Does Arlo Security Camera Require Monthly Fee Find Out Here

No, Arlo security cameras do not require a monthly fee to function, as they offer local storage and live viewing without a subscription. However, advanced features like cloud storage, AI detection, and extended video history require an Arlo Secure plan, which starts at $2.99/month for added peace of mind.

Key Takeaways

• No mandatory fees: Arlo cameras work without subscriptions, but advanced features require one.
• Free tier available: Basic 7-day cloud storage comes free with most Arlo models.
• Pay for extras: Upgrade plans for AI detection, 30-day storage, and emergency response.
• Local storage option: Use microSD or USB to avoid cloud fees entirely.
• Compare plans: Evaluate Arlo Secure vs. Secure Plus for cost vs. feature needs.
• Check promotions: First 3 months often free—maximize trial before paying.

Understanding Arlo Security Cameras and Their Subscription Model

When you’re shopping for a home security camera, one of the first things you probably wonder is: does Arlo security camera require monthly fee? It’s a fair question. You don’t want to invest in a system only to find out that you need to pay extra every month just to access basic features like video storage or smart alerts. I remember when I first looked into Arlo cameras for my own home. I loved the sleek design, the easy setup, and the fact that they were wire-free. But then I started seeing mentions of “Arlo Smart” and “cloud storage” and got worried. Was I being pushed into a subscription I didn’t want?

Arlo, a popular brand in the smart home security space, offers a mix of free and premium features. The good news? You don’t need a monthly fee to use your Arlo camera at all. The cameras work right out of the box with live viewing, motion detection, and local storage options. But—and this is a big “but”—if you want more advanced features like person detection, package alerts, or extended cloud video history, then yes, a subscription (or one-time purchase) is required. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what Arlo offers with and without a fee, so you can decide what makes sense for your home, budget, and peace of mind.

How Arlo Cameras Work Without a Monthly Fee

The beauty of Arlo lies in its flexibility. Unlike some security brands that lock core features behind paywalls, Arlo lets you use your camera with zero recurring costs. That’s right—no monthly fee needed to turn it on, view live footage, or get basic motion alerts. But to really understand the value, let’s break down what you get for free and what you might want to upgrade later.

Basic Features Included for Free

When you set up your Arlo camera—whether it’s the Arlo Pro 5S, Arlo Essential, or Arlo Go—here’s what you can do without spending a dime:

• Live video streaming to your smartphone, tablet, or Alexa/Google Assistant devices
• Motion-triggered alerts sent to your phone or email
• Two-way audio to talk to delivery people, pets, or intruders
• Local storage via microSD card (on select models like Arlo Pro 5S and Arlo Go)
• Basic motion detection zones to focus on areas like your front door or driveway
• Free 7-day cloud storage for one camera (limited to 3 cameras total, 30-day history for the first camera only)

For example, I use an Arlo Pro 5S in my backyard. I set it up, connected it to my Wi-Fi, and within 10 minutes, I was watching live video on my phone. I get alerts when my dog runs into the yard or when someone walks near the gate. I even use the two-way audio to tell the neighbor’s cat to get off my lawn (politely, of course). All of this? Free. No subscription. No hidden fees.

Local Storage: A Smart Alternative to Cloud

One of the biggest perks of Arlo is that many of its cameras support local storage via microSD card. This means you can record and store video right on the camera itself, no internet or cloud needed. For example:

• The Arlo Pro 5S has a microSD slot and can store up to 256GB of footage
• The Arlo Go (LTE model) also supports microSD for remote areas without Wi-Fi

I use a 128GB microSD card in my backyard camera. It stores about 30 days of continuous motion-triggered clips. When I need to review something—like the time the raccoon knocked over my trash can—I just pop the card into my laptop and watch the footage. No monthly fee. No data limits. Just peace of mind.

Tip: Always use a high-endurance microSD card (like SanDisk High Endurance) to handle constant writing and prevent corruption.

