Construction Camera Alternatives
There are many ways to document a construction project with cameras. Here's an honest comparison of different approaches to help you find the right fit—whether that's Builder.Cam or something else.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing
What's your budget model?
Some buyers prefer low upfront cost with monthly subscription (Builder.Cam model). Others prefer to own hardware and minimize recurring costs. Consider total cost over your typical project duration.
Do you need remote access?
If you want to check your site from anywhere without visiting, you need cloud connectivity. If you're okay retrieving SD cards, offline cameras are cheaper.
Who needs access?
If multiple stakeholders (clients, lenders, team members) need access, cloud-based sharing is essential. If it's just you reviewing locally, simpler solutions work.
Is GDPR compliance important?
For EU projects, especially public-facing ones, privacy features like face blurring matter. On-camera processing is strongest; cloud processing is acceptable; no processing requires careful GDPR planning.
Comparing Approaches
Service Model
Full Service (Builder.Cam)
Our approachCamera, connectivity, cloud storage, installation, and support bundled together. One monthly price.
- Simple pricing
- Single point of contact
- No hidden costs
- Less flexibility for DIY setups
Hardware + Subscription
Buy the camera hardware, then pay monthly for cloud services and connectivity.
- Own the hardware
- May be cheaper long-term for many cameras
- Higher upfront cost
- Hardware risk is yours
- Multiple vendors
Hardware Only
Buy a timelapse camera and manage storage yourself (SD cards, local network, etc.).
- Lowest ongoing cost
- Full control
- No remote access
- Manual retrieval
- No support
Connectivity
Built-in 4G/LTE (Builder.Cam)
Our approachCamera includes cellular connectivity. Works anywhere with coverage, no site network needed.
- Deploy immediately
- Reliable
- No IT involvement
- Requires cellular coverage
WiFi Required
Camera connects to site WiFi network for uploads.
- No data costs if site has network
- Good for indoor/covered sites
- Depends on site infrastructure
- IT setup required
- Range limited
Offline/SD Card
Camera stores locally; you retrieve the card periodically.
- Works anywhere
- No connectivity costs
- No remote access
- Manual labor to retrieve
- Risk of loss
Privacy Features
On-Camera Face Blurring (Builder.Cam)
Our approachAI blurs faces before photos leave the camera. Personal data never collected.
- Strongest GDPR position
- No cloud processing of faces
- Requires capable camera hardware
Cloud-Based Blurring
Photos uploaded in full, then processed in the cloud to blur faces.
- Can be applied retroactively
- Works with any camera
- Personal data transmitted first
- Higher GDPR burden
No Blurring
Faces captured and stored as-is. May require consent or other GDPR measures.
- Simpler technically
- Full detail preserved
- GDPR compliance more complex
- May limit public sharing
What Makes Builder.Cam Different
We're not claiming to be the best for everyone. Here's what we focus on and who we're a good fit for:
Nordic Focus
Based in Finland, designed for Nordic conditions (dark winters, harsh weather). Local support in Finnish, Swedish, and English.
On-Camera Face Blurring
GDPR compliance built in. Faces blurred before photos leave the camera—the strongest privacy position.
Simple Monthly Pricing
From €200/month. Camera, 4G data, cloud storage, and support included. No hardware purchase required.
Plug-and-Play Deployment
Just connect to power. Camera handles connectivity, uploads, and storage automatically.
Professional Installation Available
We install and position the camera optimally. One-time €1,500 setup for turnkey deployment.
Builder.Cam is a good fit if:
- • You want simple, predictable monthly pricing
- • You need remote access for multiple stakeholders
- • GDPR compliance matters for your EU projects
- • You prefer a managed service over DIY setup
- • You're in the Nordic region or broader EU
- • You value reliability over lowest cost
Consider alternatives if:
- • You want to own camera hardware outright
- • You don't need remote access (local SD is fine)
- • You have IT resources to manage connectivity
- • You need enterprise-scale features (100+ cameras)
- • Absolute lowest cost is the priority
- • You're outside EU/Nordic markets
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Builder.Cam compare to EarthCam or OxBlue?
EarthCam and OxBlue are established US-based providers with strong enterprise offerings. Builder.Cam differentiates through: Nordic/EU focus with local support, on-camera face blurring for GDPR, simpler pricing without enterprise complexity, and quick deployment without lengthy sales processes. For large enterprise projects with complex requirements, the US providers may have more features. For most European construction projects, Builder.Cam offers better fit and value.
Should I buy a camera or use a subscription service?
It depends on your situation. Subscription services (like Builder.Cam) are better if: you want low upfront cost, you need remote access, you value support and reliability, or you're not sure how long you'll need the camera. Buying hardware makes sense if: you'll use cameras continuously for years, you have IT resources to manage connectivity and storage, or you want to own assets.
What about cheap timelapse cameras from Amazon?
Consumer timelapse cameras (Brinno, etc.) can work for simple use cases. They typically store to SD cards with no remote access, have limited weatherproofing, and provide no support. For a short residential project where you'll retrieve the camera weekly, they're fine. For professional documentation with remote access and reliability requirements, a managed service is worthwhile.
Is Builder.Cam the cheapest option?
We're competitive but not the absolute cheapest. At €200-300/month, we're less than major enterprise providers and more than DIY solutions. The value is in reliability, support, privacy features, and simplicity. If saving €50/month matters more than those factors, there are cheaper alternatives.
Can I try Builder.Cam before committing?
We offer flexible monthly subscriptions with no long-term commitment. You can start with one camera for one month and see if it fits your needs. We also provide demos and can show you live projects (with permission) so you understand exactly what you're getting.
Learn More
Ready to See If Builder.Cam Fits?
No long-term commitment required. Start with one camera for one month and see how it works for your project.
