At a glance
| Hikvision | Ubiquiti UniFi Protect | |
|---|---|---|
| About | The world's largest CCTV manufacturer — huge range, strong app ecosystem, and the default choice for most South African installations. | Cameras that live inside the UniFi network ecosystem — beautiful software, local storage, no licence fees. |
| Origin | China | USA |
| Popular lines | ColorVu cameras, AcuSense AI detection, Turbo HD (analog), Hik-Connect platform | G4/G5 cameras, AI series, UniFi Protect consoles |
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 Ubiquiti UniFi Protect wins
- Best-in-class management software
- Local storage on UniFi consoles — no cloud fees
- Seamless fit for sites already on UniFi networking
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 Ubiquiti UniFi Protect, so the recommendation you get from us is based on what fits, not what's on the shelf.