How to Record 24/7 Footage Without a Monthly Fee
The exact setup I use to skip cloud fees (and still protect my home)
When I first started using smart cameras, I hated the idea of paying another monthly fee just to record footage. I get why companies push cloud plans — but if you know what to look for, you can absolutely record 24/7 video without paying extra.
I’ve tested several setups over the past two years and figured out exactly how to get full 24/7 coverage — and keep my recordings under my own control. Here’s how you can do the same.
Table of Contents
1. Choose the Right Camera (Local Storage is Key)
The first mistake I made was buying a cloud-only camera. No matter what I did, it wouldn’t record full footage unless I subscribed. Lesson learned.
Now I stick with cameras that offer:
✅ microSD card recording
✅ Local NAS support (if you want advanced options)
✅ 24/7 continuous recording mode (not just motion clips)
Here are a few models I’ve used personally:
- eufy Indoor Cam 2K (my favorite for indoors)
- Wyze Cam v3 (affordable & weatherproof for outdoor use too)
- Reolink E1 Pro (great for large spaces with PTZ)
- TP-Link Tapo C210 (budget-friendly pan-and-tilt option)
CLICK HERE TO SEE RING INDOOR CAM!
2. Use a High-Capacity microSD Card
Most of these cams support at least 128GB–256GB cards — that’s usually enough to store several days’ worth of continuous video.
I always buy Class 10 or UHS-I cards — cheap cards won’t keep up with constant recording and will wear out faster.
For my main camera, I use a SanDisk 256GB Ultra — works perfectly with my eufy cam and lets me save about 10–14 days of 24/7 footage.
3. Enable Continuous Recording in the App
Most camera apps default to motion-triggered recording, so you need to turn on continuous recording manually.
For example:
- In the eufy app: Settings → Recording Mode → Continuous
- In Wyze: Settings → Advanced Settings → Continuous Recording
- In Reolink: Settings → Recording Schedule → 24/7
It takes 30 seconds to set up — once done, the cam will record full video, not just motion clips.
4. How Much Video Will a microSD Card Hold?
This was one of my first questions too! It depends on the resolution and bitrate you use:
| Card Size | 1080p Footage | 2K Footage |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | ~4–6 days | ~2–4 days |
| 256 GB | ~10–14 days | ~5–7 days |
I prefer 256GB — it’s only a few dollars more but gives you more peace of mind.
5. How to View & Save Footage
One thing I love is that local-storage cameras let me review video anytime from the app, and I can export clips straight to my phone.
No subscription needed. If something happens, I can download the video instantly.
Bonus tip: Every week or so, I also back up important clips to my cloud storage (Google Drive or Dropbox), just in case.
6. Optional: Use a NAS for Even More Storage
If you want weeks or months of footage, consider pairing your camera with a NAS (Network Attached Storage).
Many Reolink and eufy cams support NAS — so you can store huge archives of footage locally, without any monthly fee.
It’s more advanced, but if you’re a power user, it’s worth exploring.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to pay $10–20 a month to protect your home or business. With the right camera and a good SD card, you can record 24/7 and own your data.
That’s exactly how I do it — no subscription, no hidden fees, and no surprises. Once you set it up, you’ll wonder why you ever considered paying for the cloud.
When choosing a camera, one thing I always check is whether the brand forces you into their cloud plan. Some cheaper cameras look great on paper — but once you set them up, you realize they won’t even record to SD without a subscription. That’s why I stick with brands like eufy, Wyze, Reolink, and Tapo — they all let you skip the subscription completely.
Another tip I’ve picked up: always buy two microSD cards. That way, you can swap them every month or so, archive one safely, and reduce wear on the card. Continuous recording is tough on storage, and rotating cards extends their lifespan.
If your camera supports H.265 video compression, enable it. This newer codec stores video in smaller file sizes without losing quality. On my eufy 2K cam, switching to H.265 gave me about 30% more days of storage on the same 256GB card.
Also — don’t forget about audio recording. If privacy is a concern, you may want to disable the mic, but for many use cases (like monitoring caregivers, pets, or packages), having audio along with video can be a lifesaver.
Another great feature to look for is motion tagging during continuous recording. Wyze Cam v3 does this — so when I scroll back through 24/7 footage, I can quickly find events that triggered motion without having to watch hours of video.
If you travel a lot like I do, remote access is a must. That’s why I stick to cameras with solid app support — being able to pull up a live feed or download a clip while on the road is super helpful, and all the models I listed make that easy.
Reliability is key. One thing I’ve learned is that not all cheap SD cards can handle 24/7 recording. I always buy cards labeled “high endurance” — SanDisk and Samsung both make excellent ones for this purpose, designed for constant write cycles.
Also, take time to set up custom recording schedules if your camera supports it. For example, I have one outdoor camera that only records 24/7 at night, when activity is most likely. That extends storage space and keeps footage more relevant.
A question I get often: What happens when the SD card fills up? Good news — most cameras use loop recording. When the card fills, it simply overwrites the oldest footage first. You never have to manually delete or manage files.
For extra peace of mind, I also check in the app every week to make sure recording is still running. A simple glitch or power loss can sometimes pause continuous recording — so a quick check prevents any surprises later.
If you want the best possible image quality, position your camera carefully. For 24/7 recording, avoid pointing at windows (daylight glare ruins clarity) and test the night vision to ensure good lighting after dark. A small IR floodlight can improve night shots dramatically.
Finally, remember: you own your data. That’s what I love most about this setup. I don’t have to worry about companies mining my footage or raising cloud prices later on. Once it’s recorded on my card or NAS, it’s mine — and that level of control is priceless.