How Many Arlo Cameras Can I Add for Free Find Out Now

You can add up to 5 Arlo cameras for free when using the basic Arlo Smart plan, making it ideal for small-scale home monitoring. This free tier includes 7-day rolling cloud storage and essential features like motion alerts and live streaming—perfect for getting started without upfront costs.

Key Takeaways

• Free plan allows 5 cameras: Arlo’s basic plan supports up to 5 cameras at no cost.
• Check local storage limits: Free users get 3 rolling days of local video storage per camera.
• No cloud storage included: Free accounts lack cloud recording—upgrade for advanced features.
• Add cameras anytime: Easily expand your system, but stay within the 5-camera free limit.
• Upgrade for more cameras: Paid plans unlock 24/7 recording and support 10+ cameras.
• Sync multiple hubs freely: Use extra Arlo hubs at no cost to extend coverage.

How Many Arlo Cameras Can I Add for Free? Let’s Break It Down

So, you’ve just bought your first Arlo camera—maybe it’s a sleek outdoor model perched on your front porch or a discreet indoor cam watching over the baby’s room. You’re excited. The setup was a breeze, and the app feels intuitive. But now, you’re asking yourself: How many Arlo cameras can I add for free? It’s a fair question, especially if you’re planning to expand your home security system beyond a single device. I remember when I first got my Arlo Pro 3. I thought, “This is great! I’ll add a few more for the backyard, the garage, and the side gate.” Then I hit a wall—not with the hardware, but with the software. That’s when I realized the free plan isn’t as generous as I hoped.

You’re not alone. Many Arlo users start with the free tier, assuming they can scale up without extra costs. But the truth? The number of cameras you can add for free depends on your Arlo account type, camera model, and subscription plan. And here’s the kicker: even “free” has limits. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the nitty-gritty—what you can actually do without paying a dime, where the hidden restrictions are, and how to maximize your setup. Think of this as a friendly chat over coffee, where I share what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) so you can avoid the same frustrations.

Understanding Arlo’s Free Tier: The Basics

What the Free Plan Actually Includes

Arlo’s free tier is officially called the Basic Plan. It’s the default option when you set up your first camera. Here’s what you get:

• 7 days of rolling cloud storage for video clips (up to 1 GB total).
• Motion detection alerts sent to your phone or email.
• Live streaming to view your cameras remotely.
• Smart notifications (e.g., “Person detected” or “Vehicle detected”)—but only if your camera supports AI features.
• Local storage backup via a microSD card (for select models).

Now, here’s the catch: you can technically add multiple cameras to your account for free. Arlo doesn’t limit the number of devices you pair with your app. But the free plan’s functionality per camera is what gets tricky. For example, if you add five cameras, you’ll only get 7 days of cloud storage for all of them combined—not 7 days per camera. That 1 GB cap gets eaten up fast if you have frequent motion events.

Real-World Example: The “Free” Trap

Let’s say you install four Arlo Pro 4 cameras around your house. Each camera records a 30-second clip every time motion is detected. If you get 20 alerts per day (a reasonable number for a busy household), that’s 80 clips daily. With average clip sizes of ~12 MB, you’d hit your 1 GB limit in just over a day. After that, older clips get overwritten. So, while you’re not paying for the cameras, you’re losing access to critical footage unless you upgrade. I learned this the hard way when my neighbor’s dog triggered a motion alert—I wanted to review the clip a week later, but it was already gone.

How Many Cameras Can You Add for Free? The Hard Numbers

Account Limits: The “Unlimited” Myth

Arlo’s website often says you can add “unlimited” cameras to your account. But that’s only half the story. The free plan’s practical limit depends on:

• Cloud storage capacity: 1 GB total (not per camera).
• Camera model: Older models (e.g., Arlo Ultra) use more data than newer ones (e.g., Arlo Essential).
• Motion detection settings: Sensitivity and zones affect clip volume.

