Avigilon Alta is Motorola Solutions’ cloud security suite, launched in March 2023 by bringing together Ava Security’s video and Openpath’s access control. Like Verkada it covers cameras, doors and sensors from one cloud platform, so the two often end up on the same shortlist.
We’re a Verkada partner. We’ve kept to what each vendor publishes and listed the sources at the end.
At a glance
| Verkada | Avigilon Alta | |
|---|---|---|
| Where footage is stored | On the camera, with cloud backup included in the licence (30 days on most models) | On the camera; Cloud Connectors for cameras without storage |
| Management | Verkada Command | Alta (cloud); Avigilon Unity is a separate on-premise suite |
| Licence terms | 1, 3, 5 or 10 years | Most licences 1, 3, 5 or 10 years; sensors 1, 3 or 5 |
| Camera warranty | Up to 10 years, depending on model | Tied to licensing: e.g. H6A/H6/H5A 10 years with an active licence, 5 without |
| Access control | Yes, Verkada controllers, readers and wireless locks | Yes, Alta Access (formerly Openpath) |
| Sensors | Verkada SV-series, including vape detection | Halo sensors, including vape detection |
| Also on the platform | Video intercom, guest and mailroom | Alta Visitor, Alta Protect monitoring, panic buttons |
Architecture
Both are cloud-managed with storage on the camera. Alta uses on-premise Cloud Connectors to bring in cameras that have no onboard storage or cloud connection. Verkada’s equivalent is Command Connector, which brings third-party ONVIF or RTSP cameras into Command at one camera licence per channel.
If you need a fully on-premise system, Motorola’s answer is Avigilon Unity, a separate product suite, not a mode of Alta.
Licensing and warranty
Both licence per device in multi-year terms. Verkada co-terms every licence in an organisation to one expiry date. The warranty is where they differ most: Verkada’s camera warranty is set by the model, up to 10 years. Avigilon’s Alta warranty depends on licensing, so the H6A, H6 and H5A cameras carry 10 years with an active licence and 5 without, and the A5 carries 10 with and 3 without. Avigilon also says its warranty applies only in the country of purchase.
Range
Both cover video, access control, sensors and visitor management. Verkada adds its own video intercom range and guest and mailroom software on the same platform. Alta adds Alta Protect monitoring and panic buttons, and its vape sensing comes from Halo.
Which suits whom
Alta makes sense if you already run Openpath access control, you’re in the Motorola Solutions world, or you want the option of moving to Avigilon’s on-premise suite later.
Verkada makes sense if you want one hardware range and one app for cameras, doors, intercom and sensors, with a warranty fixed by the model rather than the licence.
Questions
Is Avigilon Alta the same as Openpath?
Can Verkada use my existing cameras?
Which has the longer warranty?
Do both detect vaping?
Sources
Checked on 17 October 2026. Vendors change their terms, so check the current page before you rely on any one detail.
- Verkada: manage your licences (grace period, renewals)
- Verkada: licence expiration date and co-terming
- Verkada: product warranty
- Verkada: common storage questions
- Motorola Solutions: Avigilon security suite launch (March 2023)
- Avigilon Alta solution overview
- Avigilon Alta licences
- Avigilon Alta warranty
- Avigilon Alta product range
Weighing up a system? How buying Verkada works, try it for 30 days, or compare: Verkada vs Meraki, Verkada vs Rhombus.