Ring Subscription Pricing and Plan Options
Ring offers two main subscription plans: Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus. Basic costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year and covers one device. Plus costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year and covers an unlimited number of Ring devices at your home.
Both plans include video recording, cloud storage of your footage, motion alerts, and the ability to view live video from your Ring device through the Ring app. The difference is mainly in how many devices you can protect and some additional features available only with Plus.
If you own multiple Ring devices — a doorbell, a stick-up camera, a floodlight cam, or others — Plus becomes the more practical choice because you pay one monthly fee instead of $3.99 for each device separately. A household with three Ring cameras would pay $11.97 per month on Basic plans but only $9.99 per month on Plus.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year and covers one device with video recording and cloud storage.
- Ring Protect Plus costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year and covers unlimited devices at your home.
- Paying annually saves you about one month's cost compared to paying monthly on either plan.
- Plus includes professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems, which Basic does not offer.
- Without a subscription, your Ring device still works for live view but does not record or store video.
What Ring Protect Plus Includes That Basic Does Not
The main advantage of Plus is unlimited device coverage, but it also adds professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems. If you have a Ring Alarm (the security system Ring sells separately), Plus monitors it 24/7 and can dispatch emergency services if your alarm is triggered. Basic does not include this monitoring service.
Plus also gives you extended video storage — 60 days instead of 30 days — so you can look back further into your footage history. This matters if you need to review something that happened weeks ago rather than days ago.
Both plans let you share access with other people in your household through the Ring app, set up motion zones so you only get alerts from certain areas, and receive notifications on your phone when motion or someone presses the doorbell.
How to Pay for Your Ring Subscription
You set up your subscription through the Ring app or the Ring website after you have installed your Ring device. When you first set up the device, Ring will prompt you to choose a plan. You can start with a free trial period (the length varies) before your payment method is charged.
Ring accepts credit cards and debit cards for payment. Your subscription renews automatically each month or year depending on which billing cycle you chose. You can change your plan or cancel at any time through the app — there is no contract or penalty for stopping.
If you have multiple Ring devices, you only need one subscription account. All your devices link to the same Ring account, and one Plus subscription covers them all.
Ring Devices That Require a Subscription
Ring makes several types of devices: video doorbells, stick-up cameras, floodlight cameras, and wired indoor cameras. All of them require a subscription if you want video recording and cloud storage. Without a subscription, you can still see live video through the app, but nothing is recorded.
Ring also sells the Ring Alarm system, which is a separate product. The alarm itself works without a subscription for local alerts, but if you want professional 24/7 monitoring, you need Ring Protect Plus.
Some Ring devices come bundled with a free trial subscription period — usually 30 days — so you can test the service before you commit to paying. Check the product listing or your device paperwork to see what trial period, if any, came with your device.
Comparing Monthly and Annual Payment Options
Paying annually costs less per month than paying monthly. On Basic, you pay $39.99 per year instead of $47.88 if you paid $3.99 each month for 12 months. On Plus, you pay $99.99 per year instead of $119.88 if you paid $9.99 each month.
The annual discount is roughly equivalent to getting one month free. If you know you will keep your Ring subscription for a full year, the annual payment saves you money. If you are unsure, the monthly option lets you cancel without losing money to an unused portion of a year.
You can switch between monthly and annual billing at any time. If you start on monthly and later decide to go annual, you can change your billing cycle in the app.
What Happens If You Cancel Your Subscription
If you stop paying for a subscription, your Ring device stops recording video and storing it in the cloud. You can still use the device to see live video through the app, but no footage is saved. Any video already stored in the cloud remains there for a limited time — usually 30 days for Basic or 60 days for Plus — before it is deleted.
You can restart your subscription at any time. When you do, your device begins recording again and you regain access to any footage still stored in the cloud. There is no penalty for pausing and restarting.
If you own a Ring Alarm system and cancel your Plus subscription, the alarm still sends alerts to your phone when triggered, but you lose professional monitoring. The alarm will no longer contact emergency services on your behalf.
Free Alternatives and Workarounds
Ring does not offer a free subscription plan, but you can use your Ring device without one if you only need live video. Many people use their Ring doorbell or camera to check on their home in real time through the app without paying for recording.
Some internet service providers and security companies bundle Ring subscriptions with their services. If you have a home security system or a specific ISP, check whether they offer Ring Protect as part of your package — you may already have coverage without paying Ring directly.
If you have only one device and rarely need to look back at old footage, Basic at $3.99 per month is the lowest-cost option. If you have multiple devices, Plus at $9.99 per month becomes cheaper than paying for each device separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Ring device without paying for a subscription?
Yes. Your Ring device will show live video through the app without a subscription, but it will not record or store video in the cloud. You can still see what is happening in real time, but you cannot look back at footage from earlier.
Do I need a subscription for each Ring device I own?
No. One Ring Protect Plus subscription covers all your Ring devices. Ring Protect Basic covers only one device, so if you have multiple devices you would need multiple Basic subscriptions or one Plus subscription.
What is the difference between 30-day and 60-day video storage?
Basic stores your video for 30 days, and Plus stores it for 60 days. After that time, the oldest footage is automatically deleted. This means Plus lets you look back further into your history if you need to review something from several weeks ago.
Can I change my subscription plan after I sign up?
Yes. You can switch between Basic and Plus, or between monthly and annual billing, at any time through the Ring app. Changes take effect on your next billing date.
Does Ring Protect include professional monitoring for my doorbell?
No. Professional monitoring is only available for Ring Alarm systems with Ring Protect Plus. Video doorbells and cameras record and store video but are not monitored by Ring staff.