# Video doorbells and cameras without a subscription

*Which models store video locally, and which features need a plan*

> Several video doorbells record without a monthly plan because they store video on the device, on a microSD card or on a hub. eufy, Reolink, Wyze and SwitchBot list local storage on their doorbells. Ring, Blink, Wyze and Google tie recorded history, person alerts or package alerts to a paid plan. Smart features are the usual dividing line.[^1][^2][^3][^4][^5][^6][^7]

- Canonical page: https://smarthomecanon.com/guides/video-doorbells-and-cameras-without-a-subscription
- Last checked: 2026-10-18

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Published | 2026-10-18 |
| Author | Smart Home Canon |

## Where the video is stored

A doorbell or camera stores video in one of four places: its own memory, a microSD card, a base station or hub, or the maker's cloud. The first three are local. The makers below tie a plan to cloud storage and to some alerts.[^1][^3][^6]

The sections below give each maker's own wording for each product, and a plan is named wherever the maker ties a feature to one.[^1][^2]

## Built-in memory and microSD

- eufy Video Doorbell S330 (Wired): 8 GB of built-in storage, which eufy rates at up to 90 days of video, with older events overwritten once storage fills. eufy lists no subscription as required for recording and playback, and cloud backup as optional. A chime comes in the box, and eufy lists the doorbell's AI detection of people, packages and faces as running on the device.[^1]
- Reolink Video Doorbell WiFi: a microSD slot rated up to 256 GB, with 24/7, motion-triggered and scheduled recording. Reolink says the card is sold separately and lists no monthly fees for local storage. Reolink advertises person detection without monthly fees.[^2]
- Wyze Video Doorbell v2: microSD up to 256 GB in FAT32 format. Wyze describes continuous local recording.[^3]
- Wyze Battery Video Doorbell: microSD up to 256 GB.[^8]
- SwitchBot Smart Video Doorbell: a 4 GB card is included and the doorbell supports cards up to 512 GB. SwitchBot lists optional cloud storage with a 30-day free trial for new users.[^4]

## Hubs, base stations and standalone use

Some doorbells store video on a hub or base. The eufy Video Doorbell E340 lists local storage and pairs with a HomeBase S280 or S380, and the eufy Video Doorbell C30 lists microSD up to 128 GB and works with a HomeBase.[^9][^10]

Blink's Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) requires a Sync Module. Blink lists local storage when the doorbell connects to a Sync Module 2 with a USB drive. Arlo says Arlo SmartHubs and Base Stations are compatible with its Video Doorbell (2nd Generation).[^11][^6][^12]

Reolink separates its models. The wired Video Doorbell WiFi serves RTSP and ONVIF on its own with no hub, while the Battery Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) needs a Reolink Home Hub for RTSP and ONVIF. Reolink lists a microSD slot of up to 512 GB for the battery model.[^13][^14]

## Cameras

Cameras use the same four storage places as doorbells, and the maker's spec page states which one applies. Cameras that rely on a hub or recorder hold no footage on their own.[^15][^16]

- Wyze Cam v4: microSD up to 256 GB.[^15]
- Tapo C120: microSD up to 512 GB.[^17]
- Reolink Argus MagiCam: microSD up to 256 GB. RTSP needs a Reolink Home Hub.[^18]
- Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam: microSD up to 512 GB.[^19]
- eufy SoloCam S340: 8 GB of built-in storage, and it works with a HomeBase S380.[^20]
- eufy eufyCam S3 Pro: no storage in the camera. The HomeBase S380 holds 16 GB built in.[^16]
- eufy PoE Bullet Camera E40: records to a eufy NVR S4 or E50.[^21]
- Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen): 6 hours of event video previews included.[^22]

## Features that need a plan

Local recording and smart alerts are separate things. The doorbell may store clips on a card while person or package alerts depend on a paid plan.[^3][^5]

- Wyze: without a plan, Wyze says only doorbell presses and unexpected card ejections produce video clips on the v2 and other events produce snapshots. Full-length event videos need Cam Plus or Cam Protect, and person and package detection come with Cam Plus. Wyze listed Cam Plus at $2.99 per month per camera on 2026-10-18, billed after a free first month. Wyze also lists vehicle notifications and unlimited cloud video storage under Cam Plus, a motion-activated voice prompt under Cam Plus or Cam Protect, and says cloud storage works when paired with a Wyze Security Plan.[^3]
- Ring: Ring lists recorded video history of up to 180 days, plus saving and sharing recordings, Video Descriptions, Familiar Faces and Package Alerts, under its Ring Protect Plans.[^5]
- Blink: Blink lists person detection and photo capture for the doorbell as available with an active Blink subscription or trial.[^6]
- Google Nest: the Nest Doorbell (battery) comes with 3 hours of event video history and no 24/7 recording. Google says that with a Google Home Premium subscription a Nest camera streams all video to the cloud for offsite storage.[^23][^7]

