Do I Need a Plan with Arlo Cameras Find Out Here

You don’t need a paid plan to use Arlo cameras, as basic features like live streaming, motion detection, and local storage work right out of the box. However, subscribing to an Arlo Secure plan unlocks advanced perks such as cloud storage, AI-powered object detection, and 24/7 emergency response—making it ideal for serious home security users.

Key Takeaways

• No plan needed: Arlo cameras work without subscriptions using local storage.
• Cloud features require plans: Advanced alerts and storage need paid tiers.
• Free trial available: Test premium features before committing to a plan.
• Choose wisely: Match your plan to usage—basic or multi-camera needs.
• Local + cloud combo: Maximize flexibility with both storage options enabled.
• Cancel anytime: Downgrade or stop plans without losing camera functionality.

Do I Need a Plan with Arlo Cameras? Let’s Break It Down

Imagine this: You just installed your brand-new Arlo camera, eager to keep an eye on your front porch. You’re excited—finally, a little peace of mind. But then you realize, Wait, can I even see the footage without paying extra? If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do I need a plan with Arlo cameras?”, you’re not alone. This question comes up a lot, and the answer isn’t always clear. Some people assume all security cameras require a subscription, while others hope they can get by with just the hardware. The truth? It depends on what you want from your system.

Arlo cameras are known for their sleek design, easy setup, and smart features like motion detection and night vision. But here’s the catch: while you can use them without a plan, you might miss out on key functionality that makes them truly valuable. Whether you’re protecting your home, checking on pets, or monitoring a vacation property, understanding your options helps you make the right choice—without wasting money on features you don’t need. So let’s dive in and explore exactly what happens with and without an Arlo plan.

How Arlo Cameras Work Without a Plan

First things first: yes, you can use Arlo cameras without a subscription. In fact, many people start this way. When you buy an Arlo camera—whether it’s a Pro 4, Ultra, or even a budget-friendly Essential—you get access to core features right out of the box. But before you celebrate “free” surveillance, let’s look at what’s included and what’s missing.

Basic Features You Get for Free

Without a plan, your Arlo camera still works as a standalone device. Here’s what you can expect:

• Live View: Stream real-time video from your camera via the Arlo app on your phone or tablet.
• Motion Alerts: Get push notifications when motion is detected. You’ll see a snapshot of the event.
• Two-Way Audio: Talk through the camera using the built-in mic and speaker—great for scaring off porch pirates or telling your dog to get off the couch.
• Night Vision: Most Arlo models offer color night vision or infrared, so you’re not left in the dark.
• Local Storage (on select models): Some newer Arlo cameras support microSD card storage, allowing you to save clips directly to a card without cloud dependency.

For example, if you have an Arlo Essential Indoor Camera, you can plug it into power, connect it to Wi-Fi, and start receiving alerts whenever your cat knocks over a plant. That’s useful—but limited.

What You Don’t Get Without a Plan

Here’s where the limitations kick in. Without an Arlo plan, you’re missing out on critical tools that turn a simple camera into a full-featured security system:

• No Cloud Recording: Without a plan, your camera won’t record or save videos to the cloud. If motion is detected, you get a notification and a still image—but no video clip. That means if you’re at work when something happens, you can’t go back and review what occurred.
• No Video History: No cloud storage = no playback. You can only view live footage or rely on local storage (if available).
• No Smart Alerts: You won’t be able to distinguish between a person, package, pet, or vehicle. All motion triggers the same generic alert.
• No Activity Zones: You can’t customize where motion detection occurs. Every movement in the camera’s field of view sets off an alert—even passing cars or swaying trees.
• No Multi-Camera Support: If you have more than one camera, you can’t view them together in a unified timeline or receive combined alerts.

Let’s say a package gets stolen from your doorstep. With no plan, you’ll get a notification and a still image. But without a recorded video, you can’t prove what happened, identify the person, or even show it to your HOA or local police. That’s a big gap in functionality.

When Going Plan-Free Makes Sense

Despite the limitations, there are situations where skipping a plan is perfectly fine:

• You only need live monitoring: If you’re using the camera to check in on kids, elderly relatives, or pets while you’re away, live view and motion alerts may be enough.
• You’re on a tight budget: Not everyone wants to pay monthly for security. If you’re okay with checking your phone manually, a free setup works.
• You use local storage: If your camera supports microSD (like the Arlo Pro 4 or newer models), you can record clips locally and avoid cloud fees. Just remember to check the card regularly and back up footage.
• You’re testing the system: Maybe you want to try Arlo before committing to a subscription. Use the free tier for a month, then decide.

One friend of mine uses her Arlo camera only to monitor her backyard chicken coop. She doesn’t need recordings—just a quick glance every few hours to see if the hens are safe. For her, the free version is perfect. But if she were protecting her home, she’d definitely want a plan.

