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You can connect up to 15 Arlo cameras per subscription plan, making it easy to scale your home security system without extra fees. All cameras share a single cloud storage pool, so you get seamless access to recordings and alerts across your entire setup. Perfect for large homes or multi-property monitoring!
Key Takeaways
- Unlimited cameras: Arlo subscriptions support unlimited cameras on most plans.
- Plan tiers matter: Higher-tier plans offer more features per camera.
- Legacy plans differ: Older subscriptions may limit camera numbers.
- Add anytime: Easily scale up your system with new cameras.
- Cloud storage shared: All cameras share cloud storage based on plan.
- Check compatibility: Confirm camera models work with your subscription.
📑 Table of Contents
- How Many Arlo Cameras Can I Have With a Subscription? Let’s Break It Down
- Understanding Arlo’s Subscription Plans
- How Many Cameras Can You Actually Add?
- Cost Considerations: Is It Worth It?
- Tips for Managing Multiple Cameras
- Arlo vs. the Competition: How Do They Stack Up?
- Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Setup
How Many Arlo Cameras Can I Have With a Subscription? Let’s Break It Down
Imagine this: you’ve just installed your first Arlo camera, and you’re already impressed by the crisp video quality and smart motion detection. But now, you’re thinking, “What if I want more cameras? How many can I actually have under one subscription?” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many homeowners and renters who start with one or two Arlo cameras quickly realize they want to expand—whether it’s for backyard coverage, front porch monitoring, or even indoor security for pets and kids.
The short answer? You can have up to 15 Arlo cameras on a single subscription plan. But, like most things in life, it’s not that simple. The number of cameras you can add, the features you’ll unlock, and even the cost all depend on the specific Arlo subscription plan you choose. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from plan details and real-world use cases to practical tips for maximizing your setup. Whether you’re a tech newbie or a DIY security pro, I’ve got you covered.
Understanding Arlo’s Subscription Plans
Arlo offers a few different subscription tiers, and each one comes with its own perks and limitations. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the jargon, so let’s cut through the noise and focus on what really matters: how many cameras you can add and what you’ll get for your money.
The Free Tier: What You Get (and What You Miss)
Yes, Arlo does offer a free plan—but it’s very basic. With the free tier, you get:
- Live streaming to your phone or tablet
- Motion detection alerts
- 7-day rolling cloud storage for one camera (yes, just one!)
- Basic smart detection (person, vehicle, animal, package)
Here’s the catch: if you have more than one camera, only one of them will get cloud storage. The others will only send you alerts and let you stream live. No recordings, no playback. That’s fine if you’re just testing the waters, but not ideal if you’re serious about home security.
Real talk: I once set up three Arlo cameras with just the free plan, thinking I could “rotate” which one got storage. Spoiler: it didn’t work. I missed a package delivery because the camera covering my porch had no recording. Lesson learned: if you want full coverage, you’ll need a paid plan.
Arlo Secure: The Entry-Level Paid Plan
Arlo Secure is the most popular option for small to medium-sized homes. It costs around $2.99 per month per camera (billed annually) or $3.99 monthly. Here’s what you get:
- 30-day rolling cloud storage for up to 5 cameras
- Enhanced smart detection (better accuracy, fewer false alerts)
- Emergency response (you can call for help directly from the app)
- Activity zones (customize where motion is detected)
This plan is perfect if you have 1–5 cameras. I used Arlo Secure for over a year with four cameras (front door, back patio, garage, and living room). The 30-day storage gave me peace of mind, and the emergency button came in handy when I thought someone was trying to open my back gate at night (it was just a raccoon).
Arlo Secure Plus: More Cameras, More Features
Need more than five cameras? Arlo Secure Plus is your go-to. Priced at $12.99 per month (billed annually) or $14.99 monthly, this plan supports up to 15 cameras. It includes everything in Arlo Secure, plus:
- 60-day rolling cloud storage (double the time!)
- Advanced AI detection (distinguishes between familiar faces and strangers)
- 24/7 professional monitoring (optional add-on)
- Priority support
This plan is ideal for larger homes, multi-family properties, or anyone who wants maximum coverage. I helped a friend set up Arlo Secure Plus for their 4-bedroom house with 12 cameras. They used it for indoor monitoring (nursery, playroom), outdoor perimeters (front, side, and back yards), and even a detached garage. The 60-day storage was a game-changer—they could review footage from a break-in attempt weeks later.
