Arlo subscriptions add cloud storage and features to your cameras
Arlo cameras work without a subscription — they record locally to your hub or device — but a subscription unlocks cloud backup, person detection, and longer video history. Arlo offers three paid tiers plus a free plan, each with different storage limits and detection features. The subscription is separate from the camera hardware cost and renews monthly or annually depending on which plan you choose.
Your choice depends on how many cameras you own, how long you want to keep recordings, and whether you need advanced detection like package or vehicle alerts. A household with one or two cameras might use the free plan or Essential tier. Homes with multiple cameras or those wanting 30 days of rolling history typically move to Premium or Elite.
Key Takeaways
- Arlo's free plan stores 7 days of video in the cloud and includes basic motion detection on all cameras.
- Paid plans range from Essential to Elite, with costs varying based on whether you pay monthly or annually and how many cameras the plan covers.
- Person detection, package detection, and vehicle detection are available only on paid tiers, not the free plan.
- Subscriptions cover one camera, three cameras, or unlimited cameras depending on the tier you select.
- You can mix subscription tiers across different cameras or pause a subscription if you need to stop temporarily.
Arlo's free plan and what it includes
The free Arlo plan gives you 7 days of cloud video storage and basic motion detection at no cost. This works for anyone who checks their cameras regularly or who has a hub that stores video locally as backup. The free tier covers all your cameras — there is no per-camera limit.
The trade-off is that you cannot use person detection, package detection, or vehicle detection on the free plan. You also cannot create custom activity zones or receive advanced notifications. If you miss a recording during those 7 days, it is gone unless you downloaded it manually.
Essential, Premium, and Elite tiers compared
Arlo's paid tiers stack features and storage on top of each other. Essential is the entry point for people who want longer history and person detection. Premium adds package and vehicle detection plus 30 days of storage. Elite includes all detection types, 30 days of storage, and some advanced features like video search by object type.
| Plan | Cloud Storage | Person Detection | Package Detection | Vehicle Detection | Cameras Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 7 days | No | No | No | All |
| Essential | 30 days | Yes | No | No | 1 camera |
| Premium | 30 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 cameras |
| Elite | 30 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unlimited |
Pricing varies by region and changes periodically, so check Arlo's website for current rates. Monthly plans cost more per month than annual plans when you divide the yearly cost by 12, so annual billing saves money if you plan to keep the subscription active.
If you own more cameras than a single tier covers, you can buy multiple subscriptions — for example, one Premium plan for three cameras and one Essential plan for a fourth camera. You can also downgrade, upgrade, or cancel at any time, though annual plans typically cannot be refunded mid-year.
How person, package, and vehicle detection work
Person detection uses artificial intelligence to distinguish between a person and other motion, like wind moving a tree or an animal passing by. This reduces false alerts and helps you focus on recordings that actually show someone at your door or on your property. Person detection is included on Essential and higher tiers.
Package detection identifies boxes and parcels, useful for knowing when a delivery has arrived. Vehicle detection recognizes cars and trucks. Both are available only on Premium and Elite plans. These detections work on recorded video after the fact — Arlo analyzes the footage and tags it, so you can search or filter by object type later.
All detection features work on Arlo's cloud servers, not on your camera itself. This means the camera sends video to Arlo's servers, where the analysis happens, and then Arlo stores the tagged results. If privacy is a concern, understand that your video passes through Arlo's systems for this processing.
Monthly versus annual billing and cost trade-offs
Arlo offers both monthly and annual payment options. Annual plans cost less per month but require paying the full year upfront. Monthly plans let you pay as you go but cost more overall. For example, if a plan costs $3 per month on annual billing, the monthly option might cost $4 or $5 per month.
Annual billing makes sense if you are confident you will keep the cameras and subscription for a full year. Monthly billing works better if you are testing the service, planning to move, or unsure whether you will keep the system. Some people buy annual plans for their main cameras and monthly plans for temporary or seasonal cameras.
Arlo sometimes offers discounts or promotional pricing, especially during sales events. Check whether a discount applies before you commit to a plan, since switching plans mid-year can be costly.
What happens if you cancel or pause your subscription
If you cancel a paid subscription, your cameras revert to the free plan. Any video stored in the cloud beyond 7 days is deleted. Local storage on your hub (if you have one) is not affected — that recording stays on the hub regardless of your subscription status.
Arlo allows you to pause a subscription for up to 3 months without canceling it. This is useful if you are traveling, renovating, or temporarily disabling cameras. When you resume, your plan picks up where it left off. Pausing does not delete your video history the way canceling does.
If you own multiple cameras with different subscriptions, you can cancel or pause individual plans without affecting the others. This flexibility lets you adjust coverage as your needs change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to use Arlo cameras at all?
No. Arlo cameras record and send live video without a subscription. The free plan includes 7 days of cloud storage and basic motion alerts. A subscription adds longer storage, person detection, and advanced features, but the cameras function without it.
Can I use Arlo without a hub?
Some Arlo models work over WiFi without a hub, while others require one. If your camera connects directly to WiFi, you do not need a hub. If it requires a hub, the hub connects to your router and the cameras connect to the hub. Check your camera model to confirm which setup applies.
What happens to my video if I downgrade from Premium to Essential?
Your storage limit drops to what Essential covers, and older video beyond that limit is deleted. If you have 30 days of video on Premium and downgrade to Essential, you keep 30 days on Essential, but if Essential later fills up, the oldest video is removed first.
Can I share my subscription with family members?
Yes. Family members can be invited to view the same cameras through the Arlo app. The subscription covers all invited users — you do not buy separate subscriptions for each person. However, only the account owner can manage the subscription itself.
Does Arlo offer a discount for multiple cameras?
Arlo's tiered plans are designed to cover multiple cameras at a lower per-camera cost. Premium covers 3 cameras, and Elite covers unlimited cameras. Buying one Premium plan is cheaper than buying three Essential plans, so the multi-camera tiers provide the discount.