Roku camera subscriptions add cloud storage and detection features to your camera

Roku offers two subscription tiers for its home security cameras: Roku Smart Home Plus and Roku Smart Home Pro. Both store video in the cloud and send you alerts when motion or sound is detected. The main difference is how long Roku keeps your recordings and what detection features you get. Without a subscription, your camera records only to local storage (if your model supports it) and you lose cloud backup entirely.

Roku does not require a subscription to view your camera live or to receive basic notifications that the camera is online or offline. You pay only if you want cloud storage, longer video history, or advanced detection like person or package recognition.

Key Takeaways

  • Roku Smart Home Plus costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year and stores 24 hours of video in the cloud for one camera.
  • Roku Smart Home Pro costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year and stores 30 days of video plus adds person and package detection.
  • Both plans cover all cameras on your account, not per-camera, so adding more cameras does not increase the subscription cost.
  • You can cancel either subscription at any time without penalty, and your camera will continue to work with live view and basic alerts.

Roku Smart Home Plus: 24-hour cloud storage

Smart Home Plus stores the last 24 hours of video in Roku's cloud servers. This means if something happens during the day, you can review it that evening. If you do not check the footage within 24 hours, it is deleted and replaced by new recordings.

This plan includes motion and sound detection, so the camera sends you a notification when it senses movement or noise. You can set detection zones to ignore certain areas (like a busy street) and adjust sensitivity to reduce false alerts from trees or shadows.

Smart Home Plus costs $2.99 per month if you pay monthly, or $29.99 per year if you pay annually. The annual price works out to about $2.50 per month. One subscription covers all Roku cameras on your account, so if you have two or three cameras, you still pay the same price.

Roku Smart Home Pro: 30-day storage and advanced detection

Smart Home Pro stores 30 days of video in the cloud instead of 24 hours. This longer window means you can review footage from weeks ago without worrying about it being overwritten. You also get person and package detection, which means the camera can tell the difference between a person walking past and a package left on your porch, and send you different types of alerts.

Person detection is useful if you want to ignore motion from animals or passing cars but still be notified when an actual person appears. Package detection alerts you specifically when something is left at your door, which is helpful if you order frequently.

Smart Home Pro costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Like Smart Home Plus, one subscription covers all your Roku cameras. The annual plan saves you about $20 compared to paying monthly.

Local storage as an alternative to cloud subscriptions

Some Roku camera models support local storage through a microSD card inserted directly into the camera or through a Roku hub. Local storage records video to the card instead of the cloud, so you own the footage and Roku cannot delete it. This option requires no subscription.

Local storage has trade-offs. You can only view recordings if you are on the same network as the camera or hub, whereas cloud storage lets you watch from anywhere. If the camera is stolen or damaged, the card is gone too. And if the card fills up, the oldest footage is overwritten automatically.

Check your specific camera model to see if it supports local storage, because not all Roku cameras do. The Roku Smart Home hub, which works with multiple cameras, supports microSD cards up to 512 GB.

How to manage your Roku camera subscription

You set up a subscription through the Roku mobile app or the Roku web portal. Open the app, go to your camera settings, and select the subscription plan you want. Roku will ask for a payment method and confirm your choice. Your subscription starts when ready.

You can change your plan at any time. If you upgrade from Plus to Pro mid-month, Roku prorates the difference. If you downgrade from Pro to Plus, the change takes effect at the start of your next billing cycle. You can also pause or cancel your subscription without losing access to live view or basic alerts.

Roku sends renewal reminders before your subscription renews, either monthly or annually depending on which cycle you chose. You can turn off auto-renewal in your account settings if you want to let the subscription lapse.

What happens if you cancel your subscription

If you cancel a cloud subscription, your camera continues to work. You can still view the live feed, receive alerts that the camera is online or offline, and access any local storage if your model supports it. You straightforward lose access to cloud recordings and the advanced detection features.

Any video stored in the cloud is deleted when your subscription ends. Roku does not keep a grace period, so if you think you might want to review footage later, read it before you cancel.

Comparing Roku subscriptions to other camera brands

Other home camera brands charge differently. Some include cloud storage free for a limited time (usually 24 hours) and require a paid plan for longer storage. Others charge per camera rather than per account, so adding a second camera doubles your cost. Roku charges one price for all cameras on your account, which is cheaper if you have multiple cameras.

Some brands offer free cloud storage indefinitely but with lower resolution or limited features. Others require a hub purchase before any subscription option is available. Roku cameras work without a hub, though a hub unlocks local storage and some other features.

The best choice depends on how many cameras you plan to use, how long you need to keep footage, and whether you want advanced detection features. Comparing the annual cost across brands and your specific setup gives you the clearest picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Roku camera without paying for a subscription?

Yes. Your camera will record live video and send you basic alerts (camera online, camera offline, motion detected) without any subscription. You lose cloud storage and advanced detection, but live view works. If your camera model supports local storage, you can record to a microSD card instead of paying for cloud storage.

Does one subscription cover multiple cameras?

Yes. One Smart Home Plus or Smart Home Pro subscription covers all Roku cameras on your account. You do not pay per camera. If you have three cameras, you still pay $2.99 per month for Plus or $9.99 per month for Pro.

Can I switch between Plus and Pro plans?

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time through the Roku app. If you upgrade mid-month, Roku prorates the cost. If you downgrade, the change takes effect at your next billing date. You can also pause or cancel either plan without penalty.

What resolution is the cloud video stored at?

Roku stores cloud video at the same resolution your camera records, which varies by model. Most Roku cameras record at 1080p or 2K. Check your camera's specifications to confirm. Local storage also records at your camera's native resolution.

Can I read my cloud recordings?

Yes. The Roku app lets you read individual clips or longer segments to your phone or computer. Downloaded video is yours to keep even after your subscription ends. If you plan to cancel, read any footage you want to save first, because cloud recordings are deleted when your subscription lapses.