Aosu cameras are built around a local-first storage model. Most cameras record to a microSD card or an aosuBase hub at no ongoing cost. However, aosu also offers an optional cloud subscription called aosuProtect+ for users who want offsite video storage, cloud backup, and advanced AI features. There are three Aosu subscription tiers: Basic, Pro, and Premium. Before subscribing, there is one critical point to understand: all aosuProtect+ plans are priced per camera, not per household. That changes the cost calculation significantly for anyone running more than one camera.
What Aosu Cameras Include for Free
Before getting into aosuProtect+, it is worth being clear about what aosu cameras offer at no cost because it is more than many competing brands. Without a subscription, supported aosu cameras provide live streaming, motion alerts, and local video storage through a microSD card or aosuBase hub. The Aosu SolarCam D1 Classic, for example, accepts microSD cards up to 128GB. Aosu says its 32GB hub can hold up to roughly 60 days of event recordings, although real retention depends on activity and recording length. Live view, pan-tilt controls on compatible models, and basic motion alerts do not require a paid plan.
That gives aosu an advantage over systems that place most recorded video history and smarter alerts behind a subscription. Some competing cameras offer limited free history or optional local storage hardware, so the details vary by model. Even so, aosu’s built-in local-storage options make aosuProtect+ optional for many owners.
Free tier summary: Live view, motion alerts, and local video storage via microSD or aosuBase hub all work without a monthly payment. aosuProtect+ adds cloud video history and advanced AI features on top of this.
aosuProtect+ Pricing
aosuProtect+ is purchased through the aosu app. The website offers minimal pricing detail and the full rate card is only visible inside the app itself. Plans are billed monthly or annually, with annual billing offering meaningful savings. A 30-day free trial applies to Basic and Pro. Premium offers only a 7-day free trial. All pricing below is per camera.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Free Trial | Cloud Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $4.49 | $44.99 | 30 days | 14 days |
| Pro | $6.99 | $69.99 | 30 days | 30 days |
| Premium | $13.49 | $134.99 | 7 days only | 30 days |
All pricing is per camera. Figures reflect current in-app pricing after promotional discounts and may change. Verify current rates in the aosu app before subscribing.
These rates are per camera and not per household. Three cameras cost $13.47/month on Basic, $20.97/month on Pro, or $40.47/month on Premium. That makes aosu increasingly expensive as cameras are added. The app pricing shown for this article did not include a household or unlimited-camera option.
Basic Plan: $4.49/month or $44.99/year per camera
The Basic plan is the entry tier and covers one camera with 14-day rolling cloud storage. The current in-app feature list includes cloud event recordings, event categorization, Person Detection Ultra, video-preview notifications, Person Smart Alert, and a Security Report. The 14-day retention window is shorter than the 30- or 60-day history included with several competing plans. Basic comes with a 30-day free trial, giving owners enough time to decide whether cloud backup and the extra alerts improve the camera in daily use.
Pro Plan: $6.99/month or $69.99/year per camera
Pro extends cloud storage to 30 days and adds the broader AI feature set shown in the aosu app. The listed tools include dangerous-animal detection, gun detection, face recognition, stranger recognition, familiar-face labels, visitor naming, and face-based search. Availability may depend on the camera model, firmware, and region, so confirm that the features you want appear for your camera before paying. Pro also includes a 30-day free trial. At $6.99/month for one camera, it is manageable, but the cost multiplies with every additional camera. See current aosu camera options.
Premium Plan: $13.49/month or $134.99/year per camera
Premium includes everything in Pro and adds an AI Enhanced Security Report. Based on the current in-app comparison, that is the primary upgrade over Pro. The app lists Premium compatibility for the HomeCortex System, C9C, and C9L, but owners should confirm eligibility from the subscription screen for their specific hardware. The trial also drops to 7 days. For most users, paying nearly twice the Pro rate for the enhanced report is difficult to justify.
Premium reality check: Three cameras on Premium cost $40.47/month. Unless the enhanced report is especially valuable to you, Pro is the more sensible paid tier and free local storage remains the better value.
The Free Options
The good news is that aosuProtect+ is genuinely optional. There are two solid no-cost paths for storing recorded footage, and for most users they are sufficient.
Local storage via microSD card: Many aosu cameras support a microSD card for on-device local storage. Motion-triggered clips are written directly to the card at no ongoing cost. A high-endurance microSD card is a one-time purchase and is better suited to repeated camera recording than a general-purpose card. Playback from the card can feel slow on some aosu cameras, including the D1 Classic.
Local storage via aosuBase or aosuCortex hub: Compatible kits include an aosuBase hub with 32GB of built-in storage. Aosu estimates that it can hold up to 60 days of motion-triggered recordings, although heavy activity can shorten that period. The newer aosuCortex hub supports expansion up to 1TB without a monthly storage fee. Local recording may continue during an internet outage, but remote viewing, notifications, and some app functions can remain internet-dependent.
