Do You Need Subscription for Arlo Cameras Find Out Here

No, you don’t need a subscription to use Arlo cameras—basic functionality like live streaming and motion alerts works right out of the box. However, a subscription unlocks advanced features such as cloud storage, AI-powered person detection, and extended video history, making it valuable for serious security users.

Key Takeaways

• No subscription needed: Arlo cameras work fully without a plan, but features are limited.
• Cloud storage requires subscription: Save videos online only with an Arlo Secure plan.
• Smart alerts included: Get AI-powered detection with a paid subscription.
• Local storage option: Use microSD or USB drives to avoid subscription fees.
• Free trial available: Test premium features for 30 days before committing.
• Multi-camera savings: Subscriptions cover multiple cameras, reducing per-unit costs.

Do You Need Subscription for Arlo Cameras? Let’s Break It Down

Picture this: You’ve just installed your brand-new Arlo camera system, feeling proud of your smart home upgrade. You’ve mounted the cameras, synced them with your phone, and are ready to enjoy peace of mind. Then, a notification pops up: “Subscribe now to unlock full features.” Wait—do you really need a subscription for Arlo cameras? Or can you get by without one?

You’re not alone in asking this question. Many homeowners invest in Arlo cameras for their sleek design, easy setup, and reliable performance. But when it comes to subscriptions, things get a bit murky. Arlo, like many smart home brands, offers both free and paid tiers. The good news? You don’t *need* a subscription to use your Arlo cameras. But the catch? A subscription unlocks features that could make your system way more useful. Let’s dive into what you get with and without a subscription, so you can decide what’s right for your needs.

How Arlo Cameras Work (And What’s Included for Free)

Basic Functionality Without a Subscription

First things first: Arlo cameras work right out of the box, even if you never pay a dime for a subscription. Here’s what you get for free:

• Live View: Stream real-time video from your cameras to your phone or tablet.
• Motion Alerts: Receive notifications when your camera detects motion (e.g., someone walking by).
• Two-Way Audio: Talk through your camera to greet visitors or shoo away raccoons.
• Local Storage (Optional): Some Arlo cameras (like the Arlo Pro 3/4/5) support microSD cards for local recording. No cloud required!

For example, if you have an Arlo Pro 4 and a microSD card, you can record clips locally and view them later without a subscription. This is great if you’re privacy-conscious or don’t want monthly fees.

Limitations of the Free Plan

But there are downsides to going subscription-free:

• No Cloud Storage: Without a subscription, you can’t save video clips to the cloud. If your camera is stolen or damaged, you lose everything.
• No Smart Alerts: Free users get basic motion alerts, but you’ll get false alarms (like a leaf blowing in the wind). Subscribers get AI-powered alerts that distinguish people, vehicles, animals, and packages.
• No Activity Zones (on some models): Want your camera to ignore your neighbor’s driveway? You’ll need a subscription for customizable activity zones on certain cameras.

Here’s a real-world scenario: Imagine your Arlo camera detects motion at 3 a.m. With the free plan, you get a generic “motion detected” alert. With a subscription, you get: “Person detected at front door.” Which would you prefer?

The Arlo Subscription Tiers: What Do You Get?

Arlo Secure Plans (Cloud Storage + Smart Features)

Arlo offers three main subscription tiers: Secure, Secure Plus, and Secure Ultimate. Here’s what each includes:

Feature	Secure ($3.99/month per camera)	Secure Plus ($12.99/month for up to 5 cameras)	Secure Ultimate ($17.99/month for up to 10 cameras)
Cloud Storage	30 days of video history	30 days of video history	60 days of video history
Smart Alerts	Person, vehicle, animal, package	Person, vehicle, animal, package	Person, vehicle, animal, package
Activity Zones	Yes	Yes	Yes
Emergency Response	No	Yes (24/7 live agent support)	Yes (24/7 live agent support)
4K Video (for compatible cameras)	No	No	Yes
Camera-to-Camera Call Routing	No	Yes	Yes

Is the Extra Cost Worth It?

Let’s talk value. The Secure plan ($3.99/month per camera) is the most popular. For that, you get:

• 30 days of cloud storage: Perfect for reviewing clips if a package disappears or your car gets dinged in the driveway.
• Smart alerts: No more waking up to “motion detected” alerts from your cat. The camera learns what matters.
• Activity zones: Tell your camera to ignore the street but watch your front porch.

But here’s a pro tip: If you have 3+ cameras, the Secure Plus plan ($12.99/month for up to 5 cameras) is a better deal. You save $1–$2 per camera and get emergency response support. (Imagine your camera detects a break-in and instantly connects you to a live agent. That’s worth the extra cost.)

Arlo Smart Home Plans (For Doorbell and Floodlight Users)

If you have an Arlo Video Doorbell or Floodlight, you might need a different subscription:

• Arlo Smart Home (Free): Basic alerts and 7 days of cloud storage for one camera.
• Arlo Smart Home Premium ($4.99/month): 30 days of cloud storage, smart alerts, and activity zones for one doorbell/floodlight.

Note: The doorbell/floodlight subscriptions don’t include the advanced features (like emergency response) in the Secure plans.

When Can You Skip the Subscription? (Real-Life Use Cases)

You’re on a Tight Budget

Let’s be real: Subscriptions add up. If you’re pinching pennies, you can absolutely use Arlo cameras without paying extra. Here’s how:

• Use local storage: Buy a microSD card (32GB–256GB) and set your camera to record continuously or on motion.
• Check live view often: If you’re home a lot, you can manually review clips instead of relying on cloud storage.
• Accept more alerts: You’ll get more notifications, but that’s the trade-off for saving $40–$100/year.

