How Many Arlo Cameras Can You Have Without a Subscription

You can use up to 5 Arlo cameras without a subscription, allowing basic functionality like live streaming and motion alerts directly through the Arlo app. This free tier is ideal for small setups, but lacks cloud storage, AI detection, and advanced features reserved for paid plans.

Key Takeaways

• No subscription needed: Arlo lets you use up to 5 cameras free with basic features.
• Local storage option: Skip cloud storage and use microSD cards for recordings.
• Live view access: Stream footage in real-time without a subscription.
• Motion alerts included: Get basic notifications even without a plan.
• Upgrade for more: Add more cameras or features with paid plans later.

How Many Arlo Cameras Can You Have Without a Subscription

Let’s face it—home security is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. Whether you’re keeping an eye on your front porch, monitoring a mischievous pet, or just want peace of mind when you’re away, smart security cameras like Arlo have become household staples. But there’s a catch that trips up a lot of us: the subscription. You’ve probably seen those ads—“No monthly fees!”—only to realize that while the camera itself doesn’t *require* a plan, some of the best features (like cloud storage and AI detection) are locked behind a paywall.

So, here’s the real question: How many Arlo cameras can you have without a subscription? It’s not just about the number. It’s about what you can actually *do* with them when you’re not paying for a plan. Can you still record? Can you access footage later? Can you use more than one camera? I’ve been down this road myself—setting up a mix of indoor and outdoor Arlo cams, testing the limits, and learning what works (and what doesn’t) when you’re subscription-free. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from how many cameras you can use to the practical ways to make it work—no fluff, no hype, just real talk from someone who’s been there.

Arlo’s Free Features: What You Get Without a Subscription

Before we dive into how many cameras you can use, let’s talk about what you actually get when you skip the subscription. Arlo’s free tier isn’t completely empty—there’s still plenty of value, especially if you’re willing to get a little creative with your setup.

Live Viewing and Motion Alerts

Even without a subscription, you can use the Arlo app to watch live feeds from your cameras. That means if the doorbell rings or your dog starts barking at the window, you can open the app and see what’s happening in real time. You’ll also get motion alerts sent to your phone—these pop up as notifications, letting you know when the camera detects movement. It’s not perfect (more on false alerts later), but it’s a solid start for basic monitoring.

Local Recording Options

This is where things get interesting. Arlo cameras can record to a local storage device, like a USB drive or microSD card (depending on the model). For example:

• Arlo Pro 4, Pro 5, and Ultra 2 support USB drives plugged into the base station.
• Arlo Go and Arlo Essential models often have microSD card slots for direct storage.

With local recording, you can save clips directly to your own device—no cloud, no fees. The catch? You’ll need to manually manage the storage. Once the drive fills up, it’ll overwrite old footage (usually oldest first). So if you want to keep specific clips, you’ll need to back them up regularly—like copying videos to your laptop or an external hard drive.

AI Detection (Limited)

Here’s where Arlo’s free tier starts to show its limits. While you can still get motion alerts, advanced detection features—like person, package, vehicle, or animal recognition—are only available with a subscription. Without it, all motion triggers an alert, regardless of whether it’s a tree branch, a passing car, or your neighbor walking by. This can lead to a lot of “false alarms,” which gets old fast. But hey, you can still use the live view to check each alert manually. It’s more work, but it’s doable.

Practical Tip: Use Activity Zones Wisely

Even without AI, you can reduce false alerts by setting up activity zones in the Arlo app. These let you define specific areas where motion should trigger alerts (like your front porch) and ignore others (like the street or a busy sidewalk). It’s a simple but effective way to cut down on noise. I’ve used this with my backyard camera—focusing only on the gate and patio—and it made a noticeable difference.

How Many Cameras Can You Use Without a Subscription?

Now, the million-dollar question: How many Arlo cameras can you have without a subscription? The short answer: There’s no hard limit. Arlo doesn’t cap the number of cameras you can connect to the app or base station just because you’re not paying. I’ve personally run six cameras (a mix of Pro 4s and Essentials) on a single account without any issues.

Technical Limits: Base Station and Hub Support

The real constraints come from hardware, not software. Most Arlo setups rely on a base station or hub (like the Arlo SmartHub or the original base station). Here’s what you need to know:

• Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000): Supports up to 15 cameras.
• Original Base Station (VMB4000): Supports up to 5 cameras.
• Wi-Fi Direct Models (like Arlo Essential): Connect directly to your router, so no base station is needed. You can add as many as your Wi-Fi network can handle (usually 10–20 devices).