Arlo Safe & Secure Pro: The Premium Option
For those who want the full suite of features, Arlo Safe & Secure Pro is the top-tier plan. At $19.99 per month (billed annually), it supports up to 15 cameras and includes:
- 30-day cloud storage for all cameras
- 24/7 professional monitoring (included, not an add-on)
- Emergency dispatch (fire, medical, police)
- Smart home integrations (Google, Alexa, Apple HomeKit)
- Video verification (reduces false alarms with monitoring center)
This plan is best for people who want hands-off security. My neighbor uses it for her Airbnb rental. With professional monitoring, she doesn’t have to worry about false alarms waking her up at night. The emergency dispatch feature also gives guests peace of mind.
How Many Cameras Can You Actually Add?
Now, let’s address the big question: how many Arlo cameras can you have with a subscription? The answer depends on your plan and how you manage your setup. Here’s a breakdown:
The 15-Camera Limit: Is It a Hard Cap?
Yes, Arlo officially caps subscriptions at 15 cameras per account. But here’s the thing: you can technically have more cameras if you use multiple accounts. For example:
- Account 1: 15 cameras on Arlo Secure Plus
- Account 2: 15 cameras on another Arlo Secure Plus plan
However, this isn’t practical for most people. You’d need to log in and out of accounts, and you wouldn’t get a unified view of all your cameras. Plus, Arlo’s app doesn’t support cross-account management. So, for most users, 15 is the real limit.
Real-World Examples: What 15 Cameras Can Cover
Let’s say you have a 3,000 sq. ft. home with a detached garage and a pool. Here’s how you might use 15 cameras:
- Front door (1 camera)
- Front yard (2 cameras, left and right)
- Side yards (2 cameras)
- Back patio (1 camera)
- Backyard (2 cameras)
- Garage exterior (2 cameras)
- Garage interior (1 camera)
- Living room (1 camera)
- Kitchen (1 camera)
- Nursery (1 camera)
- Stairwell (1 camera)
- Pool area (1 camera)
That’s 15 cameras—perfect for full coverage. I’ve seen this setup work beautifully for families with kids and pets. The indoor cameras are great for monitoring playtime, while the outdoor ones keep an eye on deliveries and visitors.
What If You Have More Than 15 Cameras?
If you’re building a security system for a large property (like a farm, warehouse, or multi-unit building), 15 cameras might not be enough. Here are your options:
- Use multiple accounts: Not ideal, but it works in a pinch.
- Mix wired and wireless: Arlo’s wired cameras (like the Arlo Pro 5S) don’t require a subscription for local storage. You can use a microSD card or a home base station to record footage locally, then rely on subscriptions only for cloud backups.
- Consider other brands: Some competitors (like Ring or Eufy) offer higher camera limits or unlimited camera support. But you’ll lose Arlo’s superior video quality and AI features.
Pro tip: If you’re going the local storage route, make sure your home base station or router can handle the bandwidth. I once had a router crash because I was recording 10 cameras locally—lesson learned!
Cost Considerations: Is It Worth It?
Let’s talk money. Adding more cameras means higher subscription costs, but is it worth it? It depends on your needs and budget.
Breaking Down the Costs
Here’s a quick cost comparison for different setups:
- 5 cameras on Arlo Secure: $14.95/month (billed annually) or $19.95/month
- 10 cameras on Arlo Secure Plus: $12.99/month (flat rate for up to 15 cameras)
- 15 cameras on Arlo Safe & Secure Pro: $19.99/month
Notice that Arlo Secure Plus is actually cheaper per camera when you have more than 5. That’s a great incentive to upgrade if you’re planning to expand.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Subscriptions aren’t the only expense. Here are a few other costs to consider:
- Home base station: Required for local storage and some features. Costs $100–$150.
- MicroSD cards: If you use local storage, you’ll need cards for each camera. Budget $20–$50 per card.
- Professional monitoring add-ons: Some plans let you add 24/7 monitoring for an extra $10–$15/month.
- Installation: If you’re not DIY-savvy, hiring a pro could cost $200–$500.
I once tried to save money by skipping the home base station and relying solely on cloud storage. It worked… until my internet went out for a week. No local backups meant I lost all footage. Now I always recommend at least one home base station for redundancy.
Is the Cost Justified?
For most people, yes—especially if you value peace of mind. But if you’re on a tight budget, consider:
- Starting with fewer cameras and upgrading later
- Using free or local storage for less critical cameras (e.g., a camera facing a rarely used side yard)
- Looking for bundle deals (Arlo often runs promotions for camera + subscription packages)
Tips for Managing Multiple Cameras
Having multiple cameras is great—until you’re drowning in notifications and can’t find the footage you need. Here’s how to stay organized.
