Agent DVR is an open-source video surveillance application that captures and monitors video from webcams and IP cameras, serving as a modern replacement for iSpy. It offers broad device compatibility and flexible features, making it a powerful choice for home and professional security setups.
The new Agent DVR is a more advanced digital video recorder, designed as a significant upgrade. It runs efficiently as a service, consuming less CPU than the old iSpy platform. Using its intuitive web interface, your surveillance system can be accessed from any location without port forwarding.
Initially designed as a low-cost alternative to expensive surveillance systems, Agent DVR has evolved into a highly scalable application. You can easily tailor it to record and respond to specific incidents from any location, whether locally or remotely.
Home Security
With seamless integrations for Home Assistant, IFTTT, and Alexa, Agent DVR can be the centerpiece of your automated home security setup. With these robust connections, Geofencing can automate alarms and set cameras to start recording when you leave an area and disarm them when you return.
Theft Prevention
With advanced object recognition and AI, Agent DVR lowers false alerts, helping protect your investments with confidence. For added security, recordings are automatically saved both locally and to the cloud, ensuring your evidence remains secure even if the device is stolen.
Wildlife Watching
A discreet webcam reveals a fascinating world of wildlife. Agent DVR can record movement in a burrow or nest and send the footage directly to your email or mobile device.
Agent DVR establishes a connection with the camera and provides a live view. You can then select zones within the video for motion detection and assign a threshold that starts automatic recording. Agent DVR can also operate in always-recording or manual-recording modes and supports scheduling and remote access (with an iSpyConnect subscription)
Since its launch in 2007, Agent DVR has evolved into a robust, feature-rich solution. Its primary role is small business security, but home monitoring, neighborhood watch, nanny watch, and mobile access through iSpyConnect.com remain valuable features.
Facial recognition and the detection of changes in lighting and audio provide the advanced capabilities that set this software apart from its competitors.
Getting started with this program is easy: all you need is a webcam or IP camera connected to your computer or network.
Agent DVR Features:
Cameras
Supports more devices than any other solution, including IP cameras, ONVIF devices, local USB cameras, and more. Audio device support allows you to add an unlimited number of devices.
Video Recording
Record to MP4, VP8/9, GPU, and Raw. The agent will save the raw stream from your camera whenever possible to minimize CPU usage.
Sensors
Our motion detection solutions offer a wide range of capabilities, from basic motion sensing to advanced features like object tracking, tripwire detection, and object recognition. AI-powered video and audio analysis help minimize false alarms.
Alerts
Deliver notifications via various channels, including email, SMS, push notifications to mobile devices, URL calls, desktop alerts, MQTT endpoints, and more. The possibilities are virtually limitless.
Integrations
Fully integrated with Home Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, DeepStack AI, CodeProject.AI, OpenAI (ChatGPT), and PlateRecognizer.com. Set up triggers and actions from the world's most popular platforms for the Internet of Things, or add your own using our API.
Remote Access
Using custom technology, the agent bypasses the typical requirement to open ports on your router for remote access. Access from anywhere over SSL with no router configuration required. It even works if the Agent is behind a strict firewall or on a mobile network.
Privileges of Business License:
- License to use in Business Environments
- Unlocks Port Forward Access
- Unlocks Cloud Uploads
- Unlocks RTMP Streaming
- Unlocks Local HTTPS
- Unlocks Local VR Features
- Unlocks Software Updates
- Unlocks Multiple Local Accounts
- Unlocks White Labeling
Agent DVR – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Supports an unlimited number of cameras and microphones, allowing the system to grow as your surveillance needs expand. | ✗ Remote access, cloud uploads, mobile services, and some premium capabilities require a paid subscription or business license. |
| ✓ Works across Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker, and Raspberry Pi, making it easy to deploy on different hardware platforms. | ✗ Initial setup can be challenging for beginners, especially when configuring cameras, AI detection, and recording rules. |
| ✓ Includes advanced motion detection, AI-powered object recognition, PTZ control, and ONVIF compatibility for smarter security monitoring. | ✗ AI analysis, multiple high-resolution streams, and advanced automation can place significant demands on CPU, GPU, and storage resources. |
| ✓ Browser-based interface lets you monitor and manage cameras without installing a dedicated desktop application on every device. | ✗ The extensive configuration options may feel overwhelming for users who only need a simple home surveillance solution. |
| ✓ Runs locally without requiring cloud services, giving users greater control over recordings, privacy, and storage. | ✗ Browser-based live viewing may not match the responsiveness or playback quality of dedicated desktop applications when monitoring many high-resolution camera feeds simultaneously. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Agent DVR and Blue Iris?
Both applications provide advanced video surveillance, motion detection, and IP camera support. Agent DVR offers an open-source platform with broad device compatibility and optional subscription services. Blue Iris is a commercial Windows application known for its extensive camera management features and one-time license model.
Can Agent DVR record continuously?
Yes. Allows continuous, motion-triggered, scheduled, or manual recording to suit different surveillance needs. You can configure different recording rules for each camera based on your surveillance requirements.
Can Agent DVR send notifications when motion is detected?
Yes. It can send alerts through email, SMS, push notifications, MQTT, URL calls, and other supported services when motion or other configured events are detected. Notification rules can be customized for individual cameras and events.
Can Agent DVR run in Docker?
Yes. Agent DVR supports Docker deployment, making it easy to run on Linux servers, NAS devices, and other container-based environments. This provides a flexible option for users who prefer containerized applications.
What's New in Agent DVR 7.8.9.0:
Release Date 2026-08-07
- Added video previews to alerts so you can see what triggered them at a glance in the alert viewer
- Fixed remote viewing failing on routers that block loopback connections when using port forwarding
- Add “all power” to live controls (need to enable in account menu – controls) – toggle power to all devices in the current view
Official Homepage – https://www.ispyconnect.com
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11.
- Android 8.0 or later
Size: 355 KB
This software is free for personal use. You can add as many cameras as you like.
Remote access, cloud uploads, and other services that use our online platform require a subscription or business license.
