Subscriptions required??

[skyswanson]

My Arlo secure three month free subscription has now ended. Now, when I try to reference my library of videos, it appears I have access to none. All I can do is to press ‘Learn More’ to find out about subscriptions available. My son also has the Arlo camera and has no subscription, and still, he is able to access a library of videos. I did not think a subscription was required and wondering what others are finding. I’m certainly not looking to spend big money monthly or annually. Thoughts or suggestions?

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

@skyswanson wrote:

My Arlo secure three month free subscription has now ended. Now, when I try to reference my library of videos, it appears I have access to none. All I can do is to press ‘Learn More’ to find out about subscriptions available. My son also has the Arlo camera and has no subscription, and still, he is able to access a library of videos. I did not think a subscription was required and wondering what others are finding.

Old Arlo cameras (including the original Arlo Wireless, the Pro, and Pro 2) came with free 7-day cloud storage - which Arlo still provides for those models.

Arlo stopped doing this when they launched the Ultra back in 2018, so all of the newer cameras (including the Essentials) require a subscription for cloud storage.

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@skyswanson wrote:

I’m certainly not looking to spend big money monthly or annually. 

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A single camera subscription currently costs $2.99 per month in the US.  A multicamera subscription (unlimited cameras) costs $9.99 per month.  Pricing for other countries is found here:

• https://kb.arlo.com/88/What-are-the-available-Arlo-subscription-plans-and-how-much-cloud-recording-i...

[Henrygirl73]

The first Arlo we bought years ago finally stopped working so we upgraded to a new Arlo. Now we have to pay a monthly subscription to even see our recordings.  Scam.  It would have been Great if I knew this in advance.  Never had to have subscription before.  Anyway to get more money.  Bs. I will NOT recommend Arlo 

[jguerdat]

Any camera newer than the Pro 2 requires a subscription for cloud recordings. It's been this way since 2018 when the original Ultra cameras were released.

[Stegabyte]

I am a relatively early Arlo adpoter. I have a Pro system then added Ultra and Pro3 cameras. This is when I found out I had to subscribe.

Ive just been on the Costco site and seen that Eufy are offering a 3 camera system with a hub for £229 without a subscription. Im thinking about ditching my Arlo and going Eufy as I will get more than the cost of the new system for selling my hub and cameras on eBay - meaning I am out of the subscription - that I got conned into.

Is it just me thats pissed off about the subscription service?

[skippysays]

This is feedback I am providing to Arlo to express just how disappointed I am in the new 'upgraded' system which requires a paid subscription for anything useful, as well as an entirely inflexible arming system in the new Feed application.  I am an original purchaser and user of the 1st generation 720p wireless cameras.  I was able to place them wherever I wanted, record video, and arm and disarm individual devices as I pleased.  At some point I did receive an email that the system was changing, however I was notified I would continue to be able to record videos and store for 7 days.  I needed nothing more than that.  A month ago I decided to upgrade my home security cameras since the old Arlo camera battery life had severely decreased.  As a true believer in Arlo based on the original cameras and system I went ahead an purchased an entire fleet of new cameras, both wired and wireless with great battery life.    I did read reviews regarding video recording and paid plans, however based on my original experience with Arlo I believed simple recordings without a need for a lot of storage was still a basic feature.  Boy was I wrong and absolutely appalled to realize that after the 30 day Secure Plan Trial ended, which by the way is timed exactly with when the device return period ended as well, that recording a video is now a "premium" feature only to be "unlocked" by paying.  This means I no longer have an actual security system, which was what Arlo originally was.  It is absolutely shameful that this has happened.  Despite not being able to return most of the devices now that I realize what is truly happening, I will be ditching Arlo and changing to a different system.  I am no longer an Arlo supporter and will be forthcoming to anyone who asks for a home security recommendation.  In addition, having upgraded to new cameras, my original Arlo app had to also update to the new Feed, which is incredibly inflexible in allowing arming and disarming of individual devices, and there is no going back.  So long Arlo.