The Night Owl Security Brand produces the top-rated CCTV surveillance system in the World. This American company is known for its robust, quality, advanced, and trusted CCTV devices. These CCTV devices are highly useful in covering our homes and businesses.
The company has also designed two apps to manage and remotely monitor their devices for enhanced security. These apps are respectively Night Owl Connect and Night Owl Protect.
These apps add Night Owl devices, offer two-way talk, push alert notifications, give real-time views, and manage Cameras, DVRs, NVRs, etc.
The Night Owl Connect Vs Night Owl Protect comparison throws light upon their uniqueness, usability, and employability based on security needs and demands.
App Name | Night Owl Connect (Android) | Night Owl Connect (iOS) | Night Owl Protect (Android) | Night Owl Protect (iOS) |
App Size | 46 MB | 145.9 MB | 126 MB | 103.9 MB |
App Version | Android 5.0.9.6 | Version iOS 5.0.95 | Android 1.5.65 | Version iOS 1.1.68 |
App Rating | Rated for 3+ | Rated for 4+ | Rated for 3+ | Rated for 4+ |
System Requirement | Android 5.0 and up | iPhone requires iOS 8.0 or later | Android 8.0 and up | Requires iOS 14.4 or later |
App Downloads | 500,000+ downloads | N/A | 1,000,000+ downloads | N/A |
App Release Date | 4 Oct 2017 | July 2019 | 19 Mar 2020 | March 2020 |
Night Owl Connect Vs Night Owl Protect- Find the Right App for Your CCTV System
Let’s know about these apps for a proper understanding. The purpose is to use the best-suited app for your surveillance devices and get smoother remote monitoring.
1- App Overview
2- User Interface & Experience (App Pros & Cons)
3- Key Features
4- App Updates
5- Night Owl Connect to Night Owl Protect Transition
We explore these features here.
1- App Overview- Night Owl Connect Vs Night Owl Protect

Know about these apps to use them better.
Night Owl Connect
The software was designed and marketed by Night Owl SP LLC. It was released on 4th October 2017. It was launched for the legacy Night Owl security system series.
The app is compatible with Night Owl’s older DVRs and NVRs, like THD XHD, etc. It supports many wired and wireless cameras. The app is available for Android and iOS.
Users can get them from the Google Play Store for the Android series and the App Store for the iPhone series. The app adds and manages Night Owl devices and gives users the support to operate cameras from anywhere.
You can talk two-way and detect motions. The app issues alert warnings detecting dubious activities. It has many more features, which we will discuss in detail later on.
Night Owl Protect
The Night Owl Protect app was designed and offered by Night Owl SP, LLC. It was launched on 19th Mar 2020. The app has been updated many times since then. It is available on the Google Play Store and the App Store.
The app is given for Android and iOS versions. It is used for remote security surveillance.
It is the latest app compared to the Night Owl Protect App. It supports Night Owl’s latest surveillance devices. It has a low latency and advanced hybrid cloud storage support. The app supports face login. We will discuss its key features in the next section.
2- User Interface & Experience (App Pros & Cons)
Night Owl Connect App
The app has many pluses and a few minuses.
Night Owl Connect- Pros
- Simple and easy interface.
- It is designed in a minimalist way. No clutter on the pages.
- An effective application for real-time view and easier device management.
- Quick and easy mobile setup.
Night Owl Connect- Cons
- It takes time to load the app.
- Only limited customisation options.
- Sometimes the App freezes or hangs on new-model smartphones.

Night Owl Protect App
This app is newer and more efficient.
Night Owl Protect- Pros
- Its interface is modern.
- The dashboard is user-friendly.
- The app is quick in response. You can check playbacks, get alert signals, and view things in real-time without any time lags.
- It loads quickly.
Night Owl Protect- Cons
- This app is a bit complex compared to the Night Owl Connect app.
- It is designed for more advanced smartphones because it uses graphics and animations for enhanced security display.
3- Key Features
Night Owl Connect
- The app is easy to download and install.
- Gives live video and audio through wifi or mobile data networks.
- Detects suspicious moves and triggers alert notifications on smartphones.
- You can store data on your mobile.
- You can communicate two-way.
- It allows you to operate devices from anywhere.
- Supports panning, tilting, and zooming from remote locations.
- Users can check playbacks from remote areas.
- You can share cameras or NVRs with multiple users.
- Face recognition and differentiation between humans and non-humans.
Night Owl Protect
- Quick and easy to load the app, and it supports the Bluetooth setup.
- Adds devices through QR codes, Device IDs, or IP Addresses.
- Detects suspicious moves and differentiates between humans, pets, and vehicles.
- You can talk via the app to people who are on the device side.
- The app pushes alert messages and signals.
- Easy to manage playbacks from any place.
- You can share devices with others through the registered login ID and password.
- Keep your data secure with 2-step Verification.
- You can create groups for the selected cameras’ real-time viewing.
- Supports cloud storage.
4- App Updates