## On-device detection and optional cloud

Detection can run on the device itself. eufy says the S330 doorbell's low-angle camera and on-device AI detect people, packages and faces, and eufy Plus, its only listed membership, covers shipping, eufyCredits, warranty and exclusive products. Reolink says no subscription is needed unless Reolink Cloud is used for cloud storage or rich notifications.[^1][^2]

The Ring Battery Doorbell 2K costs $99.99 (2026-10-18). Package Alerts is a subscription feature sold separately.[^5]

## HomeKit Secure Video

HomeKit Secure Video is the HomeKit route for camera recording. Eve's Outdoor Cam works only with HomeKit Secure Video, and Eve lists an iCloud+ plan as required. The Outdoor Cam is a 1080p floodlight camera with an IP55 rating that runs on 100-240 V mains.[^24]

## Related pages

- [Works with HomeKit: native, Matter and bridges](https://smarthomecanon.com/guides/does-it-work-with-homekit) (Guide)
- [Ring battery doorbells](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/ring-battery-doorbells) (Product line)
- [Wyze video doorbells and chimes](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/wyze-video-doorbells) (Product line)
- [Google Nest cams and doorbells](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/google-nest-cams-and-doorbells) (Product line)
- [eufy video doorbells and chime](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/eufy-video-doorbells-and-chimes) (Product line)
- [Reolink cameras](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/reolink-cameras) (Product line)
- [Blink doorbells and Chime](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/blink-doorbells) (Product line)
- [eufy Video Doorbell S330 (Wired)](https://smarthomecanon.com/devices/eufy-video-doorbell-s330-wired) (Device)
- [Wyze Video Doorbell v2](https://smarthomecanon.com/devices/wyze-video-doorbell-v2) (Device)

## Sources

[^1]: Video Doorbell S330 (Wired) product page, eufy US store. https://www.eufy.com/products/e8203111 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^2]: Reolink Video Doorbell WiFi - Reolink US. https://reolink.com/us/product/reolink-video-doorbell-wifi/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^3]: Wyze Video Doorbell v2 - Wyze. https://www.wyze.com/products/wyze-video-doorbell-v2 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^4]: SwitchBot Smart Video Doorbell product page. https://www.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-video-doorbell (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^5]: Ring Battery Doorbell 2K - Ring. https://ring.com/products/battery-doorbell-2nd-gen (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^6]: Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) FAQ - Blink Support. https://support.blinkforhome.com/en_US/video-doorbell-gen-2-faq/faq-video-doorbell-gen-2 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^7]: Google Home Help: Nest cameras and doorbells. https://support.google.com/googlehome/answer/9259110?hl=en (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^8]: Wyze Battery Video Doorbell - Wyze. https://www.wyze.com/products/wyze-battery-video-doorbell (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^9]: eufy Video Doorbell E340 (Battery Powered) product page. https://www.eufy.com/products/t8214111 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^10]: eufy Video Doorbell C30 product page. https://www.eufy.com/products/t8224111 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^11]: Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) tech specs - Blink Support. https://support.blinkforhome.com/video-doorbell-gen-2-tech-specs/blink-video-doorbell-gen-2-tech-specs (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^12]: Arlo Video Doorbell - Arlo. https://us.arlo.com/products/arlo-doorbell (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^13]: Introduction to Reolink Video Doorbell Cameras - Reolink Support. https://support.reolink.com/articles/16929500357657-Introduction-to-Reolink-Video-Doorbell-Cameras/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^14]: Reolink Video Doorbell 2nd Gen - Reolink US. https://reolink.com/us/product/reolink-video-doorbell-2nd-gen/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^15]: Wyze Cam v4 - Wyze. https://www.wyze.com/products/wyze-cam (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^16]: eufy eufyCam S3 Pro product page. https://www.eufy.com/products/t81621w1 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^17]: Tapo C120 - Tapo US. https://www.tapo.com/us/product/smart-camera/tapo-c120/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^18]: Reolink Argus MagiCam - Reolink US. https://reolink.com/us/product/argus-magicam/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^19]: Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam - Reolink US. https://reolink.com/us/product/reolink-solar-floodlight-cam/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^20]: eufy SoloCam S340 product page. https://www.eufy.com/products/t81701w1 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^21]: eufy PoE Bullet Camera E40 product page. https://www.eufy.com/products/t8p00121 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^22]: Google Store (US): Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen) tech specs. https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_cam_indoor_wired_3rd_gen_specs?hl=en-US (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^23]: Google Store (US): Nest Doorbell (battery) tech specs. https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_doorbell_specs?hl=en-US (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^24]: Eve: Eve Outdoor Cam. https://www.evehome.com/en-us/eve-outdoor-cam (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)