It’s that time again for Arlo users to brace for an impact on their wallets; the company has announced another increase in its monthly subscription fees for the Arlo Secure cloud storage plan. Starting now, subscribers will have to shell out $9.99 per month for storing video from a single camera, a jump from the previous $7.99. For those with multiple units, the unlimited camera plan now costs $19.99 a month, up from $17.99.

A notable change in nomenclature accompanies this price hike: both plans are now branded under “Secure Plus.” This rebranding might be an attempt to streamline their offerings, but for customers, it’s the cost that grabs the attention. The entry-level plan has seen a significant price escalation, being over three times what it was back when it started at $2.99 per month for one camera. Over the years, this price has crept up, hitting $4.99 in 2023, then $7.99 last year, and now settling at $9.99. If you opt for annual billing, you can still get the single-camera plan for effectively $7.99 per month and the unlimited one for $17.99 per month, but this still reflects the ongoing rise in subscription costs.

This adjustment in pricing follows Arlo’s introduction of new AI-powered features in September of last year. These innovations allow users to customize notifications by naming specific people or vehicles in view of the camera, or even to alert them to more nuanced events like a sprinkler activating or a garage door moving. Additionally, Arlo has sweetened the deal by doubling the cloud storage period from 30 to 60 days, providing more peace of mind for those who might miss moments or need to review footage over a longer span.

However, not everyone needs to subscribe to enjoy some Arlo functionality. Users with the right equipment, like Arlo Base Stations or SmartHubs, can still opt for local storage, thus avoiding the subscription fee. This route does come with trade-offs, though. Missing out on cloud-based features like package detection, which can be quite handy for those who frequently receive deliveries, might not be worth the savings for everyone.

The reaction from the Arlo community has been mixed. While some appreciate the enhanced features, others are vocal about their frustration with the relentless price increases. On platforms like the Arlo Community forums and social media, there have been calls to cancel subscriptions, with users expressing disappointment over what they perceive as price gouging for a service that many have come to rely on for home security.

Arlo, like many tech companies, is in a balancing act, aiming to fund further development while keeping their user base content. They argue that these price adjustments are necessary to cover the costs of ongoing innovation and service improvements. Yet, for subscribers, the value proposition is becoming harder to justify. As we move further into 2025, it remains to be seen whether these price hikes will lead to a shift in consumer loyalty, with some perhaps looking towards competitors offering similar smart home security solutions at different price points or with different feature sets.

For now, Arlo users face a decision: pay the increased rate for enhanced features and security, opt for local storage with limitations, or consider alternatives in the rapidly evolving smart home security market.