How Many Arlo Cameras Per Account A Complete Guide

Arlo allows up to 20 cameras per account, making it ideal for both small homes and large properties needing comprehensive coverage. This limit applies across all Arlo models, ensuring consistent management and live viewing through the Arlo app or web portal—perfect for users scaling their security setup.

Key Takeaways

• Max 20 cameras: Arlo allows up to 20 cameras per account—ideal for large properties.
• Plan matters: Subscription plans affect camera limits and features like cloud storage.
• Mix models freely: Combine Arlo Pro, Ultra, or Essential cameras in one account.
• Shared access: Share camera access with family via Arlo app without extra fees.
• Wi-Fi load: More than 5 cameras? Ensure strong Wi-Fi to avoid connectivity issues.
• Local storage option: Use Arlo SmartHub to bypass cloud limits and store footage locally.

How Many Arlo Cameras Can You Add to One Account? Let’s Break It Down

Imagine this: You’ve just moved into a new home, excited about setting up a smart security system. You want full coverage—front yard, backyard, driveway, and even a camera inside to keep an eye on the dog while you’re at work. So, you start buying Arlo cameras one by one, only to wonder: How many Arlo cameras can I add to a single account? It’s a question I asked myself years ago, and I’ve learned a lot since then—some through trial and error, some from late-night chats with tech support.

Whether you’re a first-time smart home user or a seasoned DIY security pro, understanding your Arlo account limits isn’t just about convenience—it’s about smart planning. You don’t want to hit a wall halfway through your setup. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Arlo camera limits per account, including real-world scenarios, practical tips, and what happens when you push the boundaries. No fluff, no sales pitch—just honest advice from someone who’s been there.

Understanding Arlo’s Official Camera Limits Per Account

Let’s cut to the chase: Arlo doesn’t publish a single, hard number for how many cameras you can add to one account. Instead, the limit depends on a mix of factors—your hardware, subscription plan, and even the app version you’re using. But don’t worry; I’ve done the digging, and here’s what you need to know.

The Base Limit: What Arlo’s Support Says

According to Arlo’s official support documentation, most consumer accounts can support up to 20 cameras. This applies to standard setups using Arlo’s Wi-Fi-enabled cameras (like the Arlo Pro, Ultra, or Essential series) connected through the Arlo app. That’s the “sweet spot” where everything runs smoothly—no lag, no sync issues, and full access to features like live streaming and motion alerts.

But here’s the catch: This 20-camera limit isn’t universal. Some users report hitting issues at 15 or 18 cameras, especially if they’re using older models or have multiple base stations. Why? Because older hardware (like the Arlo Pro 2 or first-gen Arlo Q) uses different firmware and may not handle large-scale networks as efficiently.

Hardware and Hub Dependencies

Not all Arlo setups are created equal. The number of cameras you can add also depends on your base station or hub:

• Arlo Base Stations (VMB4000, VMB4500, etc.): These can typically handle 5–15 cameras, depending on model and firmware. For example, the VMB4500 supports up to 15 cameras, but only if they’re connected via Ethernet or strong Wi-Fi.
• Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000): This newer hub supports up to 20 cameras and is optimized for mesh networks, making it ideal for large homes or multi-story setups.
• No Base Station (Wi-Fi Cameras): If you’re using Wi-Fi-only cameras (like the Arlo Essential or Ultra 2), they connect directly to your router. In this case, the router’s capacity and Wi-Fi strength become the real limiting factors. Most home routers max out at 20–30 connected devices, so if you already have smart bulbs, thermostats, and tablets, you might hit a wall before you hit 20 cameras.

Pro Tip: If you’re planning to go beyond 10 cameras, consider upgrading to the Arlo SmartHub. It not only increases your camera limit but also improves battery life and video quality through optimized bandwidth use.

Subscription Plans and Camera Limits

Your Arlo subscription plan doesn’t directly cap the number of cameras, but it does affect how many you can actively monitor and record. For example:

• Arlo Secure (Single Plan): Covers one camera with cloud storage and AI features (like person/vehicle detection).
• Arlo Secure Plus (Multi-Camera Plan): Covers up to 10 cameras with full cloud recording and smart alerts.
• Arlo Secure Premium: Supports up to 20 cameras with advanced features like 4K recording and 30-day cloud storage.

So, while you can technically add 20 cameras to your account, you’ll need the Premium plan to get full functionality for all of them. Otherwise, cameras beyond your plan limit will record only to local storage (if supported) or not at all.

