Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (2024)

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Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (1)

Arlo Subscription Plans

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (8)

Senior Staff Writer, Security & Smart Home

May 12, 2023

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Arlo security cameras offer some of the best video quality on the market, but an Arlo Secure cloud storage plan can unlock your camera's full potential. Let's dig into the costs, features, and common questions about Arlo's subscription plans.

Best outdoor camera

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (9)

Arlo Pro 4

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (10)

4.15

$199.99

Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Arlo Secure subscription plans

  1. Compare Arlo Secure plans

  2. Which Arlo plan should I get?

  3. Arlo Secure FAQ

Video: Can You Use Arlo Cameras Without a Subscription?

Learn more in our full Arlo Pro 4 review.

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Compare Arlo Secure plans

Plan

Price

Number of cameras

Cloud storage

Basic features Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (11)

Advanced features Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (12)

e911 emergency calls

Learn more

$0.005None

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (14)Yes

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (15)No

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (16)No

View on Arlo
$2.99/mo.130 days

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (18)Yes

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (19)Yes

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (20)No

View on Arlo
$9.99/mo.Unlimited30 days

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (22)Yes

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (23)Yes

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (24)No

View on Arlo
$14.99/mo.Unlimited30 days

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (26)Yes

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (27)Yes

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (28)Yes

View on Arlo

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Arlo Secure features

Without a plan

Your Arlo camera comes with essential features that work without a monthly fee like live viewing, basic notifications, and two-audio. That said, we think Arlo's paid plans are worth it for their extra features.

  • Watch live videos: You can watch a live feed from your camera anytime.
  • Basic notifications: Your camera will tell you when it detects motion so you can view live footage on your phone or use two-way audio.
  • Two-way audio: You can talk with visitors through the Arlo app, which uses your Arlo camera like an intercom. This is a handy way to thank your neighbor for bringing in the mail while you're out of town.

Arlo Secure

The Arlo Secure plan's cost changes based on how many cameras you want cloud storage for:

  • Arlo Secure (Single Camera) costs $2.99 a month.
  • Arlo Secure (Unlimited Cameras) costs $9.99 a month.

Here are some features you unlock with a paid plan:

  • Event-based recording: Most Arlo cameras use batteries. To preserve battery power, all cameras on the plan record short videos when detecting motion (instead of recording 24/7).
    • Arlo stores recordings for up to 30 days.
    • This plan covers video quality up to 2K resolution.
  • Interactive notifications: You can control the camera using rich notifications without opening the Arlo app. This makes it easier to activate the siren or call a friend if you need help. It even shows a quick animated preview of what's on your camera.
  • Smoke and CO alarm detection: The camera listens for your smoke detector and sends a notification so you can get out of the house and call for assistance.
  • Smart motion detection: The camera uses AI to categorize notifications and videos according to what it sees—people, animals, vehicles, packages, and movement within designated activity zones. This is useful for telling the camera to alert you only when someone walks by.
  • 10% discount: You can save money on products you buy from Arlo's online shop.

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (29)

Does Arlo only record when it detects motion?

While Arlo's plans rely exclusively on motion detection to record an event, you can upgrade to Continuous Video Recording on cameras using a power cord. (It's not available on battery-powered cams because it drains batteries too fast.) Fair warning, this is an expensive add-on because you need a separate CVR plan for each camera. ​​Arlo's CVR add-on starts at $9.99 per month for 14-day storage and moves up to $19.99 a month for 30-day storage.

Arlo Secure Plus

If you upgrade to Arlo's top-tier plan, you'll unlock e911 emergency calling and video storage in 4K. E911 is a handy tool but might not be for everyone. 4K video storage is more of a luxury for folks that want the best video quality in their recordings.

  • 4K video storage: If you have an Arlo Ultra 2 security camera, you can store its full 4K video resolution. This is different from the standard Arlo Secure Plan, which downgrades the Ultra's video quality to 2K for storage. This doesn't affect other Arlo cameras since they don't have 4K video.
  • E911 emergency response: This feature means you can contact emergency services near your home instead of your phone's location if you're on vacation. It's also a convenient way to call for help in an emergency.

