Do You Have to Pay Using Arlo Security Camera Find Out Now

No, you don’t have to pay to use Arlo security cameras—basic functionality like live streaming and motion alerts is free via the Arlo app. However, advanced features such as cloud storage, AI detection, and 24/7 emergency response require a paid subscription (Arlo Secure), making it essential for full functionality.

Key Takeaways

• No mandatory fees: Arlo cameras work without subscriptions, but advanced features require paid plans.
• Free cloud storage: Access 7-day rolling clips for one camera with basic accounts.
• Smart alerts cost extra: Person/vehicle detection needs an Arlo Secure subscription.
• Local storage option: Use microSD cards to avoid cloud fees entirely.
• Multi-camera discounts: Subscriptions get cheaper per camera with more devices.
• Emergency response: Only available with premium plans for faster police dispatch.

Do You Have to Pay Using Arlo Security Cameras? Let’s Set the Record Straight

Imagine this: you’ve just installed your shiny new Arlo security camera, proud of your smart home setup. You’re checking the live feed on your phone, feeling like a tech-savvy superhero. Then, a few days later, you notice something odd—your recordings are gone, and a pop-up message says, “Subscribe now to unlock cloud storage.” Suddenly, you’re asking, “Do I have to pay to use my own security camera?”

It’s a question I’ve heard countless times, and honestly, it’s a fair one. Arlo has become one of the most popular names in home security, thanks to its sleek design, easy setup, and smart features like motion detection and night vision. But the pricing model can be confusing. Some people assume that once you buy the camera, everything’s included—like buying a TV and getting free cable. But in the world of smart security, that’s not always how it works. In this post, we’ll dive deep into whether you *have* to pay to use Arlo cameras, what the free and paid options actually offer, and how to make the most of your system without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a long-time Arlo user feeling frustrated by hidden fees, this guide is for you.

Understanding Arlo’s Free vs. Paid Features

When you buy an Arlo camera—say, the Arlo Pro 5S or the Arlo Essential—you’re purchasing the hardware. That’s the camera itself, the mounting hardware, and maybe a base station. But the real magic—like saving video clips, getting alerts, and accessing advanced features—often depends on whether you’re using Arlo’s free tier or a paid subscription.

What You Get for Free

Arlo does offer a basic free plan with every camera. Here’s what’s included:

• Live streaming: You can view your camera feed in real time from the Arlo app.
• Motion detection alerts: Get notifications when motion is detected (though sensitivity settings may vary).
• 7-day rolling cloud storage: This is the big one. Arlo stores video clips in the cloud for up to 7 days—but only if you have a compatible plan or if the feature is temporarily enabled.
• Two-way audio: Talk through your camera using the app (available on most models).

Wait—7 days of free cloud storage? Yes, but with a catch. This free storage is only active for the first 7 days after you set up a new camera. After that, unless you subscribe, your clips won’t be saved in the cloud. That means if a package gets stolen or your dog chews up the trash can, you won’t have a video to review unless you’ve already downloaded it or are using local storage.

What You Need to Pay For

Now, here’s where things get real. To unlock the full potential of your Arlo system, you’ll likely need a paid plan. Here’s what you get with Arlo Secure subscriptions:

• Extended cloud storage: Up to 30 days of video history (depending on plan).
• Advanced object detection: Instead of just “motion,” the camera can tell if it’s a person, package, vehicle, or animal.
• Smart activity zones: Customize where the camera detects motion (e.g., ignore the tree but alert if someone walks up your driveway).
• 30-day video history: Access to past recordings, even if you delete them from your phone.
• Emergency response: In some plans, you can trigger an emergency call to local authorities directly from the app.

For example, let’s say you have an Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera at your front door. With the free plan, you’ll get alerts when someone approaches, but you won’t know if it’s the mail carrier or a burglar until you check the app. With a paid plan, the camera might say, “Person detected near front door,” and even highlight the person in the video. That’s a game-changer for peace of mind.

Real-World Example: The Package Theft Dilemma

Last year, my neighbor had a package stolen right off his porch. He had an Arlo camera but was on the free plan. He got the motion alert, but by the time he checked the app, the 7-day window had passed, and the clip was gone. He had to rely on a blurry Ring camera from a neighbor. If he’d had a paid plan, he could’ve pulled up the footage, shown it to the police, and possibly recovered his package. It’s a small cost for a big difference in security.

Arlo Subscription Plans: Breaking Down the Costs

Arlo offers several subscription tiers, and the pricing can vary depending on how many cameras you have and what features you want. Let’s break it down so you can pick the right fit for your home.

