Blink has been offering a select variety of subscription plans to support its camera hardware, with the Blink Basic and Blink Plus plans as the standouts.
New customers are often confused about which plan they should go for and the security advantages that entails, and this got me to write this one-stop article and claim the winner of Blink Basic vs Plus.
| Blink Basic Plan | Blink Plus Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of supported devices | 1 | Unlimited |
| Supported Models | Blink Indoor cameras Blink Outdoor Blink Mini | Blink Indoor cameras Blink Outdoor Blink Mini Blink Outdoor (legacy models) Blink XT Blink XT2 |
| Price | $3 per month $30 per year | $10 per month $100 per year |
| Motion activated notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Live view streaming | Yes; 90 minutes continuous for Blink Mini | Yes; 90 minutes continuous for Blink Mini |
| Live view recording | Yes | Yes |
| Motion-activated footage recording | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud storage access | Yes; 60 days of video storage is available | Yes; 60 days of video storage is available |
| Cloud Storage video history access | Yes | Yes |
| Photo capture | Yes | Yes |
| Video sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Extended warranty support | No | Yes |
| Blink device discounts | No | Yes; 10% discounts on all Blink devices on amazon.com |
Blink Basic offers almost all the features that are offered by Blink Plus for a fraction of the price. But it is restricted to only one Blink device, unlike the unlimited number of Blink camera support for Plus subscribers. Blink Basic also skips on the extended warranty and device discounts offered by Blink Plus.
Eligibility: Blink Basic vs Blink Plus
It might not be obvious at first, but there is a certain eligibility criterion that goes unnoticed when looking at the Blink subscription plans.
Here is a brief rundown of the eligibility factor that each of the service plans requires:
| Plan | No. of Supported Devices | Supported Models |
|---|---|---|
| Blink Basic plan | One | Blink Indoor cameras (not 1st Gen) Blink Outdoor Blink Mini Blink Video Doorbell |
| Blink Plus plan | Unlimited | Blink Indoor cameras Blink Outdoor Blink Mini Blink Outdoor (legacy models) Blink XT Blink XT2 Blink Video Doorbell |
It is to be noted that the Blink basic plan only supports one Blink camera, whereas the Blink Plus plan can support multiple Blink cameras.
All Blink cameras are eligible for the Blink Plus plan, whereas only select models can utilize the Blink Basic plan.
This means that if you own a Blink camera from the XT series or the legacy models of the Blink Indoor, you can not pair it with the Blink Basic plan.
Moreover, the Blink basic plan may well suit the Cams that don't require a Sync Module, like the Blink Mini.
Cost: Blink Basic vs Blink Plus
The primary aspect you might be interested in when it comes to taking any subscription model is the price and the expenses you might be subject to over the lifespan of the camera.
Here is a brief rundown of the costs that are associated with both service plans:
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| Blink Basic plan | $3 per month $30 per year |
| Blink Plus plan | $10 per month $100 per year |
The Blink Basic plan will cost you $3 every month per device, which will set you back a price of $36 every year if paid on a monthly basis.
But if you opt for the yearly package, you will only have to pay $30.
The Blink Plus plan, on the other hand, will cost you $10 every month for all your Blink devices, setting you up with a staggering $120 every year if paid on a monthly basis.
If you opt for the yearly package, you will only have to pay $100.
If you only have a single Blink camera, you can opt for the Blink Basic plan for the best value, provided your camera model is supported.
On the other hand, if your camera model is not on the list of supported models for Blink Basic, then you will have to opt for the more expensive Blink Plus plan.
Features: Blink Basic vs Blink Plus
Since the Blink Basic and the Blink Plus are paid subscription models, compared to their free plan counterparts, both the plans equally share a lot of security enhancements and features.
In fact, the only standout feature that differentiates the Basic plan from the Plus is that the Plus offers unlimited device support whereas Basic is restricted to just one.
Here is a brief rundown of all the features that Blink provides with their services:
| Features | Blink free plan / no plan | Blink Basic plan | Blink Plus plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live view streaming | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Motion activated notifications | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live view recording | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Motion activated recording | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Cloud Storage Access | ✓ | ✓ |
Live View Recording and Streaming
Viewing live footage of your Blink camera is available on the Blink app even without subscribing to any plan.
