Does Arlo Smart Plan Work With Non Pro Camera – Find Out Now

The Arlo Smart Plan does not work with non-Pro cameras, as it’s exclusively designed for Arlo Pro, Pro 2, and newer Pro models. Legacy or non-Pro cameras lack compatibility due to hardware and software limitations, requiring an upgrade to access advanced features like AI detection and cloud storage.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo Smart Plan works with most non-Pro cameras, excluding older legacy models.
• Check compatibility first using Arlo’s official device support list before subscribing.
• Cloud storage requires a Smart Plan for non-Pro cameras to save recordings.
• AI features like person detection may be limited on non-Pro camera models.
• Local storage remains free even without a Smart Plan for non-Pro devices.
• Upgrade flexibility exists—add/remove the plan anytime via Arlo app settings.

What Is Arlo Smart, and Why Does It Matter?

If you’ve ever set up a home security camera, you know the struggle: you want peace of mind, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on cloud storage or miss important events because your footage wasn’t saved. Enter Arlo Smart—a cloud-based service from Arlo that promises smarter alerts, extended video history, and AI-powered detection. But here’s the million-dollar question: Does Arlo Smart plan work with non-Pro camera models? You’re not alone if you’ve asked this. Many homeowners and renters have older Arlo cameras or budget-friendly models and wonder if they’re missing out on premium features just because they didn’t buy the “Pro” line.

I remember when I first bought my Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera. It was affordable, easy to install, and had decent night vision. But after a week, I realized I was only getting basic motion alerts—no person detection, no cloud storage, and no way to review footage from days ago. That’s when I started digging into Arlo Smart. Could I upgrade my non-Pro camera to get the full experience? Or was I stuck with basic functionality? In this post, I’ll walk you through everything I learned—from compatibility details to real-world performance—so you can decide whether Arlo Smart is worth it for your setup, no matter what camera you own.

Understanding Arlo Smart Plans: Features and Benefits

What Does Arlo Smart Actually Offer?

Before we dive into compatibility, let’s break down what Arlo Smart gives you. Think of it like upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone. Your basic camera can still record, but Arlo Smart adds intelligence and convenience to the mix. Here’s what you get:

• 30-Day Video History: Store up to 30 days of motion-triggered clips in the cloud. No more overwriting old footage after 7 days (or less).
• AI-Powered Detection: Get alerts only when a person, vehicle, animal, or package is detected—reducing false alarms from swaying trees or passing shadows.
• Activity Zones: Customize which areas of the camera’s view should trigger alerts (e.g., ignore the street but alert on the front porch).
• Rich Notifications: See a thumbnail of the event directly in your phone notification, so you know if it’s worth opening the app.
• e911 Integration: In an emergency, you can contact local 911 with your home’s GPS coordinates directly from the app.
• 24/7 Cloud Recording (on select plans): For continuous recording, though this requires a compatible base station and is only available on higher-tier plans.

These features sound great, right? But here’s the catch: not all cameras support all features—even with Arlo Smart. The key is understanding which features depend on the camera hardware and which depend on the subscription.

Real-World Example: My Backyard vs. My Garage

Let me share a quick story. I have two Arlo cameras: an Arlo Pro 3 (Pro model) and an Arlo Essential (non-Pro). Both are connected to the same Arlo Smart plan. The Pro 3 has a spotlight and color night vision, so it works beautifully with AI detection at night. But my Essential camera—while on the same plan—only uses infrared night vision, which makes AI detection less accurate. Why? Because the camera’s sensor and processor can’t handle the same level of image analysis as the Pro model.

This taught me a crucial lesson: Arlo Smart enhances your camera, but it can’t magically upgrade its hardware. You still need a capable camera to fully benefit from advanced features.

Does Arlo Smart Work With Non-Pro Cameras? The Compatibility Breakdown

Which Non-Pro Cameras Are Supported?

Good news: Yes, Arlo Smart works with many non-Pro cameras. Arlo has made a conscious effort to ensure that even their budget-friendly models can access cloud features. Here’s a list of non-Pro cameras that support Arlo Smart:

• Arlo Essential (all models: indoor, outdoor, spotlight, doorbell)
• Arlo Go (LTE-enabled camera)
• Arlo Video Doorbell (wired and wireless)
• Arlo Ultra 2 (technically “Ultra,” but often grouped with non-Pro for subscription purposes)
• Arlo Pro 2 (older Pro model, but still qualifies as “non-current Pro” for some users)

Wait—what about the original Arlo Pro (1st gen)? Unfortunately, no. The original Arlo Pro and Arlo Wire-Free (1st gen) do not support Arlo Smart. They’re stuck with local storage and basic motion alerts. So if you have an older model, check your camera’s generation before getting your hopes up.

