Arlo Subscription Plans Explained (2026): Prices & Features

If you landed here searching for “Arlo Smart” plans: you’re not alone, but those plans no longer exist. Arlo has completely overhauled its subscription lineup and rebranded everything under Arlo Secure. Prices have also gone up: more than once. This Arlo subscription plan guide cuts through the confusion and tells you exactly what each plan costs, what each plan includes, and whether it’s worth paying for in 2026.

What Happened to Arlo Smart?

Arlo Smart was the former name for Arlo’s subscription service. Arlo later moved its current camera plans under the Arlo Secure name and retired the old Basic, Add-on, Premier, and Elite lineup. Today, U.S. customers choose among camera-only Secure Plus plans and higher-priced Premium options.

The rebrand wasn’t just cosmetic. Arlo also significantly upgraded the AI detection features bundled with paid plans, adding person, vehicle, animal, and package detection under what it now calls Arlo Intelligence. The tradeoff: prices have gone up substantially: and Arlo has raised subscription prices multiple times since 2023.

If you’re specifically looking for hands-on camera performance and whether the hardware justifies the cost, check out our
Arlo Pro 6 review: it’s the newest flagship camera in the lineup and the one most closely tied to getting full value from an Arlo Secure subscription.

Does Arlo Still Have a Free Plan?

If you own an older camera such as the original Arlo Pro or Arlo Pro 2, your account may still include the legacy seven-day cloud-storage benefit. That legacy feature is tied to eligible older hardware and should not be assumed when buying a current model.

Bottom line: Anyone buying a current Arlo camera should budget for a subscription if cloud recording, searchable video history, smart detection, and rich alerts are important. Local recording can reduce that dependence, but it does not reproduce the full Arlo Secure experience.

Arlo Secure Plan Comparison (2026)

In addition to the Plus and Premium tiers, Arlo has also introduced a new top-tier option with 24/7 continuous video recording. As a result, the table below now covers five columns instead of four, so you can see exactly where the new tier fits.

Arlo Secure Plus: The Core Plan Most Homeowners Need

Arlo Secure Plus is the sweet spot for most camera-only households. It unlocks Arlo Intelligence features including person, vehicle, animal, and package detection, plus person recognition, vehicle recognition, custom detection, event captions, and video search. You also get 60 days of cloud video history, which is useful when you need to review an incident weeks later.

Activity zones are also included: the feature that lets you draw a boundary on your camera’s view and only get alerts for motion inside that area. It’s the single best way to cut down on false alerts from passing cars or swaying trees. The newer Arlo Pro 6 takes full advantage of these AI features with improved processing, making Plus a natural companion to that camera.

If you are building a new Arlo setup, check current availability for the Arlo Pro 6 before deciding whether the single-camera or unlimited plan makes more sense.

Arlo Secure Premium: For Those Who Want Pro Monitoring

Arlo Secure Premium includes the Plus camera features and adds emergency-response services, an Arlo Safe family subscription, and professional monitoring for eligible Arlo Home Security System owners. This distinction matters: a camera-only setup does not become a fully monitored alarm system merely because you select Premium. Professional monitoring relies on the separately sold security system and its sensors, while video verification can use specified Arlo cameras.

At $29.99 per month or $299.98 per year, Premium makes the most sense for a household already using, or planning to add, the Arlo Home Security System. Camera-only users who mainly want cloud clips and smarter alerts will usually get better value from Plus.

Before paying for Premium solely for monitoring, check current availability for the Arlo Home Security System and include that hardware cost in your decision.

New: Secure Premium with 24/7 Continuous Video Recording

Arlo recently introduced a fourth tier that sits above standard Secure Premium: Premium with 24/7 Continuous Video Recording. As the name suggests, this plan records nonstop instead of only capturing motion-triggered clips, which means no gaps in your footage if something happens between detected events.

This tier includes everything in standard Premium. Continuous recording is limited to up to three compatible cameras, and Arlo keeps that continuous footage for 30 days. The cameras must support 24/7 recording, be connected to AC power, and have sufficient internet bandwidth. Continuous recordings cannot be downloaded.

The plan costs $49.99 when billed monthly or $479.88 when billed annually, equivalent to $39.99 per month. The annual option saves $120 over paying month to month.

Is Arlo Secure Worth Paying For?

For most Arlo buyers who want cloud recordings and smart alerts, yes. Current cameras still provide live view and basic motion alerts without a plan, and compatible SmartHub setups may support local recording. What you lose without Arlo Secure is cloud video history and most of the useful recognition and search features. The practical question is which paid tier fits your setup.

One note: Arlo has raised prices several times in recent years. If subscription cost is a concern, compare it with cameras that offer free local recording. The Tapo C120 is one inexpensive plug-in alternative with microSD recording, while our best security cameras with no subscription guide covers additional options from Tapo, eufy, Wyze, Blink, and Reolink.

If you have decided to make the switch, see our how to cancel your Arlo subscription guide for steps covering the website, Android, Apple, and Google billing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arlo Subscription Plans

Does Arlo work without a subscription?

Yes, but with major limits. Newer cameras retain live view and basic alerts without a plan, but they do not include free Arlo cloud video history. Some models can save clips locally through a compatible SmartHub or base station. Eligible legacy cameras may still retain the old seven-day cloud benefit.

What happened to the old Arlo Smart plans?

Arlo retired the Smart plan branding (Basic, Add-on, Premier, Elite) and replaced everything with Arlo Secure. The new plans are tiered as Secure Plus (Single), Secure Plus (Unlimited), and Secure Premium. The rebrand came with expanded AI features through Arlo Intelligence, but also brought several price increases.

Is Arlo Secure Plus worth the price in 2026?

For most homeowners with two or more cameras, the Unlimited plan offers the best balance: 60 days of cloud storage, the full Arlo Intelligence feature set, person and vehicle recognition, and activity zones. The value diminishes with only one camera, especially when subscription-free competitors can record locally.

How much does an Arlo subscription cost per year?

Billed annually, Secure Plus Single costs $95.88 per year, Secure Plus Unlimited costs $215.88 per year, Secure Premium costs $299.98 per year, and Premium with 24/7 Continuous Recording costs $479.88 per year. Check Arlo’s plan page before subscribing because pricing and included features can change.

What is Arlo’s 24/7 Continuous Video Recording plan?

It is Arlo’s top plan, priced at $49.99 month to month or $479.88 per year. It includes standard Secure Premium benefits plus 30 days of continuous history for up to three compatible, AC-powered cameras. Arlo says continuous recordings cannot be downloaded.

For more HomeCamCafe coverage, read our hands-on Arlo Pro 6 review, follow the steps in our Arlo subscription cancellation guide, or compare the strongest security cameras with no subscription.