But if you want to record and save the footage locally or on the cloud, you will need the Blink Plus or Basic subscription.
Also, you are limited to streaming only up to 5 minutes at a time on the free version, but you can extend that to up to 90 minutes continuously with the Plus or Basic plans.
Do note that the 90 minutes of continuous live streaming is a limit set for the Blink Mini cameras. Other camera models can continuously live stream without limits.
Motion Activated Recording
Your Blink camera will push motion alerts to the Blink app on your Mobile device if it detects motion in any of the activity zones that you have preset.
This is a feature that is available even on the free plan.
But with a subscription to either of the services, you can now automatically activate the recording of the video since the motion trigger and save it locally or on the cloud.
Cloud Storage
Speaking of cloud storage, blink offers up to 60 days of additional storage (cloud) for both their Basic and Plus plan subscribers.
There is also a 60-day unlimited video history option with video sharing available, giving you more leeway and access to your past and current footage on the cloud.
This is not offered on the free plans.
You can also store recorded clips in local storage like a USB flash drive connected to the Sync Module. Thus, giving your dual storage options.
Warranty: Blink Basic vs Blink Plus
The extended warranty coverage is an area that the Plus plan seeks to differentiate from the Basic and free plans.
Subscribers of the Plus plan have the option of extending the warranty coverage of their Wireless Security Cameras.
This warranty extends as long as the Plus plan has been active, and as long as there were no lapses in coverage.
The lapse, according to Blink happens when the Plus plan gets canceled or paused. In such cases, you will lose access to the warranty even if you resubscribe.
Blink Device Discounts: Blink Basic vs Blink Plus
Blink Plus plan subscribers also get access to a store-wide discount of 10% across all Blink devices on Amazon.
The Basic plan and the free one are exempt from this discount.
This makes the Plus plan an ideal option if you are considering getting multiple Blink devices.
You can simply get the first Blink device, subscribe to the Blink Plus plan, and avail of the 10% discount for all subsequent Blink devices.
Do note that this discount can be availed only if you are buying from amazon.com, and you will have to link your Amazon account to the Blink Home Monitor app to avail of the offer.
How to Purchase a Blink Subscription
With all the info that we have assimilated up until now, it's time we look into how to actually purchase a Blink subscription.
One thing to keep in mind is that Blink Subscriptions cannot be purchased through the official Blink website. Instead, you'll have to get one through Amazon.
Here's how to get a Blink Subscription for your Blink Cam:
1. First, ensure that your Blink account is linked to your Amazon Account (Go to Blink app> Settings> Account and Privacy> Link To Amazon Account).
2. Then, head over to Amazon.com and select a Blink Subscription Plan.
3. If you've opted for the Blink Basic Plan, select the Camera you would like to apply the subscription for.
4. Click Continue and select 'Place your Order' to complete the purchase.
You've now successfully purchased a Blink subscription plan.
You can check the status of your Subscription from the Your Memberships and Subscriptions section on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
I hope my article on the differences between the Blink Basic and Blink Plus subscriptions has been a helpful read and has aided you with the same.
Make sure to try out the free 30-day trial version of the subscription models to get a firm grasp of the various security and otherwise features you get.
Also, don't forget to avail a Blink Plus subscription before the original warranty expires if you prefer to opt for extended warranty coverage on your Cameras.
Have a good day!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use Blink cameras without subscribing to any plans?
Blink cameras are free to use after the initial purchase and do not require any subscription plan to use the device.
But the paid subscription plans -Blink Plus and Blink Basic- do offer a lot of software-enabled features and benefits that are not available on the free plan.
You also get a free 30-day trial period on premium plans with each new purchase.
Do you need an Amazon account to use Blink cameras?
Blink cameras are not required to be synced to an Amazon account, and only require a Blink account during setup and daily use.
But connecting the Blink account to Amazon is necessary for subscribing to one of Blink's plans-Blink Plus and Blink Basic, or even availing the trial version of the said plans.
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