What's the Cheapest Way to Set Up a Home Security Camera Without a Subscription in 2026?

The cheapest home security camera in 2026 isn't a camera you buy. It's a phone you already own, a free local-only app, and a charger. Total new spend: $0. That sounds like a slogan, so here's the honest math behind it — and the reason the gap between "buy a cheap camera" and "pay nothing" got wider