What Arlo Plans Offer (And Which One You Should Choose)

Now that you know what you’re missing, let’s talk about what you gain with an Arlo plan. These subscriptions unlock the full potential of your cameras—and honestly, they’re where Arlo shines. But not all plans are created equal. Arlo offers several tiers, each with different features and price points.

Arlo Secure: The Most Popular Choice

The Arlo Secure plan is the sweet spot for most users. It’s designed for homeowners who want reliable cloud storage and smart detection. Here’s what you get:

• 30-day cloud video history: All motion-triggered videos are saved for 30 days. You can review, download, or share them anytime.
• Smart Detection: AI identifies people, packages, pets, and vehicles. No more false alerts from leaves or squirrels.
• Activity Zones: Define specific areas (like your front door) to monitor. Ignore motion in driveways or streets.
• Multi-Camera Support: Sync up to 10 cameras and view them in a unified timeline.
• Emergency Response (optional): With Arlo Secure Plus, you can connect to emergency services with one tap.

Cost: Starts at $2.99/month per camera (or $9.99/month for up to 10 cameras). This is the plan most people should consider if they want real security.

For example, if a delivery driver drops a package and walks away, your camera will tag it as a “package” event. You’ll get a clear video clip, and you can set up an automation to notify you only for packages or people—ignoring pets and cars.

Arlo Secure Plus: For Extra Peace of Mind

Upgrade to Arlo Secure Plus and you get everything in Secure, plus:

• Emergency Response: Tap the app to contact police, fire, or medical services. Arlo connects you directly.
• 24/7 Professional Monitoring (in select areas): Trained agents watch your cameras and respond to alerts.
• Extended Video History (60 days): More time to review footage.

Cost: $4.99/month per camera (or $14.99/month for up to 10 cameras). This is ideal if you’re often away, live in a high-crime area, or want maximum protection.

One user shared that during a break-in attempt, she used Emergency Response to call 911 within seconds. The police arrived before the intruder left. Without the plan, she wouldn’t have had that option.

Arlo Total Security: The Premium Option

For those who want everything, there’s Arlo Total Security. This plan includes:

• All features from Secure and Secure Plus
• Arlo SmartHub support: Enhanced connectivity and local backup
• Advanced AI features: Like facial recognition (if available in your region)
• Priority customer support

Cost: $19.99/month for up to 10 cameras. This is overkill for most people, but great for large homes, businesses, or tech enthusiasts who want the full suite.

Which Plan Should You Choose?

Ask yourself:

• Do I want video recordings? → Arlo Secure
• Do I want emergency help at my fingertips? → Arlo Secure Plus
• Do I have 5+ cameras or a big property? → Arlo Total Security

Pro tip: You can start with Arlo Secure and upgrade later. There’s no long-term contract, so you’re not locked in.

The Hidden Costs of Skipping a Plan (And Why It Might Cost You More)

It’s tempting to skip the subscription and save $30–$100 a year. But before you do, consider the hidden costs of going without a plan. What seems like a money-saver today could cost you far more tomorrow.

No Evidence When You Need It Most

Imagine this: Your neighbor reports a suspicious person lurking near your house. You check your Arlo app—no video, just a still image. You can’t prove whether it was a friend, a delivery person, or a thief. Without recorded footage, you’re blind.

Or worse—a burglary happens. You have no video to show police, insurance, or neighbors. Even if the thief is caught, you can’t provide evidence. That’s a huge risk.

False Alerts Waste Your Time

Without smart detection, every motion sets off an alert. A cat walks by? Ding. A car passes? Ding. A leaf blows? Ding. Over time, these false alarms lead to “alert fatigue”—you stop checking notifications because you assume they’re not important.

One user told me she turned off her camera after a week because she got 50+ alerts daily. With smart detection, she could’ve filtered out 90% of them.

Local Storage Isn’t Always Reliable

Yes, some Arlo cameras support microSD cards. But they come with downsides:

• Storage limits: A 32GB card holds only a few days of footage.
• Manual management: You must regularly check and back up the card.
• Risk of damage or theft: If someone steals your camera, they take the SD card too. Cloud storage is safe and remote.

Cloud storage is automatic, secure, and accessible from anywhere. No physical media to manage.

You Miss Out on Automation and Integrations

With a plan, you can use smart alerts to trigger other actions. For example:

• When a package is detected, turn on a smart light.
• If a person is seen after 10 PM, send an alert to your Apple Watch.
• Sync with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.

These automations make your system smarter—and more useful. Without a plan, you’re stuck with basic alerts.

Real-Life Scenarios: When a Plan Saves the Day

Let’s look at real situations where an Arlo plan made a difference. These aren’t hypotheticals—they’re stories from actual users.

