Arlo subscription plans add cloud storage and advanced features to your camera system

Arlo cameras work without a subscription — they record to local storage or send alerts to your phone. A subscription adds cloud video storage, person detection, and other features that cost money to run. Arlo offers several tiers, each covering a different number of cameras and adding different capabilities. The plans are month-to-month or annual, and pricing varies depending on which cameras you own and which features matter to you.

You choose a plan based on how many cameras you want to monitor and what detection features you need. A household with two cameras and basic motion alerts needs a different plan than someone running six cameras who wants to know when a person (not just movement) appears on screen. Arlo also sells a plan with no subscription at all, though it limits what your cameras can do.

Key Takeaways

  • Arlo cameras record without a subscription, but cloud storage and person detection require one.
  • Plans cover a set number of cameras and range from basic motion detection to advanced features like package detection and emergency response integration.
  • Annual plans cost less per month than month-to-month plans for the same features.
  • Arlo's free tier stores video locally or on your own network drive, with no monthly cost but limited remote access.
  • You can mix plan types — some cameras on a basic plan, others on a premium plan — though this requires separate subscriptions.

Arlo's subscription tiers and what each one covers

Arlo offers four main subscription levels. The Essential plan covers one to five cameras and includes 30 days of cloud storage, motion detection, and basic alerts. The Premier plan covers up to 10 cameras, adds person detection (so you get fewer false alerts from wind or animals), and stores 30 days of video. The Premier Plus plan covers up to 15 cameras and adds package detection, vehicle detection, and animal detection — each type of motion triggers a separate alert. The Elite plan covers unlimited cameras and adds emergency response integration, so Arlo can contact local emergency services on your behalf if you trigger an alarm.

Each plan also includes 24/7 emergency dispatch (where available), cloud backup of your camera settings, and access to Arlo's mobile app and web portal. The difference is how many cameras you can monitor at once and which types of motion the system learns to recognize. If you have three cameras and only need motion alerts, Essential is enough. If you have eight cameras and want to know when a person walks across your yard but ignore the cat, you need Premier or higher.

Arlo also sells a free tier with no subscription. It stores video on a local hub or network drive you own, sends motion alerts to your phone, and lets you view live video through the app. You cannot access 30-day cloud storage or person detection. The free tier works well if you have a hub on your home network and do not need to review old footage from your phone when you are away.

Month-to-month versus annual pricing

Arlo charges less per month if you pay for a full year upfront. A month-to-month Essential plan costs more per month than an annual Essential plan, though both cover the same cameras and features. The difference is usually 15 to 25 percent — an annual plan might cost $100 per year while the same plan month-to-month costs $10 to $12 per month. You save money by committing to a year, but you pay the full amount at once.

If you are unsure whether you will keep the cameras long-term, month-to-month lets you cancel without penalty. If you know you will use them for at least a year, annual pricing is cheaper overall. Arlo sometimes runs promotions on annual plans, especially during the holiday season or when launching new camera models.

How to choose the right plan for your setup

Start by counting how many cameras you own or plan to buy. Essential covers up to five, Premier covers up to ten, Premier Plus covers up to fifteen, and Elite covers as many as you want. If you have four cameras, Essential is enough. If you have twelve, you need Premier or higher.

Next, think about what you want to know. Motion detection alone (included in all plans) tells you something moved. Person detection tells you a person walked across the frame — useful if you want to ignore pets or wind. Package detection, vehicle detection, and animal detection are only in Premier Plus and Elite, and they are useful if you want separate alerts for each type of motion. Emergency response integration (Elite only) is for people who want Arlo to contact 911 on their behalf if they trigger an alarm.

If you have a mix of camera types or locations — say, a doorbell camera you want to monitor closely and a backyard camera you check less often — you can buy separate subscriptions. One subscription might cover your doorbell on Premier Plus, and another might cover your backyard on Essential. This costs more than a single plan but lets you pay for only what you need.

What happens if you cancel or downgrade

If you cancel a subscription, your cameras stop recording to the cloud and stop sending person-detection alerts. They still record locally if you have a hub, and they still send basic motion alerts to your phone. You can restart a subscription at any time — there is no penalty for pausing and restarting.

If you downgrade from Premier Plus to Essential, you lose package, vehicle, and animal detection immediately. Your cameras still record motion and send basic alerts. If you downgrade from a plan that covers ten cameras to one that covers five, you choose which five cameras stay on the plan. The other five stop recording to the cloud.

Arlo subscription and other Arlo services

Arlo subscription is separate from Arlo Secure, which is a paid service that adds 24/7 professional monitoring and emergency dispatch. Some Arlo plans (Premier and higher) include emergency dispatch at no extra cost, but Arlo Secure is a separate product you buy in addition to a subscription if you want professional monitoring.

Arlo also sells extended warranties and technical support plans. These are optional and do not affect your subscription. Your subscription covers cloud storage and detection features only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a subscription to use Arlo cameras at all?

No. Arlo cameras record motion and send alerts without a subscription. You lose cloud storage and person detection, but the cameras still work. If you have a hub, video stores locally. If you do not have a hub, you can only view live video, not recorded clips.

Can I use one subscription for cameras at two different locations?

Yes. A subscription covers a set number of cameras, not a location. You can monitor cameras at your home, your office, and your vacation property under the same plan as long as you do not exceed the camera limit.

What if I buy a new camera after I already have a subscription?

If your current plan covers more cameras than you own, the new camera is included at no extra cost. If you are already at the limit (five cameras on Essential, ten on Premier), you need to upgrade to a higher tier or buy a second subscription for the new camera.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

Arlo does not offer a formal pause option, but you can cancel and restart at any time without penalty. When you restart, you pay the current price for the plan you choose — it may be different from what you paid before.

Does Arlo subscription include technical support?

Basic support is included with all subscriptions. You can contact Arlo through the app or website. Extended support or priority phone support is sold separately as an add-on.