Blink subscription pricing and what you get
Blink offers two main per-camera subscription tiers: Blink Basic and Blink Plus. Basic costs $3 per month per camera and includes cloud video storage for 30 days, motion alerts, and live view. Blink Plus costs $10 per month per camera and adds person detection, package detection, and animal detection to those features.
You can also buy an annual plan instead of paying month-to-month. Annual plans cost $30 for Basic (equivalent to $2.50 per month) and $100 for Blink Plus (equivalent to $8.33 per month). If you have multiple cameras, you pay the subscription price for each one separately under these per-camera plans.
Blink also offers Blink Subscription Plus, which covers all your Blink cameras and devices under one subscription for $10 per month or $100 per year. This plan is usually cheaper than paying per-camera if you own more than one device, since the per-camera plans multiply the cost for each camera you own.
Key Takeaways
- Blink Basic costs $3 per month per camera and stores video for 30 days with motion alerts and live view.
- Blink Plus costs $10 per month per camera and adds AI detection for people, packages, and animals.
- Annual plans save money compared to month-to-month: $30 per year for Basic and $100 per year for Blink Plus.
- Blink Subscription Plus covers all your cameras and devices for $10 per month or $100 per year, which is cheaper than per-camera plans if you own multiple devices.
- Without a subscription, Blink cameras still work for live view and motion alerts, but video is not stored in the cloud.
What happens if you don't pay for a subscription
Blink cameras function without a subscription, but with significant limits. You can still view live video from your camera through the Blink app and receive motion alerts on your phone. However, video clips are not saved to the cloud, so you cannot review what happened when you were not watching.
If you want to keep video recordings, you need either a subscription or a Blink Sync Module 2 (a separate device you purchase once for around $35). The Sync Module stores video locally on a USB drive you connect to it, which means you own the footage and do not pay monthly fees for storage. This is a one-time cost instead of ongoing subscription payments.
How much each plan costs over time
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blink Basic (per camera) | $3 | $30 | One camera, basic recording needs |
| Blink Plus (per camera) | $10 | $100 | One camera, AI detection features |
| Blink Subscription Plus (all devices) | $10 | $100 | Multiple cameras or devices |
| Blink Sync Module 2 (one-time) | — | ~$35 | Local storage, no monthly fees |
If you own two cameras and choose per-camera plans, you pay $6 per month for two Basic subscriptions or $20 per month for two Plus subscriptions. The same features under Blink Subscription Plus cost $10 per month regardless of how many cameras you own, making it the cheaper choice once you have more than one device.
Over a full year, the savings add up. Two cameras on Basic per-camera plans cost $72 annually; the same two cameras on Blink Subscription Plus cost $100 annually. At three cameras, per-camera plans cost $108 to $360 per year while Blink Subscription Plus stays at $100.
What features cost extra beyond the subscription
The subscription covers cloud storage and detection features, but some Blink services are separate purchases. Blink Video Doorbell and Blink Outdoor cameras are hardware you buy upfront, then pay the subscription fee to use their cloud features. You do not pay extra per feature within the subscription itself.
If you want to store video locally instead of in the cloud, the Blink Sync Module 2 is a one-time purchase of approximately $35. This device connects to your home network and stores footage on a USB drive, so you avoid monthly subscription costs but you manage the storage yourself. Some users choose this route if they want to keep recordings permanently without paying ongoing fees.
Subscription billing and cancellation
Blink charges subscriptions through your Amazon account if you signed up through Amazon, or through your Blink account if you signed up directly. Monthly plans renew automatically on the same date each month. Annual plans renew after 12 months.
You can cancel your subscription at any time through the Blink app or your account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — if you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you keep access until the next billing date. If you cancel an annual plan, you lose access immediately and do not receive a refund for unused time.
Comparing Blink to other camera subscription models
Different camera brands charge subscriptions differently. Some charge per camera, some charge per account regardless of camera count, and some offer free cloud storage with limited features. Blink's model is per-camera for Basic and Plus, but offers an all-devices plan at Blink Subscription Plus that becomes cheaper as you add more cameras.
The local storage option through the Sync Module is unusual — many competitors do not offer a way to avoid cloud subscription fees. If you want to own your video footage and not pay monthly, the Sync Module is the Blink option that lets you do that, though it requires you to manage the storage device yourself and buy the hardware upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for a subscription to use Blink cameras?
No. Blink cameras work without a subscription for live view and motion alerts. You only need to pay if you want video clips saved to the cloud. If you want cloud storage, you can either pay a subscription or buy a Blink Sync Module 2 for local storage instead.
Is Blink Subscription Plus cheaper than paying per camera?
Yes, if you own more than one camera. Blink Subscription Plus costs $10 per month for all your devices, while per-camera plans cost $3 to $10 per camera per month. With two cameras on per-camera plans, you pay $6 to $20 per month; with Blink Subscription Plus, you pay $10 per month total.
Can I switch between monthly and annual plans?
Yes. You can change your plan type through the Blink app or account settings. If you switch from monthly to annual, you pay the annual rate. If you switch from annual to monthly, the change takes effect when your annual plan expires.
What if I cancel my subscription mid-year?
On a monthly plan, cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period and you keep access until then. On an annual plan, cancellation is immediate and you do not receive a refund for the unused portion of the year.
Does the subscription price include the camera itself?
No. The subscription is only for cloud storage and features. You buy Blink cameras separately as hardware. The subscription fee is what you pay each month or year to use the cloud storage and detection features on cameras you already own.