Ring Doorbell subscription pricing

Ring offers two main subscription tiers for doorbell cameras: Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month or $30 per year, and Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month or $100 per year. Both plans cover video recording, cloud storage, and the ability to review footage on your phone. The difference is that Plus adds professional monitoring for alarms from Ring security devices (like motion sensors or door/window sensors) and extends coverage to all Ring devices in your home, while Basic covers only one device.

Ring also offers a Ring Protect Pro plan at $20 per month or $200 per year, which includes everything in Plus plus 24/7 professional emergency response monitoring. This tier is designed for people who want their Ring system to function like a full home security system with dispatch services.

If you own multiple Ring devices and want to monitor them all, you do not need a separate subscription for each one. A single Plus or Pro subscription covers your entire Ring ecosystem — all doorbells, cameras, and sensors on your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month or $30 per year and covers video storage and cloud access for one device.
  • Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month or $100 per year and covers all Ring devices in your home plus professional alarm monitoring.
  • Ring Protect Pro costs $20 per month or $200 per year and adds 24/7 emergency dispatch services.
  • You can use a Ring doorbell without any subscription, but you will only see live video — no recorded footage or cloud storage.

What you get without a subscription

Ring doorbells work without a subscription. You can still view live video from your doorbell on your phone or tablet whenever someone rings the bell or motion is detected. However, without a subscription you cannot save video to the cloud or review footage after the moment passes. The doorbell will send you a notification when motion or a ring event occurs, but the video itself is not stored anywhere you can access later.

This matters most if you want to review what happened while you were away or provide footage to police after a theft or incident. Without cloud storage, that footage is gone once the live stream ends.

What each subscription tier covers

Ring Protect Basic stores video from one Ring device for 60 days in the cloud. You can download video clips, share them with others, and review past events through the Ring app. It does not include professional monitoring of any kind — it is purely for video storage and access.

Ring Protect Plus extends video storage to all Ring devices you own and adds professional monitoring for Ring Alarm sensors (door/window sensors, motion detectors, and keypads). If a sensor is triggered, Ring's monitoring center can contact you and dispatch emergency services if needed. This plan is useful if you have multiple cameras or a full Ring Alarm system installed.

Ring Protect Pro includes everything in Plus and adds 24/7 professional emergency response. This means Ring's monitoring center actively watches for alarm signals and can dispatch police, fire, or medical services without waiting for you to respond. It functions as a traditional home security monitoring service.

How to pay for Ring subscriptions

You can purchase any Ring subscription directly through the Ring app or on Ring's website. Payment is handled through your Amazon account if you have one linked, or through a credit or debit card. Monthly plans renew automatically each month, and annual plans renew each year on the anniversary of your purchase date.

If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you may see promotional offers for discounted Ring subscriptions, though these vary by region and time. Check your Ring app notifications or the Ring website to see current offers in your area.

You can cancel your subscription at any time through the Ring app or website. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you will not be charged again, but you will keep access to your subscription features until that date passes.

Ring subscriptions versus other doorbell cameras

Most video doorbell brands charge for cloud storage in a similar way. Wyze charges $1.99 per month for cloud storage on one camera or $9.99 per month for unlimited cameras. Logitech Circle View charges $3 per month per camera or $30 per year per camera. Nest Aware (Google's service) costs $6 per month for one camera or $12 per month for unlimited cameras.

Ring's pricing is competitive at the lower end — Basic is among the cheapest options available. However, if you want professional monitoring, Ring's Plus and Pro tiers are more expensive than basic cloud storage alone because they include security monitoring services, not just video storage.

When you might not need a subscription

If you only care about live video — seeing who is at your door in real time — you do not need to pay for a subscription. The Ring doorbell sends notifications and lets you watch live video for free. This works well if you are home most of the time or if you do not need to review past events.

If you have a separate home security system with its own monitoring service, you may not need Ring Protect Plus or Pro. In that case, Ring Protect Basic might be enough just to store video from your doorbell camera.

If you have only one Ring device and no other Ring products, Basic is usually the most cost-effective choice. You only need Plus if you own multiple Ring cameras or sensors, or if you want professional alarm monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try a Ring subscription before I pay for it?

Ring sometimes offers free trial periods for new subscribers, usually 30 days of a paid plan at no cost. These trials are not always available and depend on your location and device. Check the Ring app or website to see if a trial is currently offered for your account.

What happens to my video if I cancel my subscription?

Video stored in the cloud is deleted when your subscription ends. Any footage you want to keep should be downloaded before your subscription expires. After cancellation, you can still view live video from your doorbell, but no new video will be stored.

Do I need a subscription if I have a Ring Alarm system?

You need a subscription only if you want cloud video storage or professional monitoring. If you have a Ring Alarm system but do not care about reviewing doorbell video, you can skip the subscription and just use live view. If you want the alarm sensors monitored professionally, you need at least Ring Protect Plus.

Can I share my Ring subscription with family members?

Yes. Anyone you invite to your Ring account through the Ring app can view video and live feeds from your devices. They do not need their own subscription — they use the one attached to your account. However, only the account owner can manage the subscription or change settings.

Is there a discount if I pay for a year instead of monthly?

Yes. All Ring subscription tiers offer a discount when you pay annually. Basic is $30 per year instead of $36 if paid monthly, Plus is $100 per year instead of $120 monthly, and Pro is $200 per year instead of $240 monthly. The annual option saves you one month's cost.