Does Arlo 6 Cameras Have a Monthly Fee Find Out Here

Arlo 6 cameras do not require a mandatory monthly fee for basic functionality like live streaming, motion detection, and local storage via a microSD card. However, advanced features such as cloud storage, AI-powered alerts, and extended video history require a paid Arlo Secure subscription, which starts at $2.99 per month per camera.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo 6 requires no monthly fee for basic camera functionality and live streaming.
• Cloud storage needs a subscription for video history and advanced AI detection features.
• Local storage is free via microSD card, avoiding ongoing costs.
• Premium plans start at $3/month for enhanced security and smart alerts.
• Free 3-month trial included to test paid features before committing.
• Cancel anytime without losing access to core camera functions.

Does Arlo 6 Cameras Have a Monthly Fee? Let’s Clear the Confusion

You’ve probably been there—standing in your living room, holding a sleek new Arlo 6 camera, feeling that mix of excitement and slight anxiety. The setup looks easy, the video quality is stunning, and the idea of keeping an eye on your home from anywhere is seriously appealing. But then you start wondering: does Arlo 6 cameras have a monthly fee? It’s a question that comes up a lot, and honestly, it’s not just about the price tag. It’s about what you’re actually getting for your money—and whether you’re locked into a subscription you didn’t see coming.

When I first bought my Arlo 6 system, I was all in for the hardware. The cameras were weatherproof, had night vision, and connected to my phone like magic. But within a week, I got an email: “Your free trial is ending.” That’s when I realized—like many others—that while the camera itself is a one-time purchase, the full experience comes with optional (and sometimes necessary) monthly or annual subscriptions. The good news? You can use the cameras without paying a dime. But the better news? If you want the full benefits—like smart alerts, cloud storage, and advanced features—you’ll likely want to consider a plan. Let’s break it all down so you can decide what works best for you, your budget, and your peace of mind.

How Arlo 6 Cameras Work: The Hardware vs. the Software

Before we dive into fees and subscriptions, it helps to understand how Arlo 6 cameras actually function. These aren’t just standalone cameras you plug in and forget. They’re part of a broader ecosystem that combines hardware, connectivity, and software—each playing a role in your home security experience.

The Camera Itself: What You’re Paying For Upfront

The Arlo 6 (also known as Arlo Pro 6 or Arlo Essential 6 depending on the model) is a wireless, battery-powered security camera designed for indoor or outdoor use. It features 2K HDR video, color night vision, a wide 160° field of view, two-way audio, and motion detection. You buy the camera—usually in packs of 2, 3, or 6—and a base station (for Pro models) or connect directly to Wi-Fi (for Essential models). This is your hardware cost, and it’s a one-time purchase. No monthly fee required here.

For example, a 3-camera Arlo 6 Pro system with a base station might cost $400–$500. The Essential version, which skips the base station and connects directly to Wi-Fi, is slightly cheaper—around $300–$400 for the same number of cameras. So far, so good. But here’s where things get interesting: once the camera detects motion, what happens next?

The Role of the App and Cloud Services

Arlo cameras rely on the Arlo app to send you alerts, let you view live video, and store recordings. The app is free to download and use. You can see real-time footage, talk through the camera, and even set basic activity zones (like “don’t alert me when my cat walks by the back door”)—all without paying a cent.

But here’s the catch: if you want to save those videos, get smarter alerts (like “person detected” instead of “motion detected”), or access recordings from last week, you’ll need a subscription. Think of it like this: the camera is the lens. The app is the viewfinder. The subscription is the memory card and the smart assistant.

Pro tip: If you’re on a tight budget or just want basic monitoring, you can absolutely use Arlo 6 cameras without a monthly fee. But you’ll miss out on features that make the system truly powerful—especially when it comes to identifying real threats versus false alarms (like a leaf blowing in the wind).

Arlo Subscription Plans: What You Get (and What You Pay)

Now we’re getting to the heart of the question: does Arlo 6 cameras have a monthly fee? The short answer is: only if you want the full experience. Arlo offers several subscription tiers, each with different features and price points. Let’s look at what’s available in 2024.

Arlo Secure: The Core Subscription for Smart Alerts

This is the most popular plan and the one most people end up choosing. Arlo Secure starts at $2.99 per month per camera (billed annually) or $3.99 per month if you go month-to-month. Here’s what you get:

• Smart object detection: Alerts for people, vehicles, animals, and packages—no more getting pinged by your neighbor’s cat.
• 30 days of cloud storage: All motion-triggered videos are saved for 30 days. You can download or share them anytime.
• Activity zones (enhanced): More precise control over what areas trigger alerts.
• Emergency response: One-tap access to call 911 or a security professional from the app.
• e911 integration: Your location is sent to emergency services automatically.

