For many apartments, small homes, or tiny offices, two cameras are exactly enough to cover the main entry points (e.g., the front door and the back yard). If you want to stay within the free limit, use these strategies to get the most out of your setup: 1. Use Multi-Lens or Panoramic Cameras
The number of "free" or default licenses depends on the specific hardware series you own. These licenses are and tied to the physical hardware; they cannot be deleted or migrated to a different Synology device. Synology Device Type Default Free Licenses Standard NAS Series (e.g., DiskStation, RackStation) 2 Licenses Network Video Recorder (NVR) (e.g., NVR1218) 4 Licenses Deep Learning NVR (DVA) (e.g., DVA3221) 8 Licenses
While there is no official "hack" to bypass the licensing system, you can maximize your free resources using the following methods: Surveillance Device License Pack | Synology Inc.
A: No. Both the free default licenses and any purchased Surveillance Device License Packs are permanent and do not have an expiration date, nor do they require any renewal fees. synology surveillance station license free
The Complete Guide to Synology Surveillance Station Free Licenses: Capabilities, Limitations, and Expansion
This initial generosity, however, creates what psychologists call a "lock-in effect." Once a user experiences the stability and feature set of Surveillance Station—including the excellent DS cam mobile client and edge recording capabilities—they are reluctant to switch. If that user decides to add a third camera to cover a garage or a nursery, they are confronted with the reality of the model: additional licenses cost approximately $50 to $80 per camera, perpetually.
Whether you buy a budget-friendly 1-bay NAS (like the DS124) or a massive enterprise rackmount unit, you will find two free licenses pre-installed and ready to use out of the box. The Exceptions to the Rule For many apartments, small homes, or tiny offices,
Even generic ONVIF-compliant cameras (Amcrest, Reolink, Hikvision, Dahua) still consume a Synology license. The "free" allowance applies to any camera brand, not just Synology’s own.
If your NAS breaks or you upgrade to a newer Synology model, you can officially migrate your purchased licenses to the new hardware. Note: The original 2 free default licenses cannot be migrated; they stay with the original box.
No. Whether you use Synology branded cameras, Axis, Reolink, or generic ONVIF, the license is tied to the camera channel , not the brand. You still consume a license slot. These licenses are and tied to the physical
People sell surplus camera licenses on eBay or Reddit (r/homelabsales). A single license often sells for $30–$40. If you need 4 cameras, total cost is ~$80 for a perpetual license—cheaper than two months of Ring subscription.
(e.g., DiskStation DS923+, DS1522+) includes 2 free licenses .
, allowing you to set up a basic home security system without any additional cost
If you absolutely refuse to pay Synology, do not want a second NAS, and need more than 2 cameras, Use a different VMS on your Synology (via Docker) or on a separate PC.