Nest vs Arlo: Which Brand to Choose for Home Security?

The need for a reliable CCTV system for smart homes and businesses is growing every day. We look for CCTVs that are advanced, effective, qualitative, and remotely managed.

Among the many CCTV Brands, two brands come to mind instantly. They are the Nest and Arlo CCTV brands. Nest is a brand from Google, and Arlo was previously part of Netgear and now functions as a separate entity since 2018.

We will define here the Nest vs Arlo analysis to understand these brands better. The comparative study will help in using the brand in a better way.

Both brands have smart CCTVs. They are either wireless, battery-operated, plug-and-play type, or solar. Their wired systems just require a power socket, and they connect easily via Wi-fi. These cameras are portable and good for smart homes, offices, shops, and small enterprises.

We will study these brands, their features & functions, their similarities and differences. The purpose of comparing these brands is to choose a better product depending on budget, location, and features.

Nest vs Arlo- Best CCTV Brand Comparison

We will analyse these brands based on their key functions.

1- Brand Overview- Nest vs Arlo

2- Brand Pros & Cons- Nest & Arlo CCTV Brands

3- Brand Product List

4- Image, Video & Night Vision Quality

5- Smart & AI Features

6- Pricing & Brand Positioning

7- Brand Storage Capabilities

8- Mobile App & Remote Features

9- Subscription Plans

10- Security & Privacy

We will discuss these topics and see how close or different these brands are.

1. Brand Overview- Nest vs Arlo

Nest Brand

The Nest CCTV Brand is also known as the Google Nest Brand. It is a subsidiary of Google LLC. Nest Company started in 201o in America. Later, it was acquired by Google in 2014.

It deals in smart home products like smart home CCTVs, doorbells, thermostats, and smoke detectors. Nest products, and especially its CCTVs, follow the Google ecosystem. They function exceptionally well when they are integrated with Google Assistant and Google Home.

Nest devices are smart and intelligent. They can detect motions and differentiate between humans, pets, and vehicles. They can send alert signals to users detecting suspicious things or behaviours. Nest devices record externally on the cloud.

It has plug-and-play, wireless, battery, or solar cameras.

Arlo Brand

Arlo is a world-class brand. It was started as a subsidiary of Netgear Networking in 2014 in California, America. But in 2018, the brand separated itself and started functioning as an independent identity.

The brand deals in smart CCTV cameras, which are primarily wireless, plug-and-play, solar or battery-operated. These cameras are DIY type and have all the advanced surveillance features.

The Arlo brand is known for its premium quality cameras. These cameras are costly with quality features. They support Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home Kit, and IFTTT features.

Arlo devices have all advanced features, and they record on the cloud. Only a few modern cameras support internal micro SD card data storage. Users have to subscribe to a plan for its smart and latest features. We will know more about it in the next sections.

2. Brand Pros & Cons- Nest & Arlo CCTV Brands

Nest Brand- Pros

• The Nest cameras provide seamless Google integration. They support Google Assistant and Google Home.
• Its devices are of premium quality and range. Its cameras are costlier than Arlo cameras.
• The cameras are sleek and beautifully designed.
• Its cameras are plug-and-play type or wireless with battery-operated.
• Its cameras are 1080p HD. It means they give clean images with 920 x 1080 pixels.
• The Nest devices cover a wide angle. It captures diagonally around 130 degrees.
• The brand supports the HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature and gives extremely clean images.
• The Nest Cam has a high IQ standard. Its 4k sensors and intelligent algorithms provide clear and detailed images in the dark conditions. Images don’t get blurred even after zooming because of this technology.
• It supports all intelligent features like facial recognition, motion detection, and human & non-human differentiation.
• Nest supports a unified Google Home App that manages all smart home devices, like CCTVs, doorbells, switches, etc.

Nest Brand- Cons

• Its devices don’t provide users with a local storage facility. A paid plan is required for recordings. It stores data in the cloud.
• It has no 4K resolution cameras.
• It works in a limited Google ecosystem only.

