Blink membership is not a subscription you buy — it's a free feature that comes with owning a Blink camera
When you buy a Blink camera (the small home security cameras made by Amazon), you get a free account to view your footage and receive alerts. That account is sometimes called a "membership," but there's no monthly fee. You pay once for the hardware — the camera itself — and the basic account stays free as long as you own the camera.
The confusion happens because Blink also offers Blink+, which is an optional paid subscription. Blink+ costs money and adds extra features on top of your free account. Whether you need it depends on how you want to use your cameras.
Key Takeaways
- A basic Blink account is free and comes with every Blink camera purchase — there is no membership fee to view live video or get motion alerts.
- Blink+ is an optional paid subscription that costs $3 per month per camera or $30 per year per camera, and it adds cloud storage and other features.
- Without Blink+, you can still see live video and get alerts, but your recorded clips are stored for only a short time before they disappear.
- You choose whether to pay for Blink+ when you set up your camera; it is not automatic and you can cancel anytime.
What the free Blink account includes
Your free account lets you view live video from your camera through the Blink app on your phone or computer, get motion and sound alerts, and talk through the camera's speaker if your model has one. You can also arm and disarm your system, adjust settings, and share access with other people in your household.
The main limitation is video storage. When your camera detects motion, it records a short clip (usually 5 to 60 seconds depending on your settings). Without Blink+, these clips stay in the cloud for 24 hours, then they are deleted. If you want to keep them longer or have a searchable library of all your recordings, you need the paid subscription.
What Blink+ adds and costs
Blink+ is $3 per month for one camera or $30 per year for one camera. If you have multiple cameras, you pay per camera — so two cameras on Blink+ would cost $6 per month or $60 per year. You can also buy a plan that covers all your cameras: $10 per month or $100 per year for unlimited cameras on the same account.
With Blink+, your video clips are stored for 60 days instead of 24 hours, giving you a longer window to review what happened. You also get cloud storage for all your recordings, which means they stay organized and searchable in the Blink app. Blink+ also includes 24/7 emergency response in some regions (you can call Blink's monitoring center if motion is detected), though this feature varies by location.
How to decide if you need Blink+
You do not need Blink+ if you mainly want to check on your home while you are away or get alerts when someone is at your door. The free account handles those tasks. The 24-hour clip storage is usually enough for most people because you see the alert right away and can review the clip before it expires.
You might want Blink+ if you travel frequently and cannot check your app when ready, if you want a searchable archive of all motion events, or if you want the option of professional monitoring. Some people also subscribe for a month or two after a break-in or suspicious activity, then cancel once they feel the situation is resolved.
How to set up or cancel Blink+
When you first set up your Blink camera in the app, you will see an option to start a Blink+ trial (usually 30 days free). You can accept it or skip it — skipping does not lock you out of anything. If you skip it and change your mind later, you can turn on Blink+ anytime in the app settings under your subscription or account menu.
To cancel Blink+, go to the app settings, find your subscription, and select cancel. Your cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you will not lose access mid-month if you cancel on the 15th of a monthly plan. After cancellation, your clips revert to the 24-hour storage window.
Other costs to know about
Blink+ is the only recurring subscription Blink charges. However, you do need a working internet connection (WiFi or broadband) for your camera to function, and you may have costs there depending on your setup. Some Blink cameras also require batteries, which you replace as needed — this is not a Blink charge but a cost of ownership.
If you want professional installation or additional hardware like a Blink Sync Module (which lets older cameras work without a separate hub), those are one-time purchases separate from the camera and subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for Blink+ right away when I buy a camera?
No. Blink+ is optional. You can use your free account indefinitely. Blink usually offers a free trial of Blink+ during setup, but you can decline it and never subscribe.
What happens to my videos if I cancel Blink+?
Videos older than 24 hours are deleted when you cancel. Any clips still within the 24-hour window remain viewable until that window closes. Your camera continues to record and send alerts — you just lose the longer storage and searchable archive.
Can I use Blink+ on just one camera if I have multiple?
Yes. You can subscribe to Blink+ for individual cameras or buy the unlimited plan that covers all cameras on your account. You choose which cameras get the subscription.
Is there a way to keep videos without paying for Blink+?
You can read clips to your phone before they expire (within the 24-hour window), but there is no automatic free backup. Some people use a Blink Sync Module with local storage, though this requires additional hardware and is not a free option.
Does Blink+ include professional monitoring?
In some regions, yes — Blink+ includes 24/7 emergency response where a monitoring center can contact authorities if motion is detected. This feature is not available everywhere, so check with Blink support for your area.