Arlo Secure (Individual Camera)

This plan is for people with one or two cameras. It costs $2.99 per month per camera (or $29.99 per year). Here’s what you get:

• 30-day cloud storage for each camera
• Advanced object detection (person, package, vehicle, animal)
• Smart activity zones
• Emergency response (optional add-on)

Best for: Small homes, apartments, or single-point monitoring (e.g., front door or garage).

Arlo Secure (Multi-Camera)

If you have three or more cameras, this plan is a better deal. It costs $9.99 per month for up to 5 cameras (or $99.99 per year). You get all the same features as the individual plan, but the cost per camera drops significantly.

Best for: Families with multiple entry points (front/back doors, driveway, backyard).

Arlo Secure Plus

This is Arlo’s premium plan at (or $149.99 per year). It includes:

• Everything in Arlo Secure
• 30-day 4K video storage (if you have 4K cameras)
• Enhanced emergency response (faster connection to 911)
• Video verification for police dispatch

Best for: High-security needs, large properties, or users who want the absolute best in protection.

Arlo Safe & Secure Pro

This is a bundled plan that includes home security monitoring, cellular backup, and professional installation. It’s priced at $24.99 per month and is aimed at users who want a full-service security solution. It’s overkill for most, but if you’re serious about home safety, it’s worth considering.

Pro Tip: Try Before You Buy

Arlo offers a 30-day free trial of Arlo Secure for new users. Use this to test advanced features like object detection and activity zones. You’ll quickly see if the paid features are worth the cost. I did this when I upgraded to a Pro 5S, and after a week of seeing “package detected” alerts, I was sold.

Can You Use Arlo Without Paying? Yes—But With Limits

So, do you *have* to pay to use an Arlo camera? Technically, no. You can use your camera without a subscription, but you’ll be missing out on key features. Here’s how to make the most of a free setup.

Local Storage Options

One way to avoid monthly fees is to use local storage. Many Arlo cameras (like the Pro 4, Pro 5S, and Ultra 2) support microSD cards. You can insert a card into the camera or a base station to save recordings locally. Here’s how:

• Insert a microSD card (up to 2TB) into the camera or base station.
• Format it using the Arlo app.
• Set your camera to record to the card instead of the cloud.

Pros: No subscription needed. You own your data. No risk of losing footage if Arlo’s servers go down.

Cons: You have to manually manage storage (delete old clips). No remote access to clips if the card fails or the camera is stolen. No advanced object detection.

Free Cloud Trial + Manual Downloads

Remember that 7-day free cloud trial? You can use it strategically. For example:

• Check your camera daily and download important clips to your phone or computer.
• Use a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox to back up the videos.
• Set up a routine: “Every Monday, I’ll review and save the past week’s clips.”

This method works if you’re diligent. I’ve known users who’ve gone years without a subscription by doing this. But it’s time-consuming and risky—if you miss a day, that footage is gone forever.

Motion Alerts Without Recording

Even without cloud storage, you’ll still get motion alerts. You can use these to check live footage or scare off intruders with two-way audio. For example, my friend used his Arlo camera to yell at a raccoon rummaging through his trash. It worked—but he had no proof for the HOA when they asked about “wildlife disturbances.”

When Free Isn’t Enough

There are times when the free plan falls short:

• You need to review footage from 10 days ago (e.g., a break-in).
• You want to distinguish between a person and a squirrel.
• You’re away from home and want to check past recordings.
• You have multiple cameras and want unified cloud storage.

In these cases, a paid plan isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for real security.

Smart Tips to Save Money on Arlo Subscriptions

Let’s be honest: subscriptions add up. But there are smart ways to reduce costs without sacrificing protection.

Choose the Right Plan for Your Needs

Don’t overpay. If you only have one camera, skip the multi-camera plan. If you don’t have 4K cameras, skip Secure Plus. Match the plan to your setup.

Use Local + Cloud Hybrid Storage

Here’s a pro move: use a microSD card for daily recordings and subscribe to Arlo Secure for a single “priority” camera (like your front door). This way, you get cloud backups for critical areas without paying for every camera.

Take Advantage of Discounts

Arlo often runs promotions:

• Bundle discounts when buying multiple cameras.
• Annual subscription savings (pay yearly and save 20–30%).
• Free trials and referral bonuses (get a friend to sign up and you both get a month free).

Check Arlo’s website or sign up for their newsletter to catch deals.

