Milestone vs Avigilon: which video system fits your building?
An honest comparison from an installer that installs and fully supports both.
The quick answer
Choose Milestone XProtect if you want open video software that runs a very wide range of camera brands, so you can mix and keep cameras over time. Choose Avigilon if you want cameras, video software and AI search from one maker, on site with Avigilon Unity or in the cloud with Avigilon Alta.
Milestone vs Avigilon side by side
| Milestone | Avigilon | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A video management software company, part of Canon, best known for XProtect. | A Motorola Solutions company that makes cameras, video software and access control. |
| Cameras | Doesn’t focus on its own cameras. Works with a very wide range of camera brands. | Its own cameras, tightly paired with its software and analytics. |
| Software | XProtect in several editions, from small sites to large multi-site systems. | Avigilon Unity on site, or Avigilon Alta in the cloud. |
| Search and analytics | Analytics from camera makers and partner plug-ins. | AI analytics and Appearance Search to find a person or vehicle across cameras. |
| Mixing brands | Built for mixed camera brands. | Some features work fully only with Avigilon cameras. |
| Best fit | Sites with mixed cameras, or that want to choose cameras freely. | Sites that want one maker for cameras, software and search. |
Which should you choose?
Choose Milestone if
- You have cameras from several brands you want to keep
- You want to choose cameras freely in future
- You need a platform that scales across many sites
Choose Avigilon if
- You want cameras and software from one maker
- Fast search across cameras matters
- You want a cloud option with Avigilon Alta
Best choice by building type
| Building | Our usual recommendation |
|---|---|
| Condo or rental building | Avigilon for one simple system; Milestone where the building has mixed cameras to keep. |
| Office building | Either. Avigilon for built-in search; Milestone for an open platform. |
| Industrial yard or heavy commercial site | Milestone with specialty cameras; Avigilon for search across a large site. |
| Multi-site portfolio | Milestone for one open platform across sites; Avigilon Alta for cloud management. |
Can we keep our existing cameras?
With Milestone, often yes: XProtect supports a very wide range of camera models. Avigilon’s software can run many other brands’ cameras too, though some features need Avigilon cameras. We check each model during design and tell you which can stay.
Costs to consider
The cost of either depends on the number and type of cameras, software licences or subscriptions, storage and how long you keep video, and on-site or cloud management.
Ask any installer for the full cost of ownership, including licences, subscriptions, maintenance and future expansion. We include all of it in our written quotes, so there are no surprises.
Still not sure?
We install and fully support both, so we’ll recommend whichever fits your building, after a site walk.
More comparisons: Milestone vs Genetec, Avigilon vs Genetec and Avigilon vs Axis.
Stuck with a system nobody will fix?
We repair and take over cameras, access control, intercoms and alarms installed by other companies, when your current provider has fallen short.
Help: Export Milestone video
Milestone vs Avigilon questions
Is Milestone or Avigilon better?
Neither is better for every building. Milestone suits sites with mixed cameras or that want an open platform. Avigilon suits sites that want one maker for cameras, software and search.
Does Milestone make cameras?
No. Milestone makes video software and works with cameras from many makers.
Can Avigilon cameras run on Milestone?
Many can, but you may lose some Avigilon-only features. We check during design.
Do you install both?
Yes. We install and fully support both Milestone and Avigilon, so our recommendation is about fit, not what we sell.
Can either be monitored remotely?
Yes. Both can be set up for remote video monitoring through our monitoring partner. We confirm how it connects during design.
Do we get admin access?
Yes. We hand over admin access and full documentation on every project, whichever brand you choose.
More answers: Security camera questionsGlossary: NVRvideo analytics
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