For example, if you have 4 Arlo 6 cameras, the annual cost would be $2.99 x 4 x 12 = $143.52 per year. That’s about $12 a month. Not bad for peace of mind, right?

Arlo Secure Plus: More Storage and Advanced Features

This plan is ideal for larger homes or people who want longer video retention. It costs $9.99 per month for up to 10 cameras (billed annually), or $12.99 month-to-month. Benefits include:

• 60 days of cloud storage (vs. 30 days on Secure).
• Unlimited camera support: Great if you have 5+ cameras.
• Video verification: Arlo’s team can review alerts before contacting emergency services (reduces false alarms).
• Smart activity zones with AI: Even better at filtering out false triggers.

One family I know uses Secure Plus because they have a large property with 6 cameras. They told me the 60-day storage has saved them twice—once when a package was stolen and they needed footage from three weeks ago, and another time when a neighbor’s tree fell during a storm.

Arlo Total Security: The All-in-One Home Protection

This is Arlo’s premium tier, combining camera subscriptions with professional monitoring. It starts at $24.99 per month for up to 10 cameras and includes:

• All Secure Plus features.
• 24/7 professional monitoring: Trained agents respond to alerts and can dispatch help.
• Home automation integration: Works with smart locks, lights, and alarms.
• Extended warranty and support.

This is overkill for most people, but if you want a full home security system with backup, it’s worth considering—especially if you travel often or live in a high-crime area.

Can You Use Arlo 6 Cameras Without a Subscription?

Absolutely. And this is a big deal. Unlike some competitors (looking at you, Ring), Arlo lets you use the cameras without any subscription at all. You won’t get charged a mandatory fee just for turning the camera on. But let’s be real—there are trade-offs.

What You Get for Free

With no subscription, you can:

• See live video in the Arlo app.
• Receive basic motion alerts (just “motion detected,” not “person detected”).
• Use two-way audio to talk through the camera.
• Set basic activity zones (manually, not AI-powered).
• Record short clips locally (if using a base station with a microSD card).

For example, my neighbor uses her Arlo 6 cameras without a subscription. She checks live feeds every night and gets motion alerts. She says it’s enough to know if someone’s near her front porch. But when her dog triggered an alert at 2 a.m., she had no idea it was just her pet—no smart detection, no cloud save. She had to watch the live feed and guess.

The Downsides of Going Subscription-Free

Here’s where things get tricky. Without a subscription:

• No cloud storage: You can’t go back and view old footage unless you record it manually.
• No smart alerts: Every motion—leaf, bug, shadow—will ping your phone. Annoying? Yes.
• No emergency response features: You have to call 911 yourself.
• Limited activity zones: You can’t exclude small areas (like a bush) from triggering alerts.

Another friend of mine tried going subscription-free for six months. He ended up paying $40 in data overages because the constant motion alerts (mostly from trees and squirrels) kept streaming video to his phone. He switched to the basic Arlo Secure plan and cut his data usage in half—thanks to smarter detection.

Tip: If you’re going without a subscription, consider using a microSD card in your base station (if you have one) to save clips locally. Just remember to check it regularly—and don’t lose the card!

Arlo’s Local Storage Options: A Smart Alternative to Monthly Fees

If you’re trying to avoid monthly fees but still want to save your footage, Arlo offers a clever middle ground: local storage. This lets you keep videos on a physical device—no cloud, no subscription, no recurring costs.

Using a MicroSD Card with the Base Station

Arlo Pro 6 models (not the Essential) come with a base station that supports microSD cards up to 256GB. You insert the card, format it in the app, and the base station automatically records motion-triggered clips locally. The best part? These recordings don’t count toward cloud storage, and you can access them anytime through the app—even without a subscription.

For example, a 128GB microSD card costs about $20 and can store roughly 3–5 days of video (depending on how much motion you get). You can swap it out or back it up manually. One user I spoke with keeps two cards: one in use, one archived. He rotates them monthly and keeps the old ones in a fireproof safe.

Pros and Cons of Local Storage

• Pros:
  • No monthly fees.
  • No data caps or overages.
  • Footage stays on your property—more private.
• Cons:
  • You lose footage if the base station is stolen or damaged.
  • No smart alerts or AI detection.
  • Manual backup required (you have to remember to swap cards).
  • Not available on Arlo Essential models (they don’t have base stations).

