{"id":21287,"date":"2026-09-17T21:44:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/?p=21287"},"modified":"2026-09-18T18:22:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:22:05","slug":"is-synology-surveillance-station-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/is-synology-surveillance-station-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Ist Synology Surveillance Station kostenlos? Was Sie ohne Bezahlung erhalten"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Surveillance Station is free software, it comes with <strong>two free camera licenses<\/strong> on almost every Synology NAS, and there is no subscription of any kind. A two-camera installation can run for years without you paying Synology another penny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is the short answer, and it is genuinely the answer \u2014 there is no catch buried three paragraphs down. What follows is exactly what the free tier includes, which models give you more than two, what Synology never charges for, and the one point where you do start paying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People arrive at this question expecting the usual trick: free software, then a subscription for the features that matter. That is not how this works. The package is free, the apps are free, updates are free, and two camera channels are included with the hardware. The only thing that ever costs money is a camera beyond those two, and that is a one-time purchase you never renew.<\/p>\n<cite>SynoPower Club \u2014 notes from selling Surveillance Station licenses<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-table-of-contents-block-table-of-contents-block\"><div class=\"eb-parent-wrapper eb-parent-eb-toc-47973 \"><div class=\"eb-toc-container eb-toc-47973  eb-toc-is-not-sticky eb-toc-collapsible eb-toc-initially-collapsed eb-toc-scrollToTop style-1 \" data-scroll-top=\"false\" data-scroll-top-icon=\"fas fa-angle-up\" data-collapsible=\"true\" data-sticky-hide-mobile=\"false\" data-sticky=\"false\" data-scroll-target=\"scroll_to_toc\" data-copy-link=\"false\" data-editor-type=\"\" data-hide-desktop=\"false\" data-hide-tab=\"false\" data-hide-mobile=\"false\" data-itemcollapsed=\"true\"><div class=\"eb-toc-header\"><div class=\"eb-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/div><\/div><div class=\"eb-toc-wrapper hide-content\" data-headers=\"[{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Is Synology Surveillance Station Free? The Short Answer&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Is Synology Surveillance Station Free? The Short Answer&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;is-synology-surveillance-station-free-the-short-answer&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;What You Get Without Paying Anything&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;What You Get Without Paying Anything&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;what-you-get-without-paying-anything&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;The Two Free Camera Licenses Every NAS Includes&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;The Two Free Camera Licenses Every NAS Includes&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;the-two-free-camera-licenses-every-nas-includes&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Checking Your Free Camera Licenses in 4 Steps&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Checking Your Free Camera Licenses in 4 Steps&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;checking-your-free-camera-licenses-in-4-steps&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Open Surveillance Station on your NAS&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Open Surveillance Station on your NAS&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;open-surveillance-station-on-your-nas&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Go to the license screen&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Go to the license screen&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;go-to-the-license-screen&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Read the two numbers that matter&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Read the two numbers that matter&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;read-the-two-numbers-that-matter&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Free up a channel before buying one&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Free up a channel before buying one&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;free-up-a-channel-before-buying-one&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Which Models Include More Free Camera Licenses&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Which Models Include More Free Camera Licenses&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;which-models-include-more-free-camera-licenses&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Is There a Subscription? What Synology Never Charges For&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Is There a Subscription? What Synology Never Charges For&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;is-there-a-subscription-what-synology-never-charges-for&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;When Your Free Camera Licenses Run Out&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;When Your Free Camera Licenses Run Out&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;when-your-free-camera-licenses-run-out&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Three Real Setups and What They Cost&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Three Real Setups and What They Cost&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;three-real-setups-and-what-they-cost&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Three Years of Free, Compared&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Three Years of Free, Compared&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;three-years-of-free-compared&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Where to Find More Official Resources&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Where to Find More Official