Real-World Scenarios: How Families and Businesses Use Arlo at Scale

Limits are one thing—real-world use is another. Let’s look at how different users actually deploy Arlo cameras, and what challenges they face when scaling up.

Case Study: The Suburban Family (12 Cameras)

Meet Sarah, a mom of three who lives in a 2,500 sq ft home with a fenced backyard. Her setup includes:

• 2 front door cameras (Arlo Pro 4)
• 2 backyard cameras (Arlo Ultra 2)
• 1 garage camera (Arlo Essential)
• 1 driveway camera (Arlo Pro 3)
• 2 indoor cameras (Arlo Q Plus)
• 2 basement cameras (Arlo Pro 4)
• 2 side yard cameras (Arlo Essential)

Sarah uses the Arlo SmartHub and the Premium plan. Her setup works flawlessly—but she hit a snag when she tried to add a 13th camera (a baby monitor). The app showed “camera limit reached,” even though she was under the 20-camera cap. After troubleshooting, she realized the issue wasn’t the account—it was her router’s DHCP limit. Her old router only supported 15 IP addresses, so she upgraded to a mesh Wi-Fi system (Netgear Orbi), and the problem disappeared.

Takeaway: Your home network is just as important as your Arlo hardware. Don’t overlook router capacity when scaling up.

Case Study: The Small Business (18 Cameras)

James runs a small retail store with three entrances, a storage room, and a parking lot. His 18-camera setup includes:

• 6 indoor cameras (Arlo Pro 5S)
• 8 outdoor cameras (Arlo Ultra 2)
• 2 parking lot cameras (Arlo Pro 4 with solar panels)
• 2 office cameras (Arlo Q)

James uses two Arlo SmartHubs (one for indoor, one for outdoor) and the Premium plan. He initially tried using one hub, but the app became sluggish, and some cameras dropped connection during peak hours. Splitting the load between two hubs fixed the issue. He also uses local microSD storage on each camera as a backup, since he doesn’t need 30-day cloud retention for all 18 cameras.

Pro Tip: For businesses, consider using multiple accounts or hubs to segment coverage. This improves reliability and makes it easier to manage alerts.

When 20 Isn’t Enough: The Extreme User

Then there’s Mark, a homeowner with a 5,000 sq ft property and a 1-acre yard. He wanted 28 cameras. Arlo’s 20-camera limit was a problem. His solution? Two separate Arlo accounts—one for the house (12 cameras) and one for the yard (16 cameras). He uses the same email but different passwords and syncs them via a third-party app (like Home Assistant) for unified monitoring.

It’s not ideal, but it works. The downside? You lose the ability to view all cameras in one dashboard, and you’ll need two subscriptions if you want cloud storage for all.

Technical Factors That Affect Your Camera Capacity

Beyond the official limits, several technical factors can influence how many Arlo cameras your account can effectively support.

Wi-Fi Bandwidth and Network Congestion

Each Arlo camera streams video over your Wi-Fi network, and high-resolution cameras (like the Arlo Ultra 2) use more bandwidth. Here’s a rough estimate of bandwidth needs:

• Arlo Essential: ~0.5 Mbps per camera (720p)
• Arlo Pro 4/5: ~1.5 Mbps (1080p)
• Arlo Ultra 2: ~4 Mbps (4K)

If you have 20 Arlo Ultra 2 cameras streaming simultaneously, that’s 80 Mbps of bandwidth—more than many home internet plans offer. Even if you’re not streaming all at once, motion events can cause sudden spikes.

Solution: Use a dedicated Wi-Fi network for your cameras (e.g., a separate SSID or VLAN) to avoid congestion with other devices. A mesh Wi-Fi system (like Google Nest or Eero) also helps distribute the load.

App Performance and Phone/Tablet Limits

The Arlo app isn’t designed to handle 20+ live feeds smoothly on a single device. On older phones or tablets, you might experience:

• Lag when switching between cameras
• Delayed motion alerts
• App crashes during live view

Pro Tip: Use the Arlo web dashboard on a desktop or laptop for better performance. You can also create custom camera groups (e.g., “First Floor,” “Backyard”) to reduce clutter.

Battery Life and Solar Panels

More cameras = more battery maintenance. If you’re using battery-powered cameras (like the Arlo Pro 4), adding 20 cameras means you’ll be charging or replacing batteries every 2–3 months—unless you invest in solar panels.

Smart Move: For large setups, prioritize solar-powered cameras (Arlo Pro 5S Solar, Arlo Essential XL) to reduce maintenance. Even better: Use wired cameras (Arlo Ultra 2 Wired) for critical spots.