Which Arlo plan should I get?

We think Arlo Secure (Unlimited Cameras) is the best option for most folks because it provides all of Arlo's best features on unlimited cameras at a single address. Still, we recommend paying for the single-camera plan if you have fewer than four cameras.

Pros and cons of paying for Arlo Secure

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (30)

Pros

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (31) Cloud video storage

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (32) Competitive pricing

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (33) Advanced features

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (34) Arlo store discount

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (35)

Cons

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (36) No free cloud storage on newer cameras

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (37) Ongoing costs

If you're still looking for the perfect camera to go with your plan, we suggest checking out our Arlo cameras review. If you want to learn more about other security camera options, head over to our rankings of the best wireless cameras.

Arlo Secure FAQ

Is Arlo Secure worth the money?

We generally think Arlo Secure is worth the monthly fee since there's no other way to save videos with Arlo, and the added features help you get the most out of your Arlo cameras. It helps that Arlo's prices are competitive with rivals like Ring and Google Nest but better than brands without unlimited camera options like Reolink, Eufy, and Wyze.

Does Arlo still work without a subscription?

You can access the following features on Arlo cameras without paying for an Arlo Secure plan:

  • Live view video footage
  • Two-way audio
  • Basic motion detection alerts
  • Battery life warnings
  • Adjust most camera settings
  • Local storage (when using a base station)

Does Arlo have free storage?

Arlo's oldest cameras have seven days of free cloud recording, but the feature isn't available on the newest models. This free storage option doesn't include any other elements from paid Arlo Secure plans but still allows for live viewing and basic notifications.

Here are the Arlo cameras that qualify for free storage:

  • Arlo Wire-Free
  • Arlo Pro
  • Arlo Pro 2
  • Arlo Q
  • Arlo Q Plus
  • Arlo Go
  • Arlo Baby

You can skip the monthly fee for newer models by linking them to an Arlo base station, which supports local storage. The Arlo Ultra and Arlo Pro 3 include base stations in their starter kits, but it's an extra purchase if you have other cameras like the Arlo Pro 4, Arlo Essential, and Arlo Essential Doorbell.

How many cameras can I have on an Arlo account?

There is no camera limit if you pay for an Arlo Secure plan. It's unclear if this applies to all Arlo Secure plans or just the tiers that specifically mention unlimited cameras like Arlo Secure (Unlimited Cameras) and Arlo Secure Plus. Without a plan, you can expect to use five cameras in total.

Can two phones connect to Arlo?

You can authorize multiple users—each with their own Arlo account—to access your cameras from the Arlo app. You can even choose which cameras a user can access. However, Arlo doesn't support a single account running on two devices at the same time.

Why does Arlo charge a monthly fee?

Monthly fees help offset the ongoing costs of cloud server maintenance like electricity, employee wages, additional equipment, and building leases while creating a reliable source of profit. Fortunately, it's not a one-way street since you benefit from the features Arlo offers in exchange for your subscription.

What is Arlo Smart?

Arlo Smart is the previous version of Arlo's cloud storage—it's no longer available for purchase. While each Arlo Smart plan was similar to its Arlo Secure counterpart, it didn't have features like E911 or video storage for unlimited cameras.

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (38)

Written by

John Carlsen

John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over nine years of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Top Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020.John holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has yet to complete.

Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (39) Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (40)

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Arlo Subscription Plans | SafeWise (2024)

FAQs

Does Arlo have a monthly fee? ›

Your Arlo camera comes with essential features that work without a monthly fee like live viewing, basic notifications, and two-audio. That said, we think Arlo's paid plans are worth it for their extra features. Watch live videos: You can watch a live feed from your camera anytime.

