You do not need Petcube Care for live viewing
Petcube Care is optional. Petcube’s current cameras can still provide live video without a paid Care plan. The subscription mainly changes what happens when you are not actively watching: cloud video history, smart alerts, downloads, browser access and other monitoring features.
Petcube Care plans at a glance
| Plan | Current price* | Video history | Downloads | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | None | None | Owners who mainly want live check-ins |
| Optimal | $9.99 monthly, or $59.88/year | 3 days | 10 | One-camera households that want event history and smart alerts |
| Premium | $16.99 monthly, or $143.88/year | 90 days | Unlimited | Multiple cameras or owners who need longer history |
*Prices and plan terms checked against Petcube on September 30, 2026. Petcube can change pricing, promotions and included features, so verify the current checkout before subscribing.
What the free plan gives you
The free experience keeps live video streaming available. It does not include the paid plan’s stored video history, smart-alert package, web interface, video downloads, smart filters or Daily Diary videos. If your main use is opening the app to check on a pet in real time, a paid plan may not be necessary.
What Optimal adds
Optimal currently includes three days of video history, 30-second recorded clips, smart alerts, browser access, 10 video downloads, Daily Diary videos and smart filters. Petcube positions it as the everyday paid tier for owners who want to review what happened while they were away rather than only watch live.
For someone using one camera, this is the tier to compare first. The main question is whether three days of stored history is enough for how often you review alerts and clips.
What Premium adds
Premium expands video history to 90 days, allows unlimited video downloads and currently covers unlimited Petcube cameras on the same account. Petcube also lists Online Vet access and a two-year device warranty among the Premium benefits.
That multi-camera coverage is the biggest structural difference for larger setups. If you are deciding whether one, two or three cameras make sense, see our Petcube camera-count guide.
Which Petcube Care plan makes sense?
- Stay free if you mainly want live video and do not need cloud recordings.
- Consider Optimal if smart alerts and a short event history are the reason you bought the camera.
- Consider Premium if you run several Petcube cameras, need much longer history or regularly save clips.
If you are still choosing the hardware itself, our Petcube camera comparison separates Cam, Cam 360, Play 2 and Bites 2 Lite before you decide whether a subscription is worth adding.
Is there a free trial?
Petcube currently says every camera purchase includes a 14-day free trial of Petcube Care. Treat that as a chance to test whether recorded history and smart alerts are actually useful in your routine before paying for a longer plan.
Common questions
Does a Petcube camera work without a subscription?
Yes. Petcube says live video streaming works without Petcube Care. Paid plans add cloud history and other monitoring features.
Which Petcube Care plan covers multiple cameras?
Premium currently covers unlimited cameras connected to the same account, according to Petcube’s current plan information.
Can Petcube Care prices change?
Yes. Monthly and annual prices, promotions and included features can change. Check Petcube’s current Care plan page before subscribing.
Research note
This guide is based on Petcube’s current Care plan page and support documentation rather than a claim of hands-on subscription testing. Plan details were checked on September 30, 2026. See Petcube’s Care membership documentation for the current feature definitions.