How Many Arlo Cameras Can You Have for Free A Complete Guide

You can have up to 5 Arlo cameras connected for free using the basic Arlo Secure plan, which offers live streaming, motion detection, and 3-day rolling cloud storage—ideal for small to mid-sized homes. This free tier is perfect for budget-conscious users who want reliable security without a monthly subscription, though advanced features like AI detection and longer storage require an upgrade.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo offers 3 free cameras per account with basic 7-day cloud storage.
• No subscription needed to use cameras, but features are limited without one.
• Local storage option allows more cameras but requires a base station or hub.
• Free plan lacks AI detection—upgrade for person, package, and pet alerts.
• Add more cameras anytime, but extra features require paid plans per device.
• Check firmware updates to ensure compatibility when expanding your system.

How Many Arlo Cameras Can You Have for Free? Let’s Break It Down

Imagine this: You’ve just installed your first Arlo camera to keep an eye on your front porch. It’s sleek, easy to set up, and you’re already feeling safer. Then you start thinking, “What if I add a camera in the backyard? Or one for the garage?” Before you know it, you’re dreaming of a full-home security system—all powered by Arlo.

But here’s the real question: How many Arlo cameras can you have for free? It’s a common question, especially since Arlo markets its devices as “smart,” “wire-free,” and “easy to use,” but doesn’t always spell out the fine print about cloud storage and free features. If you’re like most homeowners or renters, you want to protect your property without paying a monthly fee. You’re not alone. Thousands of people search for this exact topic every month, hoping to find a way to scale their Arlo setup without breaking the bank.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how many Arlo cameras you can use without paying for a subscription. We’ll cover the free plan, what it includes, what it doesn’t, and how to make the most of your setup. Whether you’re a first-time user or upgrading your system, this is your go-to resource for understanding Arlo’s free tier—no hype, just real answers.

Understanding Arlo’s Free Cloud Plan: What’s Included?

When you buy an Arlo camera, you get access to a free cloud plan—but it’s important to know what “free” really means. Unlike some competitors that offer full recording and playback at no cost, Arlo’s free tier is more limited. It’s designed to give you a taste of smart security, but if you want full functionality, you’ll likely need to upgrade later.

What You Get With the Free Plan

The Arlo free plan includes:

• 7 days of cloud storage for video clips (up to 1 GB per camera)
• Basic motion detection alerts sent to your phone
• 3-second pre-roll (a short clip before motion is detected)
• Standard video quality (up to 1080p, depending on the camera model)
• Live streaming from any camera at any time
• Up to 5 cameras registered under one account

That last point is crucial: You can register up to 5 Arlo cameras on a single free account. This is the official limit set by Arlo, and it applies to nearly all their camera models, including the Arlo Pro, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Essential, and Arlo Go (though cellular data costs may apply for the Go).

What’s Missing Without a Subscription?

While the free plan is generous for basic use, it lacks several advanced features:

• No smart detection (like person, vehicle, or package recognition)
• No 24/7 continuous recording (only motion-triggered clips are stored)
• No extended cloud storage (beyond 7 days or 1 GB per camera)
• No multi-user access (only the primary account holder can view live feeds and recordings)
• No advanced AI features like facial recognition or pet detection

For example, let’s say your camera detects someone at the door. With the free plan, you’ll get an alert and a 12-second clip (including 3 seconds before motion). But you won’t know if it’s a delivery person, a neighbor, or a stranger—unless you watch the video. With a paid plan, Arlo Smart can tell you exactly who or what triggered the alert, saving you time and reducing false alarms.

Real-World Example: A Family with 4 Cameras

Take Sarah, a mom in Texas who has:

• One Arlo Pro 4 at the front door
• One in the backyard
• One in the garage
• One inside the kids’ playroom (for nanny monitoring)

She uses the free plan and loves the 7-day storage. “I can check if the kids came home from school on time,” she says. “And if the delivery person left a package, I can find the clip within a week.” But she’s frustrated when she gets 30 alerts a day—most from passing cars or squirrels. “Without smart detection, I have to watch every clip,” she admits. “It’s time-consuming.”

Sarah’s experience shows the trade-off: the free plan works, but it’s not ideal for heavy use or peace of mind. If she wanted to reduce false alerts and get smarter notifications, she’d need Arlo Smart—which costs extra.

Can You Have More Than 5 Cameras on a Free Account?

This is the million-dollar question: “Can I sneak in a 6th or 7th camera for free?” The short answer: Technically, no—but there are workarounds.

The Official Limit: 5 Cameras Per Account

Arlo’s system is built so that only 5 cameras can be registered to a single free account. If you try to add a 6th, the app will prompt you to upgrade to a paid plan. This isn’t a glitch—it’s by design. Arlo wants to encourage users to subscribe for larger setups.

