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Compare · Content date 2026-10-28

Arlo or Blink: which costs less to own?

Arlo cameras can record locally without a plan; cloud history requires an Arlo Secure plan; Blink cameras can record locally without a plan; cloud history requires a Blink Subscription Plan. With four of each brand's cheapest camera, Blink costs about $168 less over three years ($1,000 for Arlo vs $832 for Blink). These totals use the cheapest cloud-recording plan and exclude local-storage hardware. Pick on coverage and app first: the cheapest camera isn't always the right one for your yard.

Find the right next stepRead the guide ↓

3-year cost with the cheapest camera

ArloBlink
Cheapest cameraArlo Essential (3rd Gen) BatteryBlink Outdoor 2K+
1 camera $430$70 + $9.99/mo (Smart Aware, 1 camera)$244$100 + $3.99/mo (Basic)
2 cameras $859$140 + $19.98/mo (Smart Aware, 1 camera)$487$200 + $7.98/mo (Basic)
4 cameras $1,000$280 + $19.99/mo (Smart Aware, unlimited cameras)$832$400 + $11.99/mo (Plus)
Cloud recording planOptionalOptional
Works withAlexa, Google Home, SmartThingsAlexa

What's free and what's paid

Arlo

Without a plan Arlo keeps live view, push notifications and two-way audio but no cloud video history. Local recording needs an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station (USB drive or microSD); Arlo Go 2 takes a microSD card.

On the Arlo Pro 6, free features are live view, motion alerts and two-way talk ; a plan adds any recorded video, cloud video history, person detection, package detection and vehicle detection.

  • Arlo Secure Smart Aware, 1 camera: $9.99/mo, 1 device
  • Arlo Secure Smart Aware, unlimited cameras: $19.99/mo, unlimited devices
  • Arlo Secure Smart Secure: $29.99/mo, unlimited devices
  • Arlo Secure Ultra Secure: $49.99/mo, unlimited devices

Blink

Without a plan you get live view (5-minute sessions), motion alerts and two-way audio. Clips save locally for free with a Sync Module 2 and a USB drive, or a Sync Module XR and a microSD card, both sold separately. The Sync Module XR+ (announced October 21, 2026) also takes a microSD card.

On the Blink Outdoor 2K+, free features are live view ; a plan adds any recorded video, cloud video history, person detection and vehicle detection.

  • Blink Subscription Plan Basic: $3.99/mo (CA$5.00 in Canada), 1 device
  • Blink Subscription Plan Plus: $11.99/mo (CA$15.00 in Canada), unlimited devices
  • Blink Subscription Plan Basic ai: $6.99/mo (CA$8.99 in Canada), 1 device
  • Blink Subscription Plan Plus ai: $19.99/mo (CA$25.99 in Canada), unlimited devices

All Arlo and Blink models we track

ModelTypePricePlanner-ready
Arlo Pro 6Camera$124.99Yes
Arlo Essential (3rd Gen) BatteryCamera$69.99Yes
Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen)Doorbell$79.99Specs incomplete
Blink Outdoor 2K+Camera$99.99Yes
Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight CameraFloodlight$99.99Specs incomplete
Blink Wired Floodlight CameraFloodlight$99.99Specs incomplete

Which to choose

  • If the monthly fee is the deciding factor, Blink is cheaper to own over three years by about $168 for four cameras.
  • Arlo's plan buys cloud history, so your clips survive if a camera is stolen. Local storage on a camera's own card doesn't.
  • Match the app you already use: Arlo lists Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings; Blink lists Alexa.

MAKE IT FIT YOUR HOME

Choose your next step

Use the conditions from this guide as a starting point. Your current list stays in place while you compare.

Choose a bundle or individual devices, then add them to My list for compatibility checks and store links. A selected quantity is not a guarantee of coverage.

Sources & checks

Content date 2026-10-28. Product prices and specifications have their own checked dates on each model page.