What's it like with NO subscription

[zimafl]

I'd like to hear from folks who use the Pro 3 system without subscription.  Not just the Arlo bullet points of what you don't get.  What is it like to have 2 or more surveillance cameras and no subscription.  Can the system work?  What are the alerts like?  What's the quality of the video?  What do you miss about having a subscription.  We delete our videos daily with the free subscription which expires soon.  Can you make the system work without paying $9.99 a month?  THANKS!  Bruce

[bv2020]

Unless you are sitting directly in front of your cameras 24/7 the Arlo Pro 3 system is useless without paying extra for the subscription.  No motion push notifications at all, even though the system is perfectly capable.

Totally ridiculous.  We are moving to a new platform like Eufy that offers plenty of base capability without having to pay extra.

Shame on Arlo for taking the approach of removing basic functionality from an already expensive camera and router system.

[jguerdat · Accepted solution]

Notifications work but not the enhanced ones that Smart provides. Recordings are to the local storage only and are of the same quality as what you get from the cloud recordings. You primarily lose things like the identification of the subject in the notifications and cloud recordings but pretty much everything else works. The major fly in the ointment is accessing the local recordings when away from home since you need to set up VPN access or use port forwarding to your home network.

[bv2020]

Sorry "Superuser" jguerdat, but that is just another disingenuous reply that keep confusing the public and getting them to buy these purposely crippled Arlo products to force folks to then get wrapped up in unnecessary monthly payments.

We're talking about basic, auto push notifications here when the motion sensors that - you know, WE PAID FOR are supposed to trigger recording and let you know that it happening and can be viewed - without the cost and complications of VPN access or Port forwarding, which Arlo competitors like Eufy and Circle and others Do NOT require at all.  The fact that you even mention VPN and Port forwarding being required for "expected base level functionality" for a consumer level product is an embarrasement.

I have read many user and prospective user questions on this very Arlo subject and have seen how Arlo and "Superusers" like you skirts the real issue and spirit of peoples questions to avoid the FACT that practical and basic user capabilities and expectations are gone without paying more every month.  

Based on your answer and to be clear - Without paying for an Arlo monthly subscription OR attain complex VPN and or Port forwarding software/hardware capabilities and setup in your home or office network - you get NO Basic Auto Push Notifications and fast access to a triggered video recording with Arlo 3.

[dcfox1]

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@bv2020  wrote

Based on your answer and to be clear - Without paying for an Arlo monthly subscription OR attain complex VPN and or Port forwarding software/hardware capabilities and setup in your home or office network - you get NO Basic Auto Push Notifications and fast access to a triggered video recording with Arlo 3.

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As @jguerdat said you will get basic notifications. Yes VPN away from home network to see hub recordings is pain but this link provides what functions you have with the cam without a sub. 

https://kb.arlo.com/000062312/What-options-will-I-have-when-the-Arlo-Smart-3-month-trial-plan-ends