Resources&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;where-to-find-more-official-resources&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Things People Get Wrong About Free Camera Licenses&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Things People Get Wrong About Free Camera Licenses&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;things-people-get-wrong-about-free-camera-licenses&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;References&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;References&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;references&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:2,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Frequently Asked Questions&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Frequently Asked Questions&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;frequently-asked-questions&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Is Synology Surveillance Station free?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Is Synology Surveillance Station free?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;is-synology-surveillance-station-free&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;How many free camera licenses does a Synology NAS include?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How many free camera licenses does a Synology NAS include?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;how-many-free-camera-licenses-does-a-synology-nas-include&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Does Synology require a subscription?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Does Synology require a subscription?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;does-synology-require-a-subscription&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;What happens if I stop paying?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;What happens if I stop paying?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;what-happens-if-i-stop-paying&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Do the free camera licenses work with non-Synology cameras?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Do the free camera licenses work with non-Synology cameras?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;do-the-free-camera-licenses-work-with-non-synology-cameras&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Do I need a license to view my cameras?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Do I need a license to view my cameras?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;do-i-need-a-license-to-view-my-cameras&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Can I get more free camera licenses?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Can I get more free camera licenses?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;can-i-get-more-free-camera-licenses&quot;},{&quot;level&quot;:3,&quot;content&quot;:&quot;Is Surveillance Station free forever, or just for a year?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Is Surveillance Station free forever, or just for a year?&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;is-surveillance-station-free-forever-or-just-for-a-year&quot;}]\" data-visible=\"[false,true,true,true,false,false]\" data-delete-headers=\"[{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Is Synology Surveillance Station Free? The Short Answer&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;is-synology-surveillance-station-free-the-short-answer&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;What You Get Without Paying Anything&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;what-you-get-without-paying-anything&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;The Two Free Camera Licenses Every NAS Includes&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;the-two-free-camera-licenses-every-nas-includes&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Checking Your Free Camera Licenses in 4 Steps&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;checking-your-free-camera-licenses-in-4-steps&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Open Surveillance Station on your NAS&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;open-surveillance-station-on-your-nas&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Go to the license screen&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;go-to-the-license-screen&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Read the two numbers that matter&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;read-the-two-numbers-that-matter&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Free up a channel before buying one&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;free-up-a-channel-before-buying-one&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Which Models Include More Free Camera Licenses&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;which-models-include-more-free-camera-licenses&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Is There a Subscription? What Synology Never Charges For&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;is-there-a-subscription-what-synology-never-charges-for&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;When Your Free Camera Licenses Run Out&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;when-your-free-camera-licenses-run-out&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Three Real Setups and What They Cost&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;three-real-setups-and-what-they-cost&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Three Years of Free, Compared&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;three-years-of-free-compared&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Where to Find More Official Resources&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;where-to-find-more-official-resources&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Things People Get Wrong About Free Camera Licenses&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;things-people-get-wrong-about-free-camera-licenses&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;References&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;references&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Frequently Asked Questions&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;frequently-asked-questions&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Is Synology Surveillance Station free?