Ring Video Subscription covers cloud storage and features for your Ring camera or doorbell

Ring offers two paid subscription tiers — Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus — that store your video footage in the cloud and unlock features like person detection and 24/7 emergency response. Without a subscription, your Ring device records video but does not save it to the cloud, so you lose the footage once it leaves your device's local storage. The subscription is optional; your Ring camera or doorbell will still function and alert you to motion or someone at the door, but you will not be able to review what happened after the fact.

Both plans cost money each month or year, and the price depends on how many devices you want to cover. Ring also offers a free tier with no subscription, though it comes with significant limitations on what you can see and do with your footage.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring Protect Basic covers one device and stores 60 days of video; Ring Protect Plus covers unlimited devices and stores 60 days of video plus includes 24/7 emergency response.
  • Without any subscription, your Ring device still records and sends alerts, but video is not saved to the cloud and you cannot review it later.
  • Ring Protect Plus includes professional monitoring and dispatch for emergencies, which Basic does not.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time, and your device will revert to the free tier with no penalty.

Ring Protect Basic: Single device, 60 days of storage

Ring Protect Basic is the entry-level paid plan. It covers one Ring device — a doorbell, camera, or alarm system — and stores 60 days of video footage in Ring's cloud servers. This means you can go back and watch what happened at your door or in front of your camera for up to two months. The plan also includes person detection, which tells you whether the motion that triggered your camera was a person, animal, or vehicle, rather than just alerting you to any movement.

Basic does not include professional monitoring or emergency dispatch. If your camera detects a break-in or someone at your door, you get the alert on your phone, but Ring does not contact emergency services on your behalf. You have to decide whether to call 911 yourself.

Ring Protect Plus: All devices, emergency response, and 60 days of storage

Ring Protect Plus covers an unlimited number of Ring devices under one subscription — your doorbell, your outdoor cameras, your indoor cameras, and your alarm system all count as one. Like Basic, it stores 60 days of video and includes person detection. The main difference is the addition of 24/7 professional monitoring and emergency dispatch through Ring's monitoring center.

If your Ring Alarm system detects a break-in or fire, or if you manually trigger an emergency through the Ring app, the monitoring center receives the alert. They can listen through your camera's two-way audio, assess the situation, and dispatch police or fire to your address if needed. This service costs more than Basic but covers your entire home's Ring ecosystem in one plan.

What happens without a subscription

The free tier is real and functional. Your Ring device will still record video and send push notifications to your phone when motion is detected or someone presses the doorbell. You can watch a live feed from your camera anytime through the Ring app. The catch is that video is not stored in the cloud — it exists only on your device's local storage for a short window, usually a few seconds to a minute depending on your device and internet connection.

This means if you are away from home and your camera detects motion, you get the alert, but by the time you open the app to review what happened, the footage may already be gone. You also lose person detection, video history, and any emergency response features. For many people, the free tier is enough if they only care about live monitoring and real-time alerts.

Pricing and billing options

Ring Protect Basic and Plus are available on monthly or annual billing cycles. Monthly plans renew automatically each month; annual plans renew each year. The exact price varies by region and changes over time, so check Ring's website or your Ring app for current rates in your area. Annual plans typically cost less per month than paying month-to-month, but you pay the full year upfront.

You can change your plan or cancel at any time. If you cancel, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period, and your device reverts to the free tier. There are no early termination fees or penalties for canceling.

Which plan makes sense for your situation

Choose the free tier if you only want real-time alerts and live viewing. You will not be able to review footage after the fact, but you will know immediately if something happens. This works well if you are home most of the time or if you only care about being alerted to motion or doorbell presses.

Choose Ring Protect Basic if you have one Ring device and want to keep a 60-day history of video. This is the most common choice for people with a single doorbell or camera who want to review what happened but do not need professional monitoring. Basic is the cheapest paid option.

Choose Ring Protect Plus if you have multiple Ring devices, want professional monitoring and emergency dispatch, or want all your Ring products covered under one plan. If you have a Ring Alarm system, Plus is usually the better value because it covers the alarm monitoring plus all your cameras and doorbells.

How to manage your subscription

You can view your current plan, upgrade, downgrade, or cancel through the Ring app or Ring's website. Open the app, go to your account settings, and look for the subscription or membership section. From there you can see what plan you are on, when it renews, and what devices it covers. If you want to change plans, you can do so immediately, and the new plan takes effect right away.

If you cancel, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again, and your device will continue to work on the free tier. If you change your mind and want to resubscribe later, you can turn the subscription back on at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Ring camera without paying for a subscription?

Yes. Without a subscription, your Ring device still records and sends alerts to your phone when motion is detected or someone presses the doorbell. You can watch a live feed anytime. The trade-off is that video is not saved to the cloud, so you cannot review what happened after the fact. The free tier works well if you only need real-time alerts and live viewing.

Does Ring Protect Plus really dispatch police if my alarm goes off?

Ring's monitoring center can dispatch police or fire if you have an active alarm signal or if you manually trigger an emergency through the app. The monitoring center listens through your camera, assesses the situation, and decides whether to dispatch. They will not dispatch for every alert — only for genuine emergencies. You can also call 911 yourself at any time.

What if I have multiple Ring devices but only want to pay for one?

Ring Protect Basic covers only one device. If you have more than one, you would need either multiple Basic subscriptions (one per device) or one Plus subscription to cover them all. Plus is often cheaper than paying for multiple Basic plans, especially if you have three or more devices.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

Ring does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel your subscription, and it will end at the end of your billing period. If you want to resubscribe later, you can turn it back on anytime. There is no penalty for canceling and restarting.

Do I lose my video if I cancel my subscription?

Yes. Once your subscription ends, Ring deletes your stored video after a short period. If you think you might want to keep certain footage, download it before your subscription expires. After cancellation, your device reverts to the free tier and no longer stores video in the cloud.