So if you’re using a SmartHub, you can have up to 15 cameras without a subscription. With the older base station, it’s five. And with Wi-Fi-only models, the limit is more about your home network than Arlo’s rules.

Storage and Bandwidth Considerations

While you can technically connect many cameras, practical performance matters. More cameras mean:

• More local storage needed (if using USB/microSD).
• More strain on your Wi-Fi network (especially if multiple cameras stream live at once).
• More alerts and clips to manage in the app.

I learned this the hard way when I added a third camera. Suddenly, my USB drive filled up in two days, and my Wi-Fi started lagging when all three were streaming. The fix? I upgraded to a 2TB drive and set up a separate 2.4GHz network just for the cameras. It made a huge difference.

Example: A Real-World Setup

Let’s say you’re setting up a 4-camera system:

• Front door (Arlo Essential, microSD card).
• Backyard (Arlo Pro 4, USB drive).
• Garage (Arlo Pro 4, USB drive).
• Living room (Arlo Essential, microSD card).

You can run all four without a subscription. Use activity zones to reduce false alerts, and back up clips weekly. No cloud needed. Just make sure your base station (if you have one) supports that many cameras.

Local vs. Cloud: The Trade-Offs of Going Subscription-Free

Choosing not to subscribe to Arlo’s plans means you’re trading convenience for control. Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can decide what fits your needs.

The Pros of Local Storage

• No recurring fees: You pay once for the camera and storage, then it’s done.
• Full ownership of footage: Your videos stay on your devices, not in the cloud. No risk of data breaches or third-party access.
• No internet needed for recording: If your Wi-Fi goes down, local storage keeps working (as long as the camera has power).
• Customizable storage: You can use high-capacity drives (like 2TB or 4TB) and manage how long footage is kept.

I love this setup for my backyard camera. I keep a 1TB drive in the base station, and it stores about 30 days of 24/7 recording. When it fills up, I copy the files to my laptop and start fresh. It’s simple and reliable.

The Cons of Skipping the Cloud

• No remote playback: If you’re away from home, you can’t access past clips unless you’ve backed them up online (e.g., via Dropbox or a personal server).
• Manual management: You’ll need to check storage regularly, back up clips, and replace drives when they fail.
• No AI detection: As mentioned, you’ll get all motion alerts, not just the “important” ones.
• No smart home integrations: Some features, like Alexa announcements for package deliveries, require a subscription.

The lack of remote playback was my biggest frustration. Last winter, I was visiting family and got an alert about someone at my front door. I could see the live feed, but I couldn’t check the 10-minute clip from earlier because it was stored locally. If I’d had a subscription, I could’ve accessed it instantly from the cloud.

Workarounds to Bridge the Gap

You don’t have to go all-in on local or cloud. Here are a few hybrid ideas:

• Use local for 24/7 recording, cloud for key events: Set up local storage but subscribe to Arlo’s “Essentials” plan ($2.99/month per camera) to get cloud storage for clips triggered by motion. This gives you backup access without breaking the bank.
• Upload clips to a personal cloud: Use a service like Google Drive or Dropbox to back up important videos from your local drive. It’s not automated, but it works.
• Set up a home server: Tech-savvy users can run a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device to store and stream footage remotely.

Maximizing Performance: Tips for a Smooth No-Subscription Setup

Running multiple Arlo cameras without a subscription isn’t hard, but it does take some planning. Here are my top tips to keep things running smoothly.

1. Choose the Right Storage

Not all drives are created equal. For USB storage, look for:

• High endurance: Cameras write to storage constantly, so use drives rated for 24/7 use (like WD Purple or Samsung T7 Shield).
• At least 1TB capacity: More is better. A 512GB drive might only hold 10–15 days of footage, depending on resolution and activity.

I use a 2TB Samsung T7 for my backyard camera. It’s fast, reliable, and hasn’t failed in over a year.

2. Optimize Wi-Fi Performance

Cameras need stable Wi-Fi for live streaming and alerts. To avoid lag or dropouts:

• Place cameras within 30 feet of the router or use a Wi-Fi extender.
• Use a 2.4GHz network (not 5GHz) for better range.
• Set up a separate network for IoT devices to reduce congestion.

I use a TP-Link extender in my backyard, and it’s made a huge difference. No more “camera offline” alerts!

3. Reduce False Alerts

Motion alerts are useful, but too many can be overwhelming. Try these tricks:

• Use activity zones to ignore busy areas (like streets or trees).
• Adjust motion sensitivity (lower it for areas with lots of movement).
• Schedule alert times (e.g., only get alerts between 6 AM–10 PM).