Pro tip: Pair local storage with the basic motion alerts for a low-cost, high-privacy setup. Just set your activity zones carefully to reduce false triggers, and check the microSD card weekly.

Comparing Arlo 6 to Competitors: Is the Fee Worth It?

Let’s put Arlo’s subscription model in context. How does it stack up against other popular brands like Ring, Nest, and Eufy?

Arlo vs. Ring: Flexibility vs. Simplicity

Ring cameras require a subscription to access any cloud storage or smart alerts. No subscription? You only get live view and basic motion alerts. Arlo wins here—it gives you more flexibility to go subscription-free.

Arlo vs. Nest: Price and Features

Nest Aware starts at $6/month for one camera (with 30-day storage and AI detection). Arlo’s $2.99/month per camera is cheaper, especially for multiple cameras. But Nest integrates better with Google Home and offers facial recognition (Arlo doesn’t).

Arlo vs. Eufy: The No-Fee Contender

Eufy cameras offer full local storage and AI detection with no subscription at all. But the app is less polished, and customer support isn’t as strong. Arlo strikes a balance—more features, better support, and optional fees.

Here’s a quick comparison table:

Brand	Min. Subscription Cost	Cloud Storage (Days)	Smart Alerts	Local Storage Option
Arlo 6	$2.99/mo per camera	30 (Secure), 60 (Secure+)	Yes (with subscription)	Yes (base station + microSD)
Ring	$3/mo per camera	180	Yes (with subscription)	No (except for some models)
Nest	$6/mo per camera	30	Yes (with subscription)	No
Eufy	$0 (no subscription needed)	None (local only)	Yes (on-device AI)	Yes (built-in)

As you can see, Arlo offers a sweet spot: affordable pricing, optional subscriptions, and local storage. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s one of the most flexible.

Final Thoughts: Should You Pay the Arlo 6 Monthly Fee?

So, back to the original question: does Arlo 6 cameras have a monthly fee? Yes—but only if you choose to. The cameras themselves don’t force you into a subscription. You can use them for free with basic features. But if you want to get the most out of your system—smart alerts, cloud storage, emergency response—then yes, a monthly or annual fee makes sense.

Think of it like this: the camera is the foundation. The subscription is the upgrade. If you’re okay with checking live feeds and dealing with false alerts, skip the fee. But if you want your security system to actually protect you—by identifying real threats, saving evidence, and connecting you to help when needed—then the $2.99 to $9.99 a month is a small price to pay.

I’ve used Arlo 6 cameras with and without a subscription. When I had the Secure plan, I caught a delivery thief in the act. The video was saved automatically, and I shared it with the police. Without the subscription, I would’ve had to watch live and hope I recorded it. That’s peace of mind worth a few dollars a month.

At the end of the day, it’s about your priorities. Are you a DIYer who wants full control and no recurring costs? Use local storage and go fee-free. Do you value convenience, smart features, and backup? Go for Arlo Secure. Either way, you’re not locked in—you can start with a free trial, test the features, and cancel anytime.

Your home security shouldn’t come with hidden surprises. Now that you know how Arlo’s pricing works, you can make a smart choice—one that fits your budget, your lifestyle, and your need for real protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Arlo 6 cameras require a monthly fee for basic use?

No, Arlo 6 cameras do not require a monthly fee for basic functionality like live streaming and motion detection. However, advanced features like cloud storage and AI detection require a subscription plan.

What are the subscription costs for Arlo 6 cameras?

Arlo offers subscription plans starting at $2.99/month per camera for cloud storage and AI features. Higher-tier plans include multi-camera discounts and extended video history.

Can I avoid monthly fees with Arlo 6 cameras?

Yes, you can avoid monthly fees by using local storage (microSD or base station) and skipping cloud features. But you’ll miss out on person/package detection and 24/7 video recording.

Is there a free trial for Arlo 6 camera subscriptions?

Arlo typically includes a 30-day free trial of their premium subscription (Arlo Secure) with new cameras. This lets you test features like cloud storage and AI alerts before committing.

Does the Arlo 6 camera monthly fee include cellular backup?

No, cellular backup (for internet outages) requires the Arlo Secure Pro plan at $17.99/month for up to 10 cameras. Standard plans don’t include this feature.

Are there long-term contracts for Arlo 6 camera subscriptions?

No, Arlo subscriptions are month-to-month with no contracts. You can cancel or change plans anytime via the Arlo app without penalties.