It is human nature to live in peace. We need safety, security and certainty. These human emotions and needs give rise to the security surveillance industry. There are many giants in the CCTV Market. Hikvision, Dahua, Amcrest, Axis, Hanwha Techwin, to name a few.
We discuss here the two most popular CCTV brands: Hikvision and Amcrest. We elaborate on the Amcrest vs. Hikvision point-by-point comparison for users and integrators.
The comparison will help you understand the brand, brand quality, product quality, market share, technology, and brand acceptance.
What we need to understand here is how our CCTV requirements meet the best CCTV products of Hikvision or Amcrest. Both are good brands and have a good chunk of market share.
Amcrest Vs Hikvision- Compare Brands
| Brand Comparison | Amcrest Brand | Dahua Brand |
| Brand Overview | US Brand with affordable and reasonable products | Chinese Brand with Premium Quality Products |
| Brand Market Reach | More market penetration in America and Canada | Global Presence in over 170 countries |
| Product Range | Easy to install products, focus on small projects and home devices. DIY budgeted products | Quality CCTV products for governmental, industrial, commercial and residential use.. |
| Product Quality | Good decent quality with basic features | Good, decent quality with basic features |
| Product Pricing | Affordable and reasonable | Premium pricing with the best quality CCTV products |
| Remote Access & Cloud | Yes, with moderate functions | Yes, complex and technical features for maximum security |
| App & UI | Amcrest View Pro App for mobiles. Easy interface for beginners | Hik-connect App. Complex and exhaustive features for comprehensive security |
| Product Updation & Firmware | Focuses on replacement rather than updation. No scalability | Updates from time to time. Durable products with frequent updation |
| Installation & Compatibility | DIY products with ONVIF compliant | Updates from time to time. Durable products with frequent updates |
| Privacy & Cybersecurity | Good privacy | Faced challenges in the past. |
We analyse them here on the following important counts.
1- Amcrest Vs Hikvision- Brand Overview
2- CCTV Market Share & Brand Acceptance
3- Product Range
4- Product Image Quality & Feature
5- Brand Product Pricing Strategy
6- Remote Access & Cloud Servers
7- Brand Apps & User Interfaces
8- Product Updation & Firmware
9- Ease of use & Compatibility of products
10- Privacy & Cybersecurity
Let’s compare Amcrest Vs Hikvision on these major points.
1- Amcrest Vs Hikvision- Brand Overview
The best brands don’t create in a few days. They are built over a period. They carry trust, quality, durability and usefulness.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| Amcrest is a popular CCTV brand. Its origin is in the USA. The brand is known for its advanced technology, ease of installation, reasonable product prices and good quality. Its CCTV products are mainly used in commercial and residential projects. The company has projected itself in consumer-grade and small & medium-range projects. It is sold mainly through online channels worldwide. You can easily find its products on Amazon and other similar e-commerce platforms. However, its distributors and retailers are also available in selected countries. | Hikvision is a Chinese Company. It is the number one CCTV company in the World. It has been in the surveillance market for the last 15 years. For the last 3-4 years, it has been the highest-grossing surveillance company globally. Its products are durable and advanced. The Hikvision brand has a complete range of products for every kind of project. Its CCTV cameras and NVRs are extremely popular in governmental, industrial, commercial and residential projects. You can find its products in over 170 countries. Its products are a little costly because of its brand value and product quality. |
2- Amcrest Vs Hikvision CCTV Market Share & Brand Acceptance
The comparison of market share and brand value is made here.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| Amcrest is a US-based company. Its primary focus is the North American CCTV market. Its presence in Canada and America signifies that. Its market share is small compared to the Hikvision market share. Since the brand mainly focuses on consumer markets through platforms like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, etc., its products are popular in DIY and IoT technologies. It is known for its reasonable prices, decent quality, easy-to-use technology and durability. In Asian and African markets, its products are sold mainly through online modes. However, it is not preferred in governmental and industrial projects. It is more concerned with small-scale projects where affordability and compatibility are favoured. | Hikvision is a giant. It captures almost 25% market share globally. You can find its products in Asia, Africa, Europe and America. It is everywhere and in every market segment. Its products are heavy, costly, advanced, and the best in quality and performance. It is a global leader in the CCTV market, though it has been in some controversies in the European market because of data breaches. It is preferred for all kinds of projects, whether big, medium or small level projects. Its target markets are government sectors, industries and commercial units. It is available on Amazon and Walmart but it is mainly sold through distributors and retailers. Its products are not very popular in online markets. |
3- Amcrest Vs Hikvision Product Range
