Reolink stores to a SD card with the option to upload to FTP backups.
I suspect a big 128 gb card would be good enough without off-site storage.
this post was submitted on 27 Aug 2026
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I just want to throw out there the idea of using Eufy cameras for older people. The systems store offline you don't have to pay for online storage etc. And the app and everything is very simple and easy to use.
I know it's not what you're asking but I went through a similar dilemma with my MIL and went this route because she struggles enough as it is with technology.
Recommending Eufy to someone specifically asking for privacy focused suggestions is wild.
They were caught, and admitted to, lying about being offline only, and storing unencrypted thumbnails, if memory serves. They got fined for it and I'm sure they say they're doing better but how can you trust them after that?
I would avoid Eufy given the context of post, OP.
When did OP say they were specifically asking for privacy focused suggestions?
I'm a big fan of privacy but I've also worked in IT for over 20 years and know that you have to also consider convenience of technology for older people, otherwise they just avoid using these things.
Their title and post mention VPNs multiple times. The P is Private. They also mention wanting to use their own storage, again implying privacy. Their entire post implies they care about privacy.
If you're using Frigate with docker you could route the container through a gluetun container.
This. A VPN is just a network route. Applications can't tell the difference between a local subnet and a VPN.
Alternatively, can they run over a tailscale subnet router?
Yes, the cameras wouldn't need to be aware of tailscale (or a VPN), you'd just put a pi or install tailscale on a PC there and expose the cameras over the subnet router config to your server also on tailscale.
Flash thingino on a supported camera and you have an open source firmware available with vpn support
Anything that is just local hardware can be saved or copied to an encrypted cloud drive of your choosing, via VPN if that's what you want.
You don't have to use a security cam system that hosts the cloud storage, or acts as a middle man between you and a live feed.
There are local systems that can host remote access portals too.
These things existed before things like ring or wyze...
Not directly, but if you configure them via Home Assistant, you can download the camera footage (depending on the brand, I use Tapo) and then sync that to your server of choice via FTP or WebDAV.
I did this using a router to handle traffic for about a year between sites 240 miles apart. The only downside was it used a lot of bandwidth. Maybe it can be done with some IP cameras, but I expect they'd be expensive commercial models. OpenWRT compatible routers can be dirt cheap.
If your MIL's router supports OpenWRT or you can replace it with one that does, you can use a VPN and PBR (Policy Based Routing) to your home router or server and do exactly what you want with any camera that supports RSTP (Real Time Streaming Protocol). That includes most cheap wired TP-Link cameras and plenty of others. PBR on the router at your MIL's home would be used to route all traffic from camera IP addresses to your server.
I used Frigate software and Home Assistant for occupancy detection/alerts and Wireguard for transport. It worked perfectly but I eventually got around to adding 2nd server.