Pricing & Licensing
Is Agent DVR free?
Agent DVR is free to download and use locally for private use. Remote access, mobile apps, cloud storage, and business use require a subscription starting at $7.95/month. No credit card required to get started.
What is the difference between iSpy and Agent DVR?
iSpy was the original Windows-only desktop application released in 2007. Agent DVR is the modern replacement - rebuilt from scratch, cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi), browser-based, and released in 2022. iSpy is no longer actively developed. All new features and support are for Agent DVR.
Does Agent DVR work offline without internet?
Yes. Agent DVR runs fully offline for local use - recording, motion detection, AI analysis, and local playback all work without an internet connection. An internet connection is only required for remote access, cloud storage, push notifications, and other hosted services.
Cameras & Compatibility
What cameras does Agent DVR support?
Agent DVR is a network video recorder (NVR) for IP cameras that also records local USB cameras, so it covers what people call an NVR and a DVR in one application. It supports thousands of IP cameras, ONVIF devices, RTSP streams, local USB cameras, and audio devices. There is no software limit on the number of cameras you can add. Browse the full camera database.
Does Agent DVR support ONVIF?
Yes. Agent DVR has full ONVIF support including automatic device discovery, PTZ camera control, and event handling. Most modern IP cameras are ONVIF-compatible.
Does Agent DVR support 4K cameras?
Yes. Agent DVR records and plays back 4K camera streams. 4K remote playback requires a Professional subscription.
How many cameras can Agent DVR handle?
There is no software limit. You can add as many cameras as your hardware supports. The practical limit depends on your CPU, GPU, RAM, and network bandwidth.
Installation & Platforms
Does Agent DVR require port forwarding?
No. Agent DVR uses a secure relay to provide remote access without any router configuration. It works behind strict firewalls and mobile networks. Port forwarding is still available as an option but is never required.
Can Agent DVR run on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes. Agent DVR runs on Raspberry Pi 4 and later. The minimum requirement is Linux with glibc 2.28 or higher, which is met by Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm (2023) and later.
Can I run Agent DVR in Docker?
Yes. Agent DVR has an official Docker image. Docker is a common deployment method for home lab and server setups and is supported on Linux and Windows hosts.
Is there a mobile app?
Yes. Agent DVR has iOS and Android apps for remote viewing and control. The full web interface also works on mobile browsers without installing an app.
AI & Integrations
What AI providers does Agent DVR integrate with?
Agent DVR integrates with OpenAI (ChatGPT), Claude, Gemini, Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM, DeepStack AI, CodeProject.AI and PlateRecognizer.com. Third-party AI integrations such as CodeProject.AI and local models work for free; Agent DVR's built-in real-time AI requires a license.
Does Agent DVR support license plate recognition?
Yes. Agent DVR includes license plate recognition (LPR/ANPR) as part of its AI features, with support for PlateRecognizer.com and other providers.
Can I use Claude, ChatGPT or another AI assistant with Agent DVR?
Yes. Agent DVR includes a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, so Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini CLI, Cursor and any other MCP client can view your live cameras, review recordings and alerts, and arm or disarm the system in plain language. It is free on your own network, or works from anywhere with a subscription. See AI assistants for security cameras.
Can I set up camera alerts by describing them in plain language?
Yes, from Agent DVR 8.0.7. With an AI assistant connected you say what you want - "tell me if a red car turns up on the driveway today", "if someone is at the side gate tonight play a dog barking", "if the bins are not out on Sunday at 6pm text me" - and the assistant creates a rule on your server. Rules use your cameras' own detectors, can ask a vision AI a yes or no question for details such as color, can follow sunrise and sunset, and can notify you, speak or play a sound through the camera, record, move a PTZ camera, call a webhook or arm the system. They keep running with no assistant connected. See Assistant Rules.
Can I use Agent DVR with Home Assistant?
Yes. Agent DVR has a native Home Assistant integration. You can trigger recordings, receive motion and object detection alerts, control PTZ cameras, arm and disarm, and incorporate Agent DVR into automations and dashboards.
Can I use Agent DVR with ioBroker?
Yes. The community-maintained ioBroker.agent-dvr adapter discovers your cameras, mirrors their state as ioBroker data points, and provides record, arm/disarm, PTZ and profile controls plus a live dashboard. It uses the local HTTP API, so it works with the free version. See ioBroker in the user guide.