My front door camera used to alert me every time a car passed. After setting up an activity zone focused only on the porch, the alerts dropped by 80%.

4. Backup Your Footage

Local storage isn’t immune to failure. Drives can die, and cameras can be stolen. Protect yourself by:

• Copying clips to your computer or an external drive weekly.
• Using a cloud service (like Google Photos) for critical videos.
• Labeling clips with dates and events (e.g., “2024-04-15_Package_Delivery”).

Comparing Arlo Models: Which Ones Work Best Without a Subscription?

Not all Arlo cameras are equal when it comes to going subscription-free. Here’s how different models stack up.

Best for Local Storage: Arlo Pro 4/5 and Ultra 2

These models shine without a subscription because they support:

• USB storage (via base station).
• High-resolution video (2K or 4K).
• Weatherproofing (for outdoor use).

They’re a bit pricier, but the local storage capability makes them ideal for long-term, no-fee setups.

Best for Budget: Arlo Essential and Arlo Go

The Essential line is great if you’re on a tight budget. Key features:

• microSD card support (no base station needed).
• Affordable price (often under $100).
• Wi-Fi or cellular (Arlo Go).

The catch? Lower video quality (1080p) and fewer smart features. But for basic monitoring, they work great.

Data Table: Arlo Camera Comparison (No Subscription)

Model	Local Storage	Max Cameras per Hub	Best For
Arlo Pro 4/5	USB (base station)	15 (SmartHub)	High-quality outdoor monitoring
Arlo Ultra 2	USB (base station)	15 (SmartHub)	4K video, wide coverage
Arlo Essential	microSD card	Wi-Fi limit (10–20)	Affordable indoor/outdoor use
Arlo Go	microSD card	Wi-Fi or cellular	Remote locations, no Wi-Fi

Final Thoughts: Is a Subscription-Free Arlo Setup Right for You?

So, can you run multiple Arlo cameras without a subscription? Absolutely. You can have as many as your hardware allows—up to 15 on a SmartHub, or even more with Wi-Fi-only models. The real question is: Do you want to?

Going subscription-free gives you full control over your footage and saves you money in the long run. It’s perfect if:

• You’re comfortable managing local storage.
• You don’t need AI detection or remote playback.
• You want to avoid monthly fees.

But it’s not for everyone. If you value convenience, smart alerts, or access to footage when you’re away, a subscription might be worth it—even just for one or two key cameras.

My advice? Start small. Set up one or two cameras with local storage and see how it works for you. If you love it, add more. If you miss the cloud features, try a low-cost plan for just your most important camera. The beauty of Arlo is that you can mix and match—no subscription for the backyard, but a plan for the front door. It’s all about finding the balance that works for your home and your lifestyle.

At the end of the day, security isn’t about having the fanciest tech. It’s about peace of mind. Whether you’re going all-in on local storage or mixing in a little cloud, what matters most is that you feel safe—and that your setup actually works. And with a little planning, you can have a robust, subscription-free Arlo system that does just that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Arlo cameras can you have without a subscription?

You can use up to 5 Arlo cameras without a subscription, but functionality is limited to live streaming and motion-activated alerts. Features like cloud storage, AI detection, and activity zones require an Arlo Secure subscription.

Can I add more than 5 Arlo cameras without a subscription?

No, Arlo restricts non-subscribers to a maximum of 5 cameras. To connect additional cameras, you’ll need an Arlo Secure plan or the older Arlo Smart plan, depending on your camera model.

What features are available for Arlo cameras without a subscription?

Without a subscription, you get basic features like real-time viewing, motion notifications, and 2-way audio. However, recordings are only saved locally via a microSD card or USB drive if your base station supports it.

Do all Arlo camera models work the same without a subscription?

Most modern Arlo cameras (e.g., Pro 3, 4, Ultra) follow the 5-camera limit and local-only recording rule. Older models like the original Arlo or Arlo Q may have slightly different rules but still lack cloud features without a plan.

Is there a way to record Arlo footage without paying for a subscription?

Yes, you can avoid subscription fees by using local storage options like the Arlo SmartHub or base station with a microSD/USB drive. This allows event-based recording without relying on cloud services.

How many Arlo cameras can I use with a single base station without a subscription?

Even with a base station, the 5-camera limit applies for non-subscribers. The base station only enables local storage—it doesn’t increase the number of cameras you can connect without an Arlo Secure plan.