When Do You Actually Need an Arlo Subscription?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. While you can absolutely use Arlo without a monthly fee, you might find yourself wanting more. Arlo’s subscription plans—called Arlo Smart—unlock advanced features that make your security system smarter and more convenient. But do you *need* them? Let’s look at what you get (and what you don’t).

Key Features Behind the Paywall

Arlo Smart subscriptions (starting at $2.99/month per camera) add the following:

• AI-powered object recognition: Distinguish between people, animals, vehicles, and packages
• 30-day cloud video history (vs. 7-day free tier)
• Custom activity zones with AI filtering (e.g., ignore trees swaying in wind)
• E911 emergency response (connects you directly to 911 with your location)
• Cloud backup for local recordings (sync microSD footage to the cloud)
• Smarter alerts (e.g., “Package detected at front door”)

Let me give you a real-life example. Last winter, I got a motion alert while I was at work. Without Arlo Smart, I’d see a shadowy figure walking near my porch and have to watch the whole clip to figure out it was just a UPS driver dropping off a package. But with Arlo Smart, the app said: “Package delivered at 2:15 PM.” I didn’t even need to open the video. That saved me time, reduced anxiety, and made the whole experience feel more professional.

Is the Subscription Worth It?

This depends on your lifestyle and security needs. Ask yourself:

• Do you get a lot of deliveries? Package detection is a game-changer.
• Do you have pets or live near a busy street? AI filtering reduces false alerts.
• Do you travel often? 30-day cloud history means you won’t miss important footage.

For my parents, who are retired and at home most days, the free features are more than enough. They use local storage and get basic alerts. But for me—a busy parent with kids and frequent deliveries—the $2.99/month for one camera is worth it. It’s like having a personal security assistant.

Arlo Smart Plans: Pricing, Options, and Value

Arlo offers several subscription tiers, so you can pick the one that fits your setup and budget. Let’s break them down—no jargon, just plain English.

Arlo Smart Plans at a Glance

Plan	Price (Monthly)	Cameras Covered	Video History	Key Features
Arlo Smart	$2.99/camera	1	30 days	Person/vehicle detection, custom zones, E911
Arlo Smart Premium	$9.99 (covers 5 cameras)	Up to 5	30 days	All Smart features + package/face detection
Arlo Smart Premium Plus	$14.99 (covers 10 cameras)	Up to 10	30 days	All Premium features + 4K cloud storage (for 4K cameras)

One-Time Purchase: The “Forever” Option

Hate monthly fees? Arlo offers a one-time purchase option for Arlo Smart. For example:

• 1 camera: $29.99 (one-time) for 1 year of Arlo Smart
• 5 cameras: $99.99 (one-time) for 1 year of Arlo Smart Premium

This is a great middle ground. You avoid recurring fees but still get the smart features. I actually used this option when I first tested Arlo Smart. I bought a 1-year plan for $29.99, used it for 12 months, and then decided whether to renew. It gave me time to see if the features were worth it—and they were.

Free Trial: Try Before You Buy

Arlo often includes a 30-day free trial of Arlo Smart with new camera purchases. I used mine to test package detection and E911. I even triggered a test call to 911 (with Arlo’s permission) to see how fast they responded. It took 8 seconds—faster than dialing on my phone. That sold me on the service.

Alternatives to Monthly Fees: Maximizing Free Features

If you’re determined to avoid a monthly fee, don’t worry—you can still get a lot of value from your Arlo camera. Here are some smart, practical tips to get the most out of the free features.

Use Local Storage Strategically

As mentioned earlier, microSD cards are your best friend. But to make them work well:

• Set motion zones to focus on high-traffic areas (e.g., front door, not the entire yard)
• Adjust sensitivity to reduce false triggers (e.g., from leaves or shadows)
• Use a high-capacity card (128GB or 256GB) for longer retention
• Back up clips manually to your computer or external drive

I review my microSD footage once a week. I delete old clips and save anything important (like delivery confirmations). It takes 10 minutes and keeps my storage clean.

