If you've just bought an Arlo camera, you'll quickly notice a prompt to sign up for Arlo Secure, the brand's paid subscription service. The Arlo subscription cost UK sits at £2.49 per month for a single camera or £7.49 per month for unlimited cameras — but is it genuinely necessary? This guide breaks down every tier, what you get without paying a penny, and whether the extras are worth the price for UK homeowners.
What Is Arlo Secure?
Arlo Secure is Arlo's cloud-based subscription service that unlocks extended video storage, intelligent motion detection, and emergency response features. Without it, your Arlo camera still works — you can view a live stream at any time — but cloud recordings are limited and many of the smart detection tools are locked away.
Arlo sells cameras as standalone hardware across UK retailers and on Amazon. The cameras themselves are capable devices; Arlo Secure is the software layer that makes them significantly more useful. Think of it similarly to Ring Protect — the hardware is the entry cost, and the subscription determines how much intelligence sits on top.
Arlo UK Subscription Plans: Full Breakdown
Arlo currently offers the following plans in the UK. Prices are correct as of mid-2025 and may vary; always confirm on the Arlo UK website before purchasing.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (equivalent) | Cameras covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free (no plan) | £0 | £0 | All |
| Arlo Secure — 1 Camera | £2.49/month | ~£24.99/year | 1 camera |
| Arlo Secure — Unlimited | £7.49/month | ~£74.99/year | Unlimited cameras |
Annual billing saves around 17% compared to paying monthly, so if you're committed to Arlo for the long term it's the better choice.
What Do You Get on the Free Plan?
Without any subscription, your Arlo camera still provides:
- Unlimited live view via the Arlo app on iOS and Android
- Motion-triggered push notifications (standard, not categorised)
- Two-way audio on supported cameras such as the Arlo Essential 2K Doorbell
- Geofencing — automatic arm/disarm based on phone location
- Arlo's local storage via a SmartHub if you own one (sold separately)
Arlo previously offered seven days of free cloud storage for all users. As of 2024, new Arlo accounts no longer receive complimentary cloud storage — you need Arlo Secure to store recordings in the cloud. Existing users who had free cloud storage before the policy change may retain their allocation; Arlo has communicated changes on a rolling basis, so check your account settings for your current entitlement.
What Does Arlo Secure Add?
Arlo Secure unlocks the features that justify calling Arlo a smart security system rather than just a wireless camera:
- 30 days of cloud video history — recordings are stored securely and accessible from anywhere
- Activity zones — draw custom detection areas to reduce false alerts from passing cars or swaying trees
- Package detection — AI that recognises parcels left at your door (available on compatible cameras)
- Vehicle and person detection — categorised alerts so you can act on relevant motion only
- Arlo Secure emergency response — connect to a 24/7 professional monitoring centre that can alert police or fire services on your behalf (available as an add-on or bundled, depending on tier)
- E2EE (end-to-end encryption) on supported cameras when a SmartHub is present
Is the Arlo Subscription Worth It in the UK?
At £2.49 per month for a single camera, Arlo Secure is competitively priced against Ring Protect, which starts at £2.49 per month per camera in the UK. Both services occupy the same price point for entry-level plans, so the decision comes down to which ecosystem you prefer.
Where Arlo becomes more expensive is the unlimited tier at £7.49 per month. If you're running three or more Arlo cameras, this is equivalent to paying £2.50 per camera per month — reasonable. But if you only have two cameras, you're better off on two single-camera plans totalling £4.98 per month.
The free plan is viable if you own an Arlo SmartHub and use a USB hard drive for local storage. That combination gives you cloud-free recordings without any ongoing cost, though you lose remote access to historical footage if you're away from home and the SmartHub goes offline.
For most UK buyers who purchase an Arlo camera without a SmartHub, the single-camera Arlo Secure plan at £2.49 per month is the minimum that makes the camera genuinely useful as a security device. Without cloud storage, you can see what's happening live but you won't have footage to review after a break-in or package theft.
If you're still deciding between Arlo and its rivals, our Arlo vs Ring cameras UK comparison covers how the subscription models differ in practice, and our best outdoor security cameras UK guide covers other options in the same price range.
How to Cancel Arlo Secure
You can cancel your Arlo Secure subscription at any time without penalty through the Arlo app or the web portal at my.arlo.com. The process takes under two minutes:
- Open the Arlo app and tap the Settings icon (gear icon, top right)
- Tap Subscription
- Select your current plan and tap Cancel Plan
- Confirm cancellation — your plan remains active until the current billing period ends
After cancellation, your cloud video history is retained for 30 days before being deleted. Download any important clips before your access lapses.
If you subscribed via the Apple App Store or Google Play, you'll need to cancel through those platforms' subscription management screens rather than through Arlo directly.
Alternatives to the Arlo Subscription
If the ongoing cost of Arlo Secure doesn't appeal, there are three main routes:
Local storage via Arlo SmartHub
The Arlo SmartHub (sold separately, typically around £79–£99) acts as a base station and supports USB storage. Plug in a hard drive and your cameras record locally with no monthly fee. You lose cloud backup and remote access to recordings, but eliminate the subscription entirely. This is the best option if you're a privacy-conscious user who doesn't need cloud access.
Switch to a camera with free local storage
Eufy cameras are popular in the UK specifically because many models ship with a built-in HomeBase that provides free local storage with no subscription. Our Arlo security camera UK review discusses how Arlo's feature set compares to Eufy's no-subscription model, and our broader best home security system UK guide includes cameras that work well without a monthly plan.
Home Assistant local processing
If you're technically inclined, integrating Arlo cameras with Home Assistant via the Arlo integration gives you local video processing, MQTT-based notifications, and local recordings without relying on Arlo's cloud. This route requires more setup time but gives you full control of your footage.
Arlo Hardware Costs in the UK
The subscription is one cost; the hardware is the other. Current UK retail prices (mid-2025, prices vary by retailer) include:
- Arlo Essential 2K Doorbell — around £149.99
- Arlo Pro 5S 2K — around £199.99
- Arlo SmartHub — around £79–£99 (if buying separately)
Factor in the first year of subscription on top of hardware: a single Arlo Pro 5S with a 1-camera Secure plan costs roughly £225 all-in for year one, and £25 per year thereafter. That's competitive with Ring's equivalent, though Ring's camera hardware tends to be cheaper up front.
Summary: What Should You Do?
If you already own Arlo cameras and want cloud storage with smart detection, the single-camera plan at £2.49 per month is fair value and the most popular choice. If you have three or more cameras, the unlimited plan at £7.49 per month is the obvious upgrade.
If you'd rather avoid subscriptions entirely, pair an Arlo SmartHub with local USB storage, or consider switching to a camera brand that doesn't require a monthly fee for basic recording functionality. The right answer depends on how important remote access to historical footage is to you.
Related: Arlo security camera UK review, Arlo vs Ring cameras UK, and Ring doorbell subscription cost UK.
