Arlo cameras work without a paid subscription, but what you get is limited
Arlo security cameras record video and send alerts to your phone without paying anything. You own the hardware outright once you buy it. However, the free tier stores only your most recent video clips in the cloud for a short time — usually 24 to 30 days depending on the camera model — and you cannot download or back up those recordings. If you want longer storage, more features, or professional monitoring, you will need to pay a monthly or annual subscription.
The subscription question matters because Arlo offers several tiers, and the cost and features vary. Understanding what is free and what costs money helps you decide whether the camera system fits your budget before you buy the hardware.
Key Takeaways
- Arlo cameras record and send phone alerts for free, but cloud storage lasts only 24 to 30 days and you cannot download videos without a subscription.
- Arlo Secure and Arlo Secure Plus subscriptions add longer storage, video downloads, person detection, and 24/7 professional monitoring, with costs ranging from roughly $3 to $30 per month depending on the plan and how many cameras you own.
- Subscription pricing is per account, not per camera, so adding more cameras to the same account does not increase the subscription cost.
- You can cancel a subscription at any time, and the camera will revert to free-tier features; you will not lose the hardware.
What the free tier includes and does not include
The free Arlo account gives you cloud recording, motion and sound alerts, and the ability to view live video on your phone or computer. When motion or sound triggers the camera, Arlo stores that clip in the cloud at no cost. You can watch the clip within the Arlo app or web portal, and you can share it with other people by sending them a link.
The free tier does not let you download videos to your device, back them up to a computer, or access them after the storage window closes. That window is typically 24 to 30 days, though some older camera models may store for a shorter period. You also do not get person detection (the ability to distinguish a person from an animal or vehicle), continuous recording, or professional monitoring. If you want any of those features, you need a paid plan.
Arlo Secure and Arlo Secure Plus subscriptions
Arlo offers two main paid tiers: Arlo Secure and Arlo Secure Plus. Arlo Secure typically costs around $3 per month per camera or $30 per year per camera, though pricing can vary by region and current promotions. This plan adds person detection, 30-day cloud storage (instead of the free 24 days), video downloads, and the ability to export clips. It also includes activity zones, which let you ignore motion in parts of your video frame.
Arlo Secure Plus costs roughly $10 to $15 per month per camera or $100 to $150 per year per camera. It includes everything in Arlo Secure, plus 60-day cloud storage, 24/7 professional monitoring (a trained operator watches your camera and can contact emergency services if needed), and emergency response dispatch. Professional monitoring is the main reason people choose the Plus tier; it means someone is watching your feed around the clock, not just recording when motion happens.
Both subscriptions are billed per account, not per camera. If you have three cameras on one Arlo account and you buy Arlo Secure, you pay one monthly fee for all three cameras, not three separate fees. This pricing structure makes it cheaper to add cameras to an existing subscription than to start a new account.
How to check your current subscription status
Open the Arlo app or log into the Arlo web portal at arlo.com. Go to your account settings or subscription section — the exact location varies slightly depending on whether you are on mobile or desktop. You will see your current plan listed, the renewal date, and the cost. If you are on the free tier, it will say "Free" or "No subscription."
From the same screen, you can upgrade to a paid plan, downgrade to free, or cancel your subscription. If you cancel, your cameras will stop recording new clips after the current subscription period ends, and you will revert to the free tier. Any clips stored during your paid subscription will remain accessible until they age out of the free storage window.
Professional monitoring and what it actually means
Professional monitoring through Arlo Secure Plus means a monitoring center has access to your camera feed 24 hours a day. When motion is detected, an operator can view the live video and decide whether to contact you or dispatch emergency services. This is different from just getting a phone alert — you do not have to be awake or available to respond.
Professional monitoring requires you to set up an account with the monitoring service and provide your address, phone number, and emergency contacts. You will also need to decide what triggers a dispatch call — for example, you might tell the monitoring center to call police only if motion is detected between midnight and 6 a.m., not during business hours. The monitoring center will call you first to confirm there is actually an emergency before dispatching.
Not all Arlo camera models support professional monitoring. Check the product page for your specific camera to see whether Arlo Secure Plus is available for it. Older or entry-level models may only support Arlo Secure.
Canceling or changing your subscription
You can cancel your Arlo subscription at any time through the app or web portal. There is no cancellation fee or penalty. Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period — if you pay monthly and cancel on the 15th of the month, you keep the service until the end of that month. After the billing period ends, your account reverts to free tier, and your cameras continue to work with the free storage and features.
If you downgrade from Arlo Secure Plus to Arlo Secure, or from Arlo Secure to free, the change takes effect on your next billing date. You will not lose any video clips that were recorded during your paid subscription, but once the free storage window passes, those clips are deleted. If you want to keep videos permanently, download them before you cancel or downgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to view my camera live?
No. You can watch live video from your Arlo camera on the free tier. You only need a subscription if you want to download videos, get person detection, access longer storage, or have professional monitoring.
What happens to my videos if I cancel my subscription?
Videos stored in the cloud during your paid subscription remain accessible until they age out of the free storage window, which is typically 24 to 30 days. After that, they are deleted. Download any videos you want to keep before your subscription ends.
Can I have different subscription levels for different cameras?
No. Subscriptions are per account, not per camera. All cameras on your account share the same subscription level. If you want different features for different cameras, you would need to create separate Arlo accounts.
Is there a discount if I pay annually instead of monthly?
Yes. Arlo Secure typically costs less per month if you pay for a full year upfront rather than month-to-month. The exact discount varies, but annual plans are usually around 20 to 30 percent cheaper than paying monthly.
Can I use Arlo cameras without internet?
Arlo cameras need internet to send alerts and store video in the cloud. Without internet, the camera records locally to a hub if you have one, but you cannot view the video remotely or receive notifications on your phone.