At a glance
| Hikvision | Reolink | |
|---|---|---|
| About | The world's largest CCTV manufacturer — huge range, strong app ecosystem, and the default choice for most South African installations. | Direct-to-consumer favourite — PoE, Wi-Fi, battery and 4G cameras with no licence fees and a genuinely good app. |
| Origin | China | China |
| Popular lines | ColorVu cameras, AcuSense AI detection, Turbo HD (analog), Hik-Connect platform | RLC PoE cameras, Argus battery range, Reolink Go 4G |
Where Hikvision wins
- Widest product range at every price point
- ColorVu full-colour night vision is class-leading
- Hik-Connect app is mature and reliable
- Spares and support easy to source locally
Where Reolink wins
- No subscriptions required for core features
- Strong battery and 4G range for off-grid spots
- Simple ONVIF support on most PoE models
Which should you choose?
Honestly: it depends on your property, coverage needs and budget — the right answer for a four-camera home is different from a warehouse or a farm. We install both Hikvision and Reolink, so the recommendation you get from us is based on what fits, not what's on the shelf.