Answers · guide reviewed 2026-10-28
Does Arlo work without a subscription?
Partly. Without an Arlo Secure plan, Arlo cameras and doorbells keep live view, motion alerts and two-way talk; saved video: no cloud history. Local recording only through an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, or a microSD card in Arlo Go 2. The cheapest plan that saves video is Smart Aware, 1 camera at $9.99 a month for one device ($95.88 a year), CA$12.49 in Canada; Smart Aware, unlimited cameras covers every device for $19.99 a month, with 60 days of video history. Checked 2026-10-28 on Arlo's plan and support pages.
By the How Many Cameras editorial team · Manufacturer specifications and planning estimates; not hands-on product tests.
Arlo with and without a plan
| Feature | No plan | Smart Aware, 1 camera ($9.99/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Motion alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Two-way talk | Yes | Yes |
| Saved video | No cloud history. Local recording only through an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, or a microSD card in Arlo Go 2. | Cloud history, 60 days |
| Person, package or vehicle alerts | Plan feature on this brand | Yes |
| Local storage route | USB drive on a SmartHub or Base Station with a USB port; microSD in the VMB5000 SmartHub | — |
From Arlo's support and plan pages, checked 2026-10-28. Feature availability can differ by model; open a model page for its exact free and paid features.
The plans that save video
- Smart Aware, 1 camera: $9.99 a month or $95.88 a year. US. Formerly Secure Plus. 60-day cloud history; person, vehicle, animal and package detection.
- Smart Aware, unlimited cameras: $19.99 a month or $215.88 a year. US. Unlimited cameras at one address.
- Smart Secure: $29.99 a month. US. Formerly Secure Premium. Adds 24/7 emergency response; professional monitoring needs an Arlo Home Security System. Arlo's pages disagree on the annual price, so none is listed.
- Ultra Secure: $49.99 a month or $479.88 a year. US. Adds 24/7 recording on up to 3 cameras on AC power, kept 30 days.
Full tier table, Canadian prices and 3-year fees: Arlo subscription cost: Arlo Secure plans in the US and Canada.
What four cameras cost over 3 years
| Setup | Hardware | Plan, 36 months | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × Arlo Essential (3rd Gen) Battery with Smart Aware, unlimited cameras | $280 | $720 | $1,000 |
| 4 × TP-Link Tapo C120, local storage | $160 | $0 | $160 |
| 4 × Wyze Cam v4, local storage | $180 | $0 | $180 |
| 4 × Reolink Argus MagiCam, local storage | $260 | $0 | $260 |
Compare 4 cameras with no planA doorbell with no plan
Arlo models we track
- Arlo Pro 6: local recording available; cloud plan optional, $124.99
- Arlo Essential (3rd Gen) Battery: local recording available; cloud plan optional, $69.99
- Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen): local recording available; cloud plan optional, $79.99
Related questions
Can I use an Arlo doorbell without a subscription?
Yes for live view, motion alerts and two-way talk. No cloud history. Local recording only through an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, or a microSD card in Arlo Go 2. A paid plan adds cloud history; local recording depends on the hardware and model conditions above.
Does Arlo record without a subscription?
No cloud history. Local recording only through an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, or a microSD card in Arlo Go 2. Local storage: USB drive on a SmartHub or Base Station with a USB port; microSD in the VMB5000 SmartHub.
What is the cheapest Arlo plan?
Smart Aware, 1 camera: $9.99 a month for one device or $95.88 a year in the US; CA$12.49 a month in Canada. Checked 2026-10-28.
Is it cheaper to buy cameras that don't need a plan?
Over 3 years, four Arlo Essential (3rd Gen) Battery cameras with Smart Aware, unlimited cameras cost about $1,000; four TP-Link Tapo C120 cameras, which record to local storage, cost $160. You give up Arlo's cloud history and app features.
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Use the conditions from this guide as a starting point. Your current list stays in place while you compare.
CHOOSE DEVICES
Cameras without a paid recording plan
Choose your camera quantity, then compare local-recording setups. Power stays undecided until you choose it.
Compare in My list → Plan positions firstCHOOSE DEVICES
One doorbell, no recording subscription
Compare one doorbell with local recording. Choose battery or wired power to match your entrance.
Compare in My list → Plan positions firstChoose 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
- Arlo: what works without a plan
- Arlo: plans and prices, US (checked 2026-10-28)
- Arlo: plans and prices, Canada
- How we compute 3-year cost
Guide checked 2026-10-28. Product prices and specifications have their own checked dates on each model page.