Example: A friend of mine uses an Arlo Pro 3 with a 128GB microSD card. She reviews clips every few days and has never needed cloud storage. Her only gripe? “I get a lot of false alerts when it’s windy,” she says. “But I’d rather deal with that than pay $48/year.”

You Have a Small Setup (1–2 Cameras)

For one or two cameras, the free plan might be enough. You’re less likely to need advanced features like:

• Multi-camera activity zones (e.g., ignore the backyard but watch the side gate).
• Extended cloud storage (30 days of history is overkill if you only check clips weekly).

But if you have a doorbell or floodlight, even a single camera might benefit from a subscription. Why? Doorbell cameras generate tons of alerts (packages, neighbors, mail carriers). Smart alerts help cut through the noise.

You’re Privacy-Conscious

Some people avoid cloud storage because they don’t trust companies with their footage. If that’s you:

• Stick to local storage.
• Disable cloud uploads in the Arlo app.
• Use a VPN for extra security.

Just remember: If your camera is stolen, you’ll lose your microSD card too. Cloud storage acts as a backup.

When a Subscription Is a Game-Changer (And Why People Pay)

You Want Fewer False Alarms

Here’s a universal truth: Motion alerts are annoying without smart features. I once had an Arlo camera that alerted me 20+ times a day—mostly from trees swaying in the wind. After upgrading to a subscription, my alerts dropped to 1–2 per day (actual people or packages). That’s the power of AI.

Pro tip: If you live near a busy road, activity zones + smart alerts are a must. You’ll only get alerts when someone steps into your yard.

You Travel Often (or Work Long Hours)

If you’re away from home a lot, cloud storage is a lifesaver. Imagine:

• Your camera detects a break-in while you’re on vacation.
• You review the cloud clip, call the police, and save the evidence.

Without a subscription, you’d have no way to review the clip if your camera was stolen or the microSD card was damaged.

You Have Multiple Cameras (3+)

Managing 3+ cameras without a subscription is a headache. You’ll need:

• Multiple microSD cards (one per camera).
• Time to manually review each card.
• A way to organize clips (good luck finding that one package thief).

With a subscription, you get one unified cloud library. Search for “package delivered yesterday” and see all clips in seconds.

You Value Emergency Support

The Secure Plus and Secure Ultimate plans include 24/7 emergency response. If your camera detects a break-in, a live agent can:

• Call you to confirm the emergency.
• Contact local authorities.
• Send you a link to the clip.

This feature is rare among home security brands. It’s pricier, but for some, it’s worth the peace of mind.

Alternatives to Arlo Subscriptions (And When They Make Sense)

Local Storage (MicroSD Cards)

As mentioned, local storage is the cheapest alternative. But there are trade-offs:

• Pros: No monthly fees, full privacy, works offline.
• Cons: Limited storage (e.g., 32GB = ~3 days of continuous 1080p footage), no remote access to clips if your camera is offline.

Best for: People who want a simple, one-time setup and don’t mind manual clip reviews.

Arlo’s Free 30-Day Trial

Arlo often offers a free 30-day trial of their subscription plans. Use it to test smart alerts, activity zones, and cloud storage. If you love it, keep paying. If not, cancel before the trial ends.

Third-Party Cloud Storage (For Tech-Savvy Users)

Some Arlo cameras support ONVIF, which lets you use third-party cloud storage (e.g., Synology Surveillance Station). This is complex but can be cheaper than Arlo’s plans. Just beware: Arlo doesn’t officially support this, so you might lose warranty coverage.

Competitors with Better Free Tiers

If you’re set on avoiding subscriptions, consider brands like:

• Eufy: Offers local storage and AI alerts without a subscription (but weaker customer support).
• Ring: Free tier includes 180 days of cloud storage for one camera (but requires a Ring Protect plan for smart alerts).

Arlo’s free tier is more limited, but their hardware (like the Arlo Pro 5) is often more reliable.

Final Verdict: Do You *Need* a Subscription?

Let’s cut to the chase: **No, you don’t *need* a subscription for Arlo cameras.** But here’s the reality:

• Skip the subscription if: You’re budget-conscious, have 1–2 cameras, use local storage, and don’t mind more alerts.
• Get the subscription if: You want smart alerts, cloud backups, activity zones, or have 3+ cameras.

My personal take? I started with the free plan but upgraded to Secure Plus after my third camera. The smart alerts alone saved me from 10+ false alarms daily. Plus, I sleep better knowing my clips are backed up in the cloud.

At the end of the day, it’s about what you value. Do you prefer simplicity and savings? Or convenience and peace of mind? Either way, Arlo gives you options. And that’s what matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a subscription for Arlo cameras to record footage?

No, you don’t need a subscription for basic local recording on Arlo cameras if you use a microSD card or Arlo SmartHub. However, cloud storage and advanced features require a paid Arlo Secure subscription.

What features require an Arlo subscription?

An Arlo Secure subscription unlocks cloud storage, AI-powered object detection (like people or vehicles), emergency response, and 24/7 professional monitoring. Without it, you’ll rely on local storage and lack smart alerts.

Can I use Arlo cameras without a subscription and still get alerts?

Yes, you’ll receive basic motion alerts via the app without a subscription. But advanced notifications (e.g., package or animal detection) and extended video history require an Arlo Secure plan.

Is there a free trial for Arlo subscriptions?

Yes, most new Arlo cameras come with a free trial (typically 30 days) of Arlo Secure, giving you access to cloud storage and AI detection. After the trial, you’ll need to subscribe.

How much does an Arlo subscription cost?

Arlo Secure plans start at $2.99/month per camera (cloud storage and basic AI) or $9.99/month for unlimited cameras with advanced features. Prices vary by region and plan tier.

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

No, only wired models like the Arlo Pro 4 XL or Arlo Essential Wired support continuous local recording without a subscription. Wireless cameras require a subscription for 24/7 cloud recording.