Ring subscription plans explained
Ring offers three subscription tiers for homeowners and renters who own Ring devices: Ring Protect Basic, Ring Protect Plus, and Ring Protect Pro. Each plan covers video recording, cloud storage, and customer support, but they differ in what devices they protect, how long footage stays stored, and whether they include professional monitoring. The plans are optional — your Ring doorbell or camera will still record and send notifications without a subscription — but a subscription is required if you want cloud backup of your recordings.
Ring does not bundle these plans with internet service or home security contracts. You purchase them directly from Ring through the Ring app or Ring's website, and you can cancel at any time. Pricing and features can vary slightly depending on whether you pay monthly or annually, and whether you live in the United States or another country.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic covers one device and stores 60 days of video; Ring Protect Plus covers all devices at one location and stores 60 days; Ring Protect Pro covers all devices and includes professional 24/7 monitoring for break-ins and emergencies.
- Without any subscription, Ring devices still record and send you notifications, but video is not backed up to the cloud and you cannot view it later if the device is damaged or stolen.
- Ring Protect Plus and Pro include video recording in 1080p resolution, while Basic records in 1080p on most devices but may vary by model.
- Professional monitoring through Ring Protect Pro dispatches police or fire to your address if a break-in or emergency is detected, but you must set up monitoring contacts and emergency response preferences in the Ring app first.
- Monthly plans cost less per month if you pay annually upfront, and Ring occasionally offers discounts during sales events.
Ring Protect Basic: single device, 60-day storage
Ring Protect Basic is the entry-level plan and covers one Ring device at a time. It stores 60 days of video in the cloud, meaning you can view and read recordings from the past two months through the Ring app. If your device records a motion or person detection event, the video is kept in cloud storage for that full 60-day window unless you delete it manually.
Basic includes 24/7 video recording on the device you choose to protect, motion and person detection alerts sent to your phone, and Ring customer support via email or chat. It does not include professional monitoring, and it does not cover multiple devices — if you own two Ring doorbells or cameras, you would need to purchase Basic for each one separately, or upgrade to Plus or Pro to cover all devices under one plan.
Basic is the least expensive option and works well if you own a single Ring device and want cloud backup without professional monitoring. The 60-day storage window means older footage is automatically deleted to make room for new recordings.
Ring Protect Plus: all devices at one location, 60-day storage
Ring Protect Plus covers all Ring devices installed at a single address — typically a house or apartment — under one subscription. Like Basic, it stores 60 days of video in the cloud and includes 24/7 recording, motion and person detection, and customer support. The main difference is that one Plus subscription protects your entire Ring setup instead of just one device.
Plus also includes video recording in 1080p resolution on all covered devices, professional-grade motion detection tuning, and the ability to create activity zones so you receive alerts only for motion in areas you choose. If you have a Ring doorbell, a Ring camera on the back patio, and a Ring camera inside your garage, one Plus subscription covers all three.
Plus does not include professional monitoring — if motion is detected or a person is seen, you receive a notification and can view the video, but no monitoring center is watching your system. It is designed for homeowners and renters who want comprehensive cloud backup across multiple devices but do not need emergency dispatch services.
Ring Protect Pro: all devices, professional monitoring, emergency dispatch
Ring Protect Pro is the highest tier and includes everything in Plus — all devices at one location, 60-day cloud storage, 1080p recording, and motion detection — plus 24/7 professional monitoring. A monitoring center watches your Ring devices and can dispatch police, fire, or emergency medical services to your address if a break-in, fire, or other emergency is detected.
To use professional monitoring, you must set up emergency contacts and response preferences in the Ring app before monitoring is active. You choose whether the monitoring center should attempt to contact you first, call emergency services when ready, or follow another protocol. If a break-in is detected and you do not answer when the center calls, they can dispatch police based on your settings.
Pro also includes video recording in 1080p, activity zones, and Ring customer support. The professional monitoring service is the primary cost difference between Pro and Plus. Pro is intended for homeowners who want both comprehensive device coverage and professional emergency response, similar to a traditional home security monitoring service.
How video storage and recording work across plans
All three plans record video 24/7 on your Ring devices, but where the video is stored depends on your subscription. Without a subscription, video is recorded locally on the device itself, but if the device is stolen, damaged, or loses power, that video is lost. With any subscription, video is also backed up to Ring's cloud servers, so you can view it later even if the device is damaged.
All plans store 60 days of video in the cloud. Once video is older than 60 days, it is automatically deleted unless you manually read and save it. If you want to keep specific recordings longer, you can read them to your phone or computer through the Ring app. Ring does not offer longer storage periods within these plans — 60 days is the maximum for all three tiers.
Video resolution is 1080p on most Ring devices with Plus and Pro subscriptions. Basic may record in 1080p depending on your specific device model. All plans include motion detection and person detection, which means the system can distinguish between a person walking past your camera and a car driving by, and send you different types of alerts.
Pricing and payment options
Ring offers monthly and annual payment options for all three plans. Monthly plans cost more per month than annual plans when divided by 12 months, so paying annually upfront saves money if you plan to keep the subscription for a full year. Ring occasionally discounts subscription plans during sales events, particularly around Black Friday and Prime Day.
Pricing varies by country and can change without notice. In the United States, Ring Protect Basic typically costs less than Plus, and Plus costs less than Pro, but you should check the Ring app or Ring's website for current prices in your region. If you have multiple Ring devices, purchasing Plus or Pro is usually cheaper than buying Basic for each device separately.
You can change your subscription tier at any time through the Ring app. If you upgrade mid-month, Ring prorates the cost. If you downgrade, the change takes effect at the start of your next billing cycle. You can also cancel your subscription at any time, and your devices will continue to record locally but will no longer back up video to the cloud.
What happens without a subscription
Ring devices work without a subscription, but with limitations. Your doorbell or camera will still record video and send motion and person detection notifications to your phone in real time. You can view live video through the Ring app whenever you want. The difference is that video is stored only on the device itself, not in the cloud.
If your Ring device is stolen, damaged, or loses power, any video stored on it is lost. You cannot view recordings from more than a few hours ago without a subscription because the device has limited local storage. If you want to keep video for later review or legal purposes, a subscription is necessary.
Professional monitoring is not available without a subscription. Two-way talk, motion alerts, and live view all work without a subscription, but cloud backup and professional emergency response require Ring Protect Plus or Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one subscription for Ring devices at two different addresses?
No. Each subscription covers devices at a single address only. If you own Ring devices at a second home or rental property, you need a separate subscription for that location. You can manage multiple subscriptions through the same Ring account.
Does Ring Protect Pro really dispatch police, or does it just call me?
Ring Protect Pro includes a monitoring center that can dispatch police, fire, or emergency services based on your settings. You choose whether the center should call you first or dispatch when ready. The monitoring center uses your address and emergency contacts to route the dispatch. Response depends on your local emergency services and whether they accept dispatch from private monitoring centers.
What happens to my video if I cancel my subscription?
Video stored in the cloud is deleted 30 days after your subscription ends. Video recorded on the device itself remains on the device until it is overwritten by new recordings. If you want to keep any footage, read it to your phone or computer before your subscription expires.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Ring does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel and restart your subscription at any time, but there is no official pause option. If you restart after canceling, you may be charged a new subscription fee rather than resuming at your previous rate.
Do I need Ring Protect to use two-way talk or live view?
No. Two-way talk and live view work without a subscription. You can speak through your Ring device and watch live video in real time using only the Ring app. Cloud storage and professional monitoring require a subscription.