&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;is-synology-surveillance-station-free&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;How many free camera licenses does a Synology NAS include?&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;how-many-free-camera-licenses-does-a-synology-nas-include&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Does Synology require a subscription?&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;does-synology-require-a-subscription&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;What happens if I stop paying?&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;what-happens-if-i-stop-paying&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Do the free camera licenses work with non-Synology cameras?&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;do-the-free-camera-licenses-work-with-non-synology-cameras&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Do I need a license to view my cameras?&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;do-i-need-a-license-to-view-my-cameras&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Can I get more free camera licenses?&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;can-i-get-more-free-camera-licenses&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false},{&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Is Surveillance Station free forever, or just for a year?&quot;,&quot;value&quot;:&quot;is-surveillance-station-free-forever-or-just-for-a-year&quot;,&quot;isDelete&quot;:false}]\" data-smooth=\"true\" data-top-offset=\"\"><div class=\"eb-toc__list-wrap\"><ul class=\"eb-toc__list\"><li><a href=\"#is-synology-surveillance-station-free-the-short-answer\">Is Synology Surveillance Station Free? The Short Answer<\/a><li><a href=\"#what-you-get-without-paying-anything\">What You Get Without Paying Anything<\/a><li><a href=\"#the-two-free-camera-licenses-every-nas-includes\">The Two Free Camera Licenses Every NAS Includes<\/a><li><a href=\"#checking-your-free-camera-licenses-in-4-steps\">Checking Your Free Camera Licenses in 4 Steps<\/a><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path d=\"M6.75 9.75L9 7.5L11.25 9.75\" stroke=\"#252D3B\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/>\n                    <path d=\"M9 15.75C9.88642 15.75 10.7642 15.5754 11.5831 15.2362C12.4021 14.897 13.1462 14.3998 13.773 13.773C14.3998 13.1462 14.897 12.4021 15.2362 11.5831C15.5754 10.7642 15.75 9.88642 15.75 9C15.75 8.11358 15.5754 7.23583 15.2362 6.41689C14.897 5.59794 14.3998 4.85383 13.773 4.22703C13.1462 3.60023 12.4021 3.10303 11.5831 2.76381C10.7642 2.42459 9.88642 2.25 9 2.25C7.20979 2.25 5.4929 2.96116 4.22703 4.22703C2.96116 5.4929 2.25 7.20979 2.25 9C2.25 10.7902 2.96116 12.5071 4.22703 13.773C5.4929 15.0388 7.20979 15.75 9 15.75Z\" stroke=\"#252D3B\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/>\n                    <\/svg><ul class=\"eb-toc__list\"><li><a href=\"#open-surveillance-station-on-your-nas\">Open Surveillance Station on your NAS<\/a><li><a href=\"#go-to-the-license-screen\">Go to the license screen<\/a><li><a href=\"#read-the-two-numbers-that-matter\">Read the two numbers that matter<\/a><li><a href=\"#free-up-a-channel-before-buying-one\">Free up a channel before buying one<\/a><\/li><\/ul><li><a href=\"#which-models-include-more-free-camera-licenses\">Which Models Include More Free Camera Licenses<\/a><li><a href=\"#is-there-a-subscription-what-synology-never-charges-for\">Is There a Subscription? What Synology Never Charges For<\/a><li><a href=\"#when-your-free-camera-licenses-run-out\">When Your Free Camera Licenses Run Out<\/a><li><a href=\"#three-real-setups-and-what-they-cost\">Three Real Setups and What They Cost<\/a><li><a href=\"#three-years-of-free-compared\">Three Years of Free, Compared<\/a><li><a href=\"#where-to-find-more-official-resources\">Where to Find More Official Resources<\/a><li><a href=\"#things-people-get-wrong-about-free-camera-licenses\">Things People Get Wrong About Free Camera Licenses<\/a><li><a href=\"#references\">References<\/a><li><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path d=\"M6.75 9.75L9 7.5L11.25 9.75\" stroke=\"#252D3B\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/>\n                    <path d=\"M9 15.75C9.88642 15.75 10.7642 15.5754 11.5831 15.2362C12.4021 14.897 13.1462 14.3998 13.773 13.773C14.3998 13.1462 14.897 12.4021 15.2362 11.5831C15.5754 10.7642 15.75 9.88642 15.75 9C15.75 8.11358 15.5754 7.23583 15.2362 6.41689C14.897 5.59794 14.3998 4.85383 13.773 4.22703C13.1462 3.60023 12.4021 3.10303 11.5831 2.76381C10.7642 2.42459 9.88642 2.25 9 2.25C7.20979 2.25 5.4929 2.96116 4.22703 4.22703C2.96116 5.4929 2.25 7.20979 2.25 9C2.25 10.7902 2.96116 12.5071 4.22703 13.773C5.4929 15.0388 7.20979 15.75 9 15.75Z\" stroke=\"#252D3B\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" \/>\n                    <\/svg><ul class=\"eb-toc__list\"><li><a href=\"#is-synology-surveillance-station-free\">Is Synology Surveillance Station free?<\/a><li><a href=\"#how-many-free-camera-licenses-does-a-synology-nas-include\">How many free camera licenses does a Synology NAS include?<\/a><li><a href=\"#does-synology-require-a-subscription\">Does Synology require a subscription?<\/a><li><a href=\"#what-happens-if-i-stop-paying\">What happens if I stop paying?<\/a><li><a href=\"#do-the-free-camera-licenses-work-with-non-synology-cameras\">Do the free camera licenses work with non-Synology cameras?<\/a><li><a href=\"#do-i-need-a-license-to-view-my-cameras\">Do I need a license to view my cameras?<\/a><li><a href=\"#can-i-get-more-free-camera-licenses\">Can I get more free camera licenses?<\/a><li><a href=\"#is-surveillance-station-free-forever-or-just-for-a-year\">Is Surveillance Station free forever, or just for a year?