Seeing is a home security utility for doorbell and motion sensor management on iOS and Android.
Product velocity
Maintenance
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#19
Utilities · grossing
Sentiment
4.6
77k reviews
Nemesis
DMSS
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Users rely on the app for real-time home monitoring, but the recent introduction of a mandatory subscription for basic live-view access has created a significant friction point for existing hardware owners.
For Homeowners and renters using smart doorbell hardware for security and visitor management.
What does it look like?
Key features
Remote video clip storage for doorbell and motion sensor events; premium-tier gate ($28.99/6-month or $29.99/year) — direct paid-conversion lever for users requiring event history.
Push alerts triggered by doorbell presses or PIR motion sensors; retention lever — maintains daily active usage by alerting users to home activity.
Real-time voice communication with visitors via smartphone microphone and speaker; retention lever — increases utility of the hardware, encouraging long-term app usage.
Live streaming of home video feed in high definition; ad-inventory — live streaming sessions generate ad impressions for free-tier users.
How much does it cost?
Subscription model anchored at $29.99/year, gating cloud storage features behind recurring payments.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceopaqueShow more...
The app currently operates at a maintenance cadence, with 5 releases over the last 6 months averaging approximately 0.19 releases per week. Development is exclusively focused on stability and bug fixes, with no new features or content updates identified in the recent history. The latest release occurred 93 days ago, reflecting a stable but slow pace of technical upkeep. The publisher consistently utilizes opaque release notes, providing no insight into specific technical improvements or underlying changes.
Who built it?
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads upset. Users appreciate high-quality camera hardware provides clear video resolution that users initially find valuable for home security, but report aggressive paywalls now restrict basic live-view functionality that was previously accessible without a subscription fee.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- High-quality camera hardware provides clear video resolution that users initially find valuable for home security
- Aggressive paywalls now restrict basic live-view functionality that was previously accessible without a subscription fee
120 of 198 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Upset overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Seeing
How's the Utilities market?
Seeing holds a #19 Grossing position in the US Tools category. The gap between its utility-focused hardware and the recent subscription-gating of live-view features is driving high-frequency negative reviews.
The rivals identified
By DongBin
DMSS is a direct nemesis due to its massive scale and feature-rich suite for remote video surveillance and intercom management, which directly competes with Seeing's core doorbell and monitoring functionality.
- Offers a comprehensive alarm hub integration that Seeing currently lacks in its feature set.
- Provides a more robust visual intercom experience backed by a significantly larger user base.
- Maintains a higher release cadence, suggesting more frequent stability updates and feature iterations.
Unlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Seeing
Where is it heading?
The home security market is consolidating around integrated ecosystems, leaving Seeing exposed due to its maintenance-only update cadence and aggressive monetization. Unless the developer restores basic functionality, the app will continue to lose its core user base to more reliable, feature-rich rivals like DMSS.
- The latest update failed to address the primary user grievance regarding the new paywall, which continues to drive high-frequency negative reviews.
- Unreliable motion and human detection settings toggle themselves off automatically, causing missed security events and eroding trust in the app's core utility.
The SWOT
- High-quality camera hardware provides clear video resolution that users initially find valuable for home security
- Restoration of free live-view access could stabilize churn and improve sentiment
Next best moves
Pivot the subscription model to restore free live-view access because the current paywall is the #1 driver of negative sentiment → reduce churn and restore baseline rating.
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The app's #19 Grossing rank is a liability, not a strength…
Read the full takeFeature gaps
Alarm hub integration (available in DMSS but absent here)
Since the last report: Development activity has effectively ceased, with the interval between updates extending to 93 days. The monetization strategy remains unchanged, continuing to drive a decline in user sentiment and the emergence of new complaints regarding non-existent customer support.
Bottom line
Restoring free live-view access would address the primary driver of negative sentiment and stabilize the user base. Continuing to gate basic hardware functionality behind a subscription will accelerate churn and permanently damage the brand's reputation in the home security market.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Seeing still free to use for live monitoring?
How does Seeing compare to DMSS?
What are the best alternatives to Seeing for home security?
Sources
Report last updated