Arlo vs. Google Nest: Home Security System Guide
When it comes to protecting your home, which company is the best choice?
When it comes to protecting your home, which company is the best choice?
Both Arlo and Google Nest offer comprehensive security systems with sensors, video doorbells, accessories, security cameras, and opt-in subscription plans. While Google is best known for its search engine, they also offer security devices under their smart home Google Nest brand. So, how do they compare against the well-established Arlo security cameras? And more importantly, which security ecosystem is the better choice for you and your home? Let’s find the answers in our Nest vs. Arlo comparison.
Arlo specializes in smart home security devices, like wireless outdoor security cameras, floodlights, indoor cameras with a privacy shield, and a home security system. Google, on the other hand, offers a range of products including Google Nest smart home devices. While both companies’ security cameras have similar tech specifications, they differ in price, software capabilities, and subscription plan offerings.
Arlo was founded in 2014 and initially focused on wireless home security cameras but has since expanded to include comprehensive home security systems, floodlights, indoor cameras with privacy shields, and video doorbells.
Google was established in 1998, but Google Nest was merged into Google’s smart home devices unit in 2018 and rebranded as Google Nest.
Most Arlo devices are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, If This Then That (IFTTT), and Samsung SmartThings without a subscription. For instance, you can easily connect your Arlo cameras to Apple Home and even Google Home. On the other hand, as expected, Google Nest can only be integrated into the Google Home ecosystem.
Yes, both companies offer optional paid subscription plans. You can purchase any Google Nest or Arlo smart security device and then opt for their monthly subscriptions for additional features. Both companies also offer different subscription tiers.
Arlo offers the Arlo Secure subscription, which includes features such as 30-Day Cloud Video Storage for event recordings, Smart Object Detection, One Tap Emergency Response, and 24/7 Professional Monitoring. Much like the Arlo Secure subscription, the Google Nest Aware subscription, also includes features like 30-Day Cloud Video Storage for event recordings.
It’s important to note that the Arlo Secure subscription includes features for enhancing all their security devices, not just their cameras. Google’s Nest Aware focuses solely on features for security cameras and video doorbells.
Both companies offer cloud storage with their paid subscriptions. Arlo Secure starts at $7.99 for one camera or $12.99 for unlimited cameras, providing 30-day cloud storage for video event recordings. Nest Aware, priced at $8 per month, includes 30-day cloud storage for video event recordings for unlimited cameras. Nest Aware is only for HD video, whereas Arlo Secure can store videos in 4K resolution.
There’s also Nest Aware Plus, priced at $15 per month. This plan expands Events Cloud Storage to 60 days and adds 10-day cloud backup for 24/7 recordings. However, it’s only available for wired cameras.
Regarding local storage, both companies have different approaches. With Arlo, most wireless cameras have the ability to record to local storage when synched to an optional hub with a MicroSD slot, like the Arlo Ultra SmartHub. If you’re on the go, the Arlo Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi camera has an integrated MicroSD slot for local storage.
Google Nest cameras and doorbells save video to the cloud when connected to Wi-Fi. If disconnected, their battery-powered cameras and doorbells continue recording events internally for 1 hour, uploading footage when reconnected. Their wired devices also save video locally during outages for 1 hour, but don’t record during power outages.
Both companies offer a 30-day trial for their subscription plans.
We aim to provide a fair apples-to-apples comparison so you can choose the best home security products for you. All comparisons here were made based on the available information on both companies’ websites. We aim to compare equivalent products in the same price range from each main product category.
Arlo offers a wide range of security cameras to suit your budget and security needs, including three cameras that match the Google Nest Cams. These are the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Wireless Outdoor Camera, the 2nd Gen Essential Indoor Camera, and the Pro 3 Wireless Floodlight Camera. These models feature 2-Way Audio, Motion Detection, and Color Night Vision. They are available in 1080p or 2K options. Although HDR video is not available, the 2K models offer higher resolution than Google Nest cameras.
With Google, you can choose from the Outdoor Nest Camera, the Indoor Google Nest Cam, and the Outdoor Nest Cam with floodlight. These security cameras feature 1080p HDR video capture, motion sensors, 2-Way Audio, Night Vision and free Smart Object Detection.
The main difference between both companies lies in pricing. Arlo security cameras are more affordable than the Google Nest lineup. For example, the HD model of the 2nd Gen Essential Security Camera is priced at $49.99, while the similar Google Nest Cam is listed at $179.99. With the Arlo cameras, you could purchase three units and still have $20 left at that price.
| 2nd Gen Arlo Essential Wireless Security Camera | Google Nest Cam (Battery) |
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If you have more specific security needs, your options with Google Nest are limited to the Nest Cam, Nest Indoor Cam, and Nest Cam with Floodlight. Arlo offers a variety of camera options to choose from. If extended battery life is a priority, you can pick the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential XL Security Camera. For 4k video, consider the high-end Arlo Ultra 2 Security Camera. If you need protection in areas without a Wi-Fi network, the 4G LTE-enabled Arlo Go 2 Camera is your best choice.
When searching for a video doorbell, prioritize excellent video quality, a wide viewing angle, and clear 2-Way Audio for communicating with guests and visitors. Both the 2nd Gen Essential Video Doorbell and the Google Nest Doorbell are excellent options with similar features.
The Arlo Video Doorbell is available in HD video for $79.99 and 2K video for $129.99. This budget-friendly option boasts an ultra-wide 180° Field of View, 2-Way Audio, Night Vision, and Motion Detection. It can be used wired and wirelessly and has an Integrated Siren.
On the other hand, the $179.99 Google Nest Doorbell offers HD video resolution and a more limited 145° Field of View. It includes 2-Way Audio, Night Vision, Motion Detection, and free Smart Object Detection. There are both wireless and wired models available, making it a less flexible option compared to Arlo’s.
Despite the narrower Field of View and lower resolution of the Google Doorbell, both options are fairly similar. However, price remains the key differentiating factor. The HD Arlo Video Doorbell is less than half the price of the Google Nest Doorbell. Upgrading to the 2K Arlo model means a $50 savings over Google’s video doorbell.
| Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Video Doorbell | Google Nest Doorbell |
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When it comes to video surveillance, both Google Nest and Arlo offer high-quality and high-resolution security camera systems for your home. However, it’s worth noting that Arlo cameras are considerably more budget-friendly than those from Google Nest.
Moreover, Arlo is a specialized security company that also offers other security devices, such as the Arlo Home Security System. With a security subscription plan that includes 24/7 Professional Monitoring, Arlo can provide more flexible and complete home protection.
If you need reliable, high-quality security cameras, be sure to evaluate key features, pricing, and what each product offers you. Not sure where to start? Arlo is a great option that offers comprehensive security for your home at an approachable price point.