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"is-synology-surveillance-station-free-the-short-answer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Synology Surveillance Station Free? The Short Answer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The software costs nothing. Surveillance Station installs from Package Center at no charge on any supported NAS, and it is not a trial, a lite edition, or a feature-limited version waiting for an upgrade prompt. It is the full product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Along with it, the hardware includes <strong>two free camera licenses<\/strong>. Those licenses are what let cameras actually record onto the NAS, and two of them arrive with the machine. DVA-series models include eight instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So the honest summary is: free software, two free camera licenses, no subscription, and a one-time cost only if you want a third camera recording. Everything below is detail on those four facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-you-get-without-paying-anything\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What You Get Without Paying Anything<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The free camera licenses are only part of it. With zero spend beyond the NAS you already own, you get:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The full Surveillance Station package<\/strong> \u2014 recording, playback, event search, maps, user permissions, the lot.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two free camera licenses<\/strong>, so two cameras record to your own storage under your own retention rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Motion detection and notifications<\/strong>, including push alerts with a thumbnail of what triggered them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Every client application.<\/strong> The mobile app and the desktop app are both free and neither consumes a license, however many people install them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Software updates for life.<\/strong> New Surveillance Station versions are free; there is no maintenance contract.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your recordings, on your disks.<\/strong> No cloud storage bill, because there is no cloud in the path unless you put one there.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two client applications are worth dwelling on, because people assume viewing must cost something. It does not: <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-ds-cam-surveillance-station-mobile-app\/\">DS cam on a phone<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-surveillance-station-client-desktop-app\/\">Surveillance Station Client on a computer<\/a> are both free downloads that use no license at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-two-free-camera-licenses-every-nas-includes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Two Free Camera Licenses Every NAS Includes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the number people come looking for. <strong>Two.<\/strong> Every Synology NAS that supports Surveillance Station ships with two device licenses already included, and they are permanent rather than a trial period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A device license is what allows one camera to record into Surveillance Station. Two included licenses therefore means two cameras recording, forever, at no cost. For a front door and a back garden \u2014 the most common domestic setup there is \u2014 that is the entire system, free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>free camera licenses<\/strong> work with any supported camera, not just Synology&#8217;s own.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They do not expire, and they are not tied to a particular camera \u2014 remove one camera and the channel returns to the pool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They stack with purchased licenses, so buying a 4-pack on a standard NAS gives you six channels in total, not four.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They move with the NAS. Nothing here depends on a subscription staying active.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"checking-your-free-camera-licenses-in-4-steps\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Checking Your Free Camera Licenses in 4 Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before assuming anything, look. The license screen tells you how many free camera licenses you have and how many are already spoken for, which is the only number that matters when planning.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-howto\" class=\"rank-math-block\" >\n<div class=\"rank-math-howto-description\">\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"rank-math-steps \">\n<div id=\"step-1\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Open Surveillance Station on your NAS<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><p>Sign in to DSM and launch Surveillance Station. If it is not installed yet, it is a free download from Package Center. You need an account with Surveillance Station permissions; a standard user without them will not see the management screens.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"step-2\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Go to the license screen<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><p>Inside Surveillance Station, open the license management area. It lists every device license the system knows about, including the ones that came with the hardware, and shows the total alongside how many are currently assigned to cameras.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"step-3\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Read the two numbers that matter<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><p>Total licenses and licenses in use. On a standard NAS with no purchases the total will be two, or eight on a DVA-series model. If in-use equals total, every channel is allocated and a new camera will need another license before it can record.