![\"manything](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/manything-vs-presence-manything-lifestyle-image-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\nYour old smart phone or tablet doesn’t have to collect dust. Using its camera and specific apps made for monitoring, you can turn your old devices into free security cameras to monitor your home during the day. Yes, really. I’m going to compare two of these apps – Manything vs Presence.<\/p>\n
Manything (monitor + anything) and Presence are two of the biggest names in the home monitoring app business, and both are available on iOS and Android. They both offer free plans for monitoring, with paid options for cloud storing videos. Plans start at just $3\/month for Manything, a price that can still make the cut for even the cheapest DIYers.<\/p>\n
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In comparison, traditional home monitoring systems cost\u00a0you $60+ per month and require a monthly contract. DIY camera solutions like Vimtag or Dropcam\u00a0can lower or even get rid of monthly fees completely, but you still have the expensive upfront costs for the security cameras.<\/p>\n
Manything and Presence are great for dabbling in smart home security before you commit to a nice (AKA expensive)\u00a0camera.<\/p>\n
Set up couldn’t be easier.<\/p>\n
I found both apps easy to use, but they do have their differences, so let’s dive right in and compare Manything vs Presence.<\/p>\n
Table of Contents<\/p>
Affiliate Disclosure<\/a>: This page contains affiliate links, which earn us commission from Amazon at no cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n One last side note: No matter which app you decide to use, you’ll probably need a simple phone stand. It’s not a necessity, but will certainly make your system\u00a0easier to use by holding your phone in place (I certainly could have used one instead of awkwardly balancing it against my TV). Amazon has some highly rated smart phone holders for under $10; here are few of my favorites for home monitoring.<\/p>\n Tripod phone holder by Favolcano<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n Charging phone holder by Esonstyle<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Use our handy chart to distinguish the features between these two free surveillance apps.\u00a0A lot of functionality overlaps, so we tried to just focus on what sets the two apart.<\/p>\n Comparing screenshots from Manything vs Presence\u00a0will show you one thing right away: Manything is a little more beautiful. It’s got a more modern look and is extremely simple. The Manything menu and set up is easier to navigate, and more advanced settings are available in the Settings pinwheel. It’s also got a fun Clip Chart, where users submit entertaining videos of pets\u00a0escaping their kennels, metors flying across the sky, and even burglars getting\u00a0thwarted from stealing things around the house.<\/p>\n Presence is a little harder to use, with a busy side dropdown menu that feels like too many options. Its design could certainly use a facelift, but it does have some additional unique features that are missing from Manything, including Modes with specific rules (i.e. Home, Away, Vacation, Sleep), easier Geofencing by clicking one button instead of setting up IFTTT, and the option\u00a0to add friends who can also access your cameras.<\/p>\n Manything<\/strong> –\u00a0 Presence<\/strong> –\u00a0 Manything\u00a0also has\u00a0IFTTT<\/a> (If-This-Then-That) readily accessible for those who want to automate their cameras by setting rules. This is where your home automation ideas get really\u00a0<\/strong>cool: integrate your phone’s GPS so that Manything automatically starts monitoring when you leave; automatically turn on your Philips Hue lights\u00a0to make burglars think someone is home; log how frequently your dog gets off the\u00a0couch in Google Drive; integrate Nest thermostats or WeMo switches or countless other devices to boost security and functionality.<\/p>\n Presence has similar options for rules, although they aren’t technically part of the IFTTT database. That means they won’t work with the external smart home devices, limiting you to what Presence sells in their online store<\/a>, ranging from door and motion sensors to even their own brand of thermostat (who knew?).\u00a0Regardless, the rules in the Presence app are pretty robust and easy to set, so if you’re not concerned about using IFTTT, you can still have easy automation.<\/p>\n Manything pricing<\/a>:<\/p>\n Presence\u00a0pricing (note that this app allows multiple cameras on the free account):<\/p>\n Overall, I’d recommend Manything<\/a>. It’s got the\u00a0integration with other smart devices you need, with more on the way (it will work with the FLIR ONE<\/a> thermal imager for adding night vision monitoring). It offers less expensive monthly plans and is an absolute breeze to use – I say that with absolute confidence as someone who\u00a0obsessively checks on her dog in the app.<\/p>\n Presence is good if you want an all-in-one solution where you can purchase sensors, thermostats, and other devices all from one brand. It also allows multiple cameras on a free account. It’s also a good Manything alternative if you have a hard time getting Manything to work for some reason.<\/p>\n Have you tried Manything vs Presence? Which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading.<\/p>\n![\"favolcano](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/favolcano.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"econstyle](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/econstyle-cell-phone-holder.jpg\")
<\/a>Features<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"manything](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/manything-vs-presence-1024x512.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nDesign<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n![\"manything](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_3395-577x1024.png\")
![\"manything](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_3394-577x1024.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"presence](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0023-e1467908931958.png\")
![\"presence](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0021.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nIFTTT Integration<\/span><\/h3>\n
\nPrice<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"manything](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-07-at-1.47.05-PM.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
![\"manything](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_3392-577x1024.png\")
![\"manything](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_3393-577x1024.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/h3>\n
\nWinner<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"manything](\"http:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Life-hack-Use-your-old-smart-phone-as-a-security-camera-with-this-free-app.-Yes-really.-683x1024.jpg\")
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