Compare software

ZoneMinder vs Bluecherry: catalog facts
ZoneMinderBluecherry

Best for: A mature self-hosted CCTV recorder on a Linux server

Best for: Running your own CCTV recorder for mixed IP and analog cameras on Linux

Free

Free and open source under the GPL-2.0 licence.

Free

The server application source is free under the GPL-2.0 licence.

Linux, Self-hosted Linux, Self-hosted
  • Supports IP, USB and analog cameras
  • Packaged in many Linux distribution repositories
All 4 strengths for ZoneMinder
  • Supports IP, USB and analog cameras
  • Packaged in many Linux distribution repositories
  • Mature project with a large community
  • Motion analysis and recording in one system
  • Supports both IP and analog cameras
  • Packaging for Debian and RPM based distributions
All 3 strengths for Bluecherry
  • Supports both IP and analog cameras
  • Packaging for Debian and RPM based distributions
  • Actively maintained with frequent commits
  • Linux only
  • Setup and tuning take more effort than newer Docker-first systems
  • Linux only on the server side
  • Building from source requires the project's custom scripts
All 3 limitations for Bluecherry
  • Linux only on the server side
  • Building from source requires the project's custom scripts
  • Depends on MySQL and PHP
Self-hosted Self-hosted
Open source Open source
License: GPL-2.0 License: GPL-2.0
Not stated if an account is needed Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline Not stated if it works offline
Sources for ZoneMinder

Catalog checked October 2, 2026

Sources for Bluecherry

Catalog checked October 2, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.