Ring Doorbell Subscription Pricing
Ring offers two subscription tiers for doorbell owners: Ring Protect Basic costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year, and Ring Protect Plus costs $10.99 per month or $119.99 per year. Basic covers video recording and cloud storage for one device. Plus covers all devices on your account — doorbell, cameras, alarm system, and lighting — with extended cloud storage and additional features like professional monitoring for your alarm system if you have one.
You can also purchase a subscription through Amazon Prime membership if you have Prime Video included in your plan, though this typically covers only one device and offers fewer features than the standalone Ring plans. Pricing occasionally changes, so check Ring's website directly before purchasing.
Neither subscription is required to use your Ring Doorbell. Without a subscription, you can still see live video when someone rings the doorbell or triggers motion detection, but Ring will not store video to the cloud. You will only see what happens in real time on your phone or through the Ring app.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic costs $3.99 monthly and covers video storage for one device, while Plus costs $10.99 monthly and covers all devices on your account.
- Without any subscription, your doorbell still works for live viewing but does not record or save video to the cloud.
- Annual plans cost less per month than paying monthly — Basic is $39.99 per year and Plus is $119.99 per year.
- Ring Protect Plus includes professional alarm monitoring if you own a Ring Alarm system, which Basic does not offer.
What Ring Protect Basic Covers
Ring Protect Basic stores video from one device in the cloud for 60 days. This means if someone rings your doorbell or motion is detected, the video saves automatically and you can watch it anytime during that 60-day window. After 60 days, the video deletes automatically to make room for new recordings.
Basic also includes motion alerts sent to your phone, so you know when someone approaches your doorbell even if they do not ring it. You can adjust motion sensitivity and create motion zones — areas where you want alerts and areas you want to ignore, like a busy street in front of your house.
Basic does not include video from other Ring devices. If you own a Ring camera in your backyard or a Ring floodlight, you would need to purchase a separate Basic subscription for each one, or upgrade to Plus to cover everything under one plan.
What Ring Protect Plus Covers
Ring Protect Plus covers all Ring devices on your account under one subscription — your doorbell, any Ring cameras, Ring Alarm system, and Ring lighting. Video from each device stores for 60 days in the cloud, the same as Basic.
Plus adds professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems. If you own a Ring Alarm and subscribe to Plus, Ring's monitoring center can contact emergency services on your behalf if your alarm is triggered. This feature costs extra if purchased separately and is not available with Basic.
Plus also includes 24/7 emergency response features and priority customer support, though most people contact Ring support through the app or website rather than phone. If you own multiple Ring devices, Plus is usually cheaper than buying separate Basic subscriptions for each one.
How to Cancel or Change Your Subscription
You can cancel or change your Ring subscription anytime through the Ring app or website. Open the Ring app, tap the menu icon, go to Subscriptions, and select the subscription you want to modify. You can downgrade from Plus to Basic, cancel entirely, or switch between monthly and annual billing.
If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your billing period ends. If you paid for a full year and cancel early, Ring does not refund the unused portion — you simply lose access when the year is up. Some people cancel Basic and keep their doorbell active for live viewing only, then resubscribe later if they want cloud storage again.
If you purchased a subscription through Amazon Prime Video, you cancel through your Amazon account settings, not through the Ring app. Go to your Prime Video settings, find Ring, and remove it from your subscription list.
Comparing Ring Subscriptions to Other Doorbell Brands
Other doorbell brands charge differently. Logitech Circle View charges $4.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 per month for unlimited cameras. Wyze charges $1.99 per month for one camera or $4.99 per month for unlimited cameras. Google Nest does not charge a separate subscription for basic video storage — it includes 3 hours of rolling video for free — but charges $6 per month for 30 days of full video history.
Ring's pricing sits in the middle of this range. Basic at $3.99 per month is cheaper than Logitech but more expensive than Wyze. If you own multiple devices, Plus at $10.99 per month covers everything, which can be cheaper than paying per-device fees with other brands. The choice depends on how many devices you own and how long you want to keep video stored.
What Happens Without a Subscription
Your Ring Doorbell works without a subscription, but with limits. You can still see live video when someone rings the doorbell or when motion is detected. You get motion alerts on your phone. You can talk through the doorbell speaker and hear audio from outside.
The main limitation is that Ring does not save video to the cloud. If you miss a motion alert or do not check your phone in time, you have no recording to review later. Some Ring models include local storage options — a microSD card slot or connection to a local storage device — but this requires additional hardware and setup beyond the basic doorbell.
Many people use their doorbell without a subscription for months or years and only subscribe when they need to review past video or want the peace of mind that recordings are saved automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try Ring Protect before paying for it?
Ring sometimes offers a free trial period for new doorbell owners, usually 30 days of free Basic or Plus access. Check your Ring app after setting up your doorbell to see if a trial is available. Trials vary by region and change over time, so not all new customers receive one.
Do I need Plus if I only own a doorbell?
No. If you own only a Ring Doorbell, Basic covers everything you need. Plus is designed for people who own multiple Ring devices — cameras, alarms, lights — and want one subscription to cover them all. Basic is cheaper and does the same job for a single doorbell.
What if I cancel my subscription and then resubscribe later?
You can cancel and resubscribe anytime. Your doorbell continues to work for live viewing while you are unsubscribed. When you resubscribe, video storage starts again from that date. You do not lose your doorbell or account history.
Does Ring Protect include theft protection or insurance?
No. Ring Protect is a video storage and monitoring subscription only. It does not cover theft of your doorbell or damage to the device. Ring sells a separate protection plan called Ring Care that covers accidental damage and theft, but this is a different purchase from the subscription.
Can I share my subscription with family members?
Yes. Family members can view video and receive alerts from your Ring devices if you add them to your Ring account through the app. They do not need their own subscription — one subscription covers all authorized users on your account.