Genetec Inc. is a global technology leader in unified physical security solutions.
Founded in 1997, the company is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Its founder and current President, Pierre Racz, still guides the company’s strategy and growth.
Genetec has over 2,100 employees worldwide.
It serves customers in more than 159 countries through a vast network of certified partners and consultants. This extensive reach means you can find support almost anywhere.
The company’s mission is clear. It aims to help enterprises, governments, and communities protect people and physical assets while maintaining privacy and efficiency.
In this Genetec review, I am going to highlight their core focus areas.
Genetec integrates video surveillance, access control, automatic license plate recognition, and advanced analytics. Their approach uses open-architecture solutions that emphasize cybersecurity at every layer. This means you get a secure, flexible system tailored to your needs.
They consistently innovate, being among the first to launch cloud-based offerings. Their cybersecurity standards are solid, proven when the French national cybersecurity agency (ANSSI) gave their access control solutions top security certification.
Their solutions meet needs across public safety, government, education, healthcare, retail, and banking. This broad adoption shows they understand what different sectors require in physical security.
| Genetec – Quick Overview | |
|---|---|
| What It Does | Provides a unified physical security platform combining video surveillance, access control, license plate recognition, and advanced analytics with strong cybersecurity features. |
| Best For | • Mid-sized to large enterprises in government, education, healthcare, public safety, retail, and banking • Organizations with complex security needs and multiple sites • Teams needing unified management of video, access, ALPR, and analytics • Security-conscious organizations focusing on privacy and cybersecurity • Anyone wanting open integrations with existing hardware or business systems |
| Key Products | Security Center (on-premises and SaaS) • AutoVu (ALPR) • Synergis (access control) • Stratocast (cloud video for SMBs) • Mission Control • ClearID • Genetec Clearance (evidence management) • Hardware & Edge Devices |
| Pricing | Custom pricing based on deployment size and devices, starting at $1,500-$5,000 for small on-premises setups; SaaS from $10-$25 per camera per month; demo/pilot via partners; no universal free trial. |
| Standout Features | • Unified security management for video, access, ALPR, and analytics • Open architecture supporting broad third-party integrations • Cloud, on-premises, or hybrid deployment flexibility • Advanced video analytics including facial recognition and people counting • Mobile apps for remote monitoring and control • Enterprise-grade cybersecurity with compliance and certifications |
| Integrations | Third-party cameras, door controllers, sensors, video analytics tools, cloud authentication providers, IoT sensors, business intelligence platforms |
| Get Started | Start Free Trial → |
Genetec Solutions
Genetec offers a strong lineup of security and operations tools.
These cover software and hardware designed to improve how you manage security, operations, and collaboration.
Here’s a quick look at what they offer:
1. Security Center
This is their main platform. It pulls together video surveillance, access control , ALPR, communication, intrusion detection, and analytics in one interface.
It scales with your needs, whether you run a small business or a global enterprise. You can run it on your own servers or use their cloud-based SaaS version.
2. Security Center SaaS
This cloud-hosted version is great if you want to cut infrastructure costs.
It keeps access control and video surveillance in the cloud, making scaling easier and infrastructure lighter.
3. AutoVu
AutoVu is their automatic license plate recognition system.
It suits law enforcement and parking managers well since it helps identify, track, and analyze vehicles automatically.
4. Synergis
Synergis handles access control through IP-based technology and plugs right into Security Center.
It works with a wide range of third-party hardware, so you can mix and match devices without hassle.
5. Stratocast
Stratocast is their cloud video surveillance option.
It’s tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. The focus here is on reliable, low-maintenance video analytics monitoring without extra headaches.
6. Mission Control
This tool helps you manage decisions and coordinate incident responses.
You can automate tasks triggered by real-time events, which helps you act faster and more efficiently.
7. ClearID
ClearID simplifies physical identity and access management.
It’s designed to streamline how visitors and contractors get access, helping with compliance and safety and on site.
8. Genetec Clearance
Clearance lets you manage digital evidence all in one place.
It’s particularly handy for public safety and enterprise security teams needing to collect, review, and share evidence smoothly.
9. Hardware & Edge Devices
Genetec offers turnkey servers, access control hardware, and cloud-managed appliances.
These devices create resilient deployments that you can trust to keep running securely.
Integrations
You can connect Genetec solutions with a wide variety of third-party gear.
These include cameras, door controllers, sensors, video analytics tools, and major enterprise applications.
Their open-architecture approach makes it easy to fit Genetec into complex environments.
You can also connect with cloud authentication providers, IoT sensors, and business intelligence tools to keep everything working well together.
Genetec Features
1. Unified Security Management
Genetec centralizes video surveillance, access control, ALPR, communications, and analytics into one interface.
This means you can monitor, investigate, and respond to incidents from a single dashboard. It helps you make decisions faster and run operations more smoothly.
2. Open Architecture & Third-Party Integrations
The platform uses open standards rather than closed ecosystems.
That lets you connect a wide range of cameras, sensors, access panels, and analytics tools. This protects your investment and helps you stay flexible for the future.
3. Cloud and Hybrid Deployment Options
You can choose on-premises, cloud, or a hybrid setup.
For example, Security Center SaaS lets you manage video and access in the cloud. This works well if you have many remote sites or limited IT resources.
4. Advanced Video Analytics
Genetec includes built-in and third-party video analytics like object detection, facial recognition, license plate reading, and people counting.
These tools provide real-time alerts and support thorough post-incident investigations.
5. Access Control & Identity Management
Using Synergis and ClearID, you control access for employees, visitors, and contractors securely.
Features include mobile credentialing, automated access provisioning, and detailed audit logs to help with compliance.
6. Mobile Access and Remote Monitoring
Genetec offers native apps for iOS and Android.