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"step-4\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Free up a channel before buying one<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><p>If an old camera is still registered but no longer in service, remove it and its channel returns to the pool immediately. People buy licenses they already own quite regularly, simply because a decommissioned camera was never deleted from the system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"which-models-include-more-free-camera-licenses\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Models Include More Free Camera Licenses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two is the standard allowance across the DS, RS, FS and SA lines. The exception worth knowing about is the DVA series, Synology&#8217;s deep-learning surveillance models, which include eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>NAS family<\/th><th>Free camera licenses<\/th><th>Worth knowing<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>DS \/ RS \/ FS \/ SA series<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>The standard allowance on almost every model<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>DVA series (e.g. DVA1622, DVA3221)<\/td><td>8<\/td><td>Six more channels included, plus on-device AI analytics<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Some Synology cameras<\/td><td>Bundled with the camera<\/td><td>Certain models ship with their own license<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Check the specification page for your exact model before budgeting; the included count is listed there.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are buying hardware and cameras at the same time, those six extra channels are a real part of the comparison rather than a footnote. A DVA model that costs more up front can work out cheaper once the <strong>free camera licenses<\/strong> are counted against the licenses you would otherwise buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"is-there-a-subscription-what-synology-never-charges-for\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is There a Subscription? What Synology Never Charges For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No, there is no subscription. This is the second question people ask, usually because every competing system has one, and the answer changes the arithmetic completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>Synology Surveillance Station<\/th><th>Typical cloud camera service<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Software<\/td><td>Free<\/td><td>Free app, paid features<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Recording to storage<\/td><td>Free \u2014 your own disks<\/td><td>Monthly, per camera<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Viewing on phone or desktop<\/td><td>Free, unlimited users<\/td><td>Often tiered by user or camera<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Software updates<\/td><td>Free for life<\/td><td>Included while subscribed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Event history<\/td><td>As long as your disks allow<\/td><td>Days, unless you upgrade<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cost after year one<\/td><td>Nothing<\/td><td>The same bill again<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>If you stop paying<\/td><td>Nothing happens<\/td><td>Recording and history stop<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The only Synology charge is a one-time license for cameras beyond the free ones.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The last row is the one that matters most. A Synology system that you stop spending on keeps recording. A subscription system that you stop paying for stops being a security system, usually including the history you already recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"when-your-free-camera-licenses-run-out\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Your Free Camera Licenses Run Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One situation, and only one: a third camera. Once the number of cameras recording exceeds the <strong>free camera licenses<\/strong> included with your NAS, each additional channel needs a device license, bought once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current prices, live from our store and shown in your currency:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Pack<\/th><th>Adds<\/th><th>Price<\/th><th>Per camera<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-camera-license-key-clp1\/\">CLP1<\/a><\/td><td>1 camera<\/td><td><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">US $<\/span>62.10<\/bdi><\/span><\/td><td><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">US $<\/span>62.10<\/bdi><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-camera-license-key-clp4\/\">CLP4<\/a><\/td><td>4 cameras<\/td><td><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">US $<\/span>243.43<\/bdi><\/span><\/td><td><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">US $<\/span>60.86<\/bdi><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-camera-license-key-clp8\/\">CLP8<\/a><\/td><td>8 cameras<\/td><td><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">US $<\/span>481.89<\/bdi><\/span><\/td><td><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">US $<\/span>60.24<\/bdi><\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One-time purchase, no renewal. Packs stack on top of the free channels you already have.