Comparison

Faceter Video Surveillance vs Phonitor

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Faceter Video Surveillance

This cloud-based video surveillance solution works with various cameras, including smartphones, to monitor physical spaces 24/7. It offers instant alerts, smart analytics, and remote access for businesses and private users. The system is designed for easy setup and scalability, providing actionable insights without complex hardware.

Highlights
  • Cloud-based video surveillance
  • Works with IP cameras, DVRs, and smartphones
  • Instant alerts via Telegram
  • Smart analytics (people, vehicle, motion detection)
  • AI-powered video summaries
  • Remote access and camera sharing
  • Scalable for businesses of all sizes
Features
Read full description

Faceter is smart cloud video surveillance (VSaaS) with its own line of security cameras. Connect third-party IP cameras or use a smartphone as a camera without buying equipment. Monitor offices, warehouses, stores, and your home from a single system. Get notifications in Telegram and Max, and use an AI Agent for quick archive search instead of long video playback. Why You Need Faceter Faceter combines any cameras into a single smart video surveillance system. Connect devices via ONVIF or RTSP with a public IP address. You can: • Watch live video from any camera online through the cloud • Use a smartphone as a surveillance camera (turn an old phone into an IP camera) without buying equipment • Find any moment in the archive in seconds with smart event marking and timeline search instead of hours of viewing • Keep video surveillance 24/7 • Get a free daily timelapse in messengers: review your whole day in 1 minute • Receive event descriptions from the AI Agent • Get event alerts via push notifications and messengers (Telegram, Max, etc.) • Use the app on phone, tablet, computer, Mac, Windows, and TV Any Cameras, One System Maximum stability is ensured with Faceter's cameras: full compatibility and all analytics out of the box. Already have third-party cameras? Connect them via ONVIF and RTSP protocols. Faceter records video locally to an SD card without internet or cloud fees. In development: our line of network video recorders (NVR) for hybrid systems. Review a full day's archive in 5 minutes and download any clip instantly. We built a practical app design, fast servers, and a special cloud storage format. Connecting a camera takes a couple of minutes. An old smartphone connects just as easily: convert a phone into a security camera without buying extra hardware. Smart Detections Built-in detections recognize human silhouettes, vehicles, pets, and movement, capturing line crossings and intrusions. The system cuts false alarms like rain, snow, waving branches, and shadows. You only get push alerts during real events. Faceter AI Agent The AI Agent works in Telegram, Max, or in the app. Chat with it in plain text instead of watching video. Ask a question and get a precise summary from the archive: "What time did the delivery car arrive?", "What happened on site from 12:00 to 13:00?", or "Did anyone enter the warehouse after closing?". The agent also sends concise text descriptions of current events: "Person passed by", "Truck entered", "Dog near the door". Why Choose Faceter Faceter is an analytics tool with a transparent pricing model. • AI Agent without overpaying: text reports are included in cloud subscriptions. No extra payment for AI features. • Free basic features: live streaming and smart detections work free without a cloud plan. Cameras can record to an SD card without internet. • No complex servers: launch without expensive servers or engineer visits. Human detection works without biometrics or facial recognition. Only Useful Features • Online live camera streaming • Timelapse: full day in a minute • Event alerts via push, Telegram, and Max • Intelligent archive search • Saving required video clips • Access rights management • Russian language interface • Faceter compatibility with Windows, Mac, and TV Faceter is also great for home: baby monitor, elderly care, or pet watching (with pet detection). Set up video surveillance in 5 minutes. Get alerts in Telegram or Max when events happen. Download Faceter and monitor your home, office, or business from anywhere!

About

Phonitor

Transform old iPhones, iPads, or Macs into a secure, ad-free security camera. Monitor your home, pets, or baby with live streaming and instant playback. Enjoy two-way audio and high-quality video, with optional premium features for unlimited access.

Highlights
  • Repurpose old Apple devices as cameras
  • Secure iCloud data sync
  • Private P2P video streaming
  • Two-way audio communication
  • Instant playback of recordings
  • High-quality video up to 2K 60fps
  • Battery saver mode
Features
Read full description

