Comparison

Alfred Camera vs eSmartCam

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

Head to head
About

Alfred Camera

Transform old smartphones into powerful home security cameras, baby monitors, or pet cams. Enjoy live streaming, instant alerts, and two-way audio to keep an eye on your property, loved ones, and pets from anywhere.

Highlights
  • 24/7 Live Streaming
  • Smart Intruder Alerts
  • Low-Light Filter
  • Walkie-Talkie Functionality
  • 360 Camera Coverage
  • Easy QR Code Setup
Read full description

We are the world’s most popular and top-rated security camera app for iOS phones, with over 90 million families around the world choosing AlfredCamera to turn their old phones into powerful home security cameras, baby monitors, pet cams, and more. AlfredCamera is an all-in-one home security camera app providing more features than a expensive CCTV security camera system. It's live cam with instant intruder alert is perfect as a security camera, baby monitor, nanny cam, pet monitor, dog monitor, and more. AlfredCamera is well-recognized as: “One of the Best App Options for Setting up Your Phone as a Security Camera” - CNET (Feb 2023) “Home Protection is Achieved at Low Cost and Without Many Complications” - Infobae (June 2021) FEATURES Whether you’re looking for a surveillance camera app or webcam app to keep an eye on your belongings, a baby camera app to look after your newborn, a pet cam app or dog camera app to entertain your lovely pets, the AlfredCamera home security camera app is the perfect solution for your smart home. 24/7 LIVE STREAM: Watch high-quality live video from anywhere with Alfred's live camera stream. SMART INTRUDER ALERT: Get instant alerts when movement is detected LOW-LIGHT FILTER: Enhanced visibility at night for your nanny cam, pet monitor. WALKIE-TALKIE: Deter thieves, interact with visitors or pets, and soothe babies. 360 CAMERA: Cover a larger area with both lenses. ZOOM, SCHEDULE, SOUND DETECTION, REMINDER, TRUST CIRCLE, SIREN, and more... Works smoothly via WiFi, 3G, and LTE. SUPER EASY TO SET UP AlfredCamera is the easiest-to-install surveillance camera system with professional-grade features that allows you to DIY your own home security camera, pet cam, baby cam or nanny cam in few minutes: STEP 1: Install Alfred Camera App on two devices, your old phone becomes the camera, your current device is the viewer STEP 2: Scan a QR code to pair them. STEP 3: Your two devices connect and work together effortlessly ANYTIME, ANYWHERE Unlike traditional CCTV cameras or home surveillance cameras, AlfredCamera app is a portable CCTV camera, place it anywhere for extra security. It works great as a nanny cam, baby camera, or dog monitor while traveling, renting an Airbnb, or simply checking in during work hours. SIMPLE SECURITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS With a crystal clear live camera stream, instant alerts and events recorded, Alfred will help you to always know what’s happening and keep evidences in any incident. Monitor pets when you're away with a reliable dog camera or pet cam Check on elderly family with real-time remote video access Sound alerts and night vision on your pet cam, baby camera, or dog camera Protect your home with smart motion-triggered alerts Create a smart CCTV system, your own pet cam, baby camera, or dog camera using just two phones and the Alfred app. SMART, CONVENIENT, ECO-CONSCIOUS First time choosing a CCTV camera app or home security system? The best home surveillance camera app you can ever find: reliable, versatile, and easy to use. Everyone is taking advantage of their old smartphones by turning them into video players, GPS navigators, or fitness devices. So why not use yours as a pet monitor, dog monitor, baby monitor, nanny cam, webcam, or IP cam? Alfred Premium offers a subscription service that will be charged to your account. The account will be automatically charged for renewal. You can manage your subscription and auto-renewal by going to Account Settings. Want to learn more about how to monitor your home? Please visit our official website https://reurl.cc/jvKWrM Some features of this app require Device Administrator permission. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

eSmartCam

Monitor your home or store remotely with cloud-based video surveillance. This app allows real-time viewing, two-way voice communication, and video recording. Receive instant alerts with images when the alarm function is triggered.

Highlights
  • Real-time video monitoring
  • Two-way voice intercom
  • Video recording and playback
  • Alarm function with alerts
  • Cloud-based services
Features
Read full description

This is an intelligent network camera client mobile phone software, cloud based services video surveillance applications. You can watch at home or store the real-time video through mobile phone software, can also carry out real-time two-way voice intercom. You can also record and view videos. When you turn on the alarm function, the alarm will trigger the alarm information and pictures to your phone. When you have a smart webcam, you can enjoy a peaceful life! Demo video Link:https://youtu.be/2pF9P7zpMFg

