Arlo subscription plans and their monthly prices

Arlo offers three main subscription tiers for cloud storage and features, plus a free tier with limited storage. The paid plans are Arlo Secure, Arlo Secure Plus, and Arlo Secure Elite. Prices vary depending on whether you subscribe monthly or annually, and whether you're protecting one camera or multiple devices across your home.

Arlo Secure (the entry-level paid plan) costs around $2.99 per month when billed monthly, or roughly $27 per year when billed annually. Arlo Secure Plus runs approximately $9.99 per month or $99 per year. Arlo Secure Elite, the highest tier, costs around $19.99 per month or $199 per year. These prices apply to a single camera or device. If you have multiple cameras, you'll need to decide whether to subscribe to each one separately or use a household plan.

Arlo also offers household plans that cover multiple cameras under one subscription. A household plan typically costs more than a single-camera subscription but less than paying for each camera individually. The exact household pricing depends on how many cameras you want to cover and which tier you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Arlo's free tier provides basic cloud storage but limited video retention, while paid plans unlock 24/7 recording, person detection, and longer storage windows.
  • Monthly billing costs more per year than annual billing, so paying annually saves money if you plan to keep the subscription long-term.
  • Household plans cover multiple cameras under one subscription and cost less than subscribing to each camera separately.
  • Prices listed here are approximate and may change; check Arlo's website or your account settings for current rates in your region.

What each subscription tier includes

The free tier gives you cloud storage for recent video clips, but retention is limited — typically 7 days or less depending on how much activity your cameras record. You can view live video and receive notifications, but you won't get advanced features like person detection or continuous recording.

Arlo Secure adds 30 days of cloud storage, person and vehicle detection (so notifications tell you what triggered the camera, not just that motion occurred), and the ability to save clips to your library. This tier is useful if you want to keep a month's worth of footage and reduce false alerts from passing cars or animals.

Arlo Secure Plus extends storage to 60 days and adds emergency response features — Arlo can contact emergency services on your behalf if you request it during a live view. It also includes advanced activity zones so you can ignore motion in certain parts of your camera's view.

Arlo Secure Elite provides 180 days of storage (six months), all the features of the lower tiers, plus 24/7 continuous recording rather than event-based clips. This tier is for people who want a complete video record of everything their cameras see, not just moments when motion or sound is detected.

Annual versus monthly billing

Paying annually costs significantly less than paying month-to-month over the same 12-month period. For example, Arlo Secure costs $2.99 per month if billed monthly ($35.88 per year) but only $27 per year if you pay upfront. That's a savings of roughly $9 per year on the lowest tier, and the difference grows larger on higher tiers.

The trade-off is that annual billing requires you to commit upfront and pay the full amount at once. If you're unsure whether you'll keep the subscription or want to test it first, monthly billing lets you cancel without penalty after 30 days. Many people start with monthly billing to confirm the service meets their needs, then switch to annual billing once they're committed.

Single camera versus household plans

If you have only one Arlo camera, a single-camera subscription is straightforward — you pay the per-tier price and that camera is covered. But if you have two or more cameras, a household plan usually offers better value than subscribing to each camera individually.

Household plans bundle multiple cameras under one subscription at a discounted rate. For instance, a household plan might cost $5.99 per month for up to three cameras on Arlo Secure, whereas subscribing to three cameras individually would cost $8.97 per month. The savings increase with more cameras and higher tiers.

To set up a household plan, you'll need to add all your cameras to the same Arlo account and then select the household option during subscription. Arlo's app walks you through this process, and you can adjust which cameras are covered if you add or remove devices later.

What happens without a paid subscription

Arlo cameras work without a subscription — you can view live video and receive motion alerts on your phone. However, without a paid plan, your cloud storage is minimal and video clips expire quickly. The free tier typically stores clips for 7 days or fewer, so if you don't download or save important footage within that window, it's gone.

Some Arlo cameras also offer local storage options through a hub or microSD card, which means you can record without paying for cloud storage. Local storage doesn't require an internet connection to record (though you'll need internet to view remotely), and it can hold weeks or months of footage depending on your camera's resolution and the storage device's capacity. This is a one-time cost rather than a recurring subscription.

Regional pricing and currency differences

The prices mentioned here are in US dollars and apply primarily to customers in the United States. Arlo operates in multiple countries, and subscription costs vary by region due to local taxes, currency exchange rates, and regional pricing strategies. If you're outside the US, log into your Arlo account or visit Arlo's website for your country to see pricing in your local currency.

Some regions also have different plan names or features bundled differently. For example, certain countries may offer plans that include additional services or have different storage limits. Always check your account or Arlo's regional site rather than assuming US pricing applies to you.

How to manage or cancel your subscription

You can change your subscription tier, switch from monthly to annual billing, or cancel entirely through your Arlo account settings. Most changes take effect immediately or at the start of your next billing cycle, depending on what you're changing. If you downgrade to a lower tier, you'll keep access to that tier's features right away, but you won't be refunded for the difference if you're mid-cycle.

Canceling a subscription stops future charges but doesn't delete your account or camera access — you'll just lose cloud storage and premium features and revert to the free tier. If you cancel mid-cycle, you typically keep access to your paid tier through the end of that billing period. Check your account settings or contact Arlo support to confirm the exact timing for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a subscription to use my Arlo camera?

No. Arlo cameras work without a subscription — you can view live video and get motion alerts. However, cloud storage is very limited on the free tier (usually 7 days or less), and you won't get advanced features like person detection or longer storage. Local storage through a hub or microSD card is an alternative if you want to record without paying for cloud storage.

Can I share a subscription with multiple people?

Yes, if you set up a household plan. A household plan covers multiple cameras under one subscription and can be shared with family members or other people you invite to your Arlo account. Each person can view the cameras and receive alerts, but only the account owner can change subscription settings.

What's the difference between Arlo Secure and Arlo Secure Plus?

Arlo Secure Plus offers double the cloud storage (60 days instead of 30) and adds emergency response features that let Arlo contact emergency services on your behalf during a live view. If you don't need emergency response and 30 days of storage is enough, Arlo Secure is the more affordable choice.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-cycle?

Most subscription services, including Arlo, do not refund unused portions of a billing cycle. If you cancel mid-month, you'll keep access to your paid tier through the end of that month, then revert to the free tier. Check your account or contact Arlo support to confirm the refund policy for your specific situation.

Why is annual billing so much cheaper than monthly?

Annual billing discounts are common across subscription services because they may provide the company a full year of revenue upfront and reduce payment processing costs. The savings can be 20 to 30 percent depending on the tier. If you're committed to using the service long-term, annual billing is the better financial choice.