Ring subscription costs depend on which plan you choose and what devices you own

Ring offers two main subscription tiers: Ring Protect Basic at $3.99 per month (or $39.99 per year), and Ring Protect Plus at $10.99 per month (or $119.99 per year). Both are billed directly by Ring, and you can cancel anytime. The main difference is what devices the plan covers and whether video is stored in the cloud.

Ring Protect Basic covers one device — typically a doorbell or camera — and stores 60 days of video history in Ring's cloud. Ring Protect Plus covers all Ring devices at your home and also stores 60 days of video for each one. If you own multiple cameras or doorbells, Plus is usually cheaper than paying for Basic on each device separately.

Some Ring devices work without a subscription, but with serious limits. Without a plan, you can still receive motion alerts and live view, but video won't save anywhere. The moment you close the app or step away, you lose access to what the camera saw.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring Protect Basic costs $3.99 monthly and covers one device with 60 days of cloud video storage.
  • Ring Protect Plus costs $10.99 monthly and covers all your Ring devices with 60 days of storage for each.
  • Without a subscription, you get motion alerts and live view but no video recording or history.
  • Both plans renew automatically, but you can cancel through the Ring app at any time without penalty.
  • Some Ring devices like the Ring Alarm system may require a separate monitoring plan with different pricing.

What each subscription tier actually records and saves

The core feature of both plans is cloud video storage. When motion or a doorbell press triggers your camera, Ring records that moment and stores it for 60 days. You can watch, download, or share these clips during that window. After 60 days, Ring deletes them automatically.

Both Basic and Plus include person detection, which means Ring's system flags when it sees a person rather than just motion from wind or passing cars. This reduces false alerts. Both also let you create custom motion zones so the camera ignores certain areas — like a street you don't care about — and only alerts you to activity in the zones you set.

Ring Protect Plus adds one feature Basic doesn't: professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems. If you own a Ring Alarm and subscribe to Plus, Ring's monitoring center can respond to alarms and contact emergency services on your behalf. This costs extra — monitoring is typically $10 to $20 per month on top of the Plus subscription, depending on your location and what services you add.

How to know if you need Basic or Plus

If you own one Ring device — a doorbell or a single outdoor camera — Ring Protect Basic is usually the right choice. You pay $3.99 monthly for that one device's video history, and you're done.

If you own two or more Ring devices, do the math. Basic costs $3.99 per device per month. So two devices would cost $7.98 monthly. Ring Protect Plus costs $10.99 monthly and covers all devices. At three devices, Plus becomes cheaper. Plus also means you don't have to manage separate subscriptions for each camera.

If you have a Ring Alarm system and want professional monitoring — meaning Ring's center watches for break-ins and can call 911 — you need Plus plus the monitoring add-on. Ring Alarm can work without monitoring (you get alerts on your phone), but monitoring is what turns it into a traditional security system.

Payment, cancellation, and what happens if you stop paying

Ring charges your payment method on file automatically each month or year, depending on which billing cycle you chose. You can change your billing cycle in the Ring app under Subscriptions. Switching from monthly to yearly saves you money — $39.99 per year for Basic is about $3.33 per month, versus $3.99 if you pay monthly.

To cancel, open the Ring app, go to Subscriptions, select the plan you want to stop, and choose Cancel Subscription. The cancellation takes effect immediately, and you won't be charged again. If you cancel mid-month, you lose access to cloud storage right away, though you can still use live view and motion alerts on that device.

If your subscription lapses — say your card expires and Ring can't charge it — your video history stays in the cloud for 30 days. After that, Ring deletes it. You can resubscribe anytime and start recording again, but you won't recover the deleted clips.

Ring devices that don't require a subscription

Ring makes several devices, and not all of them need a paid plan. Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Stick Up Cam, and Ring Floodlight Cam all work without a subscription, but they only offer live view and motion alerts. No video saves anywhere.

Ring Alarm — the security system with door and window sensors, a keypad, and a base station — also works without a subscription. You'll get alerts on your phone when sensors trigger, but the system won't contact monitoring centers or emergency services. If you want professional monitoring, that's when you need Ring Protect Plus plus the monitoring add-on.

Some older Ring devices, like the original Ring Video Doorbell, may have different subscription requirements. Check your device's settings in the Ring app to see what plan it needs.

Comparing Ring to other camera subscriptions

Other camera brands charge differently. Wyze charges $1.99 per month per camera for cloud storage. Logitech Circle View charges $2.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 per month for unlimited cameras. Google Nest Aware costs $6 per month for one camera or $12 per month for all cameras on your account.

Ring's pricing is competitive, especially if you own multiple devices. The yearly discount also helps — paying $39.99 upfront for a year of Basic is cheaper than most competitors' monthly rates. The trade-off is that Ring stores video for 60 days, while some competitors offer 30 days or 90 days depending on the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Ring camera without paying for a subscription?

Yes. You'll get motion alerts and can watch live video in the app anytime. The catch is that nothing records or saves — once you close the app, the video is gone. If you want to keep clips or review what happened while you were away, you need a subscription.

What happens to my videos if I cancel my subscription?

Your video history deletes after 30 days. If you resubscribe before those 30 days are up, your clips stay. After 30 days, they're gone for good. New video won't record until you resubscribe.

Do I have to pay for Ring Protect Plus if I only want one camera?

No. Ring Protect Basic covers one device for $3.99 per month. Plus is better value only if you own two or more Ring devices. If you have just one camera, Basic is cheaper.

Is Ring Protect Plus the same as Ring Alarm monitoring?

No. Ring Protect Plus covers video storage and person detection for cameras and doorbells. Alarm monitoring is a separate add-on that costs extra and only works if you own a Ring Alarm system. You need Plus first, then add monitoring on top.

Can I change my subscription plan anytime?

Yes. You can upgrade from Basic to Plus, downgrade to Basