How Many Arlo Cameras Can You Have on One Account

You can have up to 25 Arlo cameras on a single account, making it ideal for comprehensive home or business surveillance. This limit applies across all Arlo models, ensuring seamless integration and centralized control through the Arlo app. Perfect for scaling your security setup without juggling multiple accounts.

Key Takeaways

• Max 100 cameras: One Arlo account supports up to 100 cameras for seamless monitoring.
• Plan matters: Subscription tiers determine how many cameras you can actively use.
• Mix devices freely: Combine wired, wireless, and doorbell cameras on a single account.
• No extra fees: Adding cameras doesn’t cost more—only active cloud storage incurs charges.
• Manage via app: Control all cameras easily through the Arlo app’s unified dashboard.
• Local storage option: Use SD cards to bypass cloud limits for select camera models.

How Many Arlo Cameras Can You Have on One Account

Imagine this: you’ve just installed your first Arlo camera at the front door. It’s sleek, easy to set up, and you love the peace of mind it brings. A few weeks later, you’re eyeing a backyard camera to keep an eye on the grill during summer barbecues. Then, a baby monitor in the nursery. And maybe a garage cam to catch that raccoon that keeps knocking over your trash can. Before you know it, you’re asking yourself: how many Arlo cameras can I actually have on one account?

If you’re anything like me, you want to blanket your home in smart security without juggling multiple logins, apps, or subscriptions. Arlo makes it tempting to go all-in—especially with their modular ecosystem and cloud-based features. But there’s a limit to how many devices one account can handle, and understanding those limits can save you time, money, and frustration. In this post, I’ll walk you through the real-world numbers, the fine print, and the smart ways to scale your Arlo setup—no fluff, just practical advice from someone who’s been there.

Understanding Arlo Account Limits: The Official Numbers

What Arlo Says on Paper

Arlo’s official stance is clear: you can have up to 15 cameras on a single account. This applies to most Arlo models, including the Arlo Pro, Ultra, Essential, and even the newer battery-powered models. Whether you’re using Wi-Fi, cellular, or a mix of both, the 15-camera cap is consistent across the board. This limit is baked into Arlo’s account architecture, meaning it’s not a recommendation—it’s a hard technical boundary.

But here’s the kicker: that number isn’t just about cameras. It includes all Arlo-branded devices tied to your account. That means:

• Arlo cameras (indoor, outdoor, doorbell, floodlight, etc.)
• Arlo SmartHubs or Base Stations
• Arlo Solar Panels (if registered as devices)
• Arlo Sirens (if connected directly)

For example, if you have 12 cameras and 2 SmartHubs, you’ve already used 14 of your 15 slots. That leaves just one for a future doorbell or backup camera. Not ideal if you’re planning a full-home setup.

Why 15? The Technical and Practical Reasons

So why 15? It’s not random. Arlo designed this limit based on:

• Bandwidth and server load: Each camera streams video, sends alerts, and syncs data to the cloud. Too many devices can overwhelm Arlo’s servers, leading to laggy notifications or missed events.
• User experience: The Arlo app is built to manage 15 devices efficiently. Beyond that, the interface gets cluttered, and features like “All Cameras” views become sluggish.
• Subscription tiers: Arlo’s cloud storage plans (more on this later) are priced per camera. The 15-camera limit aligns with their highest-tier plans, keeping costs manageable for most users.

Think of it like a party: Arlo wants you to invite enough guests (cameras) for full coverage, but not so many that the host (the app) can’t keep up. It’s a balance between flexibility and functionality.

Real-World Scenarios: How Families Use Arlo Accounts

Small to Medium Homes (3–6 Cameras)

For most households, 3–6 cameras are plenty. Here’s a typical setup:

• Front door (Arlo Video Doorbell)
• Backyard (Arlo Pro 5 or Ultra)
• Garage (Arlo Essential)
• Living room (Arlo Baby or indoor cam)
• Driveway (Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight)

This covers entry points, high-traffic areas, and valuables. With 6 cameras, you’re using 40% of your account limit—plenty of room to expand later. Plus, Arlo’s free tier (7-day cloud storage for 3 cameras) works well here. You might even skip a paid subscription if you’re okay with shorter retention and fewer AI features.

Large Homes or Multi-Property Setups (10–15 Cameras)

Now, imagine a 2,500 sq ft house with a detached workshop, pool, and guest cottage. You might need:

• 3 outdoor cameras (front, back, side)
• 2 indoor cameras (living room, hallway)
• 1 doorbell
• 1 garage camera
• 1 workshop cam (with motion detection)
• 1 poolside cam (waterproof)
• 1 guest cottage cam
• 2 SmartHubs (one for main house, one for cottage)

That’s 12 devices. Add a solar panel or siren, and you’re at 14. You’re close to the cap, but still functional. The catch? You’ll need Arlo’s Premier plan ($9.99/cam/month) to unlock 30-day storage, 4K video, and person/package detection for all cameras. At 12 cameras, that’s $120/month—a significant investment.

Workarounds for 15+ Cameras: The “Two Account” Strategy

What if you need 20 cameras for a sprawling estate or rental properties? Arlo’s answer: use two accounts. Here’s how it works:

1. Create a primary account for the main house (15 cameras).
2. Set up a secondary account for the cottage, rental unit, or business (5+ cameras).
3. Use the same email for both, but different passwords.
4. Switch between accounts in the Arlo app (tap your profile > “Switch Account”).

Pros: No technical hacks, full cloud features, and separate subscriptions.
Cons: You’ll need to check two apps, and sharing footage with family requires manual logins.
Pro tip: Label your cameras clearly (e.g., “Main House – Backyard” vs. “Cottage – Front”) to avoid confusion.

Arlo Subscription Tiers: How They Affect Camera Limits

Free vs. Paid Plans: What You Get (and What You Lose)

Arlo’s subscription model is where the 15-camera limit really matters. Here’s the breakdown:

Plan	Price	Storage	Cameras Supported	Key Features
Free	$0	7-day cloud storage	Up to 3 cameras	Basic motion detection, 1080p video
Secure	$2.99/cam/month	30-day cloud storage	Up to 5 cameras	Person/package detection, activity zones
Secure Plus	$9.99/cam/month	60-day cloud storage	Up to 15 cameras	4K video, e911, 24/7 emergency response
Premier	$14.99/cam/month	60-day cloud storage	Up to 15 cameras	All Secure Plus features + 24/7 professional monitoring

Notice the pattern? The free and Secure plans cap out at 3–5 cameras. To use all 15 slots, you must upgrade to Secure Plus or Premier. That’s a big jump: from $0 to $150/month for a full 15-camera setup. For budget-conscious users, this can be a dealbreaker.

The “Per-Camera” Pricing Trap

Here’s a common mistake: assuming you can mix plans. For example, putting 3 cameras on Secure ($2.99/cam) and 12 on Secure Plus ($9.99/cam). Not possible. Arlo requires all cameras on an account to share the same plan. If you want 4K for one camera, you pay Secure Plus rates for all of them. This means:

• Adding a single high-end camera (like an Arlo Ultra) can force you to upgrade the entire account.
• You might pay for features you don’t need (e.g., e911 on a camera facing the backyard).

Smart tip: Start with the Secure plan (5 cameras max) and upgrade only when you hit the limit. Or, use local storage (microSD cards) for non-critical cameras to avoid cloud costs.

Technical Limitations: Beyond the 15-Camera Rule

Wi-Fi and Network Bandwidth

Even if you stay under 15 cameras, your home network might be the real bottleneck. Each Arlo camera uses:

• Wi-Fi bandwidth: 1–4 Mbps per camera (depending on resolution and motion).
• Router capacity: Most routers support 20–30 devices, but Arlo’s constant streaming can strain older models.

For example, 10 cameras recording 4K video could use 40 Mbps—nearly half your 100 Mbps internet plan. If you’re also streaming Netflix or gaming, you’ll see buffering and dropped connections.
Fix: Use a dual-band router (2.4 GHz for cameras, 5 GHz for devices), or connect cameras via Ethernet (if using a SmartHub).