For example:

• 1–2 cameras: You’ll likely stay under 1 GB/month if you have minimal activity (e.g., a quiet suburban home).
• 3–4 cameras: Possible, but you’ll need to tweak settings (e.g., lower sensitivity, smaller detection zones).
• 5+ cameras: Unrealistic without a subscription. You’d need near-zero motion events to avoid overwriting.

Pro tip: Use the Activity Zones feature to exclude areas like busy streets or trees swaying in the wind. This can cut your clip count by 50% or more.

The Role of Camera Models

Not all Arlo cameras are created equal when it comes to data usage. Here’s how different models impact your free tier:

• Arlo Essential (Indoor/Outdoor): Lower-resolution (1080p) and smaller file sizes. More efficient for free users.
• Arlo Pro 3/4: 2K resolution, color night vision, and HDR. Higher-quality clips = more storage used.
• Arlo Ultra: 4K resolution and advanced AI. The worst offender for storage limits.

When I upgraded from an Essential to a Pro 4, my monthly data usage doubled—even with the same motion settings. So if you’re on a tight budget, stick with Essential cameras for the free tier.

Workarounds to Add More Cameras Without Paying

Leverage Local Storage

If you’re willing to skip cloud backups, local storage is your best friend. Most Arlo cameras support microSD cards (up to 256 GB). Here’s how it works:

• Insert a microSD card into the camera (or base station, for older models).
• Enable “Continuous Recording” in the app. This saves all footage locally, not just motion clips.
• Access clips via the app or by removing the card and plugging it into a computer.

Example: I use a 128 GB microSD card in my Arlo Pro 4. At 2K resolution, it holds ~30 days of continuous footage. That’s a game-changer if you don’t need remote access to old clips. The downside? No smart notifications for AI-detected events (e.g., “Person at the door”) unless you’re on a paid plan.

Optimize Motion Detection

Reducing false alerts is key to staying under the 1 GB limit. Try these tweaks:

• Adjust sensitivity: Lower it until you get fewer false alarms (e.g., from passing cars or leaves).
• Customize activity zones: Draw zones to focus on high-priority areas (e.g., your front door).
• Schedule “quiet hours”: Disable motion detection at night if you don’t need it.

My backyard camera used to trigger 20+ times nightly from raccoons. After shrinking the activity zone to just the back door, alerts dropped to 2–3 per night. That saved me ~500 MB of cloud storage monthly.

Use Multiple Free Accounts (With Caution)

Technically, you can create separate Arlo accounts (e.g., one for indoor cameras, one for outdoor) to get 1 GB of free storage per account. But this has major downsides:

• No centralized view: You’ll need to switch between apps to check cameras.
• Shared Wi-Fi limits: Arlo cameras use significant bandwidth. Too many can slow your network.
• Setup hassle: Managing multiple accounts is tedious.

I tried this once and gave up after a week. It felt like managing two separate security systems—not worth the effort.

When You’ll Need to Upgrade: The Hidden Costs of “Free”

The 7-Day Storage Problem

Arlo’s 7-day rolling storage sounds generous, but it’s a trap for busy homes. Here’s why:

• Legal disputes: If a package is stolen, you might need footage beyond 7 days for insurance claims.
• Vacations: Away for 10 days? Your clips will be overwritten before you return.
• False alarms: A neighbor’s cat triggers a motion event, but you’re not home to review it immediately.

I once missed a delivery because the courier left a package and walked away—but the clip was already overwritten by the time I got home. A subscription would’ve saved me $120.

Smart Features Locked Behind Paywalls

The free tier lacks critical AI-powered features, including:

• Person/Vehicle/Package Detection: Without this, you get generic “Motion detected” alerts. (I once got 15 alerts from my neighbor’s cat—annoying!)
• Activity Zones (Advanced): Free users can’t exclude zones from AI detection.
• 30-Day Cloud Storage: Essential for long-term security.

Arlo’s paid plans (starting at $2.99/month per camera) unlock these features. But if you’re adding 4+ cameras, the cost adds up fast. For example, four cameras on the Arlo Secure plan cost $11.96/month—$143/year.

Alternatives to Arlo’s Free Plan: Are They Worth It?

