Blink subscription pricing and what's included

Blink is a home security camera system owned by Amazon. The company offers a free tier that stores video clips locally on your camera, and a paid subscription called Blink Subscription Plan that adds cloud storage and other features. The subscription costs $3 per month per camera or $30 per year per camera if you pay annually.

The subscription is optional — you can use Blink cameras without it. But without the subscription, you lose access to cloud video storage, which means you can only review footage that's stored directly on the camera's local memory. The subscription also unlocks features like person detection alerts and longer video retention.

Blink also offers Blink+, a broader subscription that covers all cameras and devices on your account. Blink+ costs $10 per month or $100 per year and includes cloud storage for all your cameras, person detection, package detection, and priority customer support.

Key Takeaways

  • Blink Subscription Plan costs $3 per month or $30 per year per individual camera and adds cloud video storage.
  • Blink+ costs $10 per month or $100 per year and covers all cameras on your account with the same cloud storage and detection features.
  • Without a subscription, you can still use your Blink cameras, but video clips are stored only on the camera itself, not in the cloud.
  • Person detection and package detection features require a paid subscription on either plan.

Blink Subscription Plan versus Blink+

If you own only one or two cameras, Blink Subscription Plan at $3 per month per camera may cost less than Blink+. But if you have three or more cameras, Blink+ becomes the better value because it covers all of them for $10 per month instead of $9 or more for individual subscriptions.

Both plans include the same core features: cloud video storage, person detection alerts, and package detection. The main difference is how you pay — per camera or for your whole account. Blink+ also includes priority customer support, which means your support requests are handled ahead of standard support requests.

You can mix and match: some cameras can be on Blink Subscription Plan while others are on Blink+, though this is rarely the most cost-effective choice. Most households find it simpler to choose one plan and stick with it.

What happens without a subscription

Blink cameras work without any subscription. You can still view live video from your phone or web browser, arm and disarm the system, and receive motion alerts. The camera will record video clips when motion is detected.

The catch is storage: without a subscription, video clips are saved only to the camera's local storage, which is limited. Once that storage fills up, older clips are deleted to make room for new ones. You cannot access clips from the cloud, and you lose access to person detection and package detection alerts — you'll only get generic motion alerts instead.

Local storage is useful if you want to keep your video data off the cloud for privacy reasons, but it means you have less footage history and fewer ways to search or organize your clips.

How to check your current subscription status

Open the Blink app on your phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Select Account, then Subscription. You'll see which plan you're on, if any, and when your next billing date is.

If you're on a free trial, the app will show the trial end date. You can also see which cameras are covered by your subscription and what features are active. From this same screen, you can change your plan, cancel, or switch between monthly and annual billing.

How to change or cancel your subscription

In the Blink app, go to Account > Subscription. Tap Manage Subscription to see your options. You can upgrade to Blink+, downgrade to Blink Subscription Plan, or cancel entirely.

If you cancel, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period — you won't be charged again, but you'll keep access to cloud storage and detection features until that date. After the subscription ends, your cameras revert to free mode with local storage only.

Changes take effect when ready if you're upgrading or downgrading mid-cycle. Blink does not offer refunds for partial months, so if you cancel mid-month, you lose access to the subscription features right away.

Blink subscription on multiple devices

If you have both Blink cameras and other Blink devices like the Blink Video Doorbell or Blink Mini, a single Blink+ subscription covers all of them. You don't need separate subscriptions for each device type.

If you use Blink Subscription Plan instead, you pay per device — $3 per month for each camera, doorbell, or other device that needs cloud storage. This is why Blink+ becomes more economical as your system grows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Blink cameras without paying for a subscription?

Yes. Blink cameras work without a subscription, but you'll only have local storage on the camera itself and won't receive person or package detection alerts. You'll get basic motion alerts instead. Cloud storage and advanced detection features require a paid plan.

Is there a free trial for Blink subscriptions?

Blink sometimes offers free trial periods for new customers, usually 30 days of Blink+ at no cost. Check the Subscription section of the app to see if a trial is available on your account. Trials vary by region and promotion, so not all customers may see one.

What's the difference between Blink Subscription Plan and Blink+?

Blink Subscription Plan costs $3 per month per camera and covers one device. Blink+ costs $10 per month and covers all cameras and Blink devices on your account. If you have three or more devices, Blink+ is cheaper overall. Both include cloud storage and detection features.

Can I change my subscription plan mid-month?

Yes. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel anytime through the app. Changes take effect when ready. If you downgrade or cancel, you won't be refunded for the remainder of your current billing period, but you'll keep the subscription features until your next billing date.

Do I need a subscription for each camera or can one cover all of them?

Blink Subscription Plan is per camera, so you pay $3 per month for each one. Blink+ covers all cameras and Blink devices on your account for $10 per month. Choose Blink+ if you have multiple devices to save money.