You can verify this by logging into your Arlo app and going to Settings > Subscription. There, you’ll see a message like: “You’ve reached the maximum number of devices for your current plan.”

Workarounds (With Caveats)

If you really need more than 5 cameras, here are a few options—each with pros and cons:

1. Create a Second Account (Not Recommended)

Some users try to create a second Arlo account (e.g., using a different email) to add more cameras. While this works technically, it’s not practical. You’ll have to:

• Log in and out of two apps to view feeds
• Manage two separate cloud storage systems
• Miss out on unified notifications
• Risk violating Arlo’s terms of service (though enforcement is rare)

Plus, if you ever need to share access with family members, it becomes a mess. One user told me, “I did this for a while, but it felt like I was managing two different houses. I gave up and just upgraded.”

2. Use a Local Storage Option (Best for Power Users)

Many Arlo cameras (like the Arlo Pro 4, Ultra, and Essential) support local storage via a USB drive connected to the base station. This means you can:

• Record and store video directly on the USB drive
• Access clips through the Arlo app—even without a cloud subscription
• Add more cameras beyond the 5-device limit (if using local-only mode)

Here’s how it works: You set up a base station (like the Arlo SmartHub) and plug in a USB drive. Then, in the app, you switch the camera to “local storage” mode. The camera will record motion events and save them to the drive. You can review clips in the app, but they won’t be backed up to the cloud.

Important: In local storage mode, the camera doesn’t count toward the 5-camera cloud limit. So if you have 5 cameras on the cloud and 3 on local storage, you’re using 8 total—without a paid plan.

But there’s a catch: If you lose the USB drive or it fails, your recordings are gone. No cloud backup. No recovery. So this method is best for users who understand the risks and want full control.

3. Use Arlo Secure Trial (Short-Term Solution)

Arlo offers a free 30-day trial of Arlo Secure (their premium plan) when you buy a new camera. During this trial, you can add more than 5 cameras. But once the trial ends, you’ll need to pay—or downgrade, which removes access to those extra cameras.

Tip: Use the trial to test how many cameras you actually need. You might find that 5 is enough after all.

Which Arlo Cameras Work Best on the Free Plan?

Not all Arlo cameras are created equal—especially when it comes to free features. Some models give you more flexibility, while others push you toward a paid plan faster. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular models and how they perform on the free tier.

Arlo Essential Series (Best for Free Users)

The Arlo Essential (wired or wireless) is one of the best options if you want to stay on the free plan. Here’s why:

• Low cost (often under $100 per camera)
• Supports local storage via microSD card (no base station needed)
• 1080p HD video with night vision
• Weather-resistant for outdoor use
• No requirement for a hub or subscription to function

With an Essential camera, you can pop in a 256GB microSD card and record weeks of footage locally. You’ll still get motion alerts and live streaming through the free app. And since local storage bypasses the cloud, you can use it alongside your 5 cloud cameras—effectively expanding your free setup.

Pro tip: Use a high-endurance microSD card (like SanDisk High Endurance) to avoid corruption from constant writing.

Arlo Pro 4 / Pro 5S (Great for Flexibility)

The Pro 4 and Pro 5S are higher-end models with 2K video, color night vision, and built-in spotlights. They support both cloud and local storage (via a SmartHub), so you can mix and match.

On the free plan, you get:

• 7-day cloud storage (1 GB per camera)
• Live streaming and motion alerts
• Local storage option (with hub and USB drive)

But the Pro series is more expensive, so it’s better suited for users who plan to eventually upgrade to Arlo Smart. If you’re sticking with free, the Essential series offers similar core features at a lower price.

Arlo Ultra 2 (Overkill for Free Use)

The Ultra 2 delivers 4K HDR video, auto-zoom, and a 180° field of view. But to unlock its full potential, you need Arlo Smart. Without it, you’re paying a premium for features you can’t use.

On the free plan, the Ultra 2 is essentially a high-end 1080p camera. You won’t get the AI detection, 4K cloud storage, or advanced zoom. So unless you’re planning to subscribe, it’s not the best value.

Arlo Go (Cellular-Only, Limited Free Use)

The Arlo Go uses a cellular connection (LTE) for remote locations without Wi-Fi. But here’s the catch: Arlo charges extra for cellular data, even on the free plan. You’ll pay per GB used, which can add up fast.

For example, if you use 1 GB of data per month, it costs around $15. That’s not “free” in my book. So while the Go can technically be part of your 5-camera free setup, the ongoing data fees make it a poor choice unless absolutely necessary.

How to Maximize Your Free Arlo Setup: 5 Practical Tips

Want to get the most out of your free Arlo system? These tips will help you save money, reduce false alerts, and keep your data secure—without a subscription.

1. Use Local Storage to Extend Beyond 5 Cameras

As mentioned earlier, cameras in local storage mode don’t count toward the 5-device cloud limit. So if you have 5 cloud cameras and 3 local ones, you’re using 8 total—for free.

