Ring Doorbell subscriptions explained

Ring offers two paid subscription tiers for doorbell cameras: Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus. Both are optional — your doorbell works without a subscription, but you lose video recording and cloud storage. Basic covers one device; Plus covers all Ring devices at your address. Pricing varies slightly by region and changes periodically, so check Ring's website for your current rates.

Without a subscription, your Ring doorbell will still send you motion alerts and let you answer the door live, but it won't save video to the cloud. That means if someone rings or motion triggers while you're away, you see the live feed only if you open the app in time. Once you close the app, that moment is gone — there's no recording to review later.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring Protect Basic records video from one device and stores it for 60 days; Ring Protect Plus covers all your Ring devices and adds professional monitoring for break-ins.
  • Both plans cost between $3 and $10 per month depending on your region and whether you pay monthly or annually.
  • You can cancel either plan at any time with no penalty, and your doorbell continues to work for live view and motion alerts.
  • Ring also offers a one-time purchase option called Ring Protect Plan (paid upfront) for some devices, though this is being phased out in favor of monthly subscriptions.

Ring Protect Basic: single-device recording

Ring Protect Basic records video from one Ring device and stores it in the cloud for 60 days. You can download clips, share them with others, and review footage from the Ring app on your phone or computer. This plan is the entry-level option and covers only the one device you choose — if you have multiple Ring cameras or doorbells, you'd need to upgrade to Plus or buy separate Basic subscriptions for each.

Basic does not include professional monitoring. If motion or a doorbell press happens, you get a notification on your phone, but Ring's monitoring center doesn't watch your feed or contact authorities. You're responsible for responding to alerts yourself.

Ring Protect Plus: all devices and professional monitoring

Ring Protect Plus covers every Ring device at your address — all doorbells, cameras, and alarm sensors — with the same 60-day cloud storage. It also adds 24/7 professional monitoring. If your Ring Alarm system detects a break-in, the monitoring center receives the alert, verifies the intrusion, and can dispatch emergency services on your behalf. This is the main difference from Basic.

Plus costs more than Basic, typically between $10 and $20 per month depending on your region. The professional monitoring service is what accounts for most of the price difference. If you have multiple Ring devices or an alarm system, Plus is usually cheaper than buying separate Basic subscriptions for each device.

What video storage and playback look like

Both Basic and Plus store video for 60 days in Ring's cloud servers. You can rewind through that 60-day window in the Ring app, download individual clips to your phone, or share clips with family members or police. Video quality is typically 1080p for most Ring doorbells, though some newer models record at higher resolution.

If you cancel your subscription, you lose access to stored video after a grace period (usually a few days). Any clips you want to keep should be downloaded before your subscription ends. Ring does not offer longer storage periods even if you pay more — 60 days is the standard for both plans.

Monthly versus annual billing

Ring offers both monthly and annual payment options. Annual plans cost less per month than paying month-to-month, but you pay the full year upfront. If you cancel an annual plan early, Ring typically refunds the unused portion, though the exact refund policy can vary by region and payment method.

Monthly billing gives you flexibility to cancel anytime without penalty. There's no contract, and you can pause or resume a subscription whenever you want. If you're unsure whether you'll keep the service long-term, monthly is the lower-risk choice.

Ring Protect Plan: one-time purchase option

Ring previously sold a Ring Protect Plan as a one-time purchase tied to a specific device — you paid once and got cloud storage for the life of that device. This option is no longer available for new purchases and is being phased out. If you own a device with an active Protect Plan, it will continue to work, but when you upgrade or buy a new Ring device, you'll need to switch to a monthly subscription.

If you have an older device with a Protect Plan and want to keep it, you don't need to do anything. The plan remains active. But if you buy a second Ring device, you cannot extend that same Protect Plan to cover it — you'd need to purchase a Basic or Plus subscription for the new device.

How to manage or cancel your subscription

You can change or cancel your Ring subscription directly in the Ring app under Account Settings. Go to Subscriptions, select the plan you want to modify, and choose to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel. Changes take effect immediately for monthly plans. If you're on an annual plan and cancel early, Ring processes a refund for the remaining months.

Cancelling your subscription does not delete your Ring account or remove your doorbell from the app. You'll still receive motion alerts and can answer the door live. You simply lose video recording and cloud storage. If you resubscribe later, your device reconnects to the service without any setup required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Ring subscription to use my doorbell?

No. Your doorbell works without a subscription — you can still see live video when someone rings or motion is detected. You just won't have recordings saved to the cloud. Without a subscription, you must open the app in real time to see what's happening, or you'll miss it.

Can I use local storage instead of cloud storage?

Ring doorbells do not support local storage to a hard drive or NAS. Cloud storage through a paid subscription is the only way to save video. Some Ring Alarm systems can store video locally if you add a Ring Alarm Pro hub, but standard Ring doorbells require a subscription for any recording.

What happens to my video if I cancel mid-month?

You typically have a grace period of a few days to download any clips you want to keep. After that, stored video is deleted. If you cancel an annual plan early, Ring refunds the unused portion to your original payment method, usually within a few business days.

Can I share my subscription with family members?

Yes. You can add family members to your Ring account in the app, and they'll see all your devices and stored video. They don't need their own subscription — one subscription covers all authorized users on the same account. You control who has access and what permissions they have.

Does Ring Protect Plus work if my internet goes down?

No. Both Basic and Plus require an active internet connection to record and upload video to the cloud. If your Wi-Fi or internet service is down, your doorbell can still show live video if you're connected to cellular data, but it won't record. Once internet is restored, recording resumes automatically.