OpenIPC vs Shinobi
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted video surveillance options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
OpenIPC
Open-source firmware for IP cameras and surveillance devices
VS
Shinobi
Open-source NVR and CCTV software for IP cameras
| Feature | OpenIPC | Shinobi |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Video Surveillance | Video Surveillance |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,110 | ★ 4,000 |
| First released | 2020 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Stock IP camera firmware | Blue Iris |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenIPC or Shinobi better?
Shinobi is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider OpenIPC if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are OpenIPC and Shinobi free and open-source?
Yes. OpenIPC is licensed under MIT and Shinobi under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run OpenIPC and Shinobi with Docker?
OpenIPC: check the project docs for container support. Shinobi: yes.