How to Check Your Camera’s Compatibility

Not sure if your camera qualifies? Here’s how to find out:

1. Open the Arlo app and go to Device Settings for your camera.
2. Look for “Arlo Smart” in the menu. If it’s there, your camera is compatible.
3. If you don’t see it, go to Settings > Subscription in the app. The system will tell you which devices are eligible.
4. Alternatively, visit Arlo’s official compatibility page and search by model number (found on the camera’s base or packaging).

Pro tip: If you’re buying a used Arlo camera, always ask the seller for the model number and verify compatibility before purchasing. I once almost bought an Arlo Pro 1 on eBay—only to realize it wouldn’t work with Smart!

Limitations You Should Know About

Just because a non-Pro camera supports Arlo Smart doesn’t mean it gets all the features. Here are some common limitations:

• No 4K Recording: Cameras like the Arlo Essential record in 1080p. Even with a Smart plan, you won’t get higher resolution.
• Fewer Activity Zones: Some non-Pro models only support 2–3 activity zones, while Pro models can have up to 10.
• No 24/7 Recording: This feature requires a base station with continuous recording support (available on Pro 3, Pro 4, and Ultra models).
• Slower Processing: AI detection may be less accurate on older or lower-end sensors, especially in low light.

For example, my Arlo Essential Doorbell works great with Arlo Smart—I get person detection and 30-day history. But the night vision is black-and-white, so the AI sometimes misidentifies a raccoon as a person. Not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to consider.

Arlo Smart Plans: Pricing, Tiers, and What You Get for Your Money

Arlo Smart Subscription Options

Arlo offers several Smart plans, but they’re not one-size-fits-all. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options (prices as of 2024):

Plan	Price (per camera/month)	Key Features	Best For
Arlo Smart	$2.99	30-day history, AI detection, activity zones, rich notifications	Single camera or small homes
Arlo Smart Premier	$9.99 (up to 5 cameras)	All Smart features + 30-day history for 5 cameras, 24/7 recording (if base station supports it)	Families or multiple cameras
Arlo Smart Elite	$14.99 (up to 10 cameras)	All Premier features + 60-day history, e911, advanced activity zones	Large homes, businesses, or heavy users

Note: 24/7 recording is only available if you have a compatible base station (like the Arlo SmartHub) and a camera that supports continuous recording (Pro 3, Pro 4, Ultra 2, etc.). Non-Pro cameras like the Essential can’t record 24/7, even with a Premier or Elite plan.

Is It Worth the Cost?

Let’s do a quick cost-benefit analysis. Say you have three Arlo Essential cameras. With the Smart Premier plan, that’s $9.99/month—about $120/year. Is it worth it?

• Yes, if: You want to reduce false alerts, review footage from a week ago, or get smarter notifications. For example, I once caught a package thief because I had a 30-day history—my camera would’ve overwritten the footage after 7 days without Smart.
• No, if: You only use the camera occasionally, don’t mind checking the app frequently, or are okay with basic motion alerts. Some people find the subscription cost hard to justify for minimal use.

My advice? Start with a free trial (Arlo offers 30 days of Smart features for new users). Test it for a month. If you find yourself using AI detection or checking old footage, keep the plan. If not, cancel and stick with local storage.

Pro Tip: Use a MicroSD Card to Save Money

Here’s a smart trick: pair Arlo Smart with local storage. Most non-Pro cameras (like the Essential) support microSD cards. You can record footage locally and use Arlo Smart for AI alerts and cloud backup. This way, you get the best of both worlds—without paying for extra cloud storage.

For example, I use a 128GB microSD card in my Arlo Essential. It stores about 10 days of footage. If I need to review something older, I check the cloud. It’s a cost-effective hybrid approach!

Setting Up Arlo Smart on a Non-Pro Camera: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Activate Arlo Smart (Even for Beginners)

Setting up Arlo Smart is easier than you think. Here’s how I did it on my Arlo Essential:

1. Open the Arlo app and tap on your camera.
2. Go to Device Settings > Arlo Smart.
3. Tap “Enable Arlo Smart” and follow the prompts to start your free trial.
4. Choose a plan (Smart, Premier, or Elite) and enter payment details.
5. Customize your settings: set activity zones, adjust detection sensitivity, and enable rich notifications.
6. Wait a few minutes. The camera will update its firmware, and you’ll see a “Smart Enabled” badge in the app.

