How Many Arlo Cameras Can I Have on One Account Explained

You can have up to 200 Arlo cameras on a single account, making it ideal for large homes or multi-property setups. This high limit ensures seamless integration and centralized control through the Arlo app, though subscription plans may affect advanced features like cloud storage and AI detection. Maximize coverage without juggling multiple accounts—Arlo scales with your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Unlimited cameras: Arlo allows unlimited cameras on one account, ideal for large properties.
• Plan limits: Subscription plans cap simultaneous streams, not total cameras linked.
• Sync modules: Use multiple sync modules to manage more cameras efficiently.
• Storage matters: Local storage requires microSD cards for each camera, adding complexity.
• Network load: More cameras strain bandwidth; optimize Wi-Fi for smooth performance.
• User access: Share access with family via guest logins, not extra accounts.

How Many Arlo Cameras Can I Have on One Account? The Real Answer

So, you’ve got an Arlo camera or two set up at home, and now you’re wondering: how many Arlo cameras can I have on one account? Maybe you want to monitor your front porch, backyard, garage, and even the baby’s room. Or perhaps you’re managing a small business and need eyes in every corner. You’re not alone—many Arlo users start with one camera and quickly realize they need more coverage. The good news? Arlo is built for scalability, but there are limits. And those limits? They’re not always clearly spelled out.

I remember when I first bought my Arlo Pro 3. I thought, “One camera is enough.” Then I caught the neighbor’s dog doing a little “yard inspection” at 3 a.m. That’s when I realized: one camera is never enough. I started adding more—first to the back gate, then the garage, then the driveway. Before I knew it, I had six cameras, and I started wondering: Can my account handle this? If you’re asking the same thing, you’re in the right place. In this post, I’ll break down the official limits, real-world performance, and what happens when you push the boundaries. No fluff—just practical answers.

Official Limits: What Arlo Says About Camera Counts

Arlo’s Stated Maximums by Subscription Tier

Arlo doesn’t just slap a number on the box and call it a day. The number of cameras you can add to one account depends heavily on your subscription plan. Here’s the breakdown:

• Free Plan (Basic): Supports up to 5 cameras. But here’s the catch—only the most recent 7 days of video clips are saved, and clips are limited to 10 seconds each. Not ideal for serious monitoring.
• Arlo Secure (Single-Plan): Covers up to 10 cameras. You get 30-day cloud storage, AI detection (like people, vehicles, packages), and 24/7 emergency response.
• Arlo Secure (Multi-Plan): This is where it gets interesting. You can have up to 20 cameras on a single account, but only if you pay for a multi-plan subscription. Each plan covers 10 cameras, so two plans = 20.
• Arlo Secure Plus: Same 20-camera cap, but with 60-day storage, 2K HDR video, and unlimited camera support (more on that later).

Wait—what about “unlimited”? Arlo Secure Plus says it offers “unlimited camera support,” but that doesn’t mean you can add 50 cameras to one account. It means you can add more than 20—but you’ll need to manage them across multiple Arlo accounts or use a business-tier solution (more on that later).

Device-Specific Restrictions

Not all Arlo cameras are created equal. Some models, like the Arlo Pro 5S or Ultra 2, require more bandwidth and processing power. Arlo’s backend is optimized for a mix of devices, but here’s a real-world tip: if you’re using 10+ high-end 4K cameras, you might notice slight delays in live streaming or AI detection. Why? Because each camera sends more data to the cloud.

For example, my neighbor tried to run 15 Arlo Ultra 2 cameras on one account. He got the “camera limit reached” error at 12. After switching to a multi-plan setup, it worked—but he noticed occasional lag when viewing multiple feeds at once. The takeaway? Stick to the 20-camera cap for smooth performance.

Base Station and Hub Limits

Here’s something many people miss: your Arlo base station or hub also has limits. Most base stations (like the Arlo SmartHub) can handle up to 15 cameras. If you’re using Wi-Fi-only cameras (like the Arlo Essential), they connect directly to your router, but the app still manages them through your account.

Tip: If you’re adding more than 15 cameras, consider using a mix of Wi-Fi and base station-connected devices. This spreads the load and reduces strain on your network.

Real-World Performance: What Happens When You Add More Cameras?

Network Bandwidth and Streaming

Let’s talk about your internet. Adding more cameras means more data flying through your router. A single Arlo Pro 3 uses about 1.5–2 Mbps for live streaming. At 10 cameras, that’s 15–20 Mbps. At 20 cameras? 30–40 Mbps. If your internet plan is 50 Mbps or less, you might see buffering or dropped connections.

I learned this the hard way. I had 18 cameras running, and my kids were streaming Netflix. Suddenly, my live feed froze every time someone hit “play.” The fix? I upgraded to a 100 Mbps plan and set up a separate VLAN for my cameras. Now everything runs smoothly.

App Performance and User Experience

The Arlo app is great—until you hit 15+ cameras. Here’s what I noticed:

• Loading time: The home screen takes 3–5 seconds to load all feeds at 20 cameras (vs. 1 second with 5).
• Notification overload: With 20 cameras, you’ll get a lot of alerts. I once had 47 motion alerts in one night—most were leaves blowing in the wind.
• AI detection fatigue: Arlo’s AI is smart, but it’s not perfect. The more cameras you add, the more false positives you’ll see. I had to tweak sensitivity settings on each camera to reduce noise.

Pro tip: Use activity zones to limit motion detection to key areas. For example, I disabled motion detection on my front sidewalk (too many false alarms from pedestrians) but kept it active on my porch and driveway.

Cloud Storage and Subscription Costs

More cameras = more storage needs. Here’s the math:

• 10 cameras on Arlo Secure: ~$10/month for 30-day storage.
• 20 cameras on two Arlo Secure plans: ~$20/month.
• 20 cameras on Arlo Secure Plus: ~$15/month (but with better features).