Can I still use Arlo without subscription? ›

Arlo doesn't block you from every feature in this camera if you opt to go without a subscription. You can view the live feed from the camera and watch people or cars go by. The two-way talk function lets you talk to anyone on the other side of the door.

How many Arlo cameras can you have without paying? ›

No subscription

Without an Arlo Smart subscription, you can still add up to 5 cameras to your Arlo account, live stream, and receive motion and audio notifications.

Does Arlo record for free? ›

Arlo Pro, Pro 2, Q, Q+, Go, Baby, and Arlo Wire-Free (VMC3030): Live streaming up to 1080p resolution. 7-day free cloud recording in up to 1080p resolution, maximum five (5) cameras.

How much is Arlo subscription for a year? ›

If you have multiple Arlo cameras, the subscription costs $12.99 a month. That subscription didn't go up this time — it increased from $9.99 last year. There's still the option to pay annually, now for $89.99 a year for one camera, up from $59.99, or $149.99 a year for unlimited cameras.

What are the drawbacks of Arlo cameras? ›

Some cons to using an Arlo camera include that the cameras can be expensive to purchase and need to be plugged into an outlet to work. Another con is that the live-streaming footage can be low quality if not connected to a strong internet connection.

Is Arlo or EUFY better? ›

Is Arlo camera better than Eufy? Arlo cameras can record in 4K resolution, while Eufy's cameras only support up to 2K resolution. In addition, Arlo's night vision and audio are superior to Eufy's.

Is Arlo Secure worth it? ›

Should you sign up for Arlo Secure? Most homeowners will find a standard Arlo Secure plan to be a worthwhile investment. Without a plan, you won't be able to store your video history in the cloud and will only receive the most basic of notifications.

Are Arlo cameras good? ›

Bottom Line. Arlo has long been known as a manufacturer of high-quality, well-designed security products. Their smart features — like AI-driven notifications — help keep their customers safe without gimmicks, and their long battery life and easy DIY installation make them a great choice for most homeowners.

How long can Arlo record videos? ›

You can also set your Arlo cameras to record videos for a fixed length from 10 seconds to 2 minutes long. Recording requires either an Arlo Secure subscription or local storage. For more information, visit: What is Arlo Secure and how can I benefit from it?

How many phones can be connected to Arlo? ›

Also, you can only be logged into an account from one device at a time. So you and your wife can't both be logged in using your phone at the same time unless you are using different accounts. What you need is to share the cameras with with your wife's account using the "friend" account feature.

Which doorbell camera does not require subscription? ›

Lorex 4K Wired Video Doorbell

Lorex does all-in on the local storage aspect of video doorbells. Without cloud storage, there's less need to worry about downloading footage, no subscriptions, and almost no fears of compromised privacy.

What is the Arlo controversy? ›

Specifically, Arlo is accused of engaging in the unauthorized collection, storage, and sharing of the personal information of its customers.

Does Arlo only record when motion is detected? ›

If there is no motion in the room continuous record will continue to record until motion is detected. Labels: Related Labels: Troubleshooting.

How long do Arlo batteries last? ›

How long do Arlo camera batteries last? Battery life expectations: Arlo wire-free camera batteries last approximately 3–6 months with average use. Arlo Go camera batteries last approximately 2–3 months with average use, depending on mobile signal strength.

Is Ring or Arlo better? ›

The bottom line: Ring is cheaper but Arlo is still better

However, Arlo does slightly edge out Ring in a couple of important areas. Arlo generally does better at the higher end, offering excellent features and a very impressive suite of security services for its higher subscription tiers.

Is nest or Arlo better? ›

If you want a good quality video with advanced motion detection technology, go for Arlo cameras and video doorbells. On the contrary, if you want a high-resolution camera and better-integrated surveillance network that is less expensive and offers sound performance, go for Nest.

Do you have to pay monthly for Arlo Pro 4? ›

You will require a paid subscription for a pro4 camera when the trial subscription expires to have arlo cloud storage and services.

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