Local storage caveat: If a burglar takes the aosuBase hub along with the cameras, all locally stored footage goes with it. Cloud storage survives a theft because recordings are offsite. For higher-risk outdoor locations, pairing local storage with even a Basic aosuProtect+ plan on the most critical camera is worth considering.
aosuProtect+ vs. Competing Subscriptions
Comparison prices were checked in September 2026. Subscription pricing and plan names can change, so confirm current terms with each provider before purchasing.
| Brand | Annual Cost | Cameras Covered | Cloud Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| aosuProtect+ Basic | $44.99 per camera | 1 (per camera) | 14 days |
| aosuProtect+ Pro | $69.99 per camera | 1 (per camera) | 30 days |
| Blink Basic | $39.99 per camera | 1 (per camera) | 60 days |
| Blink Plus | $119.99 | Unlimited (1 location) | 60 days |
| Arlo Secure | $155.88 unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
| Ring Home | $240/yr unlimited | Unlimited | 180 days |
The comparison shows the weakness of aosu’s per-camera model for a multi-camera household. Based on the rates above, three aosu cameras on Pro cost $209.97/year. Blink’s Plus plan covers unlimited supported devices at one location for $119.99/year. For one camera, aosuProtect+ Pro at $69.99/year also costs more than Blink’s Basic plan at $39.99/year, while Blink advertises a longer storage window. Aosu’s answer is its stronger no-fee local-storage setup, not cheaper cloud service.
Which Aosu Subscription Option Is Right?
Using a kit with an aosuBase or aosuCortex hub? Free local storage with up to 60 days of retention is already built in. A subscription is not necessary for basic video history.
Using a standalone camera without a hub? A microSD card is the most cost-effective path, with a one-time purchase and no ongoing storage fee.
Need cloud backup for one camera? Basic at $4.49/month is a starting point, though the 14-day storage window is short. Pro at $6.99/month adds 30-day storage and the full AI feature set, making it the better value of the two paid tiers.
Have multiple cameras? Run the numbers before subscribing. Three cameras on Pro cost $20.97/month, while three on Premium cost $40.47/month. Compare the total against unlimited-camera plans before committing, especially if you expect to add a fourth camera.
| Situation | Recommended Option |
|---|---|
| Camera kit with aosuBase or aosuCortex hub | Free local hub storage; no subscription needed |
| Standalone camera, no hub | microSD card; one-time cost, no monthly fee |
| 1 camera, want cloud backup, 14-day storage OK | aosuProtect+ Basic ($4.49/mo or $44.99/yr) |
| 1 camera, want 30-day storage and full AI | aosuProtect+ Pro ($6.99/mo or $69.99/yr) |
| 4+ cameras, want cloud backup | Compare unlimited-camera plans from Arlo, Blink, and Ring |
| Premium tier: is it worth it? | Rarely. One extra AI feature over Pro at nearly double the price. |
Bottom Line
For single-camera users, aosuProtect+ Basic or Pro is manageable. For anyone with multiple cameras, the per-camera pricing model makes costs climb quickly, making free local storage the smarter choice. The Premium tier is hard to recommend at any camera count because its main advantage over Pro is an enhanced report. Most aosu users are better off skipping the subscription and relying on the aosuBase hub or a microSD card for local storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do aosu cameras work without a subscription?
Yes. Live view, motion alerts, and local video recording all work without a subscription. Footage is stored locally via microSD card or the aosuBase hub depending on the setup. aosuProtect+ is an optional add-on for cloud backup and advanced AI features and not a requirement for basic camera functionality.
Is aosuProtect+ priced per camera or per household?
Per camera as there is no household or unlimited plan. Every camera on the system requires its own separate subscription. A three-camera household on Pro pays nearly $21/month, which is more than Ring’s or Arlo’s unlimited plans that cover every camera in the home.
How long does aosuProtect+ store cloud video?
Basic stores 14 days of rolling event-based recordings. Pro and Premium both store 30 days. Older clips expire as they move beyond the plan’s retention window. Download any important recordings before canceling or changing plans rather than assuming they will remain available.
What cameras are compatible with aosuProtect+ Premium?
Premium is limited to the HomeCortex System, C9C, and C9L models. Not all aosu cameras are eligible. Basic and Pro are available across the broader aosu camera lineup.
Can aosuProtect+ be canceled at any time?
Yes. The subscription can be canceled through the aosuProtect+ store page in the app. Check the renewal date and cancellation confirmation carefully, particularly when ending a free trial or an annually billed plan.
Does aosuProtect+ record continuously?
No. aosuProtect+ uses motion-triggered recording only as clips are saved when the camera detects activity. There is no continuous 24/7 recording option, which is standard for aosu’s battery and solar-powered camera lineup.
This article is part of our Aosu Security Camera Reviews guide.
