Introduction: Why This Comparison Matters Now

If you’re in physical security, you’ve heard the names: Milestone Systems and Genetec. These two heavyweights have defined what it means to manage video in large-scale environments—from airports and campuses to cities and Fortune 500 headquarters.

But here’s the catch: the industry is changing. AI is no longer optional. Cloud-native platforms are on the rise. And end users are demanding faster, smarter, and more affordable solutions.

So how well do these giants adapt to this new AI-first world? Which platform offers better scalability, performance, and AI integration? Are either of them truly ready for what’s next?

Let’s find out.

Quick Summary / Key Takeaways

• Genetec is more feature-rich, but comes with higher infrastructure costs and complexity.

• Milestone offers broader third-party integration, but lacks native AI.

• Both platforms are on-premise heavy and struggle to scale in the cloud-native era.

• ArcadianAI offers a camera-agnostic, AI-first, cloud-native alternative.

Background & Relevance

According to MarketsandMarkets, the global Video Management System (VMS) market is projected to grow from $10.4 billion in 2024 to $22.2 billion by 2029, driven by rising crime, compliance needs, and automation demand【source: MarketsandMarkets】.

Yet most legacy VMS platforms were never built for AI—or the cloud. Instead, they rely on:

• Centralized NVRs or custom servers

• Manual configuration and patchwork integrations

• Limited real-time intelligence unless third-party AI is layered in

The question is no longer “does it record?” but “does it understand?”

That’s where this comparison becomes critical.

Core Topic Exploration

Architecture and Deployment Models

Genetec Security Center

Genetec’s flagship platform, Security Center, is a unified VMS + ACS + ALPR platform.

• Type: Hybrid (primarily on-prem with optional cloud add-ons)

• Installation: Requires Windows-based servers, SQL databases, and licensing servers

• Licensing: Per device + feature modules (e.g., ALPR, KiwiVision analytics)

• Update Cycle: Typically 2–3 major updates/year

Strength: Deep integration across access control, license plate recognition, and video.

Weakness: High initial setup costs and steep learning curve. Requires trained Genetec-certified integrators.

Milestone XProtect

Milestone’s XProtect is a modular, open-platform VMS built primarily for video.

• Type: On-prem with limited cloud integration

• Installation: Windows-based servers, device packs, and management clients

• Licensing: Device-based with tiered versions (Essential+, Express+, Professional+, Corporate)

• Update Cycle: Quarterly releases

Strength: Wide support for third-party cameras (10,000+), VMS plugins, and custom integrations via Milestone SDK.

Weakness: No built-in AI analytics. Relies on third parties (e.g., BriefCam, IronYun) for intelligence.

AI Capabilities and Real-Time Intelligence

Genetec

Genetec's AI journey has focused on its KiwiVision™ suite, offering:

• Privacy protector (face blur for GDPR compliance)

• People counting

• Intrusion detection

• License plate recognition via AutoVu

However, these are still relatively rule-based, not deep learning-based. The real-time interpretation of behavior or scene context is limited.

Also, no support for conversational AI, incident summarization, or forensic question answering.

Milestone

Milestone doesn’t offer native AI. Instead, it depends on:

• Open platform partnerships: e.g., Axis Analytics, Bosch IVA, and third-party AI overlays

• Milestone Marketplace: Customers can purchase plugins for detection, license plate reading, or object classification

But this modularity becomes a burden for customers—every AI feature requires a new vendor, new license, and integration support.

Cloud Compatibility and Scalability

Genetec Cloud Strategy

Genetec offers:

• Genetec Stratocast™: A basic cloud VMS

• Genetec Clearance™: Cloud evidence sharing platform

• Genetec Security Center SaaS (beta): For cloud-based VMS + ACS

Despite efforts, Security Center remains largely on-prem and resource-intensive. Customers need robust infrastructure and bandwidth for multi-site deployments.

Genetec’s cloud model is limited by legacy architecture and a slow transition process.

H3: Milestone Cloud Capabilities

Milestone has:

• XProtect on AWS: Customers can manually install XProtect on EC2 instances

• Milestone Kite: A separate VSaaS platform via Arcules (acquired)

But XProtect itself is not cloud-native—it still requires local servers, device packs, and dedicated IT.

Milestone Kite is limited to specific hardware, and doesn’t integrate with legacy Milestone environments.

Comparisons & Use Cases

Comparison Table – Genetec vs. Milestone vs. ArcadianAI

Common Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which platform is better for large-scale deployments?

Genetec is generally better for complex multi-site environments that need video, access control, and LPR unified in one platform—but the learning curve and cost are high.

Q2: Can either platform run fully in the cloud?

Not truly. Both Genetec and Milestone require on-prem servers for core operations. Their cloud offerings are still secondary and often require hybrid setups.

Q3: Which platform supports AI natively?

Neither platform has deep native AI. Genetec offers some analytics via KiwiVision, and Milestone relies on third-party plugins. For true AI assistance and real-time scene understanding, platforms like ArcadianAI lead.

Q4: How steep is the setup and maintenance?

Very. Both platforms require:

• Certified technicians

• Networking and server configuration

• Licensing management

• Regular updates

Many SMBs find this unsustainable without external support.

Q5: Are there security risks with these platforms?

Yes. Both systems have had vulnerabilities reported in the past (e.g., CVEs affecting Genetec SDK or Milestone's mobile client). On-prem systems require constant patching and firewall configuration.

Cloud-native platforms often provide more consistent updates and end-to-end encryption.

Real User Feedback

Genetec

• Gartner Peer Insights: Rated 4.6/5 but users mention complexity and pricing.

• TrustRadius: Users highlight scalability but also steep learning curves.

• Reddit r/security: Comments like “powerful but bloated,” and “requires a Genetec-certified tech for everything.”

Milestone

• G2: Rated 4.3/5 with strong marks for stability.

• Trustpilot: Mixed reviews citing lack of built-in analytics.

• System Integrator forums: Users say “great for customization” but “not plug-and-play.”

Conclusion & CTA

Both Milestone and Genetec were built for a different era of surveillance—one where human operators, on-premise servers, and manual alert handling were the norm.

In today’s world, businesses need more than just footage. They need context, intelligence, and simplicity.

That’s where ArcadianAI comes in. With Ranger, our AI-powered monitoring assistant, we offer:

• Real-time event understanding

• Smart alert filtering

• Privacy-first design

• Fast setup without servers

It’s time to stop settling for bloated legacy systems that charge you more for every plugin or analytics module.

✅ Get a smarter alternative today: 👉 Request a Demo