Arlo Brand- Pros

• The Arlo brand has premium-quality products.
• Its resolutions are between 1080p, 2k, and 4k. Its devices give clan images during days and nights.
• Premium Arlo devices give colour night vision.
• Its devices record on the cloud. Some latest and modern cameras also support internal SD card data storage.
• It works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT (If This Then That)
• It has a long range of products that help you select a more suitable product based on your needs.
• The camera has all smart features like human, packet, pet, or vehicle differentiation, face recognition, 4k recording, motion & sound detection, etc.
• Its cameras can capture wide angles between 130 and 180 degrees.
• Arlo’s cameras are wireless, plug-and-play, or battery-operated. They support dual-band frequencies and support 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz.

Arlo Brand- Cons

• Its cameras are costly. 4k cameras are highly priced.
• For internal storage, users are required to use the SmartHub Kit.
• You have to subscribe to a plan for advanced device features and data storage.

3. Nest vs Arlo- Brand Product List

Nest Brand

Google Nest has certain indoor and outdoor products.

• Its indoor models are plug-and-play and 2nd-generation products.
• These cameras are sleek, portable, 1080p, and intelligent.
• Its integration is easy.
• The camera comes with a magnetic stand and Google Home App support.
• Its outdoor models are battery-operated cameras. They are wireless, weatherproof, 1080p with smart and AI features.
• Its Nest Cam outdoor cameras can be mounted on a magnetic stand, which the company provides. The magnetic mount delivers flexibility to devices.
• Its special models are Nest Cam with Floodlight and Nest Doorbell (Battery/Wired).  
• – Combines security lighting with smart surveillance, 180° motion detection, and alerts.
• The Nest Cam gives colour night vision with motion detection and other smart features. Can view up to 180 degrees.
• The Nest Doorbell cameras are smart with special capabilities to detect and differentiate between humans, pets, packages, and vehicles.

Arlo Brand

• Arlo has a long range of products. Its products are good in quality, features, and performance. Its key products are given here.
• Arlo Pro 5S 2K– 2K HDR, spotlight, colour night vision, works with Arlo Secure.
• Arlo Pro 4/Pro 3– Wireless, 2K video, integrated spotlight, siren.
• Arlo Ultra 2– 4K UHD, auto zoom and tracking, 180-degree view.
• Arlo Essential (Has Indoor/Outdoor versions)– Budget-friendly, 1080p, colour night vision.
• Arlo Floodlight Camera– Wireless floodlight cameras with 2K video and 3000-lumen brightness.
• Arlo Video Doorbell (Both Wired & Wireless available)– Square aspect ratio, HDR, direct-to-phone calls.

4. Nest vs Arlo- Image, Video & Night Vision Quality

Nest Brand

• Nest brand cameras have 1080p resolution.
• Its higher models have HDR features. They provide excellent image quality.
• Images are clean and transparent. No blur. You can view things clearly in the darkness or dim light.
• Infrared night vision gives clean black-and-white images in the darkness.
• No colour night vision. Only its floodlight camera gives colour night vision.
• Nest cameras can view between 130 degrees and 160 degrees.
• Supports bi-directional talk.
• It has a synchronised video feed with the Google ecosystem.

Arlo Brand

• The Arlo cameras have great image quality and standards.
• Its cameras have clan 1080p, 2k, and 4k resolution.
• Its HDR feature is available only in its 2k and 4k resolution cameras. Its 1080p resolution devices don’t support the HDR feature.
• Its devices can view between 130 degrees and 180 degrees.
• The Arlo brand cameras support a 2-way audio feature.
• Arlo camera’s image quality is superior to Nest cameras.

5. Nest vs Arlo- Smart & AI Features

Nest Brand

• Nest cameras are intelligent. These cameras can differentiate between a person, a vehicle, and an animal.  No need to subscribe to a plan for this feature.
• Its device recognises faces. For this feature, users have to subscribe to the Nest Aware Plus plan.
• Detects motion and audio. Smoke detection and glass-breaking features are given.

Arlo Brand

• Arlo is a high-quality camera. Its advanced features can detect and differentiate between a person, an animal, a vehicle, and a package.
• Its premium cameras track objects.
• Detects motion and issues alert notifications.
• Users have to subscribe to the Arlo Secure Plan for advanced features. It gives facial recognition and alert notifications.
• Records on the cloud and gives 4k footage.
• Arlo has better AI features than the Nest.

