SecuritySpy vs SentryBlack
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SecuritySpy
Monitor and control your macOS CCTV camera system remotely from your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. View live feeds, playback recordings, and receive motion detection alerts. Essential for a complete video surveillance setup.
- Live video and audio streaming
- Playback of recordings
- Motion detection push notifications
- PTZ camera control
- Two-way audio communication
- Remote arm/disarm recording modes
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The official iPhone, iPad and Apple TV app for our macOS CCTV software SecuritySpy (securityspy.com). The essential component of a complete video surveillance system for your Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, this app allows you to easily monitor and control your camera system from wherever you are. This iOS app is completely free for registered SecuritySpy users, and also fully functional during the initial trial period. It offers the following features: - Live video and audio from your cameras - Multiplex: cycle through groups of simultaneous live camera views in full screen - Captures: play back recordings, including motion-detected clips, image files or whole-day movies - Save/share images and recordings via email, iMessage, iCloud Photo Sharing and more - Picture in Picture: watch a live camera in a floating window over other apps - Receive push notifications when motion is detected - PTZ control (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) - Two-way audio - Arm or disarm camera recording modes - Easy setup with auto-discovery of SecuritySpy servers on your network - View and manage multiple SecuritySpy servers Please note you will need a Mac running SecuritySpy 5.5.11 or later (securityspy.com), with a license that covers the number of cameras you want to use in the app. We are always happy to hear your feedback, so please get in touch if you have any suggestions for future updates.
SentryBlack
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Turn your own iPhone, iPad, or Mac into a private home security camera. Set an old device to watch a room and its screen dims to a discreet dark monitor view — one that always shows a clear recording indicator, so it is never hidden — while it detects motion, saves event clips, and streams live to your other devices. Wake it any time with a press-and-hold. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Unlike typical CCTV apps, SentryBlack has no company servers watching your home. Your video stays on YOUR devices and YOUR own private iCloud — never our cloud, and never a third-party cloud you did not choose. • Live view goes device-to-device and is end-to-end encrypted. • If your network blocks a direct connection, you can optionally add a relay server of your own — the video through it stays end-to-end encrypted and the relay cannot decrypt it. SentryBlack provides no relay server, and this setting is off unless you fill it in. • Cameras, motion alerts, and clips sync only through your private iCloud. • No account, no sign-up, no tracking. USE ANY DEVICE AS A CAMERA • The screen dims to a dark monitor view with an always-on "REC" indicator and timer — discreet and power-saving, but never blank. • On-device motion detection saves a clip and snapshot of every event. • Press and hold to wake the screen. MONITOR FROM ANYWHERE • On another device signed into the same iCloud, tap Monitor to see all your cameras. • Get instant push alerts with a snapshot the moment motion is detected. • Watch live video — fastest on the same Wi-Fi, and end-to-end encrypted everywhere. SENTRYBLACK PRO The free version records with motion detection, sends cross-device alerts, and streams live on your Wi-Fi (with a small banner ad on non-camera screens; iPhone and iPad only — the Mac app has no ads). SentryBlack Pro adds: • Cloud clip backup to your own iCloud • Unlimited event history • HD live view • Person detection & motion zones • Multiple cameras • No ads Pro is an auto-renewing subscription (monthly or yearly) with a 3-day free trial. One subscription works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Payment is charged to your Apple Account; it renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings. Note: because Apple stops the camera when an app is in the background or the device is locked, a camera device must stay on and in the app while on duty — keeping it plugged in is recommended. Please use SentryBlack only to monitor your own property and spaces. Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://mwsupplylimited.github.io/sentryblack/privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: SecuritySpy at none against SentryBlack's shown. SecuritySpy also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. SecuritySpy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SentryBlack sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
SecuritySpy ships an update every 3 weeks, SentryBlack fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SecuritySpy | SentryBlack |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (86 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 57.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 86 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ben Software Ltd | Matthew Wong |
In-app purchases
SecuritySpy
- Multiplex & Captures$5.99
SentryBlack
- SentryBlack Pro (Monthly)3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- SentryBlack Pro (Yearly)3 Days trial$29.991 Year









