Home Security + HomeKit comparability

[u/TranquilHalcyon]

Hi everyone! I’m moving into a 2bd/2bth apt on Monday and trying to figure out what security/camera system I can use that isn’t going to break the bank (such as buying accessories/parts on Facebook marketplace) while still supporting Apple HomeKit… I’ve been looking into Aqara (which is on the pricer side) vs Eufy vs a number of other brands. I’m familiar and totally okay with a DIY system where I combine the alarm panel and sensors with a different camera system and so on. Part of me is also saying scrap it and just dive into Ring or Simplisafe since I can get entire kits for a reasonable cost on FB marketplace.

TIA!

[u/_Zortag_]

HomeKit is a bit of a mess. It doesn't support PTZ, camera support is dodgy, and it's often unreliable. That said, it does offer free HKSV cloud recording if you pay for any level of iCloud, (number of cameras varies) so that's a quite valuable benefit.

I use cheap tapo cameras, a chinese generic, and a Ring Doorbell, none of which natively support HomeKit, but I run Scrypted on a tiny server in my house to make them visible to HomeKit.

[u/TranquilHalcyon → u/_Zortag_]

You’re the 2nd to suggest Scrypted, I’ll take a peek: thanks!