How Coram Compares
The real cost of video security isn't in the proposal. It's in Year 3.
Why This Page Exists
If you're evaluating video security platforms, you're probably comparing 2–4 vendors right now. Every vendor will show you a number. That number is almost never the real cost.
This guide breaks down what you'll actually pay — not just for the software, but for the hardware, the labor, the maintenance, the hidden renewals, and the switching costs — over 1 year and 3 years. We include Coram in the comparison. Where we win, we'll tell you. Where we don't, we'll tell you that too.
The 4 Models You're Choosing Between
Camera-Agnostic Cloud
Coram
Software connects to your existing cameras over the network. No new hardware required. Analytics, search, and alerts run in the cloud. You keep your cameras.
Rip-and-Replace Cloud
Verkada
Proprietary cameras with built-in processing. Requires replacing your existing cameras with Verkada hardware. Cloud-managed, but hardware-locked.
Traditional VMS — On-Prem
Genetec / Milestone
Server-based software installed on-site. Works with many camera brands. Requires on-prem servers, storage, and IT staff to maintain.
Legacy NVR / DVR
Your current system
The system you probably have now. Local recording, manual scrubbing, no analytics. Aging out of support.
Cost Comparison: 200 Cameras, 5 Buildings
This model represents a typical mid-size K-12 district or municipal deployment.
Year 1 Total Cost of Ownership
| Cost Category | Coram (Camera-Agnostic) | Verkada (Rip & Replace) | Genetec / Milestone (On-Prem) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New camera hardware | $0 (uses existing) | $200K – $400K | $0 – $50K |
| Server / NVR hardware | $0 (cloud) | $0 (cloud) | $25K – $60K |
| Software licensing | $24K – $48K /yr | Included in hardware | $15K – $40K |
| Installation labor | $2K – $5K | $40K – $80K | $10K – $25K |
| Network upgrades | $0 – $10K | $5K – $20K | $0 – $10K |
| Training | Included | Included | $2K – $5K |
| Total | $26K – $63K | $245K – $500K | $52K – $190K |
3-Year Cumulative Cost
| Cost Category | Coram | Verkada | Genetec / Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $26K – $63K | $245K – $500K | $52K – $190K |
| Year 2 (subscription + maintenance) | $24K – $48K | $20K – $40K | $8K – $20K |
| Year 3 (subscription + maintenance) | $24K – $48K | $20K – $40K | $8K – $20K |
| Server refresh / storage expansion | $0 | $0 | $10K – $25K |
| Camera warranty / replacement | $0 | Included | $5K – $15K |
| IT staff time | Low (cloud) | Low (cloud) | High (patching, backups, storage) |
| Total | $74K – $159K | $285K – $580K | $83K – $270K |
Ranges reflect real-world pricing variance. Your actual costs depend on camera models, network readiness, and negotiated pricing.
Use our ROI Calculator to model your specific environmentThe Costs Nobody Puts in the Proposal
Switching costs
Verkada's hardware is proprietary. If you leave after Year 3, those cameras are paperweights. With Coram or a traditional VMS, your cameras work with any ONVIF-compatible platform.
IT burden (on-prem)
Genetec and Milestone require someone to manage servers, apply patches, expand storage, and troubleshoot connectivity. Most districts underestimate this by 60–80%.
Feature licensing (on-prem)
Genetec and Milestone base licenses cover recording and playback. Advanced analytics, LPR, intrusion detection, and AI search are add-on modules — each with per-camera fees. A "competitive" base price can double once you add the features that made you evaluate in the first place.
Downtime during installation
Replacing 200 cameras takes weeks to months. During that period, you have partial coverage. With a camera-agnostic approach, your existing cameras never go offline.
Feature Comparison
| Capability | Coram | Verkada | Genetec | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works with existing cameras | Any ONVIF IP camera | Verkada only | Wide compatibility | Wide compatibility |
| Cloud-native | Hybrid | Kite | ||
| Natural language video search | ||||
| AI-powered alerts | Add-on | Add-on | ||
| Firearm detection | Third-party | Third-party | ||
| Access control | Integrated | Verkada HW | Synergis | Via integration |
| Emergency management | Integrated | Limited | Via integration | Via integration |
| Remote deployment | No on-site needed | Physical install | Server install | Server install |
| On-prem servers required | ||||
| Vendor lock-in | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
| SOC 2 certified | ||||
| Typical deployment time | Days | Weeks–months | Weeks–months | Weeks–months |
When Coram Is the Right Fit
- You have existing IP cameras less than 5–7 years old
- You need to deploy in days, not months
- You want video, access control, and emergency management in one platform
- Budget is a factor — Year 1 costs are a fraction of rip-and-replace
- You want AI-powered natural language search
When Coram Might Not Be the Right Fit
This section is here on purpose. Honesty saves everyone time.
- Your cameras are truly end-of-life analog with no network connectivity — you need new hardware regardless
- You require 100% on-prem with zero cloud — some government/defense environments prohibit cloud storage
- You’re already deep in the Genetec ecosystem with 500+ cameras, Synergis access control, and trained staff — switching has a real cost
The Bottom Line
| If you… | Consider… | Because… |
|---|---|---|
| Have working cameras and want to add intelligence | Coram | Lowest Year 1 cost, fastest deployment, no hardware swap |
| Need to replace all cameras anyway | Verkada or Coram + new ONVIF cameras | Verkada is polished but expensive and locks you in |
| Have a large IT team and need max customization | Genetec | Most configurable, but most complex and costly to maintain |
| Are a Milestone shop already | Milestone (expand) or Coram (pilot alongside) | Switching costs may outweigh benefits |
See It for Yourself
The best comparison isn't a spreadsheet — it's a side-by-side pilot. Run Coram on 5–15 of your existing cameras for 30–60 days. No hardware changes. No commitment.
Start a Risk-Free Pilot →