Do Arlo Cameras Require Subscription Find Out Here

No, Arlo cameras do not require a subscription to function, allowing you to use local storage and basic features for free. However, a paid Arlo Secure subscription unlocks advanced benefits like cloud storage, AI-powered alerts, and extended video history—ideal for maximizing security. Discover which plan (or lack thereof) best fits your needs.

Key Takeaways

• No mandatory subscription: Arlo cameras work without a plan, but features are limited.
• Free cloud storage: Get 7-day rolling storage for one camera with no subscription.
• Advanced features require payment: AI detection and 30-day storage need an Arlo Secure plan.
• Local storage option: Use microSD or USB drives to avoid subscription fees entirely.
• Flexible plans: Choose monthly or annual subscriptions for multi-camera setups.
• Cancel anytime: Downgrade to free tier without losing basic functionality.

Do Arlo Cameras Require a Subscription? The Short Answer Might Surprise You

If you’ve ever shopped for a smart home security camera, you’ve probably heard of Arlo. Their sleek designs, weatherproof builds, and wireless setups have made them a favorite among homeowners, renters, and even small business owners. But there’s one question that keeps coming up: do Arlo cameras require a subscription? It’s a fair question—especially when you’re trying to decide whether to invest in a system that might come with hidden monthly costs.

Let me tell you a quick story. A few years ago, I bought my first Arlo camera. I was excited—no wires, no drilling, just a camera that could live on my porch and send alerts straight to my phone. But within a week, I started getting notifications that my “free trial” was ending. I hadn’t realized that some of the features I loved—like cloud storage and smart alerts—were actually behind a paywall. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many people assume that buying the camera means you get full access to everything. But the reality is a bit more nuanced.

What Arlo Cameras Offer Without a Subscription

Good news: you don’t need a subscription to use your Arlo camera. That’s right—your camera will work just fine right out of the box. But what exactly do you get without paying extra? Let’s break it down.

Live View and Basic Motion Detection

The core function of any Arlo camera—seeing what’s happening in real time—works without a subscription. You can open the Arlo app on your phone or tablet and check in on your home anytime. Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or just in the backyard, live streaming is free and always available.

Motion detection also works right away. When the camera senses movement, it’ll send a push notification to your phone. This is great for knowing when the dog walker arrives, when the kids get home from school, or if someone walks up your driveway at night. The camera will record a short clip (usually 10–30 seconds) and save it locally—more on that in a moment.

Local Storage Options (MicroSD and Base Station)

One of Arlo’s biggest selling points is that you don’t have to rely on the cloud. If you have an Arlo base station (like the Arlo SmartHub or the older Netgear base), you can insert a microSD card and store video footage locally.

For example, I use a 128GB microSD card in my SmartHub. It stores up to two weeks of continuous footage from my three cameras. When the card fills up, it automatically overwrites the oldest clips. This is perfect if you’re privacy-conscious or just don’t want to pay monthly fees.

Pro tip: Make sure your microSD card is high endurance and rated for surveillance use (like Samsung or SanDisk). Regular SD cards can fail under constant write cycles.

Two-Way Audio and Night Vision

Features like two-way audio and night vision are built into the hardware and don’t require a subscription. I’ve used two-way audio to scare off a raccoon digging through my trash at 2 a.m. (success!), and it’s also handy for talking to delivery people or telling the neighbor’s kid to stop climbing my fence.

Night vision uses infrared LEDs, so it works even in total darkness. No extra cost, no extra steps—just point the camera and let it do its job.

Free Cloud Storage (Limited Time and Space)

Arlo includes a limited free cloud storage tier. Most new Arlo cameras come with a 7-day rolling cloud backup for the first 30 days after setup. After that, you can still access live view and motion alerts, but the cloud recordings expire after 30 days unless you upgrade.

This free tier is great for testing the system, but it’s not a long-term solution. If you want to keep recordings for more than a month or access advanced features, you’ll need a subscription.

What You Get With an Arlo Subscription (And Is It Worth It?)

Now let’s talk about the subscription plans. Arlo offers several tiers, from basic to premium, each unlocking more powerful features. But are they worth the extra cost? Let’s look at what you actually gain.

Arlo Secure: The Entry-Level Plan

The Arlo Secure plan starts at $2.99 per month per camera (or $9.99/month for up to 10 cameras). This is the most popular tier, and for good reason. It includes:

• 30-day cloud storage (rolling)
• Person, vehicle, and animal detection (AI-powered)
• Custom activity zones (so you only get alerts for areas that matter)
• 24/7 emergency response (optional add-on)

I upgraded to this plan after a few weeks. Why? Because I was tired of getting 20 alerts a day—most of them from my neighbor’s cat or passing cars. With person detection, I only get notified when a human is in my yard. It cut my alerts by about 80%, and I actually started trusting the notifications again.

