Ring Subscription Plans and Their Monthly Cost
Ring offers two main subscription plans: Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus. Basic costs $3 per month or $30 per year and covers one device. Plus costs $10 per month or $100 per year and covers all Ring devices at your address — cameras, doorbells, and alarm systems if you have them.
Both plans auto-renew on the same date each month or year. You can cancel anytime through your Ring app or account settings, and the cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. If you pay annually and cancel mid-year, Ring does not refund the unused portion.
Some Ring devices come with a free trial period — usually 30 days of Protect Basic included when you first set up the device. After the trial ends, you must pay to keep recording video and cloud storage active.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month or $30 per year and covers one device only.
- Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month or $100 per year and covers all Ring devices at your address.
- New Ring devices typically include a 30-day free trial of Protect Basic before charging begins.
- Without a subscription, your Ring device will not record or store video to the cloud, though it will still send motion alerts.
What Each Subscription Tier Includes
Both Basic and Plus include 60 days of cloud video storage, motion and person detection alerts, and the ability to view live video from your Ring device through the app. The main difference is the number of devices covered: Basic protects one device, while Plus protects all of them.
Plus also includes professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems if you have one set up. This means a monitoring center watches your alarm 24/7 and can contact emergency services on your behalf if triggered. Basic does not include professional monitoring — you get alerts only to your phone.
Neither plan includes video recording without a subscription. Without an active subscription, your Ring device will still detect motion and send you a notification, but it will not save video to the cloud. You can still view live video in real time through the app, but once you close it, there is no recording to review.
When You Need a Subscription and When You Don't
You need a subscription if you want to record and store video from your Ring device. This is the main reason most people buy Ring products — to have a record of who came to the door or what happened outside while they were away.
You do not need a subscription if you only want live viewing and motion alerts. Some people use Ring devices this way as a live camera to check on their porch or driveway in real time, without caring about recordings. This setup costs nothing beyond the device itself.
If you have a Ring Alarm system, professional monitoring requires a Plus subscription. Basic will not activate professional monitoring even if you pay for it — you must upgrade to Plus.
Comparing Basic and Plus for Different Household Sizes
| Situation | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One Ring device (doorbell or camera) | Basic | Covers one device at $3/month; Plus would be wasted money |
| Two or more Ring devices | Plus | $10/month covers all devices; Basic would cost $3 per device |
| Ring Alarm system with professional monitoring | Plus | Only Plus includes 24/7 monitoring and emergency dispatch |
| Live viewing only, no recordings needed | Neither | No subscription required; motion alerts work without one |
How to Manage or Cancel Your Subscription
To change or cancel your Ring subscription, open the Ring app and go to the menu (three horizontal lines). Select "Subscriptions" and you will see your current plan, renewal date, and cost. From there you can upgrade to Plus, downgrade to Basic, or cancel entirely.
If you cancel, your subscription ends at the end of the current billing period. You will not lose access to your Ring device — it will simply stop recording video to the cloud. Motion alerts and live viewing will continue to work.
If you want to switch from monthly to annual billing (or vice versa), you must cancel your current plan and start a new one. Ring will not prorate the difference, so timing matters. Some people cancel a few days before renewal and restart on annual billing to avoid paying for overlapping periods.
Free Trials and Promotional Offers
Most new Ring devices come with 30 days of Protect Basic free. This trial begins when you first set up the device in the Ring app. After 30 days, you will be charged $3 per month unless you cancel before the trial ends.
Ring occasionally runs promotions for existing customers — discounts on annual plans, free months added to subscriptions, or reduced rates for the first year. These offers are usually sent through email or shown in the Ring app. There is no single place to check for current promotions; they vary by region and customer history.
If you are considering multiple Ring devices, buying them together sometimes qualifies you for a bundle discount on the devices themselves, though this does not reduce the subscription cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for a Ring subscription?
No. Your Ring device will still send motion alerts and let you view live video without a subscription. You only need to pay if you want to record and store video in the cloud. Some people use Ring this way as a live camera without ever paying for a subscription.
Can I use one subscription for multiple Ring devices?
Yes, but only with Protect Plus. Plus covers all Ring devices at your address for $10 per month. Basic covers only one device for $3 per month, so if you have two devices on Basic, you would pay $6 per month total.
What happens to my videos if I cancel my subscription?
Your existing videos are deleted after 60 days of cancellation. Ring does not keep them longer than that. If you want to save important videos, download them to your phone or computer before your subscription ends.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Ring does not offer a pause option. You can only cancel or keep your subscription active. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you must cancel and restart when you are ready, though you will lose any stored videos in the meantime.
Is there a discount if I pay for a year instead of monthly?
Yes. Annual plans cost $30 per year for Basic (versus $36 if you pay monthly) and $100 per year for Plus (versus $120 if you pay monthly). The annual option saves you about $6 per year on Basic and $20 per year on Plus.