Screenshots

Alfred Camera4 screens
eSmartCam4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Alfred Camera at 4.8 against eSmartCam's 2.6. Alfred Camera also leads on review sentiment (53% vs 23%) and ratings volume (112K vs 111). eSmartCam's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Alfred Camera sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and eSmartCam sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Alfred Camera holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alfred Camera has 112K ratings behind it against 111, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Alfred Camera's written reviews are positive against 23% of eSmartCam's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alfred Camera ships an update every 8 days, eSmartCam monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Alfred Camera versus eSmartCam: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlfred CameraeSmartCam
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (112K ratings) — better2.6 (111 ratings)
Positive reviews53.4% of reviews — better23.1% of reviews
Number of ratings112K — better111
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#145 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB145 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlfred Systems Inc.Shenzhen Elink Smart Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Alfred Camera

All ratings111,845 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral3.4%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews783 reviews
Positive53.4%
Neutral9.5%
Negative37.2%

eSmartCam

All ratings111 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral13.5%
Negative53.2%
Written reviews143 reviews
Positive23.1%
Neutral9.8%
Negative67.1%

User reviews

Alfred Camera

From 112K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to set up and use
  • 🚀 Able to use old phones as cameras
  • 🔒 Provides security and peace of mind
  • 💡 Useful for monitoring pets and homes
  • 👍 Affordable premium subscription

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections and offline issues
  • 🔋 Drains battery on camera device
  • 🔍 Limited video quality on free version
  • 🔍 Inconsistent motion detection
  • 🔍 Ads can be intrusive

eSmartCam

From 111 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📷 Clear picture quality day and night
  • ⚙️ Easy setup and configuration
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🎥 Useful motion detection feature
  • 📱 Remote viewing capability

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent login failures and timeouts
  • 📢 Intrusive ad wall before login screen
  • 🌐 Unstable remote connection issues
  • ⚠️ Inappropriate advertisements displayed
  • 🔄 Constant need to reinstall app

Bugs and requests

Alfred Camera

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera orientation changes unexpectedly
  • Recorded videos sometimes freeze or have missing footage
  • Compatibility issues with certain phone models and networks

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add multi-view support
  • Improve night vision and low-light performance
  • Allow remote reconnection of offline cameras
  • Provide more video recording options
  • Integrate with smart home devices

eSmartCam

Reported bugs

24 issues
  • Login times out with 'update to latest version' prompt when no update exists
  • Ad retrieval failures cause connection errors
  • App fails to load past login screen
  • Keyboard won't dismiss blocking login button
  • Session timeout requiring repeated logins
Show 19 more
  • Notifications not received despite settings enabled
  • Motion detection alerts not working
  • Cloud storage playback shows blank screen
  • Video clips fail to save or store
  • SD card format failures
  • Camera disconnects from app randomly
  • Playback error messages
  • Motion detection images won't open
  • App signs out user unexpectedly
  • Network error messages despite good connectivity
  • Camera settings reset after each use
  • Microphone stops working after firmware update
  • Camera focus becomes blurry after firmware update
  • App won't recognize camera on network after QR scan
  • Picture displays upside down with no fix option
  • App crashes when switching between apps
  • Unstable signal detection despite good connection
  • Account lockout with no recovery option
  • Registration errors on new accounts

Requested features

17 requests
  • Ability to turn camera on/off via app
  • Multi-device simultaneous login support
  • Restricted access controls for shared users
  • WiFi network switching capability
  • Logout button in app
Show 12 more
  • Show which users are currently accessing camera
  • TV casting functionality
  • Location capture in video footage
  • Timer feature for scheduled camera operation
  • Adjustable notification frequency
  • 5G network support
  • Background sound output when app is minimized
  • Improved English terminology and translations
  • Weekly alarm schedule options
  • Ability to view multiple clips without scrolling entire day
  • Better playback navigation interface
  • iPad compatibility improvements

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Alfred Camera

Subscriptions9
  • Alfred Premium$3.991 Month
  • Alfred Premium 1 month$4.991 Month
  • Alfred Premium$5.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Alfred Premium 1 month$5.991 Month
  • AlfredCamera Standard 1 month$5.991 Month
  • AlfredCamera Plus 1 month$8.991 Month
  • Alfred Premium 12 months2 variants$29.991 Year
  • Alfred Premium 12 months3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • AlfredCamera Standard 12 months3 Days trial$35.951 Year
3 purchases

eSmartCam

One-time3
  • 30天 6GB流量包$3.99
  • 180-day storage (7 days loop)$6.99
  • 360-day storage (7 days loop)$9.99

Questions

Is Alfred Camera free?
Alfred Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is eSmartCam free?
eSmartCam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Alfred Camera or eSmartCam?
Alfred Camera is rated higher. Alfred Camera averages 4.8 out of 5 from 112K ratings, while eSmartCam averages 2.6 from 111 ratings.
Do Alfred Camera or eSmartCam have ads?
Alfred Camera shows ads; eSmartCam does not.
Which is updated more often, Alfred Camera or eSmartCam?
Alfred Camera ships an update every 8 days, and eSmartCam monthly. Most recently, Alfred Camera was updated on November 13, 2026 and eSmartCam on November 2, 2026.

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