Eufy devices work without a subscription, but what you can do depends on which model you own

Most Eufy cameras, doorbells, and smart home devices function without paying for a monthly subscription. You can view live video, receive motion alerts, and control your devices through the Eufy app on your phone or tablet without spending extra money after you buy the hardware.

However, some features — mainly cloud video storage and advanced AI detection — require a paid plan. Whether you need these features depends on how you plan to use your device. A doorbell that alerts you to motion works fine free. A camera you want to review footage from later may need storage you have to pay for.

Eufy offers both free local storage (on some models) and optional cloud plans, so you have a real choice about whether to subscribe.

Key Takeaways

  • Eufy cameras and doorbells work without any subscription — you can view live video and get alerts for free through the Eufy app.
  • Cloud video storage, which lets you review footage from the past week or month, requires a paid subscription starting at around $3 per month per camera.
  • Some newer Eufy cameras store video locally on a HomeBase hub or SD card, so you can review footage without paying for cloud storage.
  • Advanced features like person detection and package detection may be limited or unavailable on the free plan, depending on your camera model.
  • You can mix and match — use one camera free and subscribe for another, or subscribe for a month to review footage, then cancel.

What works free on Eufy devices

Live view, motion alerts, and two-way talk are free on all Eufy cameras and video doorbells. When someone walks past your camera or rings your doorbell, you get a notification on your phone, and you can watch what is happening in real time. You can also speak through the camera's speaker to talk to whoever is there.

Person detection — the ability to tell the difference between a person and a car or animal — is free on most current Eufy models. This means you get fewer false alerts from blowing leaves or passing traffic. Older models may not have this feature at all, regardless of subscription status.

Controlling your devices — adjusting camera angle on pan-and-tilt models, turning lights on and off, arming and disarming your system — costs nothing. The Eufy app itself is free to download and use.

Cloud storage plans and what they cost

Eufy's paid plans cover cloud video storage, which stores your footage on Eufy's servers so you can watch it weeks or months later. Prices vary by the number of cameras and how long you want to keep footage. A single camera with 30 days of storage typically costs around $3 per month. A plan covering three cameras with 30 days of storage runs roughly $10 per month.

You can buy these plans monthly or annually. Annual plans cost less per month if you commit upfront. Eufy also offers a 30-day free trial on some plans, though this varies by region and current promotions.

If you do not subscribe to cloud storage, your camera still records and sends you alerts — you just cannot watch footage from the past. You see only what is happening right now.

Local storage as an alternative to cloud subscriptions

Newer Eufy cameras can store video locally, meaning the footage stays on a device in your home instead of going to Eufy's servers. This requires either a HomeBase hub (a small box that connects to your network) or an SD card inserted into the camera itself. Local storage is a one-time purchase with no monthly fees.

HomeBase models typically cost $50 to $150 depending on the version, and they can store weeks or months of video depending on the storage capacity. SD cards are cheaper — usually $20 to $50 — but hold less footage. A 256GB SD card might store 7 to 10 days of continuous recording, depending on video quality.

Local storage gives you the same ability to review past footage as a cloud subscription, but the video never leaves your home. This appeals to people concerned about privacy or who want to avoid monthly fees. Check your specific camera model to see if it supports local storage, because older Eufy devices do not.

Advanced features that may require a subscription

Package detection — the ability to recognize when a delivery has been left at your door — is available free on some Eufy models but may require a subscription on others. The same applies to face recognition and other AI-powered detection types. Eufy changes which features are free and which are paid as they release new models and update their app.

Before you buy a specific Eufy camera, check the product page or manual to see which detection features come free and which require a paid plan. This matters if package detection or face recognition is important to how you want to use the camera.

Eufy also offers professional monitoring services for their security systems, which is a separate paid service from cloud storage. This is not required to use your cameras or sensors — it is only if you want Eufy to contact emergency services on your behalf when an alarm is triggered.

How to check what your camera includes

Open the Eufy app and go to the settings for the specific camera you own. Scroll to the subscription or storage section — the exact location varies by app version, but it is usually under device settings or account settings. The app will show you what features are free, what requires a subscription, and what storage options are available for your model.

You can also check the product listing on Amazon or Eufy's website, which lists what is included free and what requires a paid plan. The manual that comes with your device has this information too, though it is often buried in the fine print.

If you are thinking about buying a Eufy camera and want to know the subscription costs upfront, search for the specific model number plus "subscription" or "cloud storage" on Eufy's support site. This saves you from discovering after purchase that a feature you wanted requires a paid plan.

Canceling or pausing a subscription

You can cancel a Eufy cloud storage subscription at any time through the app. Go to your account settings, find the subscription section, and select cancel. You will not be charged again, though you may lose access to stored footage depending on how Eufy's terms work at the time you cancel.

Some people subscribe for a month or two to review important footage, then cancel. This works fine — there is no penalty for canceling, and you can resubscribe later if you need to. If you switch to local storage with a HomeBase or SD card, you can cancel cloud storage entirely and keep your footage at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Eufy cameras without the internet?

Live view and alerts require an internet connection because they go through the Eufy app on your phone. However, if you use local storage with a HomeBase hub, the camera can record video to the hub even if your internet is down. You just cannot view it remotely until your connection comes back.

What happens to my footage if I cancel my cloud subscription?

Eufy typically deletes footage stored in the cloud within 30 days of cancellation, though this varies by region. If you want to keep footage, download it before you cancel, or switch to local storage with a HomeBase or SD card before your subscription ends.

Do I need a HomeBase to use Eufy cameras?

No. HomeBase is optional and only needed if you want local storage without paying for cloud subscriptions. Cameras work fine without it — you just get live view and alerts, and you cannot review past footage unless you pay for cloud storage.

Can I subscribe to cloud storage for just one camera if I have multiple?

Yes. You can choose which cameras to subscribe for and which to leave on the free plan. This lets you pay for storage on your front door camera but not your backyard camera, for example.

Does Eufy charge for the app itself?

No. The Eufy app is free to download and use. You only pay if you want cloud storage or professional monitoring services.