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The arithmetic is a subtraction: cameras you want, minus the licenses you already own, equals what to buy. The full version with worked examples is here: <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-surveillance-station-license-cost\/\">how much a Surveillance Station license costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One counting rule surprises people. A phone running LiveCam becomes a camera and consumes a channel: <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-livecam-phone-surveillance-camera\/\">Synology LiveCam turns an old phone into a camera<\/a>. A phone running DS cam is only watching, and costs nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"three-real-setups-and-what-they-cost\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three Real Setups and What They Cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abstract rules are easy to misread, so here are three ordinary installations and what each one actually costs once the free camera licenses are counted. Prices are live from our store and shown in your own currency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Setup<\/th><th>Cameras<\/th><th>Covered by free camera licenses<\/th><th>To buy<\/th><th>Cost<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Front door and back garden<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>Both<\/td><td>Nothing<\/td><td><strong>Free<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Small shop: entrance, till, storeroom, yard<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>2 of 4<\/td><td>1 \u00d7 CLP4 (2 spare channels)<\/td><td><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">US $<\/span>243.43<\/bdi><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Workshop and yard, ten positions<\/td><td>10<\/td><td>2 of 10<\/td><td>1 \u00d7 CLP8<\/td><td><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\">US $<\/span>481.89<\/bdi><\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A DVA-series NAS would cover the first two rows entirely, because it includes eight free camera licenses rather than two.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The middle row is the one worth sitting with. Four cameras needs only two paid channels, but the 4-pack costs little more than two singles and leaves two channels in hand for the camera you have not thought of yet. Spare channels cost nothing to hold and never expire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What none of these rows include is a recurring charge, because there is not one. Whatever the free camera licenses do not cover is bought once, and the total stops there for as long as the system runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"three-years-of-free-compared\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three Years of Free, Compared<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put numbers on it. Take four cameras, a common small-business or larger-home setup, and run it for three years on a standard NAS with its two free camera licenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Synology:<\/strong> two free camera licenses, two purchased once. No monthly fee, no renewal, and the licenses still work in year four and beyond.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A per-camera subscription:<\/strong> four cameras billed every month for thirty-six months, and the bill continues into year four.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If budgets tighten:<\/strong> the Synology system carries on recording. The subscription system stops, and the stored history usually goes with it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is why the free camera licenses matter beyond the two cameras they cover. It is not a loss-leader designed to push you onto a plan \u2014 there is no plan to be pushed onto. The pricing model simply ends after the purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want cloud convenience without a NAS at the other end, Synology does offer a separate hosted option, and that one is subscription-based: <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-surveillance365-tutorial\/\">Synology Surveillance365<\/a>. Worth knowing it exists so the comparison is a fair one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"where-to-find-more-official-resources\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Find More Official Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three walkthroughs of Surveillance Station in use, which is the quickest way to judge whether the free tier covers what you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Synology Surveillance Station 2021 | Full Set Up Guide and Review\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pgynLGZO_78?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A full set-up guide and review of Surveillance Station.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Synology Surveillance Station - install, setup, overview\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MyKnM1EdqwI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installing and configuring the package end to end.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Synology Surveillance Station 9.0 - How To Perform A Manual Installation\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2b9-GsI4cS8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A manual installation walkthrough for Surveillance Station 9.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"things-people-get-wrong-about-free-camera-licenses\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things People Get Wrong About Free Camera Licenses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Assuming the free version is limited.<\/strong> It is not a lite edition. The two included channels run the same software with the same features as a hundred-camera installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Buying licenses they already own.<\/strong> Check the license screen first. A decommissioned camera still registered in the system is holding a channel that a new camera could use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Budgeting for viewers.<\/strong> Every client is free and license-free. Nobody needs to pay to look at a camera, on any device, in any number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Forgetting storage is the real recurring cost.<\/strong> Licenses are one-time, but disks fill up. Retention is a hardware question, and it is the part of a free system that actually needs planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Expecting free to include the analytics hardware.<\/strong> Deep-learning features such as people and vehicle detection depend on DVA-series hardware or on the camera itself. The license does not buy processing power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chasing a cheaper key when the free channels run out.