Ring subscription costs between $3 and $10 per month depending on which plan you choose and how many devices you want to protect
Ring offers two main subscription tiers. Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month or $30 per year and covers one device — usually a doorbell camera or security camera. Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month or $100 per year and covers all Ring devices at your home, plus includes 24/7 professional monitoring and emergency dispatch in some areas.
You do not need a subscription to use a Ring device at all. Without one, your camera will still record and send notifications to your phone when motion or someone rings the doorbell. The subscription adds cloud storage of your video history and, with the Plus plan, professional monitoring that can contact emergency services on your behalf.
Ring also sells Ring Protect Pro through some insurance partners, but this is not a direct subscription — it bundles Ring monitoring with homeowners insurance and pricing varies by insurer and location.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic at $3 per month covers one device and stores 60 days of video history in the cloud.
- Ring Protect Plus at $10 per month covers unlimited devices at your home and includes 24/7 professional monitoring with emergency dispatch.
- You can use Ring cameras without any subscription, but video will not be stored in the cloud and you will only get phone notifications.
- Annual payment ($30 for Basic, $100 for Plus) costs less than paying month-to-month if you plan to keep the service long-term.
What Ring Protect Basic includes
Basic covers one Ring device and stores up to 60 days of video footage in Ring's cloud storage. You get notifications on your phone when motion is detected or someone presses the doorbell, and you can view live video from the Ring app on your phone or computer anytime.
Basic does not include professional monitoring. If someone breaks in or there is an emergency, you will see the alert on your phone, but Ring will not contact police or emergency services for you. You also cannot share video access with family members or create custom motion zones — those features require the Plus plan.
What Ring Protect Plus includes
Plus covers all Ring devices you own at one address and stores 60 days of video for each one. It adds 24/7 professional monitoring, which means a monitoring center watches your cameras and can dispatch police, fire, or medical services if you confirm an emergency. You also get video sharing with family members, custom motion zones to reduce false alerts, and priority customer support.
Professional monitoring is available in most U.S. areas but not everywhere. When you sign up for Plus, Ring will tell you whether monitoring is available at your address. If it is not, you still get all the other Plus features — cloud storage, sharing, custom zones — but without the emergency dispatch service.
How to pay for Ring subscriptions
You can pay month-to-month or choose an annual plan. Month-to-month is $3 per month for Basic or $10 per month for Plus. Annual plans are $30 per year for Basic or $100 per year for Plus, which works out to $2.50 per month for Basic and $8.33 per month for Plus if you pay upfront.
Subscriptions renew automatically. You can cancel anytime through the Ring app under your subscription settings, and cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel mid-month, you do not get a refund for the unused portion.
Ring subscription vs. no subscription
| Feature | No Subscription | Ring Protect Basic | Ring Protect Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live video viewing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Phone notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud video storage | No | 60 days | 60 days |
| Devices covered | 1 | 1 | Unlimited |
| Professional monitoring | No | No | Yes |
| Video sharing | No | No | Yes |
| Custom motion zones | No | No | Yes |
| Cost | Free | $3/month or $30/year | $10/month or $100/year |
When professional monitoring is worth the cost
Professional monitoring through Ring Protect Plus makes sense if you want emergency response without having to call 911 yourself, or if you own multiple Ring devices and want to manage them all under one subscription. The $10 monthly cost is lower than most standalone home security monitoring services, which typically run $15 to $30 per month.
If you only have one camera, check whether your homeowners or renters insurance already includes monitoring or offers a discount for Ring. Some insurers bundle Ring monitoring into their policies or reduce your premium if you install a Ring device, which can offset the subscription cost. You can also contact Ring directly to ask about any current promotions or discounts for new subscribers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for a Ring subscription to use my camera?
No. Your Ring camera will record and send notifications to your phone without a subscription. The subscription only adds cloud storage of your video history and, with Plus, professional monitoring. Without it, you can still see live video and get alerts, but older recordings will not be saved.
Can I use Ring Protect Basic on multiple devices?
No. Basic covers one device only. If you have two or more Ring cameras or doorbells, you either need to buy separate Basic subscriptions for each one or upgrade to Ring Protect Plus, which covers all devices at your address for $10 per month.
What happens to my videos if I cancel my subscription?
Your cloud-stored videos are deleted when your subscription ends. Any footage recorded while you had an active subscription will no longer be available. If you want to keep videos, download them before you cancel.
Does Ring Protect Plus work if I move to a new house?
Yes, but professional monitoring availability depends on your new address. When you move, update your address in the Ring app. Ring will tell you whether 24/7 monitoring is available at the new location. If it is not, you keep all other Plus features but lose emergency dispatch.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
Ring does not offer refunds for subscription charges. However, you can cancel anytime and your subscription will end at the close of your current billing period. If you signed up for an annual plan, you cannot get back the unused months.