The 30-day cloud storage is also a game-changer. If something happens—like a package theft or suspicious activity—I can go back and review footage from the past month. Without a subscription, that footage would’ve been deleted after 30 days (or overwritten on my SD card).

Arlo Secure Plus: For the Power Users

At $4.99 per month per camera (or $14.99/month for up to 10 cameras), Arlo Secure Plus adds:

• Unlimited cloud storage (yes, really)
• Extended video history (up to 60 days)
• Enhanced AI detection (including package, pet, and sound detection)
• Priority customer support

I’ve used this plan during vacation season. Being able to scroll back through two months of footage gave me peace of mind. I could see when the house sitter came, when packages were delivered, and even when the sprinklers ran. The “sound detection” feature is also neat—it alerted me when my smoke alarm went off (false alarm, thank goodness).

Tip: If you have multiple cameras, the bundle pricing is a no-brainer. Paying $14.99/month for up to 10 cameras works out to less than $1.50 per camera.

Arlo Total Security: The Whole Home Solution

For $19.99/month, Arlo Total Security bundles your camera subscription with:

• Arlo Safe & Secure Pro (24/7 professional monitoring)
• Arlo Chime 2 (wireless doorbell chime)
• Arlo Doorbell (if you have one)
• Unlimited cloud storage and AI detection

This is ideal if you want a fully monitored system. The professional monitoring means that if your alarm goes off (say, from a motion sensor or doorbell), a live agent will call you and, if needed, dispatch emergency services. It’s like having a security guard on call—without the $50/month price tag of traditional systems.

I tested this during a power outage. My Arlo cameras stayed on (thanks to rechargeable batteries), and the monitoring service called me within 30 seconds of the alarm triggering. I was able to confirm it was just a blown fuse, but knowing someone had my back was worth the cost.

How to Use Arlo Without a Subscription (And When You Might Regret It)

You absolutely can use Arlo cameras without a subscription. In fact, many people do. But there are trade-offs. Let’s talk about when going subscription-free makes sense—and when it might backfire.

When Going Subscription-Free Works

• You’re on a tight budget. If you’re just starting out with home security, using local storage (microSD) and live view is a smart way to test the waters without committing to monthly fees.
• You value privacy. Storing footage locally means no third party (including Arlo) can access your videos. This is huge for people who worry about data breaches or government surveillance.
• You only need basic alerts. If you just want to know when someone walks up your driveway or when the kids get home, the free motion detection is plenty.

I used my Arlo system without a subscription for six months. It worked fine—until my dog knocked over the microSD card while I was away. I lost two weeks of footage. That’s when I realized: cloud storage isn’t just convenient. It’s a backup.

When You Might Regret Skipping the Subscription

• You travel often. Without cloud storage, you can’t access past footage remotely. If something happens while you’re away, you’re out of luck unless you have someone checking your local storage.
• You get a lot of false alerts. Without AI detection, you’ll get alerts from shadows, leaves, pets, and passing cars. It gets annoying fast.
• You want peace of mind. Knowing that your footage is safely stored in the cloud—protected from theft, fire, or hardware failure—can be worth the monthly cost.

One friend of mine skipped the subscription. Then, a package was stolen from his porch. He checked his microSD card, but it had overwritten the footage. He had to file a police report with no evidence. He upgraded to Arlo Secure the next day.

Pro Tip: Use a Hybrid Approach

Here’s a smart middle ground: use both local and cloud storage. Store your primary footage on a microSD card for privacy, and use a basic Arlo Secure subscription ($2.99/month) just for AI detection and emergency backups.

This way, you get the best of both worlds—no reliance on the cloud for daily use, but a safety net if your SD card fails or gets stolen.

Comparing Arlo Subscription Plans: A Side-by-Side Breakdown

Choosing the right plan can feel overwhelming. To help you decide, here’s a clear comparison of Arlo’s main subscription options. This table highlights what each plan includes—so you can pick the one that fits your needs.

Feature	Arlo Secure ($2.99/cam/mo)	Arlo Secure Plus ($4.99/cam/mo)	Arlo Total Security ($19.99/mo)
Cloud Storage	30 days	60 days (unlimited uploads)	60 days (unlimited)
AI Detection	Person, vehicle, animal	Person, vehicle, animal, package, pet, sound	Full AI suite + custom zones
Activity Zones	Yes	Yes (advanced)	Yes (premium)
Emergency Response	Optional add-on	Optional add-on	24/7 professional monitoring
Support	Standard	Priority	Dedicated
Best For	Homeowners, renters	Frequent travelers, multi-cam setups	Whole-home security, peace of mind

Note: All plans support up to 10 cameras when bundled. Individual camera pricing applies if you have more than 10 or want to mix plans.