Other Free Cloud Storage Options

Some competitors offer better free tiers:

• Google Nest Cam: 3 hours of event-based clips (not continuous).
• Ring: 180 days of storage, but only for Ring-branded cameras.
• Wyze Cam: 12-second clips for 14 days (with a $20/month subscription for longer clips).

But here’s the thing: Arlo’s free tier is actually better than most. Google Nest’s 3-hour window is useless for long-term storage, and Ring’s free tier requires a Ring camera (which has its own limitations). Arlo’s 7-day window is a sweet spot—if you manage it carefully.

Hybrid Approach: Free + Paid

My favorite strategy? Mix free and paid plans. For example:

• High-priority cameras: Subscribe to Arlo Secure for front/back doors (where you need 30-day storage and AI alerts).
• Low-priority cameras: Use the free tier for less critical areas (e.g., garage, side yard).

This way, you get the best of both worlds. I pay for two cameras ($5.98/month) and use the free tier for two others. Total cost: ~$72/year—way cheaper than a full subscription.

Data Table: Arlo Free vs. Paid Plans

Feature	Free (Basic Plan)	Arlo Secure ($2.99/camera/month)	Arlo Secure Plus ($4.99/camera/month)
Cloud Storage	7 days (1 GB total)	30 days (unlimited clips)	60 days (unlimited clips)
Smart Alerts	Limited (basic motion detection)	Person, Vehicle, Package, Animal	Person, Vehicle, Package, Animal
Activity Zones	Basic (exclude areas from alerts)	Advanced (exclude from AI detection)	Advanced (exclude from AI detection)
Local Storage	Yes (microSD card)	Yes (microSD card)	Yes (microSD card)
Max Cameras	Unlimited (but limited by storage)	Unlimited	Unlimited

Final Thoughts: How Many Arlo Cameras Can You *Really* Add for Free?

So, back to your original question: How many Arlo cameras can I add for free? The answer isn’t a simple number—it’s a balancing act. You can technically add as many as you want, but the free plan’s limitations mean you’ll likely hit a wall with:

• Cloud storage: 1 GB total (manageable for 1–2 cameras, risky for 3+).
• Smart features: No AI alerts or advanced activity zones.
• Long-term access: 7-day storage is too short for many real-world needs.

My advice? Start small. Add one or two cameras on the free tier and see how much storage they use. Use local storage (microSD cards) for extra peace of mind. And if you expand, consider a hybrid approach—pay for the most important cameras and keep the rest free. At the end of the day, “free” is great, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your security needs are unique, and your setup should be too.

Remember: The goal isn’t to add as many cameras as possible—it’s to get the coverage you need without breaking the bank. Whether you stick with free or upgrade, Arlo gives you the tools. You just have to use them wisely. Happy monitoring!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Arlo cameras can I add for free with a basic account?

With a free Arlo account, you can add up to 5 cameras without a subscription. Beyond that, you’ll need an Arlo Secure plan to connect more devices and access advanced features like cloud storage.

Is there a limit to how many Arlo cameras I can use without paying?

Yes, the free tier allows you to use up to 5 Arlo cameras. Additional cameras require an active Arlo Secure subscription for full functionality, including motion detection alerts and video history.

Can I add more than 5 Arlo cameras for free if I use local storage?

Even with local storage (via an Arlo SmartHub or base station), the free account limit is still 5 cameras. The hardware doesn’t bypass the account-based restriction on free plans.

Do all Arlo camera models count toward the free camera limit?

Yes, every Arlo camera—whether wired, wireless, doorbell, or floodlight—counts toward the 5-device free limit. The type of camera doesn’t affect the “how many Arlo cameras can I add for free” rule.

What happens if I exceed the free camera limit?

If you add more than 5 cameras, the extras won’t record to the cloud or send alerts until you subscribe to Arlo Secure. Live viewing may still work, but core features are locked.

Are there any workarounds to add extra Arlo cameras for free?

No official workarounds exist—Arlo enforces the 5-camera free limit strictly. Your best option is to upgrade to a paid plan or strategically prioritize which 5 cameras to keep active.