IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Arlo vs TP-Link Kasa

Arlo
IoT & Smart Home
Wire-free security cameras with cloud intelligence
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -

TP-Link Kasa
IoT & Smart Home
Affordable smart home devices with easy setup
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; TP-Link Kasa devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD
- They diverge on capability: Arlo covers Wire-Free, TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arlo and TP-Link Kasa actually diverge.
| Attribute | Arlo | TP-Link Kasa |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | one-time |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays | IOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2018 | 1996 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).
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
- HomeKit
- Smart Displays support
Only in TP-Link Kasa
- Affordable
- No Hub Required
- Energy Monitoring
- Scheduling
- IFTTT
Both cover
- Alexa
- Google Home
- SmartThings
- IOS support
- Android support
- Web support
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 TP-Link Kasa
- Cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detectionnot TP-Link Kasa
- Professionally monitored home security through the Arlo appnot TP-Link Kasa
TP-Link Kasa
- Energy monitoringnot Arlo
- Automationnot Arlo
- Voice controlnot Arlo
- Budget smart homenot 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
TP-Link Kasa
- Devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD
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
TP-Link Kasa
On request- Smart Plug$10/month
- WiFi
- Voice control
- Scheduling
- Smart Switch$20/month
- In-wall installation
- Dimming
- 3-way support
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 TP-Link Kasa if
- You need affordable.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web.
- You also want no hub required.
Questions people ask
- Is Arlo or TP-Link Kasa better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arlo starts at On request and TP-Link Kasa at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arlo or TP-Link Kasa?
- Arlo starts at On request and TP-Link Kasa at On request.
- Does Arlo or TP-Link Kasa run on more platforms?
- Arlo runs on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays. TP-Link Kasa runs on IOS, Android, Web.
- 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 TP-Link Kasa is typically brought in for.
- What can Arlo do that TP-Link Kasa cannot?
- Arlo covers Wire-Free, 4K Video, AI Detection, Color Night Vision. TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable, No Hub Required, Energy Monitoring, Scheduling. Both handle Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, IOS support.
Related pages
More on TP-Link Kasa
Other head to heads
- Arlo vs Amazon Alexa
- Arlo vs Apple HomeKit
- Arlo vs Google Home
- Arlo vs Home Assistant
- Arlo vs Nest
- Arlo vs Control4
- Arlo vs Savant
- Arlo vs August Smart Lock
- Arlo vs Crestron
- Arlo vs ESPHome
- Arlo vs Homey
- Arlo vs Hubitat Elevation
- Arlo vs LIFX
- Arlo vs Matter
- Arlo vs Aqara
- Arlo vs Arduino Cloud
- Arlo vs Blynk
- TP-Link Kasa vs Amazon Alexa
- TP-Link Kasa vs Apple HomeKit
- TP-Link Kasa vs Google Home
- TP-Link Kasa vs Home Assistant
- TP-Link Kasa vs Nest
- TP-Link Kasa vs Control4
- TP-Link Kasa vs Savant
- TP-Link Kasa vs August Smart Lock
- TP-Link Kasa vs Crestron
- TP-Link Kasa vs ESPHome
- TP-Link Kasa vs Homey
- TP-Link Kasa vs Hubitat Elevation
- TP-Link Kasa vs LIFX
- TP-Link Kasa vs Matter
- TP-Link Kasa vs Aqara
- TP-Link Kasa vs Arduino Cloud
- TP-Link Kasa vs Blynk
