# 🛡️ Does the Tapo C120 require a subscription for basic features?

*Published: 2023-12-04 | Updated: 2025-01-10 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/does-the-tapo-c120-require-a-subscription-for-basic-features*

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## Product: Tapo TP-Link C120 Security Camera
**Brand:** Tapo

Nope, you don't need a subscription for the basic features of the Tapo TP-Link 2K QHD Security Camera (C120). The manufacturer mentions that you get person, pet, and vehicle detection, smart alerts, and local storage without having to pay extra. 

It can handle microSD cards up to 512GB for storing video locally, which is pretty awesome, considering some other security cameras make you pay for these kinds of features.

Now, if you're interested in cloud storage, TP-Link offers a [Tapo Care subscription](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dtp-link%2Btapo%2Bcare%2Bsubscription%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20). For $3.49 a month, you get 30 days of cloud storage for event-triggered clips, plus notifications with snapshots. 

But that's totally optional. The main functions of the camera are available without the subscription.

From what we've found, people generally like the Tapo C120 for its value, especially since there's no mandatory subscription fee. The AI-powered detection, night vision, and ease of setup get a lot of praise. 

So, if you want a reliable security camera with good features and no required subscription, the Tapo C120 could be a great fit for you.

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*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*