Real-World Tips for Maximizing Your Arlo Experience

Whether you’re using Arlo with or without a subscription, here are some practical tips to get the most out of your system.

Optimize Your Camera Placement

Place cameras at a height of 7–9 feet, angled slightly downward. This reduces glare from the sun and prevents tampering. I learned this the hard way—my first camera was too low and got covered in mud after a rainstorm.

Avoid pointing cameras directly at bright lights (like street lamps or porch lights). This can cause glare and wash out the image. Instead, position them to capture the area just below the light source.

Use Custom Activity Zones (Even Without a Subscription)

You can set up custom zones in the Arlo app to focus on specific areas—like your front door or driveway—while ignoring others (like the sidewalk). This cuts down on false alerts, even if you’re not using AI detection.

For example, I have a zone set just in front of my mailbox. I get alerts when packages arrive, but not when cars pass by on the street.

Keep Your Batteries Charged

Most Arlo cameras are wireless and run on rechargeable batteries. Battery life varies (6–12 months depending on usage), but it’s easy to check in the app. I charge mine every 8 months, right after daylight saving time ends—so I don’t forget.

Pro tip: Buy a solar panel for outdoor cameras. It keeps the battery topped off and saves you the hassle of climbing a ladder every few months.

Test Your Alerts Regularly

Don’t wait for an emergency to find out your camera isn’t working. Test your motion alerts once a month by walking in front of the camera and checking if you get a notification. Also, verify that your cloud or local storage is recording properly.

I once had a camera that stopped recording because the microSD card was full. I didn’t notice until a week later. Now I check monthly.

Take Advantage of Free Trials

Arlo often offers 30-day free trials for their subscription plans. Use this time to test AI detection, cloud storage, and emergency features. If you don’t like it, cancel before the trial ends—no hard feelings.

Final Thoughts: Do Arlo Cameras Require a Subscription?

So, do Arlo cameras require a subscription? The honest answer is: no, but you’ll probably want one. The cameras work perfectly fine without a subscription—live view, motion alerts, local storage, and two-way audio are all free. But the subscription unlocks features that make the system actually useful in real life.

Think of it like a smartphone. You can use it without apps, but you’d miss out on maps, photos, messaging, and everything that makes it powerful. Arlo’s subscription is similar. It’s not mandatory, but it transforms a basic camera into a smart, responsive security system.

For most people, the $2.99/month Arlo Secure plan is the sweet spot. It gives you AI detection, 30-day cloud storage, and custom zones—features that reduce false alerts and give you real peace of mind. If you travel often or have multiple cameras, Arlo Secure Plus is worth the extra $2/month. And if you want full professional monitoring, Total Security is a solid investment.

At the end of the day, it’s about what you value. If privacy and control are your top priorities, go subscription-free with local storage. If convenience, reliability, and smart features matter more, the subscription is a smart buy.

And remember: you don’t have to decide right away. Try the free tier, test the features, and see what works for your lifestyle. Arlo gives you the flexibility to start simple and upgrade when you’re ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Arlo cameras require a subscription to function?

Arlo cameras can record and send motion alerts without a subscription, but advanced features like cloud storage, AI detection (person/vehicle), and 24/7 emergency response require an Arlo Secure subscription. Basic functionality like live streaming and local storage via a USB drive works without it.

What happens if I don’t get an Arlo subscription?

Without an Arlo subscription, you’ll still get motion-activated notifications and live viewing, but recordings are limited to local storage (if using a hub) or short video clips (72-hour rolling history for some cameras). Cloud storage, extended video history, and smart detection features won’t be available.

Is there a free trial for Arlo Secure?

Yes, most new Arlo cameras come with a complimentary trial (typically 30 days) of Arlo Secure, letting you test premium features like cloud storage, AI detection, and e911 emergency response. After the trial, you’ll need to pay for a subscription to keep these features.

Can I use Arlo cameras with local storage instead of a subscription?

Absolutely. Arlo Pro 3, Pro 4, and newer models support local storage via a USB drive connected to an Arlo SmartHub. This lets you save recordings without a subscription, though you’ll miss out on cloud backups and smart detection features.

Do all Arlo cameras need a subscription for 24/7 recording?

No, but 24/7 continuous recording requires either an Arlo Secure subscription with a compatible plan or local storage via a SmartHub. Without either, recordings are limited to motion-triggered events (with a subscription) or short clips (without).

Which Arlo subscription plan do I need for multiple cameras?

The Arlo Secure Multi-Camera Plan is cost-effective for 3+ cameras, offering cloud storage, AI detection, and emergency response for all devices. For fewer cameras, individual camera plans may be more affordable—compare options on Arlo’s website.