Scenario 1: The Missing Package

Sarah ordered a $200 jacket. The delivery driver left it on her porch, but it vanished within 10 minutes. Without a plan, she’d have seen a still image—maybe a shadow. But with Arlo Secure, she had a 30-second video showing a person in a hoodie picking up the package. She shared it with the delivery company and got a refund. The video was key.

Scenario 2: The Neighborhood Watch

James noticed strange cars circling his block. He used Activity Zones to focus on his driveway. When a car lingered, his camera tagged it as a “vehicle” event. He saved the video and shared it with his neighborhood group. Police later identified the car as part of a theft ring. Without smart detection, he wouldn’t have noticed.

Scenario 3: The False Alarm That Wasn’t

Linda got an alert at 2 AM. Without smart detection, she assumed it was a raccoon. But her Arlo Secure plan tagged it as a “person.” She checked the video—someone was trying to open her back door. She used two-way audio to shout, “I see you!” The person ran. Later, she shared the video with police. The suspect was arrested.

Scenario 4: Peace of Mind While Traveling

Mike and his family went on vacation. With Arlo Secure Plus, he got smart alerts only for people and packages. No false alarms from wind or animals. When a neighbor stopped by to water plants, he saw it was a “person” alert and knew it was safe. When a package arrived, he got a video and could tell his neighbor to bring it inside. Total peace of mind.

These stories show that a plan isn’t just about recording video—it’s about knowing what’s happening and being able to act.

Comparing Arlo Plans: A Side-by-Side Look

To help you decide, here’s a quick comparison of Arlo’s main plans. Use this to match your needs with the right features.

Feature	No Plan	Arlo Secure ($2.99/cam)	Arlo Secure Plus ($4.99/cam)	Arlo Total Security ($19.99/10 cams)
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Motion Alerts	Yes (generic)	Yes (smart detection)	Yes (smart detection)	Yes (smart + facial)
Cloud Video History	No	30 days	60 days	60 days + local backup
Activity Zones	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smart Detection	No	Yes (person, package, pet, vehicle)	Yes	Yes + facial recognition
Emergency Response	No	No	Yes	Yes
Professional Monitoring	No	No	Optional (select areas)	Optional
Multi-Camera Sync	Limited	Yes (up to 10)	Yes (up to 10)	Yes (up to 10)
Local Storage Support	Yes (on select models)	Yes	Yes	Yes + SmartHub

As you can see, the jump from “no plan” to “Secure” is huge. The extra features are worth the small monthly fee for most users.

Final Verdict: Do You Need a Plan with Arlo Cameras?

So, back to the original question: Do I need a plan with Arlo cameras? The short answer? It depends—but for most people, yes.

If you’re using Arlo just to peek in on your home occasionally, live view and basic alerts may be enough. But if you want real security—recorded video, smart alerts, and peace of mind—you’ll want at least Arlo Secure.

Think of it this way: Your camera is like a security guard. Without a plan, it’s a guard who only yells “Hey!” when someone walks by. With a plan, it’s a guard who takes photos, knows your neighbors, calls the police, and keeps a log. Which one would you trust?

Start with the free version if you’re unsure. Test it for a month. But don’t be surprised if you upgrade. Once you see how much smarter and more useful your camera becomes with a plan, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

At the end of the day, the best security system is the one you actually use. And with an Arlo plan, your camera becomes something you want to check—not something that annoys you with false alarms or leaves you in the dark when it matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a plan with Arlo cameras to use them?

No, you can use Arlo cameras without a subscription plan. However, basic features like live streaming and motion alerts are free, while advanced options like cloud storage require a plan.

What happens if I don’t get an Arlo Secure plan?

Without an Arlo Secure plan, you’ll miss out on cloud video storage, activity zones, and AI-powered detection (e.g., person or package alerts). Local storage via a microSD card or base station remains an option.

Is there a free trial for Arlo plans?

Yes, Arlo often offers a free trial (typically 30 days) for its Secure plans. This lets you test features like 24/7 video history and e911 emergency response before committing.

Can I use Arlo cameras without a plan if I have a base station?

Absolutely. A base station allows local storage via USB or microSD, bypassing the need for a cloud plan. But you won’t get remote access or AI detection without an Arlo Secure subscription.

Which Arlo plan is best for multiple cameras?

The Arlo Secure Plus plan is ideal for multi-camera setups, offering 24/7 video history for up to 10 cameras and premium AI detection. Compare plans to find the right fit for your needs.

Do I need a plan with Arlo cameras to receive motion alerts?

No, motion alerts are free with all Arlo cameras. But with a plan, you’ll get richer notifications (e.g., person or vehicle alerts) and the ability to review recorded clips later.