Ring Doorbell subscription prices and what's included
Ring offers two paid subscription tiers for doorbell cameras: Ring Protect Basic at $3 per month or $30 per year, and Ring Protect Plus at $10 per month or $100 per year. Basic covers video recording and storage for one device. Plus covers all devices on your account — doorbells, cameras, and alarm systems — and adds professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems if you have one.
Without a subscription, your Ring doorbell still works: it records video when motion is detected or someone presses the button, but the footage is not stored. You can watch live video in the Ring app, but you cannot review what happened while you were away. A subscription stores that video so you can watch it later.
Ring also sells Ring Protect Pro as part of a bundle with Ring Alarm Professional Monitoring at $20 per month. This is a security system subscription, not a doorbell-only plan, and includes 24/7 monitoring by a professional dispatch center.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month or $30 per year and stores video from one device only.
- Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month or $100 per year and covers all Ring devices on your account.
- Without any subscription, your doorbell records video but does not store it, so you cannot review footage later.
- Annual plans save money compared to paying month-to-month: Basic saves $6 per year, Plus saves $20 per year.
What video storage means in practice
When you pay for a Ring subscription, the company stores your video in the cloud for a set number of days. Ring Protect Basic and Plus both keep video for 60 days. If you do not watch or download a video within 60 days, it is deleted automatically.
You can download videos to your phone or computer at any time while they are stored. Downloaded videos stay on your device forever unless you delete them. This matters if you need footage for an insurance claim or police report — download it before the 60-day window closes.
Storage is unlimited during those 60 days. Ring does not charge extra if you have 10 hours of footage or 100 hours. The limit is time, not amount.
How to choose between Basic and Plus
Choose Ring Protect Basic if you own one Ring device — a single doorbell or camera. The $3 monthly cost is the lowest entry point. If you later add a second device, you would need to upgrade to Plus or buy a second Basic subscription for the new device.
Choose Ring Protect Plus if you own two or more Ring devices. At $10 per month, it covers your doorbell, any other cameras, and any Ring Alarm sensors. One Plus subscription is cheaper than buying separate Basic subscriptions for multiple devices. Plus also includes professional monitoring if you own a Ring Alarm system.
If you do not own a Ring Alarm system, the difference between Basic and Plus is only the number of devices covered. Both store video for 60 days and offer the same video quality and download options.
Devices covered by each subscription tier
| Subscription | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Devices Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Protect Basic | $3 | $30 | One Ring device |
| Ring Protect Plus | $10 | $100 | All Ring devices on your account |
| Ring Protect Pro (with alarm monitoring) | $20 | $240 | All Ring devices plus 24/7 alarm monitoring |
Canceling or pausing your subscription
You can cancel a Ring subscription at any time through the Ring app or website. There is no contract or cancellation fee. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of that billing cycle, then it stops.
Ring does not offer a pause or temporary suspension option. If you want to stop paying for a few months, you must cancel and then restart the subscription later. When you restart, you choose whether to go month-to-month or annual again.
If you cancel, any video stored in the cloud is deleted 30 days after your subscription ends. Download any footage you want to keep before that window closes.
Free alternatives and workarounds
If you do not want to pay for a subscription, you can still use your Ring doorbell without one. Live view works free — you can watch someone at your door in real time through the app. Motion alerts also work free, so you get a notification when motion is detected.
The trade-off is that video is not stored. Once you close the live view, that footage is gone. You cannot review what happened an hour ago or yesterday. For many people, live view and motion alerts are enough. For others, the inability to review past events makes the subscription worth the cost.
Some Ring users set up a separate security camera system with local storage (video saved to a device in your home rather than the cloud) to avoid subscription fees. This requires more technical setup and a separate camera, but it stores video indefinitely without monthly costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to see live video from my Ring doorbell?
No. Live view is free. You can watch someone at your door in real time through the Ring app without paying anything. You only need a subscription if you want to store and review video after the moment has passed.
What happens to my video if I cancel my subscription?
Video stored in the cloud is deleted 30 days after your subscription ends. Download any footage you want to keep before that deadline. Videos you have already downloaded to your phone or computer are not affected.
Can I buy a subscription for just one month?
Yes. Ring offers month-to-month billing at $3 per month for Basic or $10 per month for Plus. You can cancel anytime without penalty. Annual plans cost less per month if you know you will keep the subscription for a full year.
Does Ring Protect Plus really cover all my devices?
Yes, one Plus subscription covers every Ring device linked to your account — doorbells, cameras, video doorbells, and alarm sensors. You do not need separate subscriptions for each device.
Is there a discount if I have multiple Ring devices?
Not a separate discount, but Plus is the discount. One Plus subscription at $10 per month is cheaper than buying Basic for each device individually. Two Basic subscriptions would cost $6 per month; Plus costs $10 for unlimited devices.