Arlo is a camera-only platform — there are no door/window sensors, no keypad, and no professional alarm dispatch. This is a critical distinction: if you need a full alarm system, Arlo cannot replace one. What Arlo does lead on: outdoor camera quality, battery life (up to 180 days on Ultra 2), and 2K–4K resolution. This page covers Arlo camera pricing, subscription plans, and how to build a complete setup by pairing Arlo with a full alarm system.
What's on this page: Equipment costs · Monitoring plan table · Contract Risk Index score · 3-year total cost · Hidden costs · Who should buy Arlo. Updated April 2026.
Figures sourced from public pricing pages, user-reported data, and direct brand verification. No brand pays to appear. See our methodology →
Affiliate disclosure: SecurityCompassHQ may earn commissions from some links. Commissions do not influence our recommendations or scores. See full disclosure →
Arlo cameras range from $179 (Arlo Pro 4, 2-pack) to $549+ (Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight, 2-pack). Arlo is a camera-only platform — it has no alarm sensors, keypad, or professional alarm dispatch. If you need a full alarm system, pair Arlo cameras with a separate alarm system (SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm).
Key equipment facts
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| No plan (free tier) (no dispatch) | $0/mo | $0/yr | 7-day cloud storage, basic motion alerts. Limited AI features. |
| Arlo Secure (up to 5 cameras) | $12.99/mo | $155.88/yr | 30-day cloud storage, AI detection, emergency response access, activity zones |
| Arlo Secure Unlimited | $17.99/mo | $215.88/yr | 30-day cloud storage for unlimited cameras |
Contract Risk Index (CRI) — Low
Lowest possible lock-in risk
No contract. Annual plan option saves ~20%.
ETF: No early termination fee.
Cancellation
No contract. Cancel at any time.
Got a quote from a salesperson?
Decode the real contract terms, ETF exposure, and 3-year total before you sign.
Our 2026 Contract Risk Index scores all 9 brands on lock-in risk from 1 (no contract) to 5 (high penalty).
Estimated 3-year total
$647 – $1,213+
2 cameras + Secure: $179 + ($12.99 × 36) = $647. 4 cameras + Unlimited: $349 + ($17.99 × 36) = $997.
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Open Cost Calculator →Ideal for
Buyers who specifically want the best outdoor camera quality and longest battery life — and already have or don't need a separate alarm system.
Not ideal for
Buyers who need a complete alarm system — Arlo has no sensors, keypad, or professional alarm monitoring. Pair with Ring Alarm or SimpliSafe for a complete setup.
See our full editorial review for the complete scoring breakdown:
See side-by-side pricing, contract terms, and camera quality for the systems buyers most often compare to Arlo:
How to pair this with a full alarm system
If you need sensors, keypad coverage, and professional dispatch, these are the best-fitting full-system routes.
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