Ring Subscription Plans and Their Coverage
Ring offers two paid subscription tiers for video doorbells and security cameras: Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus. Basic covers a single device and costs $3 per month or $30 per year. Plus covers all Ring devices at your location and costs $10 per month or $100 per year. Both plans store video recordings in the cloud so you can watch them later, enable motion alerts, and let you share access with other people through the Ring app.
Without a subscription, Ring devices still work — you can see live video and get notifications when someone rings or motion is detected. The subscription adds the ability to save and review recordings after the fact. Ring also offers a Ring Protect Pro plan in some areas that bundles video storage with professional 24/7 monitoring and emergency dispatch, but availability and pricing vary by location and are set through professional monitoring partners rather than Ring directly.
Video storage length depends on your plan and how much motion your camera records. Ring does not publish exact retention periods, so the amount of time recordings stay available varies. You can read individual videos to keep them permanently, regardless of which plan you have.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic costs $3 monthly or $30 yearly and covers one device; Ring Protect Plus costs $10 monthly or $100 yearly and covers all devices at your address.
- Both plans store video recordings in the cloud, send motion and doorbell alerts, and let you share camera access with household members or guests through the Ring app.
- Ring devices function without a subscription for live viewing and real-time alerts, but recordings are not saved without a paid plan.
- Ring Protect Pro, which adds professional monitoring and emergency dispatch, is available in select areas through third-party monitoring companies at varying costs.
- You can read and keep any video recording permanently, even if your subscription lapses.
How Ring Subscription Billing Works
Ring charges monthly or annual subscriptions through your Ring account. You set up payment during account creation or in the Ring app under subscription settings. Monthly plans renew automatically on the same date each month; annual plans renew yearly. You can cancel or change your plan at any time through the app, and cancellation takes effect when ready — you do not receive a refund for the unused portion of an annual plan if you cancel mid-year.
If you have multiple Ring devices, Basic plans require one subscription per device. Plus covers unlimited devices at a single address, so it becomes cheaper than multiple Basic subscriptions once you own more than three or four devices. Ring occasionally runs promotional pricing, particularly around holidays, that reduces the first month or year to a lower rate.
What Video Storage Looks Like Across Plans
Both Basic and Plus plans store video to Ring's cloud servers, not to a local device or SD card. The difference is coverage: Basic records only the one device you pay for, while Plus records all your Ring cameras and doorbells at that address. Ring does not specify how long videos remain available before they are deleted, and retention can depend on how frequently your camera records and how much storage Ring allocates to your account.
If you want may provide long-term storage, read videos manually to your computer or phone. The Ring app lets you read individual clips, and you keep those files permanently. Some Ring devices also support optional local storage through a Ring Alarm Pro hub, which stores video locally on a hard drive, but that requires purchasing the hub separately and is not part of the subscription plan.
Ring Subscription Versus No Subscription
| Feature | No Subscription | Ring Protect Basic or Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Live video view | Yes | Yes |
| Motion and doorbell alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud video storage | No | Yes |
| Review past recordings | No | Yes |
| Share access with others | No | Yes |
| Motion zones and alerts | Limited | Full |
When Ring Subscription Costs Add Up
If you own one Ring device, Basic at $30 per year is the minimum cost to save recordings. If you own three or more devices, Plus at $100 per year becomes cheaper than paying for three or more Basic subscriptions. A household with five Ring cameras would pay $150 per year for five Basic plans but only $100 per year for one Plus plan.
Ring Protect Pro pricing depends on your location and the monitoring company handling your account. Professional monitoring typically ranges from $10 to $30 per month, but you should contact a local monitoring provider for exact pricing. Some home insurance companies offer discounts if you have Ring cameras installed, which can offset subscription costs over time.
Canceling or Pausing a Ring Subscription
You can cancel your subscription at any time through the Ring app by going to your account settings and selecting your active plan. Cancellation is when ready — you lose cloud storage and recording features right away, though you keep the ability to view live video. If you cancel a Basic plan and later want to resubscribe to the same device, you can restart it without penalty.
Ring does not offer a pause or temporary suspension option. If you want to stop paying for a few months, you must cancel and restart when you are ready. Restarting an annual plan after cancellation starts a new billing cycle, so you do not resume where you left off.
Ring Subscription and Other Ring Services
Ring Protect is separate from Ring Alarm, which is a security system with door and window sensors, motion detectors, and a control panel. Ring Alarm has its own subscription for professional monitoring, and you can own Ring Alarm without owning any Ring cameras. If you have both, you typically pay for both subscriptions separately, though some bundles combine them.
Ring also sells Ring Protect Plan through some insurance companies and home security providers as part of a larger package. The coverage and cost may differ from what you pay directly to Ring, so check your provider's terms if you are purchasing through a third party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Ring subscription to see live video from my doorbell?
No. Live video works without a subscription. You only need a subscription to save and review recordings after they happen. Real-time alerts when someone rings or motion is detected also work without paying.
What happens to my videos if I cancel my subscription?
Videos stored in the cloud are deleted according to Ring's retention policy, which Ring does not publicly specify. Any videos you downloaded to your phone or computer before canceling remain yours permanently. After cancellation, you can still read new videos if you view them live, but they will not be stored automatically.
Can I use Ring cameras without the Ring app?
You need the Ring app to set up your device and view it remotely. Some Ring devices work with voice assistants like Alexa for basic commands, but the app is required for full functionality and subscription management.
Does Ring Protect Plus cover doorbell cameras and security cameras?
Yes. Ring Protect Plus covers all Ring devices at your address, including video doorbells, stick-up cameras, floodlight cameras, and indoor cameras. One Plus subscription covers as many devices as you own at that location.
Can I get a refund if I paid for a year upfront?
Ring does not refund unused portions of annual subscriptions if you cancel mid-year. If you cancel after paying for 12 months, you lose access to the service when ready and do not receive money back for the remaining time.