Ring Video Subscription Plans and Their Costs
Ring offers two subscription tiers for video recording and storage: Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus. Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month or $30 per year and covers one device. Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month or $100 per year and covers all Ring devices at your address — doorbells, cameras, and alarm systems.
Both plans store your video recordings in the cloud so you can watch them later, even if someone deletes footage from your device. Without a subscription, Ring devices record video but store it only temporarily on the device itself, and you cannot access recordings through the Ring app after they expire.
Ring also sells a third option called Ring Protect Pro, which bundles video storage with 24/7 professional monitoring of a Ring Alarm system. This plan costs $20 per month or $200 per year and is only available if you own a Ring Alarm. It covers video storage for all your Ring devices plus alarm monitoring through a professional dispatch center.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic covers one device for $3 per month; Ring Protect Plus covers all devices at your address for $10 per month.
- Both plans store your video in the cloud so you can watch recordings weeks or months later through the Ring app.
- Without a subscription, video records to your device but disappears after a set time and you cannot view it remotely.
- Ring Protect Pro adds 24/7 professional alarm monitoring to video storage and costs $20 per month, but only works if you own a Ring Alarm system.
What Video Storage and Cloud Access Means
When you pay for Ring Protect, your video uploads to Ring's servers and stays there for 60 days. You can rewind through 60 days of footage in the Ring app on your phone or computer, read individual clips, or share them with others. If you do not pay for a subscription, video still records to your Ring device, but it only stays on the device for a few hours or days depending on your device model and how much motion it detects.
Cloud storage also means you can watch live video from your Ring device when you are away from home. Without a subscription, you can still view live video through the app, but you cannot go back and watch what happened earlier. The subscription is what lets you rewind.
Which Devices Each Plan Covers
Ring Protect Basic covers one specific device. When you buy it, you choose which device — your front door camera, back patio camera, or another Ring product. If you later add a second Ring camera, that new device is not covered unless you pay for a separate Basic subscription or upgrade to Plus.
Ring Protect Plus covers every Ring device you own at the same address. This includes Ring Video Doorbells, Ring Stick Up Cameras, Ring Floodlight Cameras, and Ring Indoor Cameras. It also covers Ring Alarm devices if you own an alarm system. One Plus subscription protects your entire setup, no matter how many cameras or devices you add.
Ring Protect Pro works the same way as Plus for video storage — it covers all your devices — but it also adds professional monitoring for a Ring Alarm system. If you do not own a Ring Alarm, you cannot buy Pro.
How to Start and Cancel a Subscription
You set up a Ring subscription through the Ring app. Open the app, go to the menu, select the device you want to protect, and choose your plan. Ring accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Your subscription starts when ready and renews automatically each month or year depending on which billing cycle you chose.
To cancel, return to the same menu in the Ring app, find your active subscription, and select the option to cancel. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period — if you paid for a month, you keep the subscription for the rest of that month. If you paid for a year, you keep it for the rest of that year. Ring does not refund the unused portion if you cancel mid-cycle.
Video Quality and Recording Frequency
Ring records video in 1080p resolution on most devices. The frame rate and exact quality depend on your internet speed and which Ring device you own. Ring does not offer different quality tiers within the subscription — all Ring Protect subscribers get the same resolution.
Ring devices record continuously when motion is detected, not 24/7. When someone walks past your camera or a car drives by, the device starts recording. The length of each recording clip varies — typically 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on how long the motion continues. You can adjust motion sensitivity in the Ring app to record more or fewer events.
Sharing Recordings and Downloading Video
With a Ring Protect subscription, you can share individual video clips with other people through the Ring app. You send them a link, and they can watch the clip without needing their own Ring account. You can also read video files to your phone or computer and save them elsewhere.
Sharing and downloading are included in both Basic and Plus plans at no extra cost. There is no limit to how many clips you can share or read, though downloading large video files may take time depending on your internet speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to see live video from my Ring camera?
No. You can watch live video through the Ring app without a subscription. The subscription is only needed if you want to rewind and watch recordings from the past, or if you want those recordings stored in the cloud for 60 days. Without a subscription, live view works but you cannot see what happened before you opened the app.
What happens to my videos if I cancel my subscription?
Videos stored in the cloud are deleted 30 days after your subscription ends. Any video still on your Ring device itself may remain there, but you will not be able to view it through the Ring app. If you want to keep important recordings, read them before your subscription ends.
Can I switch from Basic to Plus without losing my videos?
Yes. When you upgrade from Basic to Plus, your existing recordings stay in the cloud and your new device is added to the same subscription. You are charged the difference between the two plans for the remainder of your billing period, then the Plus price applies at your next renewal.
Does Ring Protect cover theft or damage to my device?
No. Ring Protect is only for video storage and cloud access. It does not cover hardware damage, theft, or malfunction of your Ring device. Ring sells separate device protection plans through some retailers, but those are different products sold separately.
Can I use one Ring Protect Plus subscription at two different addresses?
No. One Plus subscription covers all devices at a single address. If you own Ring cameras at two homes, you need a separate subscription for each address. You can manage both subscriptions through the same Ring account.