Ring subscription plans cost between $3 and $10 per month, depending on which devices you own and what features you need

Ring offers three main subscription tiers: Ring Protect Basic ($3 per month or $30 per year), Ring Protect Plus ($10 per month or $100 per year), and Ring Protect Pro ($20 per month or $200 per year). The main difference is how many devices each plan covers and whether you get professional monitoring. Basic covers one device, Plus covers unlimited devices at your home, and Pro adds 24/7 professional monitoring for break-ins and emergency response.

You do not need a subscription to use your Ring camera at all — you can view live video and get motion alerts for free. The subscription unlocks video recording storage, which means your camera saves footage to the cloud instead of losing it after a few seconds. Without a subscription, you can still see a live feed when you open the app, but you cannot rewatch what happened while you were away.

Ring also sells Ring Protect Plan (formerly called Ring Protect Plus for video doorbells and cameras only), which costs $4.99 per month or $49 per year and covers unlimited cameras but does not include professional monitoring. This sits between Basic and Plus in price and features.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month and covers one device with cloud video storage, while Plus costs $10 per month and covers unlimited devices.
  • You can use Ring cameras without any subscription to see live video and motion alerts, but you cannot save or rewatch recorded footage.
  • Ring Protect Pro ($20 per month) adds 24/7 professional monitoring that can dispatch emergency services if your alarm is triggered.
  • Annual plans cost less per month than paying monthly — Basic is $30 per year instead of $36, and Plus is $100 per year instead of $120.

What each subscription tier actually records and stores

Ring Protect Basic and Plus both record video to the cloud whenever motion is detected or someone presses the doorbell button. Both plans store that footage for 60 days, then delete it automatically. The difference is the number of devices: Basic covers one camera or doorbell, while Plus covers as many as you install at your address.

Ring Protect Pro stores the same 60-day rolling history but adds professional monitoring. When your Ring alarm system is armed and detects a break-in, the monitoring center is notified and can contact you and dispatch police if you confirm the emergency. This is the same service a traditional home security system provides.

Without any subscription, your Ring camera still records video while you are watching the live feed, but that recording is not saved. Once you close the app or stop watching, the footage is gone. You can still receive motion notifications and open the app to see what is happening in real time.

Which subscription plan covers which Ring devices

Ring Protect Basic covers one device — either one doorbell, one camera, or one alarm system. If you own multiple Ring products, you need Plus or Pro to cover them all with one subscription. Ring Protect Plan (the $4.99 option) covers unlimited cameras and doorbells but does not include alarm monitoring, so it is useful if you have several cameras but no alarm system.

Ring Protect Pro covers unlimited cameras, doorbells, and alarm sensors, plus the professional monitoring service. If you have a Ring Alarm system with multiple door and window sensors, Pro is the only plan that monitors all of them for break-ins and can dispatch help.

Some Ring devices, like the Ring Intercom or Ring Access Controller, do not require a subscription at all — they work on their own without cloud storage. Check the product page for any device you own to see whether it needs a subscription to function fully.

How to pay for Ring subscriptions and switch plans

You manage your Ring subscription through the Ring app or the Ring website. Open the app, go to the menu, select "Subscriptions," and you can see your current plan, upgrade, downgrade, or cancel. Ring charges your payment method on the same day each month (or year, if you chose annual billing).

If you downgrade from Plus to Basic, the change takes effect immediately and you are refunded the difference for the remaining time on your current billing period. If you upgrade, you pay the difference right away and your new plan starts the same day. You can change your plan at any time without penalty.

Ring also offers subscriptions through Amazon Prime Video Channels, which bundles Ring Protect Plus with other services. If you subscribe that way, you manage it through your Amazon account instead of the Ring app, and the billing appears on your Amazon bill.

Ring Protect vs. paying per device

Ring also sells individual device subscriptions instead of household plans. A single Ring Video Doorbell subscription costs $3 per month, and a single Ring Stick Up Cam subscription costs $3 per month. If you own two cameras, buying individual subscriptions costs $6 per month, while Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month and covers both plus any future devices you add.

For most households with more than one Ring device, Plus becomes cheaper than buying individual subscriptions. The break-even point is around three devices. If you own only one camera and do not plan to add more, Basic at $3 per month is the same price as a single-device subscription and gives you the same coverage.

Individual device subscriptions are billed separately and renew on different dates, which can make them harder to track. A household plan renews once per month or year, so you have one charge to monitor instead of multiple.

What happens if you cancel your subscription

If you stop paying for a Ring subscription, your camera continues to work — you can still open the app and watch live video, and you still receive motion alerts on your phone. What you lose is the ability to rewatch recorded video. Any footage stored in the cloud is deleted 30 days after your subscription ends.

If you have a Ring Alarm system and your Pro subscription lapses, the professional monitoring stops immediately. Your alarm will still sound and send notifications to your phone, but the monitoring center will not be contacted and emergency services will not be dispatched. You can reactivate Pro at any time to restore monitoring.

Canceling a subscription does not delete your Ring account or remove your devices. You can turn the subscription back on whenever you want, and your devices will resume recording to the cloud on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for a Ring subscription to see live video?

No. You can open the Ring app and watch live video from your camera at any time without a subscription. You only need to pay if you want to save and rewatch recorded footage. Motion alerts also work without a subscription.

Can I use Ring Protect Basic on multiple devices?

No. Ring Protect Basic covers only one device. If you own two or more Ring cameras or doorbells, you need Ring Protect Plus ($10 per month) or Ring Protect Plan ($4.99 per month) to cover them all with one subscription.

Does Ring Protect Pro include video recording?

Yes. Ring Protect Pro includes everything in Plus — unlimited device coverage and 60-day cloud video storage — plus 24/7 professional monitoring for your alarm system. If a break-in is detected, the monitoring center is notified and can dispatch police.

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

Ring Protect Plan ($4.99 per month) covers unlimited cameras and doorbells with 60-day video storage but does not include alarm monitoring. Plus ($10 per month) covers cameras, doorbells, and alarm sensors with professional monitoring available as an add-on. Choose Plan if you have only cameras, and Plus if you have an alarm system.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

Ring does not refund unused subscription time. If you cancel on the 15th of a month you paid for, you lose the remaining 15 days. However, you can downgrade to a cheaper plan and receive a credit for the difference.