You get to view live video, control doors, respond to incidents, and get alerts wherever you are. This really helps security managers and first responders stay on top of things.
7. Enterprise-Grade Cybersecurity
Security is a major focus.
Genetec builds in encryption, multi-factor authentication, secure firmware updates, and meets global standards like GDPR. Their access control suite recently earned ANSSI certification, showing strong cybersecurity commitment.
8. API & SDK Availability
You get access to well-documented APIs and SDKs.
This allows developers and integrators to build custom extensions, automate processes, or connect Genetec with business systems like HR, ERP, or IoT platforms.
What really stands out about Genetec features is the blend of privacy, security, and open integration.
Because of its modular design, you can scale and adapt as your needs change. This means you make faster decisions and your investment stays safe even when technologies and security requirements shift.
Genetec Pricing Plans
Genetec pricing varies a lot depending on your setup and needs.
They don’t publish fixed prices on their website, which makes sense since they customize pricing based on deployment size, devices, and cloud or on-prem options.
If you want to dive deeper, you’ll usually talk to them or a certified reseller to get a quote made for your environment.
| Plan | Price & Features |
|---|---|
| Security Center (On-premises) | Starting around $1,500-$5,000 for small deployments • Base license fee for the management server • Charges per connected device • Custom quotes for larger enterprises |
| Security Center SaaS | $12-$25 per camera per month • Subscription based on devices and users • Access control doors priced separately • Minimum commitments and cloud storage apply |
| Stratocast (Cloud Video for SMB) | $10-$20 per camera per month • Designed for small businesses • Pricing varies with features and retention time |
| Add-ons and Advanced Modules | Custom pricing • Mission Control • Genetec Clearance (digital evidence management) • AutoVu (ALPR) |
| Free Trial/Demo | Time-limited demos via partners • No universal free tier • Pilot deployments arranged through sales |
| Enterprise/Custom Pricing | Custom pricing • Pricing for large or multi-site clients • Includes dedicated support, training, and integration assistance |
Prices have been mostly stable through 2024 and 2025, but like most vendors, you might see some shifts with inflation or when features expand.
Overall, Genetec sits towards the mid-to-high end of pricing because it offers solid enterprise-level features.
If you want to explore further or try it out, click here to learn more about Genetec pricing →
Genetec Alternatives
Genetec competes strongly in unified physical security.
It supports cloud and SaaS options while providing excellent open integrations.
You can count on it being a solid option for SMBs, especially if you look at their Stratocast offering.
Their pricing sits in the mid-high range, whether you choose custom or SaaS deployments. This positions them well for customers who want deep unification and strong cybersecurity.
Now let’s look at some of the key competitors.
How Genetec compares to the competition
Milestone offers partial unification focused mostly on video management.
They also support cloud and have good integrations.
Pricing is mid-high, similar to Genetec.
Avigilon (Motorola) provides full unification with cloud and native AI analytics.
However, their integration openness is medium and costs run high.
Honeywell delivers full unification with good integrations along with enterprise legacy systems.
Pricing is high and SMB suitability is fair.
LenelS2 focuses on access control deeply, offers cloud, and supports good integrations.
Again, pricing is high and SMB suitability is fair.
Verkada takes a cloud-first approach with excellent SMB suitability.
That comes at a high price and limited integration openness, but setup is very easy.
| Competitor | Their Strengths | Genetec Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Milestone | Video expertise and strong analytics with cloud support | Greater unification across physical security with flexible deployment and cybersecurity |
| Avigilon (Motorola) | Advanced AI analytics and proprietary hardware | More open integrations and flexible deployment options at better value |
| Honeywell | Enterprise legacy system integrations | Stronger open architecture and hybrid/cloud migration support |
| LenelS2 | Deep access control features with cloud availability | Better SMB suitability and more flexible unification |
| Verkada | Plug-and-play cloud with easy setup, excellent for SMBs | Open architecture allowing hardware/software choices and hybrid cloud options |
Genetec alternatives cover a range of capabilities. The true edge with Genetec comes from its open architecture and flexibility in deployments.
If you manage a large or complex site, the ability to integrate widely and choose hybrid or cloud paths really matters.
You might pay a bit more, but you get far more control and stronger cybersecurity behind it.
Who Should Use Genetec
1. Mid-sized to large enterprises
These include industries like government, education, healthcare, public safety, airports, retail, and banking. If you work in any of these fields, Genetec can handle your needs well.
2. Organizations with complex security requirements
If you manage multiple sites or have high counts of cameras, doors, and devices, Genetec has you covered. It’s also great if you work with diverse vendor environments.
3. Teams needing unified management
Genetec lets you control video, access, ALPR, and analytics all from one dashboard. This can simplify your workflow and help you stay on top of everything without jumping between systems.
4. Security-conscious organizations
If strong cybersecurity controls and data privacy features are important to you, Genetec delivers on both fronts. It’s designed to protect your information and systems effectively.
5. Anyone needing open integrations
Genetec works well if you want to connect with your existing hardware or ERP/business systems. It supports open integrations to help you avoid vendor lock-in.
You might choose alternatives if:
You’re a very small business with minimal security needs and a tight budget.
You want a purely plug-and-play cloud video solution with minimal customization. In that case, Verkada or Eagle Eye might be an easier fit for you.
Bottom Line
Genetec offers a powerful, unified platform for physical security.
It combines video surveillance, access control, ALPR, and analytics all in one place.
Its open architecture and strong cybersecurity stand out.
Plus, you get flexible deployment options that can adapt to your needs. This makes it a great fit if your organization is mid-sized or large and needs unified security.
The price tends to be higher than average, though, and large setups might get complex.
You may need an expert to help with big deployments.
I hope this Genetec review has helped you see if it matches your security goals.
If you want to explore it yourself, you can start a trial of Genetec →
