Home Network System vs Canary
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Home Network System
This app allows you to set up and control a wireless network of cameras, sensors, and controllers for your home. Monitor your property, receive alerts, and even use your smartphone as a home phone.
- Easy system setup wizard
- Real-time camera streaming
- Motion detection recording
- Two-way audio communication
- Remote system control
- Landline phone integration
- Power outage alerts
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The do-it-yourself Panasonic Home Network System makes it quick and easy to create a powerful, wireless network of cameras, sensors and controllers in and outside the home. And control it all from your smartphone and tablet with one simple app. The Home Network System also connects to your landline, to let you use smartphones or tablets as home phones. http://www.panasonic.net/pcc/support/tel/homenetwork/ Main Features General Functions - Easy system setup wizard - No monthly service fees – monitoring, notification and control are free - Receive power outage alerts from AC-powered components - Receive low-power alerts from battery-operated components Indoor/Outdoor Camera Functions - Cameras display real-time streaming - Automatically record video to Micro SD cards in system hub - Quad view enables viewing up to four cameras simultaneously - Select motion detection areas for specific recording and notification - Indoor Baby Monitor plays lullabies - Indoor/Outdoor Camera enables 2-way communication - Arm and disarm features at home or away - Receive alerts when armed sensors detect motion - View alert event log Home Control Functions - Turn system components on/off at home or remotely - Create smart plug schedules to turn on/off lamps and more Digital Cordless Handset Functions - Arm and disarm system components - Receive alerts from motion and window sensors - View alert logs on LCD display - Make and take calls using landline, and use as intercom - Playback voicemail - View calling log - Copy contact lists from smartphone and tablets - Transfer landline calls to smartphones and additional handsets The app is kept alive in the background so that the app can receive outside calls and intercom calls, which results in battery consumption.
Canary
This app connects to smart home security devices to provide live and recorded video monitoring, intelligent motion alerts, and automatic mode switching. It also offers emergency response features and monitors indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity for a safer home environment.
- Live and recorded HD video monitoring
- Intelligent motion notifications with video clips
- Automatic arming/disarming based on location
- Emergency siren and direct connection to responders
- Indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity monitoring
- Customizable Home and Night modes
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Canary is home security made simple. The Canary app works with our security devices to connect your home to your phone, allowing you to view and protect those that matter most. Monitor your home: Watch live or recorded HD videos day or night. Access Canary’s timeline for a living history of your home. Save and bookmark your favorite clips. Intelligent notifications: When Canary identifies something out of the ordinary, you’ll get a notification with recorded HD video of the event, as well as the option to watch live. Automatic arming: Canary changes modes when you come and go. No complicated keypads or codes to remember. - Away When all members are away Canary monitors for activity and sends notifications - Home When a member is home Canary is customizable. You can set notification and privacy preferences. - Night Schedule Canary to monitor for activity while you sleep. - Privacy Camera and microphone are completely off. Emergency Options: Respond to incidents directly from the Canary app. Trigger the 90 decibel siren, or be connected directly to your home’s local emergency responders. A healthier home: Canary’s HomeHealth Technology™ monitors indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity. It all adds up to a smarter and safer home. Love your Canary? We read and appreciate every single review. Want to suggest a feature? Get in touch! -- Email: support@canary.is Facebook: Canary Twitter: @canary Instagram: @caughtbycanary From time to time, the Canary auto-mode switching feature may briefly access your GPS in order to have high confidence in your location. Battery life is very important to us and we do many things to ensure we use it sparingly. Please be aware that continued use of GPS services running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Canary at 4.2 against Home Network System's 1.8. Canary also leads on ratings volume (5.6K vs 113) and review sentiment (33% vs 13%). Home Network System's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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. Canary sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Home Network System asks for nothing beyond the download.
Canary holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Canary has 5.6K ratings behind it against 113, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of Home Network System's written reviews are positive against 33% of Canary's.
Home Network System ships an update every 3 months, Canary monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Home Network System | Canary |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.8 (113 ratings) | 4.2 (5.6K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 12.9% of reviews | 32.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 113 | 5.6K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 53 MB | 158 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd. | Canary Connect |
Customer experience
Home Network System
Canary
User reviews
Home Network System
From 113 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Lightning-fast performance
- 🔒 Reliable security system
- 👍 User-friendly app
- 💡 Flexible and adaptable
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- ⚠️ Unreliable remote access
- 🕰️ Slow connection and response times
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with location tracking
Canary
From 5.6K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to set up
- 🔒 Reliable security system
- 📊 Comprehensive dashboard and data
- 🌡️ Monitors temperature, humidity, and air quality
- 💬 Two-way audio communication
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and offline issues
- 🔍 Poor motion detection and false alerts
- 🕰️ Limited video history without subscription
- 🔒 Subscription required for essential features
- 📺 Slow video loading and playback
Bugs and requests
Home Network System
Reported bugs
4 issues- Inability to connect to hub remotely
- Compatibility issues with iOS updates
- Inconsistent sensor and camera functionality
- Confusing app navigation and settings
Requested features
5 requests- Improved app performance and stability
- Remote access and notification enhancements
- Customizable settings and schedules
- Integration with smart home platforms
- Better camera quality and features
Canary
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes on launch
- Inability to delete or remove cameras
- Inaccurate temperature and air quality readings
- Inconsistent live view and recording functionality
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to move and reposition cameras
- Longer video history for free users
- Improved geofencing and automatic mode switching
- Better motion detection and person identification
- Easier multi-camera management
In-app purchases
Home Network System
No in-app purchases
Canary
- Premium Service4 variants$7.991 Month
- Premium Service3 Days trial$12.991 Month
- Professional Monitoring1 Month trial$19.991 Month
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- Premium Service3 variants$24.991 Month
- Premium Service$79.991 Year
- Premium Service1 Year trial2 variants$249.001 Year
Questions
Is Home Network System free?
Is Canary free?
Which has better reviews, Home Network System or Canary?
Do Home Network System or Canary have ads?
Which is updated more often, Home Network System or Canary?
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