Ring subscription costs between $3 and $20 per month depending on which plan you choose

Ring offers three subscription tiers: Basic at $3 per month, Plus at $10 per month, and Pro at $20 per month. The main difference between them is how many cameras and devices you can protect, and what features come with each one. If you own just one camera or doorbell, Basic covers it. If you have multiple devices across your home, you will need Plus or Pro.

You can also choose to pay annually instead of monthly. Annual plans cost $30 for Basic, $100 for Plus, and $200 for Pro — which saves you money if you know you will keep the subscription for a full year. Ring also offers a free tier with no subscription, though it comes with limited features like no video recording storage.

The subscription is optional. You can use Ring devices without paying anything, but you will lose access to recorded video history and some other features. Many people find the Basic plan worth the cost if they want to keep video from their doorbell or camera.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring Basic costs $3 per month and covers one device; Plus costs $10 per month for up to 10 devices; Pro costs $20 per month for unlimited devices.
  • Annual payment saves money — $30 for Basic, $100 for Plus, and $200 for Pro — compared to paying month to month.
  • Without a subscription, Ring devices still work for live view and alerts, but video recordings are not stored for later viewing.
  • Each plan includes 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems, though the feature set varies by tier.

What each subscription tier includes

The Basic plan at $3 per month covers one Ring device and stores 60 days of video history in the cloud. You get motion alerts, live view of your camera or doorbell, and the ability to talk through the device's speaker. This is enough for most people with a single doorbell or camera who want to keep recent footage.

The Plus plan at $10 per month covers up to 10 devices and stores 180 days of video history. You also get professional 24/7 monitoring for Ring Alarm systems, which means a monitoring center watches your alarm and can contact emergency services if triggered. Plus includes video recording on all your devices, not just one.

The Pro plan at $20 per month covers unlimited devices and stores 180 days of video history. It includes everything in Plus, plus extended professional monitoring features and priority customer support. Pro is built for people with large homes or multiple properties who want everything Ring offers.

All three paid plans include the ability to share video with others, set up custom motion zones so you only get alerts from certain areas, and use person detection — which tells you whether motion was caused by a person, animal, or vehicle.

What you lose without a subscription

Ring's free tier lets you use live view and get motion alerts, but it does not store video recordings. This means if motion happens and you are not watching at that exact moment, you will not be able to go back and see what happened. You also cannot share video with family members or use person detection.

For Ring Alarm systems specifically, you lose professional monitoring without a subscription. Your alarm will still sound and send you a notification, but no monitoring center will be watching to call for help. You have to respond to the alert yourself.

The free tier is useful if you want to check in on your home in real time but do not need to keep a record of what happened when you were not looking.

How to choose the right plan for your situation

Start by counting how many Ring devices you own or plan to own. If you have one doorbell or one camera, Basic is the cheapest option and covers everything you need. If you have a doorbell plus a few cameras around your home, Plus is usually the better choice because it covers up to 10 devices for only $7 more per month than Basic.

Think about how long you want to keep video. Basic keeps 60 days; Plus and Pro keep 180 days. If you want to go back further than two months to find something, you will need Plus or Pro. If you mostly care about recent events, Basic is fine.

If you have a Ring Alarm system, you need at least Plus to get professional monitoring. Basic does not include it. Pro is worth considering only if you have more than 10 devices or want priority support.

Paying monthly versus paying annually

Monthly payments are more flexible — you can cancel anytime without penalty. Annual payments save money but lock you in for a year. The savings are real: Basic annual costs $30 instead of $36 for 12 months of monthly payments, Plus costs $100 instead of $120, and Pro costs $200 instead of $240.

If you are unsure whether you will keep Ring long term, start with monthly. Once you know you like it, switch to annual to save money. You can change your payment method in the Ring app under Subscription Settings.

Hidden costs and things to watch for

Ring subscriptions cover video storage and monitoring, but some features cost extra. Ring Protect Plus, which is different from the basic subscription plans, costs $10 per month and adds features like video recording on all devices and professional monitoring — but this is already included in the Plus and Pro plans described above.

If you want professional installation of Ring devices, that is a separate service and costs extra depending on what you are installing. The subscription itself does not include installation.

Some Ring devices like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro or Ring Stick Up Cam require a subscription to record video at all — the free tier does not work with those models. Check the product page for your specific device to see if a subscription is required or just recommended.

Canceling your subscription

You can cancel your Ring subscription anytime through the Ring app. Go to Subscription Settings, select your plan, and choose Cancel Subscription. You will lose access to video history and professional monitoring immediately, but your devices will still send you live alerts.

If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you can turn it back on in the same place. There is no penalty for canceling or restarting, and you will not lose your device settings or account history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for a Ring subscription?

No. Ring devices work without a subscription for live view and motion alerts. You only lose the ability to watch recorded video later and, for Alarm systems, professional monitoring. The free tier is useful if you want to check in on your home in real time.

Can I use one subscription for multiple Ring devices?

Yes. Basic covers one device, but Plus covers up to 10 devices and Pro covers unlimited devices. All devices on the same Ring account share the same subscription plan and video storage.

How long does Ring keep video recordings?

Basic keeps 60 days of video. Plus and Pro both keep 180 days. After that time, old recordings are deleted automatically to make room for new ones.

What is the difference between Ring Protect and Ring Protect Plus?

Ring Protect is the subscription plan described in this article. Ring Protect Plus is an older name for the same thing. They are the same product — the company just renamed it. Do not buy both.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind about the subscription?

Ring does not offer refunds for subscriptions, but you can cancel anytime and stop being charged. If you cancel within a few days of starting, contact Ring support to ask about a refund — they may make an exception for new customers.