Workarounds and Creative Solutions for Exceeding Limits

What if you need more than 20 cameras? Or what if you hit a technical wall before the official limit? Here are some smart workarounds.

Use Multiple Arlo Accounts

As Mark did, you can create multiple Arlo accounts under the same email (using “+” aliases, like yourname+home@email.com and yourname+yard@email.com). Each account gets its own 20-camera limit, and you can manage them through separate apps or devices.

Downside: No unified dashboard. You’ll need to switch between accounts to check all cameras.

Combine Arlo with Other Brands

Some users mix Arlo with other smart cameras (like Ring, Eufy, or Google Nest) to avoid hitting limits. For example, use Arlo for outdoor coverage (where its weather resistance and night vision shine) and Ring for indoor cameras (which are cheaper).

Bonus: You can integrate multiple brands using platforms like Home Assistant or IFTTT for a seamless experience.

Leverage Local Storage and NVRs

If you’re using a lot of cameras but don’t need cloud storage for all of them, use microSD cards or a Network Video Recorder (NVR) for local recording. Arlo cameras with microSD slots (like the Pro 4 and Ultra 2) can store footage locally, reducing reliance on cloud plans.

For even more control, consider an Arlo NVR (VMS5140), which supports up to 16 cameras and offers 24/7 recording.

Upgrade Your Infrastructure

Sometimes, the solution isn’t more cameras—it’s better infrastructure:

• Upgrade to a mesh Wi-Fi system with high device capacity.
• Use Ethernet backhaul for hubs to reduce wireless congestion.
• Add PoE (Power over Ethernet) switches for wired cameras.

Data Table: Arlo Camera Limits by Model and Setup

Camera Model	Max per Base Station	Max per Account (Wi-Fi)	Cloud Plan Required	Local Storage?
Arlo Essential	10	20	Secure (1 cam) or Plus (up to 10)	No
Arlo Pro 3/4/5	15	20	Secure Plus or Premium	Yes (microSD)
Arlo Ultra 2	15	20	Premium (for 4K)	Yes (microSD)
Arlo Q/Q Plus	10	20	Secure or Plus	No
Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000)	20	20	Premium (recommended)	Yes (microSD)

Note: “Max per Base Station” assumes optimal Wi-Fi and firmware. Older models may have lower limits.

Final Thoughts: Planning Your Arlo Setup the Smart Way

So, how many Arlo cameras per account? The short answer: Up to 20, but the real answer is: It depends. Your hardware, network, subscription, and usage habits all play a role.

Here’s my advice: Start small. Set up 5–8 cameras first, test performance, and scale up gradually. Monitor your Wi-Fi usage, check app responsiveness, and adjust your plan as needed. If you’re building a large system (15+ cameras), invest in the right infrastructure—SmartHubs, mesh Wi-Fi, and solar panels—before you hit the wall.

And remember: More cameras aren’t always better. Focus on strategic placement over sheer numbers. A few well-placed cameras can cover more ground than a dozen poorly positioned ones. Whether you’re protecting your home, business, or just keeping an eye on the kids, smart planning beats brute force every time.

At the end of the day, Arlo is a powerful tool—but it’s just one part of your security ecosystem. Pair it with strong passwords, regular firmware updates, and a solid backup plan (like local storage), and you’ll have a system that’s not just big, but bulletproof.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Arlo cameras per account can I add without upgrading?

Most Arlo accounts support up to 5 cameras on the free Basic plan. To add more than 5, you’ll need to subscribe to an Arlo Secure plan, which allows up to 15 cameras per account.

Is there a maximum limit to how many Arlo cameras I can have on one account?

Yes, the maximum number of Arlo cameras per account is 15, but only with an active Arlo Secure subscription. Without a subscription, the limit remains at 5 cameras.

Can I manage multiple Arlo cameras per account if they’re different models?

Absolutely. Arlo supports mixing camera models (e.g., Pro 4, Ultra, Essential) on a single account, up to your plan’s camera limit. All devices sync seamlessly through the Arlo app.

Do I need a separate Arlo account for each camera?

No, you don’t need multiple accounts. The Arlo ecosystem is designed to let you manage all your cameras under one account, simplifying access and control via the app.

How does adding more Arlo cameras per account affect performance?

Adding more cameras may increase bandwidth usage, but Arlo’s app and cloud infrastructure handle multiple devices smoothly. Just ensure your Wi-Fi network can support the added load.

Can I share access to all my Arlo cameras with another user?

Yes, Arlo allows you to grant access to another user (e.g., family member) so they can view and manage all your cameras per account through their own login credentials.