The product range of a brand comprises its category market, available models and product portfolio.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| Amcrest has bullet, dome, IP and PTZ cameras. It has basic DVRs and NVRs. Its best cameras have resolutions of up to 4K. Its PTZ cameras can be zoomed up to 12x. The products are designed to be used in homes, offices and small-scale projects. Most of its cameras don’t require any technical assistance for integration and configuration. They are easy to install and use. Some of its higher models use basic AI technology for motion detection and enhanced security. | Hikvision has a complete product range. It has all the cameras and recorders used in big, small and medium-scale projects. Since its products are extensively used in governmental and industrial projects, it has advanced and AI-supported, powerful cameras. Its commercial and residential product ranges are also effective and superior. Its products are a little costly. Hikvision has IP cameras, Bullet, Dome, Thermal, Panoramic and PTZ cameras. It supports resolutions as high as 8K. Its NVRs are smart and AI-governed. Its AcuSense, DeepinMind and ColorVu product ranges are quite popular. The product’s night vision is excellent. |
4- Amcrest Vs Hikvision Product Image Quality & Features
CCTVs are installed for safety and security. Its image quality and night vision are two paramount features in judging the product quality.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| Amcrest has cameras with 2mp and 4K resolutions. Its premium cameras come with Starlight features. Some special camera models come with colour night vision. The 120dB WDR technology for better image quality in light against contrasting backgrounds. Amcrest products have overall good image quality. It has basic AI features. Its premium products detect motion and differentiate between humans and non-humans. Supports FTP and cloud servers. | Hikvision has very clear night vision cameras. It has high-resolution 2mp to 8K cameras. Its image quality is unparalleled. Its devices give excellent performance in low light because of DarkFighter and ColorVu technologies. They support a 140dB true WDR feature. Its frame rate is between 30 and 60 fps. It detects motion and audio. Through Deep learning AI tech, its devices can differentiate between humans, animals and vehicles. They can warn intruders and raise alarms. It has an SD card, Cloud, FTP, NVR, NAS, etc as recording options. For premium and high-end users, its products are very good. |
5- Amcrest Vs Hikvision Product Pricing Strategy
Amcrest and Hikvision both have different pricing strategies. Amcrest deals in lower and lower-middle surveillance segments. Its products are used in homes and offices. On the other hand, Hikvision has products for premium range clients.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| Amcrest targets affordable customers, small-scale projects and easy-to-use DIY installations. Its cameras range between $40 and $130, and NVRs come between $250 & $600. The frequent discount policy for its products if purchased on Amazon or Walmart. Its products are not scalable. In place of upgradation, the company prefers to sell new products. | Hikvision is a premium brand, and its products come with a premium price tag. Its cameras and NVRs/DVRs are known for their quality and durability. It is a global brand with deep market penetration throughout the globe. Its NVR kits are available for around $400 to $1200, and cameras range between $70 & $400. Since its target market is governments and industries, they go miles to produce quality and durable cameras with advanced technologies. |
6- Amcrest Vs Hikvision Remote Access & Cloud Servers
In this modern world, we travel a lot for business and official purposes. We want to be connected to our locations all the time for monitoring and inspection. We require remote access and data on the cloud. Both Amcrest and Hikvision provide this service.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| Amcrest gives remote access to its devices on smartphones through the Amcrest View Pro App. Its desktop version is also available in the name of Amcrest Surveillance Pro. The company gives cloud storage options through monthly subscriptions. | Hikvision devices are remotely accessed throughout the world on Smartphones and Desktops. You can remotely access Hikvision CCTV cameras and NVRs through the Hik-Connect App. It is given for Android and iOS versions. Its desktop version for Windows and Mac OS is iVMS-4200. It has separate cloud subscription plans for homes and industrial users. Home subscription plans are cheaper than industrial plans. |
7- Amcrest Vs Hikvision Smartphone Apps & User Interfaces
Mobile Apps and User Interfaces help users access sites and locations from anywhere. They provide round-the-clock monitoring, continuous surveillance and device & people management.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| The Amcrest View Pro App gives mobile access. The app is available for Android and iOS. The UI is easy and intuitive. It has basic features and is good for beginners. The app is available on the Google Play Store and the App Store, and its installation and configuration are smooth. The app is designed for Amcrest’s clients who are basically non-technical home and office users. | The Hikvision products are used extensively. Its Hik-connect app is designed for advanced users. It is advanced and professional. You get access to many minute features which other basic apps don’t provide. You are more secure and informed using the software. Its UI is a little complex since it is made for enhanced security and safety. It gives deep control and AI filtering. |
