Software · head to head
Arlo vs Arduino Cloud
Arlo
Software
Wire-free security cameras with cloud intelligence
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Arduino Cloud
Software
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Arlo without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- They diverge on capability: Arlo covers Wire-Free, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arlo and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.
| Attribute | Arlo | Arduino Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard |
| Founded | 2018 | 2005 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Arlo
- Wire-Free
- 4K Video
- AI Detection
- Color Night Vision
- Alexa
- Google Home
- HomeKit
- SmartThings
Only in Arduino Cloud
- Device Connectivity
- Cloud Storage
- Real-Time Sync
- Security
- Arduino IDE
- Mobile app
- REST API
- Integration services
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Arlo
- Wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight camerasnot Arduino Cloud
- Cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detectionnot Arduino Cloud
- Professionally monitored home security through the Arlo appnot Arduino Cloud
Arduino Cloud
- Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot Arlo
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot Arlo
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot Arlo
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot Arlo
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot Arlo
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Arlo
- Without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
- Video history, Activity Zones and Advanced Detection require the paid Arlo Plus plan
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring and 24/7 Emergency Response are only on the Premium plan
- 24/7 continuous recording is an add-on to Premium and covers up to three cameras only
- Unlimited camera plans apply only to Arlo cameras at a single residential location on the same account
- Cameras must be bought as hardware before any plan applies, and the included plan is a trial that ends
Arduino Cloud
- The free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- Free accounts are limited to 25 compilations a day and 10 trigger notifications a day
- The Maker plan at $72 a year lifts devices to 25 and retention to 3 months, still for a single user
- Team pricing jumps to $1,000 a year
- Two years of data retention and unlimited ingestion require Enterprise
Pricing, plan by plan
Arlo
On request- Arlo Secure$2.99/month
- 30-day cloud
- AI detection
- 1 camera
- Arlo Secure Plus$14.99/month
- Unlimited cameras
- 24/7 recording
- E911
Arduino Cloud
Free- MakerFree
- 2 devices
- Basic features
- Cloud access
- Maker Plus$7/month
- Up to 10 devices
- Advanced features
- Better storage
Which should you pick?
Choose Arlo if
- You need wire-free.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
- You also want 4k video.
Choose Arduino Cloud if
- You need device connectivity.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- You also want cloud storage.
Questions people ask
- Is Arlo or Arduino Cloud better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arlo starts at On request and Arduino Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arlo or Arduino Cloud?
- Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Arlo and Free for Arduino Cloud.
- Does Arlo or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
- Arlo runs on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
- Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arlo starts at On request.
- What is Arlo best used for?
- Arlo is most often used for wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight cameras, cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detection, professionally monitored home security through the arlo app. Of those, wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight cameras and cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detection are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
- What can Arlo do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
- Arlo covers Wire-Free, 4K Video, AI Detection, Color Night Vision. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.