storage does a self-hosted VMS need?
Work it out per camera: gigabytes per day ≈ bitrate in Mbps × 10.8. A camera streaming at 4 Mbps records about 43 GB a day, or roughly 1.3 TB for 30 days of continuous recording. Multiply by your cameras and the days you want to keep. Recording on motion only, or a lower bitrate at night, brings it down.
When does cloud make sense?
- A handful of cameras spread across many small sites with no IT at all.
- You’re replacing every camera anyway, so being tied to one brand costs nothing.
- You don’t want any hardware on site.
When does self-hosted make sense?
- You already have cameras, and maybe NVRs, from several brands.
- The footage is sensitive or regulated, or customers ask where it is kept.
- Many cameras per site, or a limited internet upload.
- You want to own the recordings, how long they’re kept and what it costs.
What does running your own server involve?
Self-hosted used to mean Windows servers, a SQL database and an integrator to set it up. It is much lighter now, but plan for:
- Disks sized with the formula above, plus headroom.
- A GPU if the software uses one for transcoding or AI search. It takes video work off the CPU.
- Backups of the configuration. Recordings themselves are rarely backed up; settings, users and layouts should be.
- Updates for the software and the camera firmware.
- Remote access through a VPN or the vendor’s own relay. Don’t forward camera ports to the internet.
Where Supervision fits
Supervision is self-hosted. The server is a single Go binary with an embedded SQLite database: upgrading means replacing one file, and a backup is a copied folder. It records to your hardware, uses the GPU when there is one, and checks every camera’s health every 10 seconds. Your footage never reaches us.
Cloud hosting is planned for people who would rather not run a server.
Common questions
Is on-premise the same as self-hosted?
For video management, yes. Both mean the software and recordings are on hardware you control, not the vendor’s.
Is cloud video more secure?
Neither is secure by default. A cloud provider handles security for you but holds your footage. Self-hosted keeps it in your hands, so it is as safe as your network: put cameras on their own network, change default passwords and keep firmware up to date.
Can I mix camera brands on a self-hosted VMS?
Usually, yes. Most self-hosted VMS connect over ONVIF or RTSP, which nearly every IP camera supports. See What is ONVIF? for how that works.
Supervision is self-hosted video management software for any camera brand. If this is the kind of problem you're solving, tell us about your cameras and we'll talk it through, or email hello@bipolarfactory.com.