8- Amcrest Vs Hikvision Product Updation & Firmware Management
Product updation is important for long-term usage of the products and scalability. Firmware updation keeps the device functional and improve its performance.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| The Amcrest device firmware update frequency is pretty ordinary. The brand doesn’t focus on product updation; rather, its aim is for product replacement. Since its product is low in cost, consumers easily go for a new version camera. | Hikvision products are durable and last for decades. The company is very focused on its products and technology and emphasises innovation. Its firmware update is frequent, and products are updated regularly to give the best performance. Its SADP Tool is highly popular and is frequently used in Hikvision products and firmware upgrades. |
9- Amcrest Vs Hikvision Installation & Compatibility of products
The CCTV installation and its configuration are tricky. It mainly requires a technical hand to set up. But DIY products are easy to install.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| Amcrest products are easy to install. It is like a plug-and-play sort of device. Since its main target customers resort to Standalone DIY devices, its approach is to produce more and more non-technical devices. Its cameras are compatible. They are ONVIF compliant. | Hikvision Products are comprehensive in nature. They require a professional to install the setup. Since these devices have many security features and can’t be tampered with, users require a professional integrator for their installation and configuration. A non-technical person may face problems with its settings. A basic to moderate level of networking knowledge is useful in its configuration. Hikvision Products are ONVIF compliant. They are compatible with all the profiles of ONVIF. |
10- Amcrest Vs Hikvision Privacy & Cybersecurity
Because of the advent of online platforms, remote surveillance and separate monitoring accounts, we face privacy issues. Sometimes cybersecurity is breached. We require stringent policies to check and control any data pilferage.
| Amcrest Brand | Hikvision Brand |
| Amcrest CCTV devices are simple. They are not open to known threats or data mismanagement. It is safe where privacy and cybersecurity are concerned. No known issues. | Hikvision is defamed for its data leakage. It has faced challenges of infringement of rights in some European countries. It has been barred from some governmental projects because of security concerns. Now, Hikvision has worked on its privacy policies and data encryption. It is considered safer now. |
Choose Amcrest
- Select Amcrest devices for affordability and flexibility.
- For Small projects with non-technical installation and operation.
- If you don’t want Chinese products, trust US-based surveillance devices.
- If you want basic-level features and don’t want advanced technology.
Choose Hikvision
- Select Hikvision products if you want advanced cameras with high-level security. No security threat with its products.
- If you want AI features in the product and long-lasting solutions.
- If you have to install products in large quantities.
- For governmental, industrial, and commercial purposes.
Conclusion
The Amcrest Vs Hikvision brand are compared. Its market share, product variation, image quality, night vision, AI, and other features are compared side by side. The main aim was to help users and integrators pick a better product for the location.
The budget and quality are considered to suggest the right product for clients. On some counts, Amcrest took the front seat and on others, Hikvision marched passed the Amcrest.
Please share your suggestions about the post. If you have queries, you can raise them via the comment box. We read comments and respond to our readers.
Thank You.
Which brand offers better image quality, Amcrest or Hikvision?
Hikvision generally provides better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, due to ColorVu and 140dB WDR technologies.
Are both Amcrest and Hikvision cameras compatible with ONVIF?
Yes, both brands follow ONVIF compatibility.
Are firmware updates easier with Amcrest or Hikvision?
It is easier with Amcrest because the update process is more basic in it. Hikvision often requires updates to download from their portal.
Is Hikvision better for business/commercial use?
Hikvision is widely used in commercial environments due to its robust build, advanced features, and scalability.
What mobile app is used for Hikvision cameras?
Hik-Connect is the official app for the Hikvision brand remote surveillance on Smartphones. It is available for Android and iOS.
How secure are Hikvision systems?
While Hikvision includes strong encryption and user access controls for safety, security and privacy, the brand has faced cybersecurity scrutiny and bans in some countries due to concerns over its ownership and data handling.
Can Hikvision cameras be used with third-party NVRs or VMS?
Yes, Hikvision’s most models are ONVIF compliant. They work with third-party NVRs and software.
What is Amcrest best known for in the CCTV market?
Amcrest is known for offering affordable, reliable, and user-friendly security cameras, particularly favoured in the DIY home security space.
What mobile app is used for Amcrest cameras?
The Amcrest View Pro App is used as a mobile app for Amcrest cameras. It is available for Android and iOS. You can get them respectively on the Google Play Store and the App Store.