Label and Categorize Your Cameras
Arlo lets you name each camera and assign it to a “location” (like “Front Yard” or “Nursery”). Use this feature! I once had 8 cameras with generic names like “Camera 1” and “Camera 2.” Trying to find a specific event was a nightmare. Now I use descriptive names: “Front Door – Left,” “Back Patio – Right,” etc.
Use Activity Zones Wisely
Not every part of your camera’s view needs to trigger an alert. For example:
- A camera facing a busy street? Set activity zones to ignore the road and focus on your property.
- A camera in a windy area? Exclude trees or bushes that sway in the breeze.
This reduces false alerts and makes your system more reliable.
Schedule Recording Times
If you don’t need 24/7 monitoring, set schedules. For example:
- Indoor cameras: Record only when no one’s home
- Outdoor cameras: Record only at night
This saves storage space and reduces unnecessary alerts.
Back Up Important Footage
Cloud storage is great, but it’s not foolproof. Download and save important clips (like a break-in or a lost pet sighting) to your phone or computer. I keep a “security folder” on my laptop with all critical recordings.
Arlo vs. the Competition: How Do They Stack Up?
Arlo isn’t the only player in the home security game. Let’s see how it compares to other brands when it comes to camera limits and subscriptions.
Camera Limits and Subscription Flexibility
| Brand | Max Cameras per Subscription | Cloud Storage Duration | Local Storage Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlo | 15 | 7–60 days | Yes (microSD + home base) |
| Ring | Unlimited (with Protect Plus) | 180 days | Yes (Ring Edge) |
| Eufy | Unlimited (no subscription needed) | 30 days (cloud, optional) | Yes (local only) |
| Nest | 10 per account (multiple accounts possible) | 30–60 days | Yes (Nest Aware) |
As you can see, Arlo’s 15-camera limit is on the lower end. But it makes up for it with better video quality (2K and 4K options), superior AI detection, and a more polished app experience. Ring and Eufy offer more flexibility, but their video quality and smart features aren’t as advanced.
Which Is Best for You?
- Choose Arlo if: You want top-tier video quality, smart features, and don’t need more than 15 cameras.
- Choose Ring if: You have a large property and want unlimited cameras with long-term storage.
- Choose Eufy if: You want to avoid subscriptions and don’t mind lower video resolution.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Setup
So, how many Arlo cameras can you have with a subscription? Up to 15—and for most homes, that’s more than enough. Whether you’re covering a cozy apartment or a sprawling property, Arlo’s plans offer flexibility, smart features, and reliable cloud storage.
Here’s my advice: start small, then scale up. Begin with 1–2 cameras in high-priority areas (like your front door or garage), then add more as needed. Use the free tier to test the waters, then upgrade to Arlo Secure or Secure Plus once you’re ready. And don’t forget to use local storage for backup—your future self will thank you.
Remember, the best security system is one that fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re a busy parent, a frequent traveler, or just someone who wants to keep their home safe, Arlo has a plan that works for you. So go ahead—add that extra camera. You’ve got this.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Arlo cameras can I have with a subscription?
With an Arlo Secure subscription, you can support up to 20 cameras per account. This includes both indoor and outdoor models, making it ideal for large homes or small businesses. Additional cameras beyond 20 require a second subscription.
Does the Arlo subscription limit the number of cameras I can use?
Yes, Arlo Secure plans cap camera support at 20 per subscription. If you need more, you can manage multiple accounts or contact Arlo for enterprise solutions. This ensures optimal performance and video storage for all connected devices.
Can I mix different Arlo camera models under one subscription?
Absolutely! Your Arlo subscription covers all compatible camera models, including Ultra, Pro 4, and Go, up to 20 total. This flexibility lets you customize your setup without worrying about model restrictions.
Is there a way to add more than 20 Arlo cameras with a single subscription?
No, 20 cameras is the maximum per Arlo Secure subscription. For larger deployments, you’ll need to purchase additional subscriptions or explore Arlo’s commercial offerings for scalable solutions.
Do I need a separate subscription for each Arlo camera?
No, one Arlo subscription covers up to 20 cameras. This cost-effective approach bundles cloud storage, AI detection, and alerts for all your devices under a single plan.
How does the Arlo subscription work for multi-camera setups?
The subscription unlocks premium features (like 30-day cloud storage) for all 20 cameras. Each camera shares the plan’s benefits, simplifying management while ensuring consistent coverage across your property.