Which ANPR Camera Should You Choose? Axis, Hikvision, Bosch and Dahua Compared

Axis: highest accuracy, highest price

Axis is a Swedish brand regarded as the premium choice in the security industry. Their ANPR cameras, such as the P1448-LE and the Q1615-LE, deliver consistent recognition accuracy of 98 to 99 percent, even in difficult conditions: poor light, fast-moving vehicles, glare from rain.

The built-in AXIS ANPR software runs on the camera itself, without an external server. That's reliable: if the network connection drops, the camera continues making local decisions and stores events for later sync.

Downside: the purchase price. A suitable Axis ANPR camera costs €700 to €1,200. Where accuracy matters most, such as at a hospital, a court complex or a site with expensive vehicles, that is justified. For a small residential complex it's often more than necessary.

Hikvision: best value for money

Hikvision is the world's best-selling CCTV brand, and their ANPR models, such as the DS-2CD4A26FWD, are the most common choice for private car parks in the Netherlands. Recognition accuracy sits at 96 to 98 percent with a correctly installed setup, which is more than sufficient for most applications.

The purchase price of €350 to €600 makes Hikvision the most accessible option. Many installers work with Hikvision, which simplifies the choice for maintenance and future expansion.

One caveat: Hikvision equipment appears on restricted lists in some government and defence-related sectors due to concerns about the Chinese supply chain. For commercial and residential use this is generally not a concern.

Bosch: for sites with Bosch security systems

Bosch Security Systems supplies ANPR cameras that work well with their other security products, such as video management software, access control and intercoms. If a site already has Bosch equipment for other functions, it makes sense to source the ANPR cameras from Bosch too.

Standalone accuracy is comparable to Hikvision. Purchase price is slightly higher: €450 to €750. Bosch has a strong service network in the Netherlands, which matters if you want to outsource long-term maintenance.

Dahua: the lowest-cost option

Dahua is, like Hikvision, a Chinese brand with a similar value-for-money reputation. Their ANPR models, such as the ITC237-PW1B-IRZ, are slightly cheaper than Hikvision at comparable specs: €300 to €500.

Recognition accuracy is acceptable for standard outdoor setups, but in our experience falls slightly behind Axis or Hikvision in difficult light conditions. For sites where the camera can be well-positioned and the light is reasonable, Dahua is a solid choice.

Can your existing cameras already do ANPR?

Many managers ask whether their existing cameras can already do ANPR. That is often the case for models from Axis, Hikvision, Bosch or Dahua purchased in the past five years. In many cases a firmware update or an ANPR licence is all it takes to activate existing cameras.

That can significantly reduce the hardware investment. If you are not sure which cameras you have or whether they are ANPR-capable, get in touch and we will check with you. More on the technical setup of an ANPR installation on the residential complex page or the office page, depending on your situation.