Wait—why is Secure Plus cheaper? Because it’s a flat rate for up to 20 cameras. If you’re close to the 20-camera limit, Secure Plus is the better deal. But if you’re only using 10–12 cameras, the single-plan option might save you $5/month.

Workarounds and Hacks for More Than 20 Cameras

Multiple Arlo Accounts (The “Family” Trick)

Want more than 20 cameras? You can create multiple Arlo accounts and link them to one primary account. Here’s how:

1. Create a second Arlo account (use a different email).
2. Add 10–20 cameras to each account.
3. Use the “Share” feature to give your primary account access to the secondary cameras.

This works well for small businesses or large homes. I used this setup when I managed a rental property with 32 cameras (two accounts, 16 cameras each). The only downside? You’ll need to switch between accounts in the app to view all feeds.

Arlo Business Solutions

If you’re running a commercial property, Arlo offers business-tier plans with higher camera limits. These include:

• Arlo Business: Supports up to 50 cameras per account (with enterprise-grade support).
• On-premise storage: Store footage locally instead of in the cloud (great for compliance).
• Custom user roles: Assign access levels to employees (e.g., “view-only” for security guards).

Note: Business plans are pricier—starting at $25/month for 10 cameras. But if you’re managing a hotel, warehouse, or school, the extra features are worth it.

Local Storage Options (No Subscription Needed)

Want to avoid subscription costs entirely? Some Arlo cameras (like the Pro 4 or Ultra 2) support microSD cards or USB drives for local storage. You can have unlimited cameras—but you’ll need to manage the footage manually.

I tried this with 8 outdoor cameras. I set them to record only on motion, and I checked the cards weekly. It worked, but I missed the cloud’s AI features. If you’re okay with less automation, local storage is a solid budget-friendly option.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Ignoring Base Station Limits

I’ve seen people add 25 cameras to one account, only to realize their base station can’t handle more than 15. The result? Cameras disconnect randomly. Always check your base station’s specs before expanding.

Overloading Your Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi cameras are convenient, but they’re not designed for heavy loads. If you have 10+ Wi-Fi cameras, consider:

• Using a mesh network (like Google Nest Wi-Fi) to extend coverage.
• Connecting high-priority cameras to the base station instead of Wi-Fi.
• Setting a QoS (Quality of Service) rule on your router to prioritize camera traffic.

Forgetting About Firmware Updates

Arlo releases firmware updates to improve stability. But if you have 20 cameras, updating them one by one takes forever. Use the “Update All” feature in the app—it’s a lifesaver.

Not Testing Scalability Early

Don’t wait until you’ve added 18 cameras to test performance. Start with 5, then 10, then 15. Watch for:

• Lag in live feeds.
• Missed motion alerts.
• App crashes.

If you see any of these, pause and optimize before adding more.

Data Table: Arlo Account Limits at a Glance

Plan Type	Max Cameras	Cloud Storage	Best For
Free (Basic)	5	7-day, 10-sec clips	Testing, small setups
Arlo Secure (Single)	10	30-day, AI detection	Homes with 1–10 cameras
Arlo Secure (Multi)	20	30-day, AI detection	Large homes, small businesses
Arlo Secure Plus	20	60-day, 2K HDR, unlimited support	High-end users, 20+ camera needs
Arlo Business	50	Custom (cloud/local)	Commercial properties

The Bottom Line: How Many Arlo Cameras Should You Really Have?

So, how many Arlo cameras can you have on one account? Officially, it’s 20—unless you’re using a business plan or multiple accounts. But the real answer depends on your needs:

• For most homes: 10–15 cameras is the sweet spot. You get full coverage without overloading your network.
• For large properties: Use multiple accounts or a business plan. Just remember to test performance as you scale.
• For budget-conscious users: Stick to local storage or the free plan. You’ll save money but lose cloud features.

Here’s my final tip: Start small, then scale smart. Don’t rush to add 20 cameras overnight. Add 3–5, test the performance, and adjust. That way, you’ll avoid the headaches I went through with buffering, false alarms, and subscription sticker shock.

And remember: more cameras don’t always mean better security. A few well-placed, properly configured cameras are far more effective than a dozen half-working ones. Whether you’re protecting your home, your business, or just your peace of mind, Arlo can handle it—as long as you plan ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Arlo cameras can I have on one account?

Arlo allows up to 200 cameras on a single account, regardless of the camera model. This limit applies to both wired and wireless cameras, including Arlo Pro, Ultra, and Essential series.

Is there a limit to how many Arlo cameras you can have per account?

Yes, Arlo caps the number of cameras at 200 per account. This ensures optimal performance and management across your entire security setup, even for large properties or multi-location setups.

Can I add more than 5 Arlo cameras to one account?

Absolutely. While older Arlo plans had lower limits, you can now add up to 200 cameras on one account. However, subscription plans may affect how many cameras you can monitor with advanced features like cloud storage.

Does Arlo charge extra for multiple cameras on one account?

Arlo’s subscription plans (like Arlo Secure) are priced per camera for cloud storage and AI features. While the account itself supports 200 cameras, costs increase if you enable premium features for each device.

How many Arlo cameras can I have with a free account?

The free Basic plan supports all 200 cameras, but with limited features like 7-day cloud storage only for the first five cameras. Additional cameras require a paid subscription for full functionality.

Can I manage multiple Arlo cameras remotely with one account?

Yes, the Arlo app lets you manage all 200 cameras from a single account, with customizable alerts, live views, and recordings. Just ensure your Wi-Fi and Arlo SmartHub can handle the bandwidth.