Night Owl Connect
- This app is not updated regularly by the company. It is in a stage of being phased out.
- Supports legacy series cameras, NVRs, and DVRs, though without updation.
- Not enough customer support features.
Night Owl Protect
- The app is updated regularly and is active.
- Its features are updated now and then, which makes it more secure for users.
- The Night Owl supports its framework, and it has been made compatible with all Night Owl devices.
- The Night Owl Protect App is the future of the Night Owl System.
Device Compatibility- Night Owl Connect & Night Owl Protect
Night Owl Connect is compatible with the following Night Owl Devices.
WDB-20, WDB-20-V2, WG-20W-4, WCM-SD2POU-BU, WCM-SD2PIN, WCM-SD2POU-BU-V2, DVR-C20X-8, DVR-C20X-16, DVRH-C20X-8, DVRH-C20X-16, WNVR-C20-8, DVR-C50X-8, DVR-C50X-16, NVR-IC82-8, NVR-IC84-16, DVR-C50XFR-16, DVR-C80XFR-8, WCM-2FEIN
Night Owl Protect App is compatible with the following devices.
DB-WNIP2-SU, DB-DBW2-B, DVR-BTD2-16 / V2, DVR-BTD2-161 / V2, DVR-BTD2-81 / V2, DVR-BTD8-16 / V2, DVR-BTD8-41 / V2, DVR-BTD8-8 / V2, DVR-BTD8-8-4POE-2 / V2, DVR-BTD8-81 / V2, DVR-BTD8-82 / V2, DVR-DP2-16, DVR-DP2-161, DVR-DP8-12, DVR-DP8-121, DVR-DP8-122, DVR-FTD4-81, DVR-FTD2-161, DVR-FTD8-82, DVR-FTD8-162,, DVR-VDP2-81 NVR-BTN8-8, NVR-FTN8-16, WCM-FWIP2-I, WCM-FWP3PT-I, WCM-FWIP3-FL, FBWNIP-4L-BS-U-301, BWNIP-4TA-BS, BW-4TA-SOLAR, BW-4TA-BS, WNIP-2LTA-BS-U / V2, WNIP-2LTAW-BS-U, WNIP-4LTA-BS-U, WNIP-8LTA-BS-U / V2, WCM-FWIP4L-BS-V2, WCM-FWIP8L-BS / V2, WNVR-BTWN8-1 / V2, WNVR-WNIP2-1 / V2, WNVR-FWR8G1-8.

6- Night Owl Connect to Night Owl Protect Transition
The Night Owl Legacy series NVRs, DVRs and Cameras follow the Night Owl Connect App. If users want to transition their devices, they may be required to change some of their devices.
- You can make the transition by confirming compatibility with the Protect App.
- You have to download and install the Protect application.
- Take a backup of the devices and then go for the app transition.
- Add devices by their QR Codes or IDs and make the settings.
- After device linking, you get all the features of the Night Owl Protect App.
Conclusion- Which Surveillance App to Use
How can we be able to know which devices to use for which apps?
Use the Night Owl Connect App
- If you have installed the old versions of Night Owl Cameras, DVRs, and NVRs.
- You are happy with your old app and don’t want new and advanced features.
- You just want a basic standard remote surveillance.
- You don’t require advanced alert notifications.
Use the Night Owl Protect App
- If you are using a new and advanced Night Owl system manufactured after 2020, then use the Night Owl Protect App.
- If you want smart alerts, no false alerts, cloud features, and advanced surveillance features, then go for this software.
- If you need modern cameras and you have the latest Android or iOS smartphone, then choose this app.
- If you want perimeter protection, colour night vision, and enhanced remote surveillance features, then this app is your solution.
Night Owl Protect is the future of the Night Owl Connect. It works smoothly with all Night Owl wired and wireless cameras. Definitely, Night Owl Protect is a more advanced and efficient form of Night Owl Connect.
The comparison compares the two systems to understand which is more useful based on our requirements.
Please share your thoughts and queries in the comment section. We respond to all queries. Your views are valuable to us.
Thank You.
What is the Night Owl Protect App?
The Night Owl Protect App is a mobile application that allows users to remotely view and manage their Night Owl security cameras and DVR/NVR systems.
Is the Night Owl Protect App free to use?
Yes, the app is free to download and use. It is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Which devices are compatible with the Night Owl Protect app?
The Night Owl supports Android and IOS versions. It supports iOS 11.0 or later systems and
Android 7.0 or later systems.
Can I receive push notifications on my phone via the Night Owl Protect App?
Yes. You can enable push notifications for motion alerts, system updates, and other important events within the app’s settings.
Can I control multiple Night Owl systems in the Night Owl Protect app?
Yes, the app allows users to manage multiple systems from one account, making it ideal for multi-location setups.
Can I share access with other users through the Night Owl Connect?
Yes, you can share device access with other users by inviting them via email through the app settings.
Does the Protect app support two-factor authentication (2FA)?
Yes. Night Owl Protect supports 2FA for added account security. You can enable it in the account settings.
Can I talk through the camera using the Night Owl Connect app?
If your Night Owl camera supports two-way audio, the app allows you to speak and listen through the camera in real time.
Does the Night Owl Protect app work outside the U.S.?
Yes, you can access your Night Owl system from anywhere with internet access, making it ideal for remote monitoring.
Is the Night Owl Connect App free?
Yes, the app is free to download and use. It is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
How do I set up the Night Owl Connect App?
Download and install the app on your smartphone. Sign in with a registered email ID and password. After that, press the “+” sign to add cameras and DVRs/NVRs. Add devices via their QR codes or device IDs.
Can I view live camera feeds with this Night Owl Connect app?
Yes, live video streaming from all connected cameras is supported by the app.