Ring Doorbell subscriptions cost $3 to $10 per month, depending on which plan you choose
Ring offers two main subscription tiers for doorbell owners. The Ring Protect Basic plan costs $3 per month or $30 per year. The Ring Protect Plus plan costs $10 per month or $100 per year. Both plans let you store video recordings in the cloud so you can watch them later, even if someone deletes them from your doorbell's local storage.
You don't have to buy a subscription to use your Ring Doorbell. Without one, the doorbell still records video and sends you notifications when motion or a person is detected. You just won't be able to save those recordings — they disappear after a short time. A subscription is the only way to keep a permanent record.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month and covers one device, while Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month and covers all your Ring devices at one address.
- Both plans store video for 60 days in the cloud, but you lose access to recordings if you cancel your subscription.
- Without a subscription, your Ring Doorbell still works and sends alerts, but video recordings are not saved.
- You can pay monthly or annually, and annual payment saves you money compared to paying month by month.
What Ring Protect Basic includes
Ring Protect Basic covers one device and costs $3 per month. This plan stores your video recordings for 60 days in the cloud. You can watch, read, and share those recordings anytime during that window. If you have multiple Ring devices — a doorbell and a camera, for example — you would need a separate Basic subscription for each one.
Basic also includes 24/7 professional monitoring if you add a Ring Alarm system to your account, though that is a separate purchase. The doorbell subscription alone does not include alarm monitoring.
What Ring Protect Plus includes
Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month and covers all your Ring devices at a single address. If you have a doorbell, outdoor cameras, and indoor cameras all at the same location, one Plus subscription covers all of them. Like Basic, Plus stores video for 60 days and lets you watch, read, and share recordings.
Plus also includes 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems, extended warranty coverage on your Ring devices, and a discount on Ring products. If you have more than one Ring device, Plus is usually cheaper than buying multiple Basic subscriptions.
How to pay for a Ring subscription
You set up a subscription through the Ring app on your phone or through Ring's website. Open the app, go to your account settings, and look for the Protect Plan section. You can choose Basic or Plus, then select whether you want to pay monthly or annually.
Ring accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Your subscription renews automatically each month or year unless you cancel it. You can cancel anytime through the app or website — there is no contract or cancellation fee.
What happens if you cancel your subscription
If you stop paying for a subscription, your Ring Doorbell continues to work. It will still record video and send you motion and person alerts. However, those recordings are not saved — they disappear after a few hours or days depending on your device's local storage.
Any video you recorded while you had an active subscription stays in the cloud for 60 days after you cancel, then is deleted. You can read those videos before they disappear if you want to keep them permanently.
Comparing monthly and annual payment
Paying annually saves money compared to paying month by month. With Basic, you pay $30 per year instead of $36 if you paid $3 monthly. With Plus, you pay $100 per year instead of $120 if you paid $10 monthly. The annual discount is about 17 percent on both plans.
You can switch between monthly and annual payment anytime through your account settings. If you pay monthly and want to switch to annual, Ring prorates the cost based on how much time is left on your current month.
Ring Doorbell without a subscription
Your Ring Doorbell works without a subscription, but with limits. The doorbell records video and sends notifications to your phone when it detects motion or a person at your door. You can watch live video anytime by opening the Ring app.
The difference is that without a subscription, you cannot save those recordings. Live video works, but recorded clips disappear quickly. If someone steals a package or there is a break-in, you would have no video record unless you happened to be watching live at that moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Ring Doorbell without paying for a subscription?
Yes. Your doorbell records video and sends motion alerts without a subscription. You just cannot save those recordings to the cloud — they disappear after a few hours. A subscription is only necessary if you want to keep a permanent record of video.
Does Ring Protect Plus really cover all my devices?
Yes, but only devices at the same address. If you have a Ring Doorbell and a Ring Stick Up Camera at your house, one Plus subscription covers both. If you have devices at a second location, you would need a separate subscription for that address.
What if I forget to renew my subscription?
Ring sends email reminders before your subscription expires. If it does expire, your doorbell keeps working but stops saving video. You can restart a subscription anytime, and any recordings you made before it expired stay in the cloud for 60 days.
Is there a way to get a Ring subscription for free?
Ring sometimes offers free trial periods for new customers, usually 30 days of one of the paid plans. After the trial ends, you pay the regular monthly or annual price. Check the Ring app or website to see if a trial is currently available.
Can I share my Ring subscription with someone else?
You can add other people to your Ring account and they can view your doorbell video and recordings. However, the subscription is tied to one account and one address. Each person does not need their own subscription — they just need access to your account.