Use Free Alternatives for Non-Critical Areas

For less important spots (like a backyard shed), use a camera with local storage. Save the cloud subscription for high-traffic areas like entryways.

Cancel and Re-Subscribe Strategically

Arlo doesn’t offer prorated refunds, but you can cancel and restart. For example, if you’re going on vacation, cancel your subscription before you leave and reactivate it when you return. Just remember to download any important clips first!

Comparing Arlo to Other Security Brands: Is It Worth It?

Arlo isn’t the only player in the game. How does it stack up against competitors like Ring, Google Nest, and Eufy?

Arlo vs. Ring

• Free features: Ring offers 30 days of cloud storage for free (but only for the first 30 days after setup—same as Arlo).
• Subscriptions: Ring Protect plans start at $3.99/month per camera (cheaper than Arlo).
• Local storage: Ring supports local storage via USB on some models, but it’s less flexible than Arlo’s microSD option.

Verdict: Ring is more budget-friendly, but Arlo offers better video quality and more customization.

Arlo vs. Google Nest

• Free features: Nest gives you 3 hours of event history for free—very limited.
• Subscriptions: Nest Aware starts at $6/month for all cameras (better value for multi-camera setups).
• Local storage: No microSD option—cloud-only unless you use a third-party recorder.

Verdict: Nest is great for Google ecosystem users, but Arlo offers more flexibility.

Arlo vs. Eufy

• Free features: Eufy offers no cloud storage at all—everything is local by default.
• Subscriptions: Eufy has a cloud option, but it’s optional and cheaper than Arlo.
• Local storage: Eufy cameras have built-in storage (no extra hardware needed).

Verdict: Eufy is ideal if you hate subscriptions, but Arlo has better app integration and smart features.

Comparison Table: Key Features at a Glance

Brand	Free Cloud Storage	Paid Plan (Start)	Local Storage	Object Detection
Arlo	7-day trial	$2.99/month per camera	microSD card	Yes (paid)
Ring	30-day trial	$3.99/month per camera	USB (select models)	Yes (paid)
Google Nest	3-hour event history	$6/month for all cameras	None (cloud-only)	Yes (paid)
Eufy	None	$2.99/month (optional)	Built-in	Yes (free)

Final Thoughts: Is Paying for Arlo Worth It?

So, do you have to pay using Arlo security camera? Not strictly, but you probably should—if you want real security. The free plan is a teaser. It shows you what’s possible but doesn’t deliver the full experience. Think of it like a demo version of a video game. It’s fun for a while, but you’ll eventually hit a wall.

For most users, a paid Arlo Secure plan is worth the cost. The peace of mind from 30-day cloud storage, smart alerts, and object detection is hard to put a price on. That said, you don’t have to go all-in. Use local storage for low-priority cameras, subscribe only for critical areas, and take advantage of trials and discounts.

At the end of the day, a security camera isn’t just about recording—it’s about knowing. Knowing who’s at your door, what happened while you were away, and that your family is safe. Whether you choose to pay or not, make sure your setup works for you. And if you’re still unsure? Try the free trial. See how the paid features change your daily life. You might find that $3 a month is a small price to pay for real security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to pay for an Arlo security camera subscription?

Arlo security cameras do not require a subscription to function, but premium features like cloud storage, advanced AI detection, and activity zones require a paid plan. Basic features, including live streaming and local storage, are available without extra fees.

Are there free features with Arlo security cameras?

Yes, Arlo cameras offer free features like live video streaming, motion alerts, and local storage via a microSD card or USB drive. However, cloud recording and smart notifications require a subscription after the trial period.

What happens if you don’t pay for Arlo’s subscription?

If you don’t pay for an Arlo subscription, you’ll lose access to cloud storage, extended video history, and advanced detection tools. The camera will still work for live viewing and local storage, but key features will be disabled.

Do all Arlo security cameras need a monthly fee?

No, not all Arlo cameras require a monthly fee. Entry-level models like the Arlo Essential work without a subscription, but higher-tier models (e.g., Arlo Pro or Ultra) often need a plan to unlock full functionality like 4K recording or package detection.

How much does Arlo’s subscription cost for cloud storage?

Arlo’s subscription plans start at $2.99/month for a single camera (30-day cloud storage) and go up to $14.99/month for multiple cameras (30-day storage, AI detection, and emergency response). Pricing varies based on features and coverage.

Can you avoid paying using Arlo security camera with local storage?

Yes, using local storage (microSD or USB) lets you avoid recurring fees for cloud recording. However, you’ll miss out on remote backup, smart alerts, and other subscription-exclusive features that enhance security.