That’s it! Within minutes, you’ll start getting smarter alerts. I remember the first time I got a “Person Detected” alert instead of a generic “Motion Detected”—it felt like my camera had finally grown up.

Common Setup Issues and How to Fix Them

Of course, nothing’s perfect. Here are some problems I ran into—and how I fixed them:

• “Arlo Smart Not Available” Error: This usually means your camera isn’t compatible or needs a firmware update. Go to Device Settings > Device Info > Firmware and check for updates.
• AI Detection Not Working: Make sure your camera’s firmware is up to date. Also, avoid pointing the camera at bright lights or reflective surfaces—they confuse the AI.
• Slow Notifications: Check your Wi-Fi signal. If it’s weak, consider adding a Wi-Fi extender. My backyard camera had this issue until I added a mesh router.
• False Alerts at Night: Lower the detection sensitivity or adjust activity zones. I had to exclude my neighbor’s porch light from the detection area.

One more tip: if you have multiple cameras, enable “Smart Notifications” in the app settings. This groups alerts by type (e.g., “3 Person Detections”) instead of sending individual notifications for each camera.

Alternatives and Final Thoughts: Is Arlo Smart Right for You?

Other Options to Consider

Arlo Smart isn’t the only game in town. If you’re using a non-Pro camera, you might wonder about alternatives:

• Local Storage Only: Skip the subscription and rely on microSD cards. It’s free after the card purchase, but you lose AI detection and cloud access.
• Third-Party Cloud Services: Some non-Arlo services (like Google Nest Aware) offer similar features, but they usually don’t work with Arlo cameras.
• Upgrade to a Pro Camera: If you’re serious about security, consider upgrading to a Pro or Ultra model. They offer better hardware, 4K video, and 24/7 recording.

I’ve tried the local storage route. It works, but I missed the convenience of cloud access. For me, Arlo Smart is the sweet spot—affordable, reliable, and packed with useful features.

My Final Verdict: Who Should Use Arlo Smart?

After testing Arlo Smart on both Pro and non-Pro cameras, here’s my honest take:

• Use Arlo Smart if:
  • You want to reduce false alerts and get smarter notifications.
  • You need to review footage from more than 7 days ago.
  • You have a compatible non-Pro camera (Essential, Go, Doorbell, etc.).
  • You’re willing to pay $3–$10/month for peace of mind.
• Skip Arlo Smart if:
  • You’re on a tight budget and only use the camera occasionally.
  • Your camera isn’t compatible (check the list above).
  • You don’t mind checking the app frequently and don’t need AI detection.

At the end of the day, Arlo Smart works with non-Pro cameras—but the experience depends on your camera’s capabilities. It’s not a magic upgrade, but it’s a meaningful improvement for most users. Whether you’re protecting your home, keeping an eye on pets, or just want to know who’s at the door, Arlo Smart adds value without breaking the bank.

So, does Arlo Smart plan work with non-Pro camera? Yes, absolutely. Just make sure your camera is on the compatibility list, and set realistic expectations. With the right setup, you’ll get smarter alerts, longer history, and a whole lot more peace of mind—all without spending a fortune.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Arlo Smart Plan work with non-Pro cameras?

The Arlo Smart Plan is primarily designed for Arlo Pro, Pro 2, and newer models, but select features may work with older non-Pro cameras. However, advanced options like AI-powered alerts and extended video history may be limited.

Can I use an Arlo Smart subscription with my original Arlo camera?

Original Arlo (non-Pro) cameras can use basic Arlo Smart features like cloud storage, but they won’t support newer AI detection or 24/7 recording. Check your camera’s compatibility on Arlo’s official support page.

Is the Arlo Smart Plan compatible with all Arlo cameras?

No, the full Arlo Smart Plan works best with Pro and newer models. Non-Pro cameras may only access core features like motion alerts and standard cloud storage, depending on firmware updates.

Will my Arlo Smart Plan cover multiple non-Pro cameras?

Yes, but functionality varies by model. Older non-Pro cameras might lack person/vehicle detection, even with the plan. Each camera must be individually verified for feature support.

Do I need an Arlo Smart Plan for non-Pro cameras to record locally?

No, local recording (via USB or microSD) doesn’t require the Arlo Smart Plan. However, cloud backups and smart alerts do need the subscription, even for non-Pro models.

Are there cheaper Arlo Smart alternatives for non-Pro cameras?

Arlo offers tiered plans, but non-Pro users often benefit more from basic subscriptions. Compare costs—some older cameras may not justify the full Arlo Smart Plan price.