Double Take vs RPi Cam Web Interface
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted video surveillance options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Double Take
Unified UI and API for face recognition on camera feeds
VS
RPi Cam Web Interface
Web-based control and streaming for the Raspberry Pi camera
| Feature | Double Take | RPi Cam Web Interface |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 38 · At risk | 19 · At risk |
| Category | Video Surveillance | Video Surveillance |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,442 | ★ 1,599 |
| First released | 2021 | 2013 |
| Replaces | Nest Cam | Nest Cam |
What are Double Take and RPi Cam Web Interface?
Double Take
Double Take provides a unified interface and API to coordinate multiple face recognition services for your surveillance cameras. It connects to Frigate and detectors like CompreFace to deliver named-person alerts.
- Unified face recognition UI
- Frigate integration
- Multiple detector backends
- Named-person alerts
RPi Cam Web Interface
RPi Cam Web Interface is a web-based control panel for the Raspberry Pi camera module, offering live streaming, recording, and motion detection. It is a popular choice for simple DIY surveillance projects.
- Live camera streaming
- Recording and snapshots
- Motion detection
- Web control panel
Double Take vs RPi Cam Web Interface: key differences
Double Take is written in JavaScript, while RPi Cam Web Interface is built with PHP. RPi Cam Web Interface is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Double Take. RPi Cam Web Interface is the more established project (first released 2013), while Double Take arrived in 2021. Double Take lists first-class Docker deployment; RPi Cam Web Interface does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Double Take if…
- Coordinates several detectors
- Good Frigate companion
Watch out for
- Companion tool only
- Requires a detector backend
Choose RPi Cam Web Interface if…
- Easy DIY setup
- Lightweight
Watch out for
- Raspberry Pi camera only
- Single-camera use
Frequently asked questions
Is Double Take or RPi Cam Web Interface better?
RPi Cam Web Interface is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Double Take if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Double Take and RPi Cam Web Interface free and open-source?
Yes. Double Take is licensed under MIT and RPi Cam Web Interface under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Double Take and RPi Cam Web Interface with Docker?
Double Take: yes. RPi Cam Web Interface: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Double Take or RPi Cam Web Interface?
RPi Cam Web Interface has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Double Take. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.