Does Eufy Require a Subscription? Local Storage vs Cloud
No. Eufy cameras record to local storage with no monthly fee, either on the camera itself or on a HomeBase hub, depending on the model. Eufy's optional cloud backup costs $3.99 per month for one device or $13.99 per month for unlimited devices as of October 2026, with a rolling 30-day history. Several models cannot use cloud backup at all.
Figures researched 2026-10-01; each source below carries its access date. Prices change; treat any price here as "as of" its date.
How Eufy records without a subscription
Eufy's pitch is local storage. Its local security page describes footage being encrypted and stored on the security device itself or sent to a HomeBase hub for storage, with no monthly fee. Cloud is a backup option, not the place your recordings live.
Where a given camera stores its clips depends on the model. Eufy's support article on storage methods lists each product line:
| Eufy product | Local storage location | Cloud backup available |
|---|---|---|
| eufyCam, eufyCam 2, 2C, 2 Pro, 2C Pro, 3, 3C | On HomeBase | Yes |
| SoloCam E20, E40, L20, L40, S40 | On the SoloCam | No |
| SoloCam S340 | On the SoloCam | No |
| Video Doorbell (wired) | On the doorbell | No |
| Video Doorbell 2K (battery) | On HomeBase | No |
| Video Doorbell Dual (battery) | On HomeBase | No |
| Video Doorbell 1080p (battery), Doorbell Slim | On Wi-Fi Chime, needs SD card | Yes |
| Floodlight Cam 1080p, 2K, E 2K, 2 Pro | On the floodlight | Yes |
| Indoor Cam and Outdoor Cam (Solo) | On the camera, needs SD card | Yes |
| 4G Starlight Camera | On the camera | No |
So the honest answer to "do I need a HomeBase" is: for the eufyCam multi-camera kits and the battery 2K and Dual doorbells, yes, because that is where the video goes. SoloCams, floodlights and wired doorbells store on the device. The Indoor and Outdoor Cams and the 1080p and Slim doorbells need a microSD card you buy separately.
What Eufy cloud backup costs in 2026
Eufy calls its subscription Cloud Backup. As of October 2026, its support article lists these US plans, all with a rolling 30-day video history:
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Basic, 1 device | $3.99 | $39.99 |
| Basic, 2 devices | $7.99 | $79.99 |
| Basic, 3 devices | $11.99 | $119.99 |
| Plus, unlimited devices | $13.99 | $139.99 |
Eufy is explicit that cloud recordings are not permanent: storage runs 30 days and is then overwritten. Eufy also sells a separate eufy Plus membership at $15.00 per month that bundles 30-day cloud backup history for all devices with shopping perks such as free shipping and rewards credits. It is a store membership first, so compare it with the $13.99 Plus cloud plan before choosing it for the cameras alone.
Two terms worth reading before you subscribe. Eufy's article says cloud backup cannot currently be cancelled directly in the app; you contact support with the camera's serial number (or go through Apple or Google if you paid there). And a cancelled monthly plan is not refunded for the current month, while an annual plan is refunded minus the months used.
When paying for Eufy's cloud makes sense
Local storage has one structural weakness: the footage lives in the house. If a thief takes the camera, or the HomeBase, the clips can go with it. A cloud copy is the fix, and that is the only real reason most Eufy owners pay. Eufy's local page also notes that if you turn on cloud features such as push notifications with thumbnail previews, those images are sent to the cloud as needed, so local-only is a setting choice as well as a hardware one.
If you want an offsite copy, check the table above first. SoloCams, the S340, the 2K and Dual battery doorbells and the wired doorbell cannot subscribe to cloud backup, so on those models the answer to "should I pay" is settled for you.
For how Eufy's free tier stacks up against brands whose cameras save nothing without a plan, see security camera cloud plans compared and the broader no-subscription security cameras guide. If you are deciding between Eufy and Reolink, the two biggest local-storage brands, Eufy vs Reolink cameras compares them on published specs. And because local storage puts footage on a device in your home network, can security cameras be hacked covers the account and network settings worth changing on day one.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Eufy cloud replace local storage?
- No. Eufy describes its subscription as Cloud Backup: you back up event recordings to the cloud in addition to local storage. It is useful as an offsite copy if a camera or HomeBase is stolen, and only some models can subscribe.
- How long does Eufy keep video?
- On local storage, until the storage fills, and Eufy says its HomeBase S380 can hold up to a year of footage when paired with a 16 TB drive (not included). Eufy cloud backup keeps a rolling 30 days and then overwrites, per its support article.
- Which Eufy cameras need a HomeBase?
- Per Eufy's storage compatibility article, the eufyCam series (eufyCam, eufyCam 2, 2C, 2 Pro, 2C Pro, 3 and 3C), the Video Doorbell 2K (battery) and the Video Doorbell Dual (battery) store locally on a HomeBase. SoloCams, floodlights and the wired doorbells store on the device.
- What is the cheapest Eufy cloud plan?
- Basic for one device at $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year as of October 2026. Basic tops out at three devices, and Eufy says an account can hold only one cloud backup package at a time, so with four or more devices the Plus plan at $13.99 per month for unlimited devices is the option.
Sources
- Eufy Cloud Backup US plans: all plans rolling 30-day history; Basic 1 device $3.99/mo or $39.99/yr, 2 devices $7.99/mo or $79.99/yr, 3 devices $11.99/mo or $119.99/yr; Plus unlimited $13.99/mo or $139.99/yr; 30-day storage then overwritten; cancel via support; monthly not refunded, annual refunded minus months used; an account can subscribe to only one cloud backup package at a time: https://service.eufy.com/article-description/Introducing-Cloud-Storage (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Eufy storage methods by product: eufyCam series, Video Doorbell 2K (battery) and Dual (battery) store on HomeBase; SoloCams and S340 store on camera with no cloud backup; wired doorbell stores on doorbell; 1080p and Slim doorbells store on Wi-Fi Chime with SD card; Indoor/Outdoor Cams need SD card; floodlights store on device; 4G Starlight on camera, no cloud: https://service.eufy.com/article-description/Storage-Methods-Compatibility-for-eufy-Device (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Eufy local security: no monthly fee; data stored on the device or HomeBase; up to 1 year on HomeBase S380 with a 16 TB drive (not included); cloud used when cloud features or thumbnail notifications are chosen: https://www.eufy.com/eufy-local-security (accessed 2026-10-01)
- eufy Plus membership $15.00 per month includes 30-day cloud backup history for all devices plus shopping perks: https://www.eufy.com/eufy-plus-membership (accessed 2026-10-01)
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