Blink's Free and Paid Options
Blink offers both free and paid tiers. You do not need a paid subscription to use basic Blink cameras — they will record and send alerts without one. However, Blink's paid plan, called Blink Subscription Plan, adds cloud video storage and some extra features that the free tier does not include.
The free tier lets you arm and disarm your system, receive motion and person alerts on your phone, and view live video from your cameras. You can also manually save video clips to your phone when you see something you want to keep. What you cannot do for free is store video automatically in the cloud or access a searchable video history.
If you want Blink to save every video clip to the cloud so you can review it later without manually saving each one, you need the paid subscription. This is the main reason people choose to pay.
Key Takeaways
- Blink cameras work without a subscription — you get live view, motion alerts, and manual video saving at no cost.
- The paid Blink Subscription Plan costs money per month and stores all your video clips in the cloud automatically.
- Without the subscription, video clips are deleted after 24 hours unless you manually save them to your phone.
- The subscription price varies depending on how many cameras you have and which plan tier you choose.
- You can cancel the subscription at any time and return to the free tier without losing your cameras or system setup.
What the Free Tier Includes
With no subscription, your Blink system still sends you notifications when motion is detected or when a person is spotted (if your camera has person detection). You can open the Blink app and watch live video from any camera at any time. You can also manually save individual video clips to your phone's photo library if you want to keep them.
The free tier is designed for people who want to monitor their home in real time but do not need a permanent video record. If you are home most of the time or only want to check in occasionally, the free option may be all you need. Many people use free Blink cameras as a second system in a garage or guest room where they do not expect frequent activity.
What the Paid Subscription Adds
The Blink Subscription Plan automatically saves every video clip your cameras record to Blink's cloud servers. Instead of losing clips after 24 hours, you can go back weeks or months and search for specific events. This is useful if you need to review something that happened days ago or if you want a complete record for insurance or security purposes.
The subscription also includes extended video history — typically 30 to 60 days depending on your plan level — so you have a longer window to find and review footage. Some subscription tiers also include additional features like advanced person detection or the ability to share video access with family members, though these vary by plan.
Blink offers different subscription tiers based on the number of cameras you own. A single camera plan costs less than a plan for multiple cameras. You can also add a subscription to just one camera if you have several and only want cloud storage for some of them.
How Video Storage Works Without a Subscription
When you do not have a subscription, Blink keeps video clips on its servers for 24 hours. After that, they are deleted automatically. If you want to keep a clip, you must save it to your phone before the 24-hour window closes. Saving a clip takes a few seconds — you open the video in the app and tap the save button.
This system works well if you check your app regularly and save important footage as it happens. It does not work well if you want a searchable archive or if you might not notice something happened until days later. For example, if a package is stolen from your porch on Monday but you do not check the video until Wednesday, the footage will already be gone.
Subscription Pricing and Plan Options
Blink's subscription pricing varies. The company offers plans for individual cameras and plans that cover multiple cameras at a lower per-camera rate. Pricing also changes periodically, so the exact cost depends on when you sign up and which tier you choose.
You can view current pricing directly in the Blink app under the subscription section, or on Blink's website. Most plans are billed monthly, though some offer annual billing at a discount. You can change or cancel your subscription at any time through the app — there is no contract or early termination fee.
Some people bundle Blink with other Amazon services. If you have an Amazon Prime membership or subscribe to other Amazon services, check whether any bundle deals are available, as they may reduce the overall cost.
When You Might Want the Subscription
The subscription makes sense if you want a complete video record of your home. This is especially useful if you are away for extended periods, if you live in an area with package theft or break-ins, or if you want footage for insurance claims. It is also helpful if you have multiple cameras and want to monitor activity across your entire property without manually saving clips.
Parents sometimes use the subscription to keep an eye on babysitters or nannies. Landlords may use it to document tenant damage. Small business owners use it to monitor storefronts or back entrances. In all these cases, the automatic cloud storage and searchable history justify the monthly cost.
If you rarely check your cameras or only want to monitor one specific area, the free tier may be sufficient. You can always start with free and upgrade later if you find you need the storage.
Canceling or Downgrading Your Subscription
If you have a paid subscription and decide you do not need it, you can cancel through the Blink app in the subscription settings. Cancellation takes effect when ready, and you will not be charged for the next billing cycle. Your cameras will continue to work on the free tier — you will just lose cloud storage and return to the 24-hour clip retention.
Any video clips you saved manually to your phone will remain there. Clips stored only in the cloud will be deleted according to Blink's retention policy. If you want to keep important footage before canceling, read or save those clips to your phone first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to see live video from my Blink camera?
No. Live video is free on all Blink cameras. You only need a subscription if you want automatic cloud storage of recorded clips. Without a subscription, you can still watch live feeds and manually save clips to your phone.
What happens to my video if I cancel the subscription?
Video stored in the cloud is deleted according to Blink's policy, usually within a few days. Clips you manually saved to your phone remain there. If you want to keep important footage, save it to your phone before you cancel.
Can I have a subscription on some cameras but not others?
Yes. If you own multiple Blink cameras, you can add a subscription to individual cameras or groups of cameras. This lets you pay for cloud storage only on the cameras where you need it most.
Is there a way to store video without paying Blink?
Blink does not offer local storage on the cameras themselves. Your options are manual saving to your phone (free) or the cloud subscription. Some people use third-party video storage services, but these require additional setup and are not officially supported by Blink.
Can I try the subscription before committing to it?
Blink sometimes offers free trial periods for new subscribers. Check the subscription section of the app to see if a trial is currently available. Even if there is no trial, you can cancel at any time without penalty if you decide the subscription is not worth it.