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Security Camera Subscriptions Explained: What You Get Free, and What Three Years Really Costs
Plan prices for every brand we tested, what works without one, and the cameras that never ask.
August 24, 2026 · 4 min read
Plans
- Nest Aware: $8/mo (30 days' history, all cameras). Free: 3 hours of history and on-device detection.
- Arlo Secure: $7.99/mo per camera, $17.99 unlimited. Free: live view only.
- Ring Home: from $4.99/mo per camera. Free: live view and motion alerts, no recording.
- Blink: $3/mo per camera. Free: local clips to a USB stick, no person detection.
- Wyze Cam Plus: $2.99/mo. Free: motion clips and continuous microSD recording.
- Tapo Care: $3.49/mo, optional. Free: everything including person and pet detection.
- eufy, Reolink: no plan; local storage and on-device detection.
Three-year cost, one camera
Nest $468 · Arlo $468 · Ring $280 · Blink $208 · eufy S340 $200 · Reolink Argus 4 Pro $150 · Tapo C120 $40 · Wyze v4 $36.
Rule
If you would rather not pay monthly, buy eufy, Reolink or Tapo. If you want the best app and detection and do not mind the fee, Nest.
» See the full rankings: Best Home Security Cameras of 2026, Best Security Cameras Without a Subscription .