LightNVR Open NVR

Open source · GPLv3 licensed

Run LightNVR on your own hardware. Free, open-source, yours.

LightNVR is free, open-source software. This page is the DIY path. If you need capacity planning, hardware guidance, implementation, or ongoing support, our professional on-premises deployment service uses the same open core.

View on GitHub Get deployment help → Use the cloud →

GPLv3 licensed · No accounts · No telemetry · No phone-home

Quick start with Docker compose

The fastest way to get LightNVR running on a Linux box, NAS, or Raspberry Pi. Save the snippet below as docker-compose.yml, then run docker compose up -d.

docker-compose.yml copy & paste 
version: "3.9"
services:
  lightnvr:
    image: ghcr.io/opensensor/lightnvr:latest
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data
    environment:
      LIGHTNVR_LISTEN: "0.0.0.0:8080"

Replace latest with a pinned tag for production. See releases.

Once it’s up, browse to http://your-host:8080 to add cameras.

Bare-metal & embedded targets

Anywhere you can run a container, you can run LightNVR. The community regularly deploys it on these targets.

  • Linux (x86_64, arm64)

    Any modern distro with Docker or systemd. Build from source if you want to.

  • Raspberry Pi 4 & 5

    arm64 image runs on Pi OS Bookworm and later. SSD recommended over SD for recording volume.

    Community-supported · verify the latest image notes for your platform.

  • Generic NAS (TrueNAS, Synology, Unraid)

    Run as a container on any NAS that supports Docker or LXC. Mount your share as the recording volume.

    Community-supported · verify the latest image notes for your platform.

Want to build from source instead? Clone the repo — the README has compile instructions for each platform.

What you get with the OSS build vs Cloud

Same recorder, two operating models. The only honest line: self-host is free if your time is free.

Self-Hosted

Free forever

Download LightNVR and run it on your own computer, home server, or Raspberry Pi. Great if you’re comfortable with a bit of tech setup and want full control.

  • ✓Completely free and open source
  • ✓Your data stays on your own hardware
  • ✓Full customization and control
  • –You manage installation, updates, and keeping it running
  • –Recordings stored locally — if your hardware is stolen, damaged, or loses power, so are your recordings
View on GitHub

Cloud Hosted

From $25/mo

We run LightNVR for you in the cloud — managed, isolated tenant, encrypted WireGuard tunnel, our pager. Connect cameras and start recording.

  • ✓Managed updates, backups, monitoring — we operate it
  • ✓WireGuard tunnel — no port-forwarding, no exposed RTSP
  • ✓Isolated tenant instance — your namespace, your volume
  • ✓Recordings stored safely off-site — survives stolen hardware, fire, flood, power outage
When you outgrow self-hosting → Try the cloud

IP cameras that work out of the box

If your camera streams RTSP or speaks ONVIF, it works with LightNVR — whether you self-host or use the cloud. That covers the vast majority of IP cameras sold today (Reolink, Amcrest, Lorex, Axis, Hanwha, Hikvision, Dahua, and hundreds more) plus cameras running open-source Thingino firmware.

We do not support proprietary closed protocols (Ring, Nest, Arlo native streams) — those vendors deliberately block third-party recording.

Camera setup guide

Brand-by-brand RTSP URL formats (Reolink, Hikvision, Dahua, Amcrest, Axis, Lorex, Foscam, Thingino).

Docs & community

The repo, the issue tracker, and the how-to guides — everything you need to get LightNVR running, file a bug, or contribute back.

Read the docs

How-to guides for connecting cameras, configuring storage, and tuning the recorder.

/how-to →

Star on GitHub

Browse the source, build from main, or watch releases. Stars help us prioritize.

github.com/opensensor/lightnvr →

Report an issue

Found a bug? Have a feature request? Open an issue on GitHub — we read every one.

github.com/…/issues →

Curious how the cloud version is built? See the architecture →

Open-source since 2024 175+ GitHub stars Built in Maine

Build with us. Or have us build it for you.

LightNVR is open source — run it yourself, engage us for a professional on-premises deployment, or use managed cloud hosting.

View on GitHub Professional deployment → Or try the cloud →

GPLv3 licensed · 14-day free cloud trial, no card · Built in Maine