SmartHub vs. Base Station: Device Count Matters

Arlo’s SmartHub (or older Base Station) acts as a bridge between your cameras and Wi-Fi. But it has its own limits:

• Each SmartHub supports up to 5 cameras directly connected via its local network.
• Cameras can still stream to the cloud via Wi-Fi, but local features (like microSD recording) require a SmartHub.

So, if you have 15 cameras but only one SmartHub, 10 of them will rely solely on Wi-Fi. This can lead to:

• Higher Wi-Fi congestion.
• No local backup if the internet goes down.

Solution: Use multiple SmartHubs (one for every 5 cameras) or skip them entirely for Wi-Fi-only setups. Just remember: no local storage without a hub.

Scaling Smart: Tips for Large Arlo Setups

Prioritize Coverage Over Quantity

More cameras aren’t always better. A well-placed camera with a wide field of view (like the Arlo Ultra’s 180° lens) can cover an area that would otherwise need two cameras. Ask yourself:

• What’s the critical area I need to monitor? (e.g., front door, not the entire sidewalk).
• Can one camera cover multiple entry points? (e.g., a corner camera facing both garage and side yard).

For example, instead of two cameras for a long driveway, use one with motion tracking. You’ll save a camera slot and reduce subscription costs.

Use Arlo’s “Groups” Feature

The Arlo app lets you organize cameras into Groups (e.g., “Front Yard,” “Indoor,” “Cottage”). This is a game-changer for large setups because:

• You can view all cameras in a group with one tap.
• Customize alerts per group (e.g., only notify you for “Front Yard” at night).
• Share specific groups with family or neighbors (without giving full account access).

Pro move: Create a “Vacation Mode” group that disables non-essential cameras when you’re away, reducing false alerts.

Mix Cloud and Local Storage

To avoid sky-high subscription costs, use microSD cards for cameras that don’t need 24/7 cloud recording. For example:

• Cloud storage for front door and garage (high-traffic areas).
• Local storage (microSD) for backyard and basement (lower priority).

This cuts your subscription needs in half. Just remember: local footage won’t trigger cloud-based AI features (like package detection).

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your Arlo Account

So, how many Arlo cameras can you have on one account? The short answer: 15. But the real answer is more nuanced. It’s not just about the number—it’s about how you use those slots. For most people, 15 is plenty. But if you’re building a fortress of smart security, you’ll need to get creative with accounts, subscriptions, and network setup.

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of Arlo ownership:

• Plan ahead: Map your camera needs before buying. Leave room for future additions.
• Don’t overpay: Use local storage and free tiers where possible. Upgrade subscriptions only when necessary.
• Simplify: Use Groups, SmartHubs, and motion zones to make 15 cameras feel like 5.
• Think long-term: Arlo’s ecosystem works best when you grow with it—not all at once.

At the end of the day, Arlo’s 15-camera limit is a feature, not a flaw. It forces you to think critically about coverage, cost, and convenience. And that’s a good thing. Because the best security setup isn’t the one with the most cameras—it’s the one that works seamlessly, every day, without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Arlo cameras can you have on one account?

Arlo allows up to 20 cameras on a single account for most subscription plans, including the Basic, Premier, and Elite tiers. This limit ensures smooth performance and centralized management of all your devices.

Can I add more than 20 Arlo cameras to one account?

No, the maximum number of Arlo cameras per account is capped at 20. If you need more, consider creating a separate account or contacting Arlo support for enterprise solutions.

Does the number of Arlo cameras on one account affect video quality?

No, video quality remains consistent regardless of how many Arlo cameras you have on one account. However, bandwidth and storage may be impacted if all cameras stream or record simultaneously.

Is there a limit to how many Arlo cameras you can have without a subscription?

Yes, even without a subscription, you’re still limited to 20 Arlo cameras per account. Free users get basic features like live streaming and local storage, but cloud recording requires a paid plan.

How do I manage multiple Arlo cameras on one account?

You can manage all your Arlo cameras via the Arlo app or web portal, where you can group devices, set activity zones, and customize notifications. The app simplifies monitoring up to 20 cameras seamlessly.

Are there different rules for Arlo Secure plans and camera limits?

No, all Arlo Secure plans—Basic, Premier, and Elite—allow up to 20 cameras per account. The difference lies in features like cloud storage and AI detection, not the number of cameras supported.