Published Oct 30, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT

Oliver has been writing about mobile and the wider technology space for more than a decade with bylines on TechRadar, CNET, Inverse, and more.

With experience covering breaking news, writing in-depth product reviews, and sharing more than a few opinions, Oliver has been the go-to expert for some of the biggest publications both online and in print.

Smart home technology brings convenience and new features to everything from light bulbs to complex automations. But it also often comes with a hidden, ongoing cost in the form of subscriptions. For someone who relies on smart home cameras as part of their security setup, those cloud video subscriptions can soon add up to some very real money. But that doesn't mean that paying up is the only option.

While smart security camera makers often prefer to sell you a subscription, or hook into that of another platform, their products can usually work just fine without a recurring fee.…