Does the Aura frame have a monthly fee?
Updated October 22, 2026
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No. Aura frames have no subscription or monthly fee. Unlimited photo and video storage, the Aura app and new features are included in the price of the frame.
What's included at no extra cost
- Unlimited photos and videos, stored in Aura's cloud.
- Sending photos from the Aura app, by email, from the web or by text message, from anyone you invite.
- Preloading photos, videos and a message before you give the frame.
- Videos up to 30 seconds with sound, on frames with a speaker such as the Aspen and Carver.
What you do pay
Only the frame. On Aura's site, the Carver 10" is $149 and the Aspen 12" is $229. Larger and e-paper models go up to $499.
The one catch: Wi-Fi
Because the photos live in Aura's cloud, the frame needs Wi-Fi to show them. If the person you're buying for has unreliable Wi-Fi, read which frames keep working without Wi-Fi.
How Aura compares with other frames
| Frame | Subscription | What the paid plan adds |
|---|---|---|
| Aura (all frames) | None | No paid plan |
| Skylight Frame | Optional, $39/year | Videos and captions, albums, changing frame settings from the app |
| Nixplay | Free plan is limited; paid plans from $19.99/year | More than 500 MB of cloud storage and more than one shared album |
| Dragon Touch Classic 10 | None | No paid plan |
| Pix-Star | None | No paid plan |
Our take: if you don't want the person you're gifting to ever face a surprise bill, Aura and Dragon Touch are the safest choices. Skylight is free for photos, so most families never need its paid plan. See all four picks side by side.