What Furbo Subscription Gives You
Furbo is a pet camera made by a company called Furbo, Inc. The subscription service adds cloud recording, video history, and alerts to the basic camera hardware. Without a subscription, the camera works as a live-view device only — you can watch your pet in real time through the app, but the camera does not save video or send you notifications when it detects motion or sound.
The subscription tier determines how far back your video history goes and what features you can use. Furbo offers two paid tiers: a monthly plan and an annual plan. Both give you the same features; the annual plan costs less per month if you pay upfront for the whole year.
The subscription does not include the camera hardware itself. You buy the Furbo camera separately, usually from the Furbo website, Amazon, or other retailers. The subscription is optional — the camera will still function without it, but you lose cloud storage and motion alerts.
Key Takeaways
- Furbo subscription adds cloud video recording and motion alerts to your camera; without it, you can only watch live video in real time.
- Furbo offers a monthly subscription and an annual subscription at different price points, with the annual plan costing less per month.
- The subscription price varies by region and may change; check the Furbo app or website for current rates in your area.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time through the Furbo app without penalty or remaining balance.
How to Start a Furbo Subscription
First, you need a Furbo camera and a Furbo account. When you set up the camera for the first time, the app walks you through creating an account with your email address and a password. Once the camera is connected to your Wi-Fi and linked to your account, you can add a subscription.
Open the Furbo app, go to the Settings or Account section, and look for Subscription or Premium options. The app shows you the two plans side by side with their prices. Tap the plan you want, and the app takes you to a payment screen where you enter a credit card or debit card. After payment processes, your subscription begins when ready.
If you choose the annual plan, you are charged once per year on the same date. If you choose the monthly plan, you are charged once per month. Both plans renew automatically unless you cancel.
What Video History and Cloud Storage Means
With a subscription, video from your Furbo camera is stored on Furbo's servers, not on your phone or a local device. This means you can watch recordings from days or weeks ago without needing to keep the app open or have the camera plugged in constantly.
The length of your video history depends on your subscription tier. Furbo typically offers 30 days of rolling cloud storage with a paid subscription, meaning the oldest video automatically deletes after 30 days to make room for new recordings. The exact retention period may vary by plan, so check your app or the Furbo website for the current details.
Cloud storage is not unlimited. If your camera records continuously, it will use more storage faster. Furbo compresses video to manage storage, but the amount of footage you can retrieve depends on how much motion and activity the camera detects.
Motion and Sound Alerts
A subscription unlocks notifications that alert you when the camera detects motion or sound. Without a subscription, the camera does not send these alerts, even if something happens while you are away.
You control alert sensitivity in the app settings. You can choose to receive notifications for all motion, only significant motion, or sound above a certain volume. You can also set quiet hours so the camera stops sending alerts during times you specify — useful if you do not want notifications while you are sleeping or at work.
Alerts arrive as push notifications on your phone. Tapping the notification opens the app and shows you a clip of what triggered the alert, so you can see what your pet was doing without having to scroll through hours of video.
Canceling Your Subscription
You can cancel at any time through the Furbo app without contacting customer support or paying a cancellation fee. Open Settings or Account, find your Subscription section, and select Cancel Subscription. The cancellation takes effect when ready, though you keep access to your subscription features through the end of your current billing period.
If you paid for an annual plan and cancel partway through the year, Furbo does not refund the unused portion. Monthly subscriptions end at the end of your current month — you are not charged again after you cancel.
After your subscription ends, your cloud video history is deleted, and you lose access to motion alerts and recorded video. The camera itself continues to work for live viewing.
Subscription Pricing and Regional Differences
Furbo subscription pricing varies by country and region. In the United States, monthly plans typically cost less than the annual plan divided by 12, which is why paying annually saves money. However, exact prices change and may differ based on your location or current promotions.
Check the Furbo app or the official Furbo website for the current price in your region. Some retailers or promotions may offer discounted first months or bundled pricing with camera purchases, but these deals are temporary and not may provide.
Furbo occasionally offers free trial periods for new subscribers, usually 7 to 30 days. If a trial is available, the app shows it during signup. After the trial ends, you are charged at the regular rate unless you cancel before the trial period closes.
What Happens Without a Subscription
The Furbo camera works without a subscription, but with significant limitations. You can open the app and watch live video of your pet in real time as long as the camera is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. You can also use the two-way audio feature to talk to your pet through the camera's speaker.
Without a subscription, you do not receive motion or sound alerts, and you cannot view past video. If you close the app or your phone goes to sleep, you lose the live feed. There is no way to check on your pet later or know if something happened while you were not watching.
Some Furbo models include a treat-tossing feature that works without a subscription, though the number of treats you can dispense may be limited. Check your camera's manual or the app to see which features are available on your specific model without a paid plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Furbo without paying for a subscription?
Yes. The camera works for live viewing without a subscription. You can watch your pet in real time through the app and use two-way audio. You just cannot receive alerts, view past video, or access cloud storage. A subscription is optional, not required.
What happens to my video if I cancel my subscription?
Your cloud video history is deleted when your subscription ends. You lose access to all recorded footage. If you want to keep videos, read them to your phone before you cancel, though this depends on whether your camera model and app version support video downloads.
Can I change from a monthly plan to an annual plan?
Yes. You can cancel your monthly subscription and start an annual one at any time through the app. Your monthly subscription ends at the end of your current billing period, and you can begin the annual plan when ready after. You are not charged twice.
Is there a contract or commitment with Furbo subscription?
No. Both monthly and annual plans renew automatically, but you can cancel anytime without penalty. If you choose the annual plan, you pay for the full year upfront, but you can still cancel and lose access after your current period ends — Furbo does not refund unused time.
Do I need a subscription to use the treat dispenser?
Most Furbo models allow treat dispensing without a subscription, though the number of treats per day may be limited. Check your specific camera model's features in the app or manual. A subscription does not unlock or change treat-dispensing capability on most models.