Leverage the Free 7-Day Cloud Tier

Even without a subscription, Arlo gives you 7 days of cloud storage for one camera. Use this for your most important camera—like the one at your front door. That way, if your microSD card fails or gets stolen, you still have a backup.

Combine Cameras with Smart Home Devices

Arlo integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. You can:

• View live feeds on your Echo Show or Google Nest Hub
• Use voice commands (“Alexa, show me the front door”)
• Set routines (e.g., “When motion is detected, turn on the porch light”)

This doesn’t cost extra and adds a lot of convenience. I have my Arlo trigger my smart lights when motion is detected at night. It’s a simple way to deter intruders without spending more.

Real-World Trade-Offs: Free vs. Paid (What You Might Miss)

Let’s be honest: the free version of Arlo is great, but the paid version makes life easier. Here’s what you might miss if you skip the subscription—and when it might matter most.

False Alerts: The Annoyance Factor

Without AI filtering, your camera might send alerts for:

• Leaves blowing in the wind
• Shadows from passing cars
• Your neighbor’s cat

I used to get 10–15 alerts a day before I got Arlo Smart. Now? Maybe 2–3, and they’re all meaningful. Less noise means more trust in the system.

Missing Critical Footage

If your microSD card fills up and you don’t review it, you could lose important clips. Cloud storage acts as a safety net. For example, my neighbor’s car was scratched in the driveway last year. The microSD card had overwritten the footage, but I still had a 7-day cloud backup (from the free tier) that showed the incident. That helped with the insurance claim.

No Package Protection

With Arlo Smart, you get alerts like “Package delivered” and “Package picked up.” Without it, you’re left guessing. I once had a package stolen because I didn’t realize it was delivered until the next day. Now, I get a notification the second it arrives—and I can check the video to make sure it’s safe.

Final Verdict: Do You Need a Monthly Fee?

So, back to the original question: does Arlo security camera require monthly fee? The short answer is no. You can use your camera perfectly well without paying a dime. Live viewing, motion alerts, local storage, and basic smart home integration are all included for free. But—and this is important—if you want a smarter, more convenient, and more reliable security experience, the Arlo Smart subscription is worth considering.

Think of it like a smartphone. You can use it for calls and texts (free features), but the real power comes from apps, cloud backups, and AI (paid features). Arlo is the same. The free tier is solid for basic needs. The paid tier is ideal for people who want peace of mind, fewer false alarms, and better control.

My advice? Start with the free features. Use your camera, test the microSD storage, and see how it fits your life. If you find yourself wanting more—like package alerts, 30-day history, or AI filtering—then try the 30-day free trial. If you love it, go for the one-time purchase or monthly plan. If not, keep using the free version. No pressure. No contracts. Just smart security, your way.

At the end of the day, Arlo gives you options. And in a world where so many brands lock features behind paywalls, that flexibility is something to appreciate. Whether you go free or paid, Arlo helps you keep your home safe—without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Arlo security camera require a monthly fee to function?

Arlo cameras work without a monthly fee for basic live viewing and motion alerts. However, advanced features like cloud storage, AI detection, and activity zones require an Arlo Secure subscription.

What happens if I don’t pay the Arlo monthly fee?

Without a subscription, you can still use local storage (if supported) and receive real-time notifications. But you’ll miss out on 24/7 cloud recording, smart alerts, and extended video history.

Is the Arlo monthly fee mandatory for cloud storage?

Yes, cloud storage for recorded videos requires an Arlo Secure plan. The free tier only offers limited access, while paid plans start at $2.99/month per camera for 30-day rolling storage.

Can I avoid the monthly fee with an Arlo security camera?

You can avoid fees by using local storage options like microSD or a base station with USB backup. This lets you record footage without relying on Arlo’s cloud services.

What features are included in the Arlo Secure subscription?

Subscriptions include cloud storage, AI-powered person/vehicle detection, package alerts, and emergency response. Plans vary from single-camera to unlimited camera coverage.

Does the Arlo security camera require a fee for firmware updates?

No, firmware updates are free and essential for security and performance. The monthly fee only applies to premium features, not basic device functionality.