Every Synology NAS comes with two free default licenses for Surveillance Station. These licenses allow you to connect and manage up to two IP cameras without any additional cost. Quick Setup Guide To get started with your free licenses:

Portability: Unlike default licenses, purchased licenses can be migrated to a new Synology NAS if you upgrade your hardware.

The ONE True "License Free" Setup (Hardware Limitation)

There is no way to get unlimited licenses for free on a standard Synology NAS. However, you can build a system that never requires paying for extra licenses by using specific Synology hardware.

If the "Synology tax" is too high for your deployment, users often consider these alternatives:

When your camera count exceeds the built-in quota, you must purchase additional licenses. These are one-time, perpetual costs rather than subscriptions. License Pack Type Typical Price (USD) Source Examples 1-Camera Pack ~$55 - $60 B&H Photo, SynoPower 4-Camera Pack ~$225 - $300 SynoPower, Wamatek 8-Camera Pack ~$360 - $435 Adorama, CDW

2. The "Hacked" License Packs (The Elephant in the Room)

If you search online for "Synology license hack," you will find hundreds of results. For years, third-party developers created license "generator" files that users could upload to their NAS to unlock thousands of camera slots.

Mobile Device Integration: Utilize LiveCam, which turns a spare smartphone into an IP camera. While this still requires a license, Synology occasionally offers promotions or different terms for mobile-based "cameras."

. While these licenses are perpetual and never expire, they are tied to the physical hardware and cannot be migrated to a new device. Free License Quotas by Hardware

Need a discount on Synology licenses? (Check your local resellers—they often bundle 4-packs for less than the cost of 4 singles).