Ring Solo is the basic video recording plan for Ring doorbells and cameras

Ring Solo is Ring's entry-level subscription that stores video from your Ring devices in the cloud. It costs $3 per month or $30 per year, and it records video whenever motion is detected or someone presses your doorbell button. Without it, your Ring device records nothing — it only sends you a live notification that something happened.

Solo covers one device. If you own multiple Ring cameras or doorbells, you pay the Solo price for each one separately, or you can switch to Ring Protect Plus, which covers unlimited devices for $10 per month or $100 per year. Solo is the right choice if you have a single doorbell or camera and want to review what happened when you were away.

Video stored under Solo stays in your Ring account for 30 days. After 30 days, it deletes automatically. You can read individual clips to your phone or computer before they expire, and they stay on your device forever.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring Solo records and stores video from one device for $3 per month or $30 per year, with no contract.
  • Video is saved for 30 days, then automatically deleted; you can read clips before they expire to keep them permanently.
  • Without a subscription, your Ring device sends notifications but records no video at all.
  • Ring Protect Plus covers unlimited devices for $10 per month and adds 24/7 emergency response and professional monitoring.

What video Solo actually records and stores

Ring Solo records whenever motion is detected in front of your device or when someone presses the doorbell button. The video quality depends on your device model and your internet connection speed, but Ring devices typically record in 1080p HD. The recording starts a few seconds before the motion trigger (called pre-roll) so you see what led to the alert, not just the moment someone walked into frame.

All video is encrypted and stored on Ring's servers, not on your device. You view it through the Ring app on your phone, tablet, or computer, or through the Ring website. You can also share clips with family members or neighbors through the app — they can watch without needing their own Ring account.

Ring does not offer 24/7 continuous recording under Solo. It only saves clips triggered by motion or the doorbell button. If you need continuous recording, you would need Ring Protect Plus, which also offers that feature on some device models.

How Solo differs from Ring Protect Plus

The main difference is price and device count. Solo covers one device for $3 per month; Protect Plus covers unlimited devices for $10 per month. If you have two or more Ring devices, Protect Plus usually costs less per device.

Protect Plus also adds features Solo does not include. It offers 24/7 professional monitoring and emergency response — if your system detects a break-in, Ring can contact emergency services on your behalf. Protect Plus also includes video recording on all your devices, whereas Solo is one device only. Some Ring devices (like the Ring Alarm system) require Protect Plus to function at all.

Both plans store video for 30 days and let you read clips. Neither plan includes local storage on your device — all video goes to the cloud.

Setting up Solo and managing your subscription

To start Solo, open the Ring app, go to the menu, select your device, and tap "Subscribe." Ring will ask for a payment method and billing address. You can choose monthly ($3) or annual ($30) billing. The subscription starts when ready, and you can cancel anytime through the app — there is no lock-in period.

If you cancel, your video access stops right away, but any clips you downloaded stay on your phone or computer. If you restart the subscription later, your new videos begin recording from that date forward; old videos from before the cancellation are gone.

You can manage multiple subscriptions in one Ring account. If you add a second device, you can keep Solo on the first device and add Solo to the second, or upgrade both to Protect Plus. The app shows you which devices have active subscriptions and when each one renews.

Common reasons to choose Solo over other options

Solo makes sense if you have a single Ring doorbell or camera and want basic cloud storage without paying for features you do not need. The $3 monthly cost is low enough that most people find it worth the price just to have a record of deliveries and visitors.

Solo is also the right choice if you are testing whether a Ring device fits your needs before committing to a more expensive plan. You can start with Solo, see how often you actually review the video, and upgrade to Protect Plus later if you add more devices or want professional monitoring.

If you have a Ring Alarm system or multiple cameras, Protect Plus is usually the better value. But if you have only a doorbell and do not need emergency response or continuous recording, Solo keeps your cost minimal.

What happens if you do not subscribe to Solo

Without any subscription, your Ring device still works. It detects motion and doorbell presses, sends you a notification on your phone, and lets you view a live stream in real time. But it does not record or save any video. Once you close the live view, there is nothing to review later.

This is fine if you are home most of the time and only want to know when someone is at the door right now. But if you work away from home or want a record of what happened while you were out, you need Solo or Protect Plus to have any video to look back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Solo on more than one device?

No. Solo covers one device only. You pay $3 per month for each additional device you want to record. If you have two devices, that is $6 per month for two Solo subscriptions. Ring Protect Plus at $10 per month covers unlimited devices, so it becomes cheaper if you have more than three devices.

What happens to my videos if I cancel Solo?

Videos stored in the cloud are deleted when ready when your subscription ends. Any clips you downloaded to your phone or computer before cancellation stay on those devices forever. If you restart Solo later, new videos begin recording from that date; old videos from before the cancellation are gone.

Does Solo record all the time or only when motion is detected?

Solo records only when motion is detected or someone presses the doorbell button. It does not offer 24/7 continuous recording. If you need continuous recording, Ring Protect Plus offers that feature on compatible device models.

Can I share Solo videos with other people?

Yes. You can share individual clips through the Ring app with family members, neighbors, or anyone else. They can watch the clip without needing their own Ring account or subscription. You control which clips you share and when.

Is my video private on Ring's servers?

Ring encrypts all video in transit and at rest on their servers. Only you and people you explicitly share clips with can view your video. Ring does not sell video to third parties. You can review Ring's full privacy policy on their website for details on data retention and law enforcement requests.