August 30, 2025
Do home security systems require a subscription? Plans, costs and characteristics explained

Do home security systems require a subscription? Plans, costs and characteristics explained

Monthly or annual subscriptions are increasingly to have a home security system.

In the simplest case, these fees cover the costs for the cloud memory, since some surveillance cameras and video turrets do not save their recordings locally. Some security products also bundle additional functions with the cloud storage fee, e.g. B. AI tools for identifying people, vehicles, animals and other types of movement.

Finally – and above all, above all – is the subscription level that unlocks professional surveillance. Here a specially trained call center agent is made aware when your alarm is triggered, and can check in your name about the situation and even call the emergency services in your name if it is clear that something is wrong.

Brands such as Eufy and Arlo produce surveillance cameras, video door classes and alarm systems without a subscription fee, since their film material is stored on site and do not offer professional surveillance services. Alarm systems from Ring, Arlo and Nest calculate a monthly fee for cloud video storage, while professionally monitored systems of Simplisafe and Verisure fees for video memory and the decisive connection to the call center and the emergency services are calculated.

Before buying a system – or the decision as to whether a subscription to the security system for home security is worthwhile – it is important to know what you want and to understand how the system works without a subscription. For example, the Ring and Simplisafe cameras do not save a video unless they are subscribed to. However, if they are still notified via their respective apps when the intruder alarm is triggered.

Which brands offer subscriptions for living security?

The smallest ring alarm kit contains a base station, a keyboard, an area of extenders and a few sensors. (The Independent / Alistair Charlton)The smallest ring alarm kit contains a base station, a keyboard, an area of extenders and a few sensors. (The Independent / Alistair Charlton)

The smallest ring alarm kit contains a base station, a keyboard, an area of extenders and a few sensors. (The Independent / Alistair Charlton)

Practically all corporate security companies offer a subscription. The ring is probably the best known, thanks to its owner of Amazon and the popularity of its video doorbells. The company also sells a wide range of surveillance cameras inside and outdoors, a house alarm system and accessories such as door/window sensors and solar panels to charge the camera batteries.

The subscription service is called Ring Protect. The prices start at 4.99 GBP per month for the basic level and rise to 7.99 GBP for standard and £ 15.99 for premium. Ring offers a discount for annual subscriptions with the same three levels of £ 49.99, £ 79.99 or £ 159.99.

Arlo is another security company that works in a subscription model. The prices for Arlo are certainly £ 5.49 per month or £ 54.90 per year for the individual CAM level, which rose to £ 11.99 per month or £ 119.90 per year for safe multi-cams and £ 16.99 or 169.90 GBP for the security area Plus plan.

Regardless of this, Arlo offers its CVR plan (continuous video recording), which records like a conventional CCTV camera around the clock, and not only when the movement is recognized. This costs from £ 10.99 per month per camera and can be expensive for larger properties.

The Cloud memory from Eufy costs £ 3.99 per month for a camera or a video door flap or £ 12.99 for several devices. In contrast to many others, this is purely optional, since Eufy’s are among the few surveillance cameras that have local memory.

Simplisafe offers two subscription packages with a price of £ 19.99 and £ 27.99 per month. Verisure offers a similar level of protection with professional surveillance, but starts around 30 GBP per month.

What is included in a subscription for home security system?

Ring offers a subscription for its stylus system (ring)Ring offers a subscription for its stylus system (ring)

Ring offers a subscription for its stylus system (ring)

The simplest subscriptions of the security system unlock the cloud storage for video recordings. This is a decisive addition for ring and Arlo customers, since these cameras and video door classes do not store any other film material. Paid cloud memory is less necessary for Eufy owners, as these cameras video save on a microSD card in the device itself or at an optional base station in your house.

By paying a cloud memory subscription, the owners of the ring alarm system also unlock alarm calls, in which their predefined list of emergency contacts receives an automated call if their homemade arm is triggered. The subscription also includes the mobile phone balance sheet, in which the alarm system is automatically produced with the mobile phone network in order to maintain functionality if your home width strap is offline.

The first of the two subscription stitches from Simplisafe resembles what Ring offers and offers cloud video memory for all camera and doorbell shots for £ 19.99 per month.

The higher level is when the professional monitoring of Simplisafe comes into play, where an agent can check what is going on (by displaying live camera -feeds with your prior consent) and calling the emergency services in your name. If the alarm is not clear, Simplisafe sends an agent from Securitas to visit your house and evaluate the situation. This level costs 27.99 GBP per month, almost 30 GBP per month.

The advantages and disadvantages of subscriptions for the safety of homes

Professionals

  • Activates Cloud video storage and remote access

  • Supports automated alarm systems and mobile phone companies in the event of failures

  • Adds to the professional surveillance services

  • Useful for larger security structures with several devices

Disadvantages

  • Some cameras do not work completely without a subscription

  • The monthly costs can add up, especially for several devices

  • Single camera users may find local memory options a better value

  • Limited functionality if you no longer pay the payment of the fee

The Simplisafe Premium subscription includes professional monitoring (Simpleisafe)The Simplisafe Premium subscription includes professional monitoring (Simpleisafe)

The Simplisafe Premium subscription includes professional monitoring (Simpleisafe)

Buyers of a single surveillance camera or a video door ring could be frustrated if they have to pay for the cloud storage every month. If you only want a single camera, it is best to choose one that stores the film material on site and does not require a current fee, like that of Eufy.

However, if you plan to install a larger security system -complete with movement sensors, a siren, a keyboard, door/window sensors, several surveillance cameras and more -the figure of a subscription feels much more sensible. If you make sure that your alarm system is active and connected to the Internet during a power section or a broadband blackout, it is a clear positive, and some customers like the certainty of the automated call system from Ring, with which neighbors or family members know when the alarm is triggered.

At the top of the market, the payment of a higher fee for professional surveillance for customers who want an alarm system that is connected to the emergency services is. Since it is unlikely that many neighbors will react to the depression of an alarm, it can bring a great rest that simpleisafe and overview proactively examine.

Ultimately, the selection of a subscription depends on comparing the desired functions with your budget. It is also worth remembering that some home security systems such as ARLO cameras and entire Simplisafe product packages work very limited or not at all if you no longer pay the subscription. With these systems, it is best to consider the ongoing fee such as an extension of other household calculations such as house insurance and not an optional extra.

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