Ever thought your old iPhone or iPad could do more? Phonitor turns your unused devices into a smart monitoring camera — no extra hardware, no extra cost. Simply use your spare iPhone, iPad, or Mac as the camera, and view the live or playback on your everyday device. Place it wherever you need — a shelf, windowsill, the crib, even outside for an afternoon. No mounts, no drilling: run on the built-in battery for short stints, or plug in for the long haul. Easily keep an eye on your home, yard, office, or stay connected with your baby, pets, and loved ones. Built with privacy at its core, Phonitor is completely ad-free and collects no data. Designed exclusively for the Apple ecosystem, it harnesses Apple’s native technologies for seamless performance — now with a fresh look on iOS 26. Here are the key benefits: REAL-TIME MONITORING: Watch your camera’s live stream anytime, anywhere, on any of your Apple devices. INSTANT PLAYBACK: Replay any moment from the recordings stored on your camera device. EXPORT CLIPS: Trim and save the moments that matter — locally or remotely — and share them anywhere. (Pro) TWO-WAY AUDIO: Hear what’s happening and talk as if you’re there. (Pro) NIGHT VISION: Cleaner, steadier video in low light, with anti-flicker tuning that keeps the picture calm even under dim bulbs. CRISP VIDEO: Up to 2K at 60fps, with multiple resolutions and frame rates to fit your scene. LOW LATENCY: Experience minimal delay powered by the device-to-device direct connection. ULTRA-WIDE CAMERA: Capture a broader view with the ultra-wide lens on compatible devices. LONG-TERM OPTIMIZATION: Smart battery use and reduced heat on the camera device — built for stable, long-running streaming. BACKGROUND PLAY: Continue monitoring while using other apps, or even with the screen locked. (Pro) PRIVATE: Video streams go directly device-to-device via P2P — never through or stored on third-party servers. Recordings stay on your camera. Only you can access them. SECURE: Phonitor uses iCloud to securely sync your critical data across devices. Your Apple ID is all you need — no extra accounts required. Upgrade to Phonitor Pro for unlimited monitoring and exclusive features with a 7-day free trial. More exciting features are coming soon with regular updates! Reusing old devices isn’t just about saving money — it’s a more sustainable, mindful lifestyle. Repurpose your old hardware in a simple, secure, and practical way, rather than letting it gather dust when it’s still fully capable. Terms of Use: https://phonitor.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://phonitor.app/privacy

Screenshots

Faceter Video Surveillance4 screens
Phonitor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Faceter Video Surveillance at 4.6 against Phonitor's 4.1. Faceter Video Surveillance also leads on ratings volume (340 vs 18). Phonitor's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Faceter Video Surveillance sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Phonitor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Faceter Video Surveillance holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Faceter Video Surveillance has 340 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Faceter Video Surveillance's written reviews are positive against 40% of Phonitor's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Faceter Video Surveillance ships an update fortnightly, Phonitor every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Faceter Video Surveillance versus Phonitor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFaceter Video SurveillancePhonitor
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (340 ratings) — better4.1 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews46.6% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings340 — better18
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size150 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFaceter South Africa (PTY) LTD弛 张

Customer experience

Faceter Video Surveillance

All ratings340 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral4.4%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive46.6%
Neutral10.3%
Negative43.1%

Phonitor

All ratings16 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.8%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

Bugs and requests

Faceter Video Surveillance

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • Application crashes after less than one day
  • Contact support button does not work
  • App stops working after a week
  • App would not load after a week
  • Crashes whenever used as a camera on iPhone 6 after updating
Show 15 more
  • Error message: “The operation couldn't be completed. (Services.Discovery. Error error O.)”
  • Error message: “The operation couldn’t be completed service discovery error 0”
  • Camera unavailable when it's clearly recording
  • App freezes after a few minutes of recording on iPhone 6
  • Camera went offline
  • Cameras get offline daily
  • Internal server down error message
  • App keeps telling me the camera is offline
  • Videos turn on their sides
  • Laggy with up to 10 seconds delay
  • Frozen at the QR code
  • App crashed when pairing with an android phone
  • Quality of video has been reduced drastically since the update
  • Impossible to switch from recording to viewing without the bar on the bottom
  • Server error

Requested features

4 requests
  • Support for dual recording of front and back camera
  • Night vision for phones when recording at night
  • Support for dual camera recording
  • Motion detector on Android version

Phonitor

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Faceter Video Surveillance

Subscriptions9
  • Premium 1 month direct$3.991 Month
  • Premium 1 month with trial7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Faceter Premium – 1 month3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Faceter Premium – 6 months3 Days trial$16.496 Months
  • Faceter Premium – 1 year$19.991 Year
  • Premium 1 month3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Premium 1 year direct$29.991 Year
  • Premium 1 year$39.991 Year
  • Premium 6 months$39.996 Months
3 purchases

Phonitor

Subscriptions3
  • Pro7 Days trial$2.497 Days
  • Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro7 Days trial$35.991 Year

Questions

Is Faceter Video Surveillance free?
Faceter Video Surveillance is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Phonitor free?
Phonitor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Faceter Video Surveillance or Phonitor?
Faceter Video Surveillance is rated higher. Faceter Video Surveillance averages 4.6 out of 5 from 340 ratings, while Phonitor averages 4.1 from 18 ratings.
Do Faceter Video Surveillance or Phonitor have ads?
Faceter Video Surveillance shows ads; Phonitor does not.
Which is updated more often, Faceter Video Surveillance or Phonitor?
Faceter Video Surveillance ships an update fortnightly, and Phonitor every 2 days. Most recently, Faceter Video Surveillance was updated on November 3, 2026 and Phonitor on October 30, 2026.

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