What Ring subscription plans cost and what they include
Ring offers three subscription tiers for homeowners who want cloud storage, video history, and advanced features on their doorbells and cameras. The plans are Ring Protect Basic, Ring Protect Plus, and Ring Protect Pro. Basic covers one device, Plus covers unlimited devices at one location, and Pro covers unlimited devices at multiple locations. Prices and what each plan includes vary by region, but you can see your exact cost and coverage before you commit.
All three plans store your video in the cloud so you can watch recordings later, even if someone deletes footage from your device. Without a subscription, your Ring device records video but doesn't save it anywhere — you only see live feed. The subscription also turns on features like person detection (the camera tells you whether it saw a person, package, or animal) and allows you to share video clips with others.
Ring also sells a separate plan called Ring Protect Plus for video doorbells and cameras only, which is different from the home security version. Make sure you're looking at the right product line when you compare prices, because the names overlap.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic covers one device and costs less than the other plans, but you pay per device if you have more than one camera or doorbell.
- Ring Protect Plus covers unlimited devices at a single address and is usually cheaper per device if you own more than two Ring products.
- Ring Protect Pro covers unlimited devices across multiple addresses, so it's designed for people who own property in more than one location.
- Without any subscription, your Ring device records video but doesn't save it to the cloud, so you lose the footage if the device is stolen or damaged.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time, and Ring will stop charging you at the end of your current billing period.
Ring Protect Basic: Single-device coverage
Ring Protect Basic is the entry-level plan and covers one Ring device — one doorbell, one camera, or one of each. You choose which device gets the subscription when you set it up. If you add a second device later, you either upgrade to Plus or buy a second Basic subscription for that device.
Basic includes 30 days of cloud video storage, person detection, and the ability to share video clips with family members or neighbors. You can download clips to your phone and set up alerts so you get notified when the camera detects motion or a person. The plan does not include emergency services (the 24/7 monitoring service Ring calls Rapid Response) or video history older than 30 days.
Basic is the right choice if you own one Ring device and want cloud backup without paying for features you won't use. If you're considering adding more devices later, do the math on Basic versus Plus before you commit, because Plus often becomes cheaper once you own three or more devices.
Ring Protect Plus: Unlimited devices at one location
Ring Protect Plus covers as many Ring devices as you want at a single address — your doorbell, your front camera, your back camera, and any other Ring product you own there. You pay one monthly or annual fee instead of a separate subscription for each device. Plus includes 60 days of cloud video storage (double Basic's 30 days), person detection, and video clip sharing.
Plus also includes optional 24/7 professional monitoring through Ring's Rapid Response service, which means a human can watch your camera feed and contact emergency services on your behalf if they see a break-in. This feature costs extra and is not included in the base Plus price. You can turn it on or off whenever you want.
Plus is the better value if you own two or more Ring devices at the same address. The break-even point depends on your region and whether you pay monthly or annually, but most homeowners find Plus cheaper than paying Basic for each device once they own three or more products.
Ring Protect Pro: Multiple properties
Ring Protect Pro covers unlimited Ring devices across multiple addresses. If you own a rental property, a vacation home, or a second residence, Pro lets you monitor all of them under one subscription instead of buying separate plans for each location. Pro includes 60 days of cloud storage and person detection at all locations.
Pro also includes the option to add Rapid Response monitoring at any or all of your properties. Like Plus, this is an add-on service that costs extra and is not included in the base Pro price. You can enable it for your primary home but not your rental, or vice versa.
Pro is the most expensive plan and makes sense only if you own Ring devices at two or more separate addresses. If you own multiple devices at one address, Plus is cheaper and covers everything you need.
How to choose between monthly and annual billing
Ring lets you pay month-to-month or commit to a year upfront. Annual plans cost less per month than monthly plans, but you pay the full year's cost at once. The difference varies by region and plan, but annual billing typically saves you 15 to 25 percent compared to paying monthly.
Choose monthly billing if you're not sure you'll keep the subscription, if you want to test the service before committing, or if you're renting and might move. Choose annual billing if you own your home, you're confident you'll use the service, and you have the cash to pay upfront. You can switch between monthly and annual at any time, and Ring will prorate the cost if you change plans mid-cycle.
If you buy a Ring device from Amazon, check whether it includes a free trial of a subscription plan. Many Ring doorbells and cameras come with a free month or three months of Basic or Plus, which gives you time to decide whether the subscription is worth the cost.
What happens if you don't have a subscription
A Ring device without a subscription still records video and sends you motion alerts on your phone. You can watch the live feed anytime. The difference is that the video is not saved anywhere — it only exists on the device itself. If someone steals the device, damages it, or if it loses power, the video is gone.
Without a subscription, you also lose person detection (the camera can't tell you whether it saw a person or just an animal), video clip sharing, and the ability to download recordings. You can still see live video, but you can't go back and watch what happened an hour ago unless you happened to be watching at that moment.
Some people use Ring devices without subscriptions as a deterrent — the visible camera discourages theft even if it's not recording. Others pair a Ring device with a separate security system that handles recording and storage. It's a valid choice if you want the live-feed feature without paying for cloud storage.
How to cancel or change your subscription
You can cancel your Ring subscription anytime through the Ring app or your Amazon account. Go to your Ring account settings, find the subscription section, and select cancel. Ring will stop charging you at the end of your current billing period — you don't lose access mid-month if you cancel on the 15th.
If you want to change plans instead of canceling, you can upgrade or downgrade through the same settings. If you upgrade mid-cycle (say, from Basic to Plus), Ring charges you the difference for the remainder of your billing period and then charges the new plan price going forward. If you downgrade, Ring may issue a credit depending on your region and how much time is left in your cycle.
Ring does not charge a cancellation fee, and you don't have to contact customer service to cancel. The subscription ends cleanly at the end of your paid period, and you can restart it anytime if you change your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Ring device without paying for a subscription?
Yes. Your Ring device will record video and send you motion alerts without a subscription. You just won't have cloud storage, so the video only exists on the device itself. If the device is stolen or damaged, the video is lost. You also won't get person detection or the ability to download clips.
Do I need a different subscription for each Ring device?
Not if you choose Ring Protect Plus or Pro. Basic covers one device, so you'd need a separate Basic subscription for each device. Plus covers unlimited devices at one address for one price, which is cheaper if you own more than two devices. Pro covers unlimited devices across multiple addresses.
What's the difference between Ring Protect Plus and Rapid Response?
Ring Protect Plus is the cloud storage and video history plan. Rapid Response is optional 24/7 professional monitoring that you can add to Plus or Pro. Rapid Response costs extra and means a human watches your camera and can call emergency services if they see a break-in. You don't have to buy it.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Ring does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel anytime and restart later without penalty, but you won't have cloud storage or video history while the subscription is off. If you're going on vacation or away for a few months, canceling and restarting when you return is the same as pausing.
Does Ring Protect work with all Ring devices?
Ring Protect works with Ring doorbells, cameras, and some other Ring products. It does not work with Ring alarm systems, which use a separate subscription called Ring Protect Plus for security systems. Check the product page for the specific device you own to confirm which subscription plan covers it.