ZOSI home security cameras do not require a subscription, but you will need to purchase a ZOSI NVR (Network Video Recorder) in order to store and view your footage. The NVR can be purchased with or without a hard drive, and you can also add an external hard drive later if desired. If you choose not to subscribe to ZOSI Cloud, you can still view your footage locally on the NVR or through the ZOSI View app. However, you will not be able to view footage from off-site locations or receive motion alerts.