Copyright © Altula 2026
Synology Surveillance Station includes two free camera licenses
From a technical perspective, why does Synology charge for cameras when the NAS hardware has already been purchased? The argument hinges on resource allocation. A VMS is not passive storage; it is a computational load. Each camera feed requires decoding, motion-sensing algorithms, and continuous writing to the disk array. Synology’s license fee ostensibly funds the development of its advanced features, such as the Deep Learning NVR (DL NVR) for people and vehicle detection, which typically requires a subscription elsewhere. In this sense, the user is not paying for the storage of the video, but for the intelligence applied to it. synology surveillance station license free
require a license, so stick to using the default two slots for these. Summary of "Free" Options License Count Requirement Standard NAS Any Synology NAS DVA Series NVR Purchase DVA3221/DVA1622 Synology Cameras Use BC500/TC500/CC400 cameras May require more technical setup and maintenance
Availability: These licenses are pre-installed and activated as soon as you set up Surveillance Station on your NAS. Synology Surveillance Station is a powerful
Synology Surveillance Station is a powerful, professional-grade Video Management System (VMS) that comes free with every Synology NAS. While the software itself is complimentary, its scalability is managed through a licensing system. Understanding how many free camera licenses you have and how to use them effectively can save you hundreds of dollars in security costs.