No — most cameras record locally to a memory card or a network video recorder, which is a one-off cost you own. Cloud subscriptions add convenience (off-site backup, phone access anywhere) but are recurring fees; many brands push them because that is where their profit is. Prefer local storage on a budget.

Start with the entry points: front door, back door and any ground-floor side or sliding door — usually two to four cameras. One camera covering the route an intruder must walk is worth more than four pointed at the street, and most burglars enter through doors, not windows.

A $60 camera can be fine for daytime deterrence and identification, but check night quality and whether the app requires a paid plan before you buy. Test one camera in its real position at night before you buy the rest — range and Wi-Fi signal vary wildly once mounted.