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Head-to-head · Home Security Camera Apps

UniFi Protect vs Arlo Secure

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score UniFi Protect #3 in Home Security Camera Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit UniFi Protect
Arlo Secure #5 in Home Security Camera Apps 8.9/10 30-day trial ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Arlo Secure

UniFi Protect leads on 2 checks, Arlo Secure on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreUniFi Protect · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly UniFi Protect

UniFi Protect scores higher on our rubric for home security camera apps: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

UniFi Protect offers free plan; Arlo Secure doesn't. UniFi Protect offers local recording; Arlo Secure doesn't publish it. Arlo Secure offers smart display support; UniFi Protect doesn't publish it.

UniFi Protect is the better fit for uniFi users who want local recording and control. Arlo Secure is the better fit for arlo owners who want cloud history and smart alerts.

  • UniFi Protect fits best

    UniFi users who want local recording and control

  • Arlo Secure fits best

    Arlo owners who want cloud history and smart alerts

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature UniFi Protect 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Arlo Secure 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #3 in Home Security Camera Apps #5 in Home Security Camera Apps
Best for UniFi users who want local recording and control Arlo owners who want cloud history and smart alerts
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Live chat, Phone, Community
Integrations 4 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features UniFi Protect 2/3 · Arlo Secure 2/3
Cloud recording ✓ ✓
Local recording ✓ (best) Not published
Smart display support Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Max video resolution 4k 4k
Camera limit Not published Not published
Mobile platforms Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Local recording with continuous, detection-only, or disabled modes
  • Live viewing and clip export through web and mobile apps
  • Archive footage to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or NAS
  • Streams live feeds and manages compatible Arlo devices on web and mobile.
  • Eligible plans add 60-day video history and smart activity zones.
  • Detects people, vehicles, animals, and packages; compatible cameras can record up to 4K.
Cons
  • Requires a compatible UniFi Console and camera
  • Detection features are limited to compatible cameras
  • Using the software requires separately purchased hardware
  • There is no standalone free plan; the service is paid.
  • Cloud history and recording capabilities depend on plan and compatible hardware.
  • Google Home viewing is limited to compatible displays and video devices.
Our verdict

UniFi Protect is a camera security application for managing supported cameras through a UniFi Console. It suits residential and commercial users who already have compatible UniFi hardware and want to view cameras remotely, manage…

Read the review →

Arlo Secure brings live camera viewing, device management, and activity alerts together for owners of compatible Arlo cameras and other Arlo devices. It is available through web, iOS, and Android, with cloud video history and detection…

Read the review →
  1. UniFi ProtectHome Security Camera Apps 9.1Free plan
  2. Arlo SecureHome Security Camera Apps 8.930-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • UniFi Protect — where it wins

    • Local recording with continuous, detection-only, or disabled modes
    • Live viewing and clip export through web and mobile apps
    • Archive footage to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or NAS

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a compatible UniFi Console and camera
    • Detection features are limited to compatible cameras
    • Using the software requires separately purchased hardware

  • Arlo Secure — where it wins

    • Streams live feeds and manages compatible Arlo devices on web and mobile.
    • Eligible plans add 60-day video history and smart activity zones.
    • Detects people, vehicles, animals, and packages; compatible cameras can record up to 4K.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no standalone free plan; the service is paid.
    • Cloud history and recording capabilities depend on plan and compatible hardware.
    • Google Home viewing is limited to compatible displays and video devices.

More comparisons

All home security camera apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update