"Should I install CCTV or an Ajax security system?" is one of the most common questions we get from new clients. The honest answer is that they're not competing products — they solve two different problems, and understanding the difference makes the decision much easier.
What CCTV actually does
A CCTV system's job is visual record and monitoring. Cameras placed at your gate, entrance, parking area, and key rooms let you:
- See who is at the door or on the property, live, from your phone
- Review footage after an incident — a delivery dispute, a scratch on a car, an unfamiliar visitor
- Deter opportunistic intrusion simply by being visible
What CCTV does not do well on its own is alert you the moment something happens. Most homeowners don't sit watching a live camera feed all day — footage is usually reviewed after the fact, once something has already gone wrong.
What an Ajax system actually does
Ajax is a wireless intrusion-detection and alarm system — motion sensors, door/window contact sensors, glass-break detectors, and a central hub that talks to your phone the instant something is triggered. Its job is real-time alerting, not visual recording. When a sensor trips while the system is armed, you get an immediate notification — often before an intruder has even entered the house.
Ajax systems are especially valuable for:
- Homes and villas that are empty for long stretches (holiday homes, frequent travellers)
- Ground-floor windows and less-visited entry points that don't need a camera but do need a trip alert
- Commercial spaces where an audible alarm on-site is a meaningful deterrent
So which one do you need?
For most homes, the honest answer is both, doing different jobs:
| Situation | Best fit |
|---|---|
| "I want to see who's at my gate before opening it" | CCTV / Video Door Phone |
| "I want proof of what happened if something goes wrong" | CCTV |
| "I want to know the instant someone enters while I'm away" | Ajax |
| "My holiday home sits empty for months" | Ajax, with CCTV at the entrance |
| "I want a complete security layer for a large property" | CCTV + Ajax together |
A layered example that works well
A setup we install often for independent houses: CCTV covering the gate, main entrance, and parking; an Ajax motion sensor covering the living area; and door/window contact sensors on the ground floor. The cameras give you visibility and evidence. The Ajax sensors give you an instant alert the moment the property is armed and something moves. Together, they cover both "what's happening" and "something just happened" — which neither system covers completely on its own.
Getting the placement right
Both systems only work as well as their installation. Cameras angled poorly miss the one moment that mattered; sensors placed too close to windows that get direct sunlight can cause false alarms. This is where a proper site visit matters more than the brand of hardware — our team surveys the property first and recommends exact placement before any installation begins.
If you're unsure which combination fits your home, book a free consultation and we'll walk the property with you.