<\/strong> Licenses register against your NAS and your Synology Account, so a keygen or an unnamed marketplace seller leaves you with a channel that fails validation and nobody to ask: <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/official-synology-license-packs-are-best-choice\/\">why official Synology license packs are the right choice<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"references\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kb.synology.com\/en-global\/SurveillanceStation\/help\/SurveillanceStation\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">License \u2014 Surveillance Station Knowledge Center<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.synology.com\/en-global\/products\/Device_License_Pack\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Surveillance Device License Pack \u2014 official product page<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.synology.com\/en-global\/dsm\/packages\/SurveillanceStation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Surveillance Station \u2014 official package page<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.synology.com\/en-global\/dsm\/7.4\/software_spec\/surveillance_station\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Surveillance Station technical specifications<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.synology.com\/en-global\/surveillance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Synology Surveillance Solution \u2014 official overview<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is Synology Surveillance Station free?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. The package installs at no charge and is the full product rather than a trial, and every supported NAS includes two camera licenses. A two-camera system costs nothing beyond the hardware you already bought.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How many free camera licenses does a Synology NAS include?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Two on almost every model, and eight on DVA-series units. They are permanent, they work with any supported camera, and they stack with any licenses you buy later.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Does Synology require a subscription?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. There is no monthly fee, nothing expires, and software updates are free for the life of the product. The only charge is a one-time device license for cameras beyond the free ones.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-4\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What happens if I stop paying?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Nothing, because there is nothing recurring to stop paying. Your free camera licenses and any you bought stay exactly as they are. Licenses you have bought stay valid and the system keeps recording. This is the main practical difference from a subscription camera service.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-5\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do the free camera licenses work with non-Synology cameras?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. A device license is a recording channel rather than a brand entitlement, so the included channels work with any camera Surveillance Station supports, including ONVIF and RTSP models from other manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-6\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do I need a license to view my cameras?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. The mobile and desktop clients are free downloads and consume no licenses at all, regardless of how many people use them or how many devices they install on.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-7\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I get more free camera licenses?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Not beyond what the hardware includes, but you can often free up channels you already own. Removing a camera that is no longer in service returns its channel to the pool immediately.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-8\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is Surveillance Station free forever, or just for a year?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Forever. The software has no expiry, the included licenses do not lapse, and updates remain free. There is no point at which a working installation starts asking for money.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Outgrown your free channels? The packs are here, with the key delivered on screen and by email around the clock: <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-camera-license-key-clp1\/\">1-Camera<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-camera-license-key-clp4\/\">4-Camera<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/synology-camera-license-key-clp8\/\">8-Camera<\/a>. The licensing questions we are asked most are collected in the <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/faq\/\">SynoPower Club FAQ<\/a>, and the wider picture of what the package does is here: <a href=\"https:\/\/synopower.club\/docs\/surveillance-station-all-in-one-surveillance-system-inside-each-synology-nas\/\">Surveillance Station: the all-in-one security system inside every Synology NAS<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Free camera licenses come with every Synology NAS &#8211; two of them, eight on DVA models. What the free tier includes, why there is no subscription, and when you start paying.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21289,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[159],"tags":[189],"class_list":["post-21287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-surveillance-station","tag-licensing"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21287"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21287\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21321,"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21287\/revisions\/21321"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/synopower.club\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}