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Introduction
In recent years, surveillance with mobile cameras, 4G devices, and solar power has become increasingly popular. Many consumers, hunters, and farmers rely on mobile apps like Reolink and UBox to control their cameras. But which one is better and why?
In this article, we will make a full comparison between the Reolink and UBox apps, highlighting their advantages, disadvantages, and cases where one is better than the other.
What are Reolink and UBox?
Reolink is an app developed by a leading manufacturer of video surveillance systems. It supports various types of cameras – battery, solar, PoE, Wi-Fi, and 4G models such as TrackMix, Argus, and Go Ranger.
UBox is a lighter and basic app used primarily for low-cost Wi-Fi and 4G battery cameras from various Chinese manufacturers. It is common with OEM cameras sold under various brands.
Key Features – Direct Comparison
Reolink vs UBox Comparison
Winner: Reolink App
Why Reolink is Better:
Much better design and interface – modern, easy to use.
Supports PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom), dual lenses, auto-tracking and AI recognition of people, animals and vehicles.
Wide compatibility from different manufacturers’ devices – from battery and solar cameras to PoE and 4G.
Reliable notifications, multiple users, cloud and local storage.
Suitable for both home users and professional systems.
| Feature Category | Reolink App | UBox App |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Reolink (China-based, global surveillance brand) | UbiaNet (also China-based, ODM-focused) |
| Primary Hardware | Reolink cameras (TrackMix, Argus, Go Ranger, etc.) | OEM solar/battery/4G cams (e.g. Hosafe, CamHi clones) |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows | iOS, Android |
| Supported Networks | Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), PoE, 4G LTE, LAN | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), LTE/4G |
| Local Storage | microSD (up to 256 GB), NVR, FTP | microSD (up to 128 GB) |
| Cloud Storage | Optional Reolink Cloud (7–30 days), EU/US | Optional UBox Cloud (7–30 days), lower-cost tiers |
| App Rating (Play Store) | ★★★★☆ (4.3) | ★★★☆☆ (3.0) |
Sleek, professional interface with tabbed layout.
Quick onboarding via QR, UID, LAN, or manual IP.
Native app support for multi-channel NVR systems (up to 16 views).
Live view with smooth dual-stream support and PTZ overlays.
Simple interface, functional but more “DIY” in design.
Easier pairing for 4G/battery/solar cams, good for basic users.
Remote wake-up and sleep mode toggle optimized for battery use.
Only one or two live streams at a time; lacks multi-channel view.
Winner: Reolink – More polished UI and smoother multi-device experience.
Full ecosystem: battery cams, solar cams, PoE, Wi-Fi, NVR, floodlight cams, doorbells.
TrackMix series features dual-lens, hybrid zoom, and auto-tracking AI.
Go Ranger 4G camera supports PTZ, animal/person detection, and remote SD/cloud access.
Primarily supports OEM rebranded cameras: Wi-Fi solar cams, 4G trail cams, budget doorbells.
Most devices are single-stream, low-fps, and rely on motion triggers.
Lacks integrated NVR/DVR support—cloud or SD only.
Winner: Reolink – Broader device support and more advanced hardware integration.
| Feature | Reolink | UBox |
|---|---|---|
| PTZ | ✅ Full app control with gestures & presets | ✅ Basic PT only |
| Dual Lens | ✅ (TrackMix dual-stream) | ❌ |
| Auto Tracking | ✅ Multiple tracking modes | ❌ |
| 2-Way Audio | ✅ Full-duplex | ✅ Intercom-style |
| Multi-Channel View | ✅ (1/4/9/16) | ❌ (1 only) |
Winner: Reolink – Superior streaming control and advanced AI tracking.
Cloud supports person/vehicle/animal filtering, SD/NVR/FTP/cloud simultaneous use.
Cloud plans slightly pricier but offer more features (e.g. smart playback, EU storage options).
Local storage up to 256 GB SD cards; continuous or motion-based recording.
Lower-cost cloud plans; more basic (no AI filtering, simple timeline).
Local SD support up to 128 GB, often limited to motion triggers.
Loop recording auto-writes over oldest data.
✅ Winner: Reolink – More flexible and secure storage options.
| Feature | Reolink | UBox |
|---|---|---|
| Motion Alerts | ✅ Custom zones, schedules, AI filters | ✅ Basic PIR alerts |
| Smart Detection | ✅ Person, vehicle, animal, package (some models) | ⚠️ Often lacks AI; basic PIR or human-only detection |
| Snapshot Previews | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Notification Reliability | ✅ Strong (especially on iOS) | ⚠️ Inconsistent on Android |
Winner: Reolink – Robust AI with more dependable alert delivery.
| Security Element | Reolink | UBox |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | ✅ End-to-end, encrypted streaming | ✅ Claimed, less transparent |
| App Permissions | ✅ Granular, transparent | ⚠️ Sometimes overreaches (location, storage, etc.) |
| Account Sharing | ✅ Full control, up to 10 users | ⚠️ Limited to 3 concurrent viewers |
| DDoS & Anti-Counterfeit | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Basic only |
✅ Winner: Reolink – Professional-grade security protocols and better multi-user support.
Reolink:
Adjustable bitrate, FPS, stream resolution.
Create motion zones, smart schedule rules, auto-tracking modes, alert intervals.
Access via web interface, desktop clients, RTSP/ONVIF protocols for third-party NVRs.
UBox:
Adjustable PIR sensitivity, SD formatting, battery mode toggles.
Simpler structure—geared for less technical users.
Limited API access; no third-party NVR support.
✅ Winner: Reolink – Far more customizable for power users and professionals.
UBox excels in:
Smart sleep/wake logic.
Battery-level warnings.
Optimized for low-power 4G and solar models.
Reolink:
Also offers solar/battery cams (e.g., Argus 3/TrackMix LTE), but real-time viewing drains more power.
Features like auto-tracking and dual-streaming are more demanding.
✅ Winner: Tie – UBox is better for simple solar cam use; Reolink excels in smart battery use but at higher power cost.