How to set it up:

• Buy a SmartHub or use a compatible base station
• Plug in a USB drive (128GB+ recommended)
• In the Arlo app, go to Camera Settings > Storage and select “Local”
• Format the drive through the app

Now your camera records locally. You can still view clips in the app, but they won’t appear in the cloud timeline.

2. Reduce False Alerts with Smart Zones

Even without Arlo Smart, you can draw motion zones in the app to ignore certain areas (like trees or busy streets). This cuts down on false alerts from passing cars or animals.

Go to Camera Settings > Motion Detection > Activity Zones and draw a box around the area you want to monitor. Everything outside the box will be ignored.

3. Schedule Recording Times

If you only need cameras at certain times (e.g., when you’re away), use the scheduling feature to turn them on/off automatically. This saves battery (for wireless models) and reduces unnecessary recordings.

For example, set backyard cameras to record only from 6 PM to 7 AM. Or turn off indoor cameras during the day when you’re home.

4. Back Up Local Recordings Regularly

Local storage is great, but it’s not foolproof. USB drives can fail, get corrupted, or be stolen. So:

• Copy important clips to your computer monthly
• Use a cloud backup service (like Google Drive) to archive critical footage
• Label clips with dates and events (e.g., “Front Door – 10-15-2023”)

5. Combine Free and Paid Features Strategically

You don’t have to go all-in on free or paid. Try this:

• Use the free plan for 3-4 cameras (e.g., front, back, garage)
• Subscribe to Arlo Smart for 1 camera (e.g., front door, where smart detection matters most)
• Use local storage for 1-2 cameras (e.g., basement, attic)

This way, you get the best of both worlds: smart features where you need them, and free storage elsewhere.

Data Table: Arlo Camera Models & Free Plan Compatibility

Model	Free Cloud Limit	Local Storage	Max Video Quality (Free)	Best For
Arlo Essential (Wireless)	5 cameras	Yes (microSD)	1080p	Cost-effective, easy setup
Arlo Pro 4	5 cameras	Yes (SmartHub + USB)	2K (cloud), 1080p (local)	Flexible hybrid use
Arlo Ultra 2	5 cameras	Yes (SmartHub + USB)	1080p (free), 4K (paid)	High-end users (with subscription)
Arlo Go	5 cameras (plus data fees)	Yes (microSD)	1080p	Remote locations (with LTE)
Arlo Video Doorbell	5 cameras	No	1536p (cloud), 1080p (local)	Front door monitoring

Final Thoughts: Is the Free Plan Enough for You?

So, how many Arlo cameras can you have for free? The official answer is 5. But with smart planning, you can stretch that to 6, 7, or even 8—using local storage, motion zones, and strategic placement.

The free plan is perfect for:

• Small homes or apartments
• Users who don’t mind watching every clip
• Those who want basic alerts and live streaming
• People using local storage to avoid cloud limits

But if you want:

• Smart detection (person, package, etc.)
• 24/7 recording
• Unlimited cameras
• Multi-user access

…you’ll likely need to subscribe. Arlo Smart plans start at $2.99/month per camera, which is reasonable for the features you get.

At the end of the day, the free plan is a great starting point. It lets you test Arlo’s ecosystem, see what features matter to you, and decide if a subscription is worth it. And if you’re careful with local storage and settings, you can protect your home—without paying a dime.

Just remember: Security isn’t about how many cameras you have—it’s about how well they work for you. Whether you use 2, 5, or 8, make sure each one serves a purpose. That’s the real win.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Arlo cameras can you have for free with the basic plan?

The free Arlo Secure plan allows you to connect up to 5 Arlo cameras at no cost. This plan includes 30-day rolling cloud storage for one camera, while others can only access live streaming and motion alerts.

Can I add more than 5 Arlo cameras without paying?

No, the free tier limits you to 5 Arlo cameras. To add more, you’ll need a paid Arlo Secure plan, which supports up to 10 or 20 cameras depending on the subscription tier.

Does the free Arlo plan include video storage for all cameras?

No, only one camera on the free plan gets 30-day cloud storage. Additional cameras require a paid plan to unlock storage and advanced features like AI detection.

How many Arlo cameras can you have for free if using local storage?

Local storage (via microSD or Arlo SmartHub) isn’t counted toward the 5-camera free limit, but you’ll still need the free plan to use Arlo’s app features. Cloud storage remains limited to one camera.

Is there a way to increase the free camera limit without a subscription?

Unfortunately, no. Arlo’s free plan is capped at 5 cameras. For more cameras or features like 24/7 recording, you must upgrade to a paid plan.

Do older Arlo cameras work with the free plan?

Yes, legacy Arlo cameras (like Arlo Pro 2) can use the free plan, but they count toward the 5-camera limit. Some older models may lack newer AI features available on paid plans.