If you are comparing security options for your business, one of the first questions is simple: how much does remote video monitoring cost? The honest answer is that it depends on your property, your cameras and the hours you need covered. This guide explains how pricing works, what drives the cost up or down, and how to get the most protection for your budget.
What you are paying for
With live remote video monitoring, you are paying for trained people and the technology behind them. A typical service includes:
- Agents who watch your cameras in real time from a monitoring center
- AI video analytics that detect people and vehicles and filter out false alarms
- Store opening and closing checks
- Instant alerts to you or your contacts with live video
- Incident reports with time-stamped clips
- Setup, configuration and ongoing support for the monitoring platform
Common pricing models
Providers usually price remote monitoring in one of these ways, or a mix of them:
- Per camera, per month. The most common model. Each monitored camera has a monthly fee, so larger sites cost more.
- Per site, per month. A flat monthly price for a property, often with a camera limit included.
- By schedule. Price is based on the hours monitored, for example nights and weekends only, or a holiday period.
- Setup or onboarding fee. A one-time cost to connect your cameras, set detection zones and build your response plan.
7 factors that affect your monthly cost
- Number of cameras. More cameras mean more feeds to analyse and watch.
- Hours of coverage. Full 24/7 monitoring costs more than after-hours only.
- Activity level. A busy site with frequent movement generates more events for agents to review.
- Response plan. How many contacts to alert, virtual guard tours and custom checks all add work.
- Extra services. Store opening and closing checks or staff monitoring add to the work agents do.
- Camera quality and compatibility. Modern IP cameras connect easily. Older systems may need an upgrade or an extra device.
- Contract length. Longer agreements often come with a lower monthly rate.
Remote monitoring vs. security guard cost
An on-site guard is usually billed by the hour, for every hour, every night. Covering nights, weekends and holidays with guards quickly adds up, and one guard can only be in one place at a time.
With remote monitoring, one agent can watch every camera on your property at once, without breaks or shift gaps. For most businesses that means wider coverage at a fraction of the cost of guards. Some sites still combine both, using guards during busy daytime operations and live monitoring for nights and weekends. Read our full comparison: live video monitoring vs. security guards.
How to lower your monitoring cost
- Monitor only when you are closed. If staff are on site during the day, after-hours monitoring is often enough.
- Use your existing cameras. Most modern systems can be connected without replacing hardware. See can you add monitoring to existing cameras.
- Focus on the right cameras. Prioritise entrances, fence lines, gates and high-value areas instead of every indoor view.
- Use AI analytics. Fewer false alarms means agents spend time on real threats.
- Add seasonal cover. Increase monitoring for high-risk periods like the holidays, then scale back.
Questions to ask any monitoring provider
- Are real people watching the live video, or do you only receive alerts?
- How quickly do agents respond after an event is detected?
- Can they also check store openings, closings and staff?
- Who do they contact, and how do you receive video of the event?
- Will my current cameras work, and what is the setup cost?
- Can I change my schedule, for example adding holidays?
Frequently asked questions
Is there a setup fee for remote video monitoring?
Many providers charge a one-time setup fee to connect cameras, configure detection zones and build your response plan. The amount depends on the number of cameras and how easily your system connects, so ask for it to be included in your quote.
Can I pay for monitoring only at night?
Yes. After-hours, overnight, weekend and holiday-only schedules are common and cost less than full 24/7 monitoring.
Do I need to buy new cameras?
Usually not. Most modern IP cameras and NVR systems can be connected. If a camera cannot be monitored reliably, the provider should tell you before you sign up.
Is remote monitoring cheaper than a security guard?
For most properties, yes. One remote agent can cover every camera at once, which usually costs far less than paying guards for every night and weekend.
Get an exact price for your property
Every site is different, so the best way to know your cost is a quick assessment. Tell us how many cameras you have and which hours you want covered, and TSX Monitoring will send a clear, no-obligation quote. Request your free quote.