6. Nest vs Arlo- Pricing & Brand Positioning

Nest Brand

• Nest has positioned itself as a quality and premium brand. It has high-value and costly products compared to Arlo products.
• Its entry-level plug-and-play cameras come at $99.
• Its middle-range solar, battery, or wireless cameras come at $179.
• Its higher-end, premium-quality cameras with spotlight or floodlight features come at $279.

Arlo Brand

• Arlo is a premium brand. The brand is good for elite groups or tech-savvy lovers who want feature-rich cameras with a wide product range. Its cameras are suitable for the upper and middle classes. The Arlo brand is cheaper compared to the Nest brand.
• Arlo’s entry-level Essential series cameras are at $59.
• Arlo’s mid-range series, like Pro 4, comes for around $199.
• Arlo’s premium cameras, like the Ultra series, came at $299.

7. Nest vs Arlo- Brand Storage Capabilities

Nest Brand

• Nest brand stores data via the cloud. It doesn’t support an internal storage facility.
• Users have to subscribe to a Nest Aware plan for the recording.

Arlo Brand

• Its devices support cloud storage. Only a few cameras support internal storage.
• Local storage-supported cameras require an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station. They support USB drives or micro SD cards.

8. Nest vs Arlo- Mobile App & Remote Features

Nest Brand

• The Nest cameras support the Google Nest Home App.
• It also supports the Google Home App. The Google Home app is more comprehensive and up-to-date.
• The app is innovative and gives unified control of all devices.
• It supports smart AI features with remote access.
• It adds devices easily and allows users to operate them from any place.
• Users can check playbacks remotely.

Arlo Brand

• Arlo Secure App is rich in features.
• It can detect motion, manage devices, and push alert notifications.
• It adds cameras through their QR codes and allows remote access to them.
• You can check playbacks from anywhere and communicate two-way.
• The Arlo secure app is innovative and intuitive.

9. Nest vs Arlo- Subscription Plans

Nest Brand

• Nest cameras don’t record internally. They record on the cloud. Users have to subscribe to a monthly or yearly plan.
• The Nest Aware subscription plan for a month comes at $8 per month. It stores data on the cloud and has all the smart features.
• The Nest Aware monthly subscription plan costs $80.
• The Nest Aware Plus comes at $15 per month. It has all the features of Nest Aware plus additional features like continuous recording, etc.
• The Nest Aware Plus yearly plan is at $150.

Arlo Brand

• Arlo brands have cameras that record to the cloud. Almost all Arlo cameras, barring a new model camera record data on the cloud.
• The Arlo Secure Plan for a single camera is at $4.99 per month.
• The Arlo Secure Plan for multiple cameras is $12.99 per month.
• The Arlo Secure Plus plan for multiple cameras for a month is $17.99. It supports 4k recording and playback.
• Arlo has more subscription plans, but the Nest subscription plan is cheaper for multiple cameras.

10. Nest vs Arlo- Security & Privacy

Nest Brand

• It has an encryption standard of AES 128-bit, TLS/SSL.
• The Nest brand provides two-factor Authentication.
• The brand follows high privacy standards, and Google’s governance data conditions apply.
• A secure camera brand.

Arlo Brand

• Its encryption standard is AES 256-bit, TLS.
• The Arlo brand provides the two-factor authentication procedure.
• Users can set privacy zones.
• It is considered a secure and trusted brand.

Conclusion- Which Brand to Choose? Nest vs Arlo

Choose Nest Brand

• Choose the Nest brand if you want a Google camera working in its Google ecosystem.
• If you are looking for a simple DIY camera with trusted performance.
• If you want a 1080p camera with smart features.
• If you have installed other Nest devices like doorbells, switches, etc, in your smart home and want to operate all through the same Google Home App.

Choose Arlo Brand

• Choose the Arlo brand if you want a high-resolution, clear image and a quality camera.
• If you want 2k and 4k wireless cameras.
• If you want sleek and beautiful wire-free colour night vision cameras.
• If you want smart battery cameras with motion detection, facial recognition, and human and non-human differentiation.
• If you want a range of cameras for different locations and sites.

The brand comparison will help users select a more useful product for the location.

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