Arlo subscription plans and their monthly costs

Arlo offers three main subscription tiers, each with a different price and set of features. The basic plan starts at $2.99 per month, the mid-tier plan costs $9.99 per month, and the premium plan runs $14.99 per month. These prices are per camera, so if you have multiple cameras, you pay for each one separately — though Arlo also sells annual plans at a discount if you pay upfront instead of month-to-month.

The company also offers a free tier with no subscription cost, though it comes with limited storage and no advanced features. This option lets you view live footage and get basic notifications, but recordings are stored for only 24 hours before they disappear.

Arlo occasionally runs promotions that bundle subscriptions with camera purchases or offer discounts for the first few months. These deals change throughout the year, so the price you see when you first buy a camera may not be the price you pay after the promotional period ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Arlo's paid plans range from $2.99 to $14.99 per month per camera, with annual payment options that cost less if you pay the full year upfront.
  • The free tier includes live viewing and notifications but stores recordings for only 24 hours and lacks features like person detection and cloud backup.
  • Each camera requires its own subscription, so a household with three cameras pays three times the monthly fee unless you choose a family plan.
  • Promotional pricing for new customers typically expires after a set period, after which your subscription reverts to the regular monthly rate.

What each subscription tier includes

The $2.99 Essential plan gives you 30 days of cloud storage for video recordings, person detection (the camera can tell the difference between people and other motion), and activity zones so you can ignore motion in parts of your yard. You also get email and push notifications when the camera detects activity.

The $9.99 Premier plan adds 60 days of cloud storage, advanced object detection (distinguishing between people, vehicles, and animals), and the ability to create custom activity rules. You can also read video clips to your phone and use the camera's two-way talk feature without limits.

The $14.99 Elite plan extends cloud storage to 180 days, adds emergency response features (Arlo can contact emergency services on your behalf if you request it), and includes 24/7 professional monitoring. This tier also gives you priority customer support.

The free tier stores video for 24 hours only, offers basic motion detection without person detection, and limits two-way talk to 5 minutes per day. You cannot read clips or use activity zones.

Annual payment versus month-to-month billing

Paying for a full year upfront costs less per month than paying month-to-month. For example, the Essential plan costs $2.99 per month on a monthly subscription, but if you pay annually, the total is usually around $24.99 for the year — roughly $2.08 per month. The exact annual price varies by plan and sometimes by promotion.

If you pay month-to-month, you can cancel anytime without penalty. Annual plans typically require you to commit for the full 12 months, though Arlo's cancellation policy allows refunds within a certain window if you change your mind shortly after purchase. Check the terms when you buy to see what that window is.

Some people choose month-to-month billing if they are testing whether they like the service or if they are not sure how long they will keep the camera. Others choose annual billing to lock in a lower rate and avoid thinking about renewal each month.

Family plans and multi-camera discounts

Arlo offers a family plan that covers multiple cameras under one subscription instead of charging per camera. The family plan typically costs $14.99 per month and covers up to five cameras, which saves money if you have more than one or two cameras. The exact number of cameras included and the price can vary depending on current promotions.

If you have fewer than five cameras, the per-camera plan might be cheaper. For instance, if you have two cameras, paying $2.99 per month for each Essential plan ($5.98 total) costs less than the family plan. But if you have four cameras and want the Essential tier, the family plan becomes the better deal.

The family plan also allows multiple people in your household to view the cameras from their own phones and receive notifications, which is a feature that may not be available on all per-camera plans depending on your Arlo model.

How to check your current subscription and billing date

Open the Arlo app on your phone or log into your Arlo account on the web. Go to Settings, then Subscription or Billing. You will see which plan you are on, when your next billing date is, and the amount you pay. From this screen, you can also upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your subscription.

If you have multiple cameras, the app shows you which subscription is attached to each one. Some cameras might be on the free tier while others are on a paid plan, or you might have a family plan covering all of them. The billing section makes this clear.

Arlo sends a reminder email a few days before your billing date, so you have a chance to cancel or change your plan before you are charged. If you do not receive this email, check your spam folder or log into your account directly to verify your subscription status.

Promotional pricing and what happens when it expires

When you buy an Arlo camera, the retailer or Arlo itself often includes a discounted subscription for the first few months — sometimes three months free, sometimes a reduced rate like $0.99 per month. This promotional period is temporary and clearly stated at the time of purchase.

After the promotion ends, your subscription automatically renews at the regular price unless you cancel. For example, if you got three months of the Premier plan free, on the fourth month you will be charged the full $9.99 unless you downgrade to Essential or cancel entirely. Arlo sends an email before this happens, but it is your responsibility to remember and act if you do not want to pay the full price.

Some people set a phone reminder on the day their promotion ends so they do not forget to cancel or downgrade. Others decide the full price is worth it and let the subscription continue. Either way, the transition from promotional to regular pricing is automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Arlo cameras without paying for a subscription?

Yes, the free tier lets you view live video and receive notifications, but recordings are deleted after 24 hours and you do not get person detection or other advanced features. If you want to keep recordings longer than a day, you need a paid plan.

Do I have to pay for each camera separately?

You can pay per camera or use a family plan that covers multiple cameras for one monthly fee. The family plan is cheaper if you have three or more cameras, but more expensive if you have only one or two.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

Your cameras stop recording to the cloud and you lose access to cloud storage. You can still view live video on the free tier, but you cannot retrieve old recordings. If you resubscribe later, you start fresh with a new subscription period.

Can I downgrade from a higher plan to a lower one?

Yes, you can downgrade anytime through the Arlo app or website. The change takes effect on your next billing date, and you are not charged for the difference if you downgrade mid-cycle.

Is there a contract or cancellation fee?

Month-to-month subscriptions have no contract and no cancellation fee — you can stop anytime. Annual plans require a 12-month commitment, though Arlo typically allows refunds within 30 days of purchase if you change your mind.