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Free compatibility checker

Will my daycare camera work with CareCam?

CareCam connects to the IP cameras you already own, with no rip-and-replace. Run our free checker to see exactly what you have, or look your brand up below. Either way it takes a minute and costs nothing.

The fastest answer

Check your actual cameras in about a minute

Run one small program on any Windows PC on the same network as your cameras. It finds them, reads what they are actually set to, and tells you which ones CareCam can show to parents. No account, no sign-up.

  • It installs nothing and changes no camera settings.
  • It runs on your network only. Results stay on your PC unless you choose to send them.
  • Your camera passwords never leave the computer and are never sent to us.
Download the checker for Windows

9 MB · Windows 10 and 11

Heads up on the Windows warning. Our publisher certificate is still being issued, so Windows will say "Windows protected your PC" and show the publisher as unknown. Choose More info, then Run anyway. We would rather tell you now than have it surprise you.

On a Mac or a phone? Look your camera brand up instead.

Or look up your camera brand

A quick answer by brand and model. The checker above reads your actual cameras, which is the more certain answer when you can run it.

Or read the full guide for your brand:

What makes a camera compatible?

CareCam is software plus a small on-site appliance (about 8 watts). It reads the live stream your existing IP cameras already publish. A camera is compatible when it provides:

  • An RTSP stream

    CareCam connects to your camera's RTSP video URL. Almost every networked (IP) security camera has one.

  • ONVIF support (helpful)

    ONVIF is the open standard that lets different software talk to a camera. ONVIF cameras are the easiest to connect.

  • H.264 video

    CareCam plays an H.264 stream in the browser. This is the default codec on virtually all IP cameras.

  • A lower-resolution substream

    A configurable substream keeps parent viewing light on mobile data without touching your full-resolution recording.

The usual exception: cloud-only consumer cameras (Wyze, Ring, Nest, Blink, Arlo) and Tuya-based wifi cameras keep their video inside the maker's own app and don't publish an RTSP/ONVIF stream, so they typically can't be used. Analog cameras on a coax DVR also need a network upgrade.

How self-setup worksSee pricing

Compatibility questions

How do I know if my daycare camera works with CareCam?
If your camera is a networked (IP) security camera that supports RTSP or ONVIF, it almost certainly works. Use the checker above: pick your brand and we'll tell you right away, or enter your model and we'll confirm by email. The general rule: if the camera streams over your network (not a coax DVR) and outputs H.264, CareCam can connect to it.
Does CareCam work with Wyze, Ring, or Nest cameras?
Usually no. Consumer cloud cameras (Wyze, Ring, Nest/Google, Blink, and Arlo) keep their video locked inside the manufacturer's own app and cloud, and don't expose a reliable RTSP or ONVIF stream for other software to read. CareCam connects over RTSP, so these typically can't be used. For parent viewing, use a standard IP/ONVIF security camera (Hikvision, Anpviz, UniFi, or Hanwha); budget models start around $50–$80.
What is RTSP?
RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) is the standard way an IP camera publishes its live video feed on a network. CareCam reads that RTSP stream from your camera and delivers a secure, center-controlled view to parents. Most cameras show their RTSP URL in their settings under Network or Video, in the format rtsp://[username]:[password]@[camera-ip]/stream.
What is ONVIF?
ONVIF is an open industry standard that lets cameras and software from different manufacturers work together. An ONVIF-compatible camera is the easiest to connect because CareCam can discover its stream automatically. RTSP support alone is also enough.
My camera brand isn't in the list. What now?
Pick "Other / not sure" and enter your model. If it supports RTSP or ONVIF, it most likely works. Send it to us through the form and we'll confirm compatibility, usually within one business day.
Do I need to replace my existing cameras?
Not if they're compatible IP cameras. CareCam works with the cameras you already have plus a small on-site appliance (about 8 watts). Only cloud-only consumer cameras or analog cameras on a coax DVR would need to be swapped for a standard IP/ONVIF camera.
Does CareCam record or include audio?
CareCam parent access is live-only and video-only: no audio, and no recording or download features for parents. Your existing NVR can continue recording separately for the center's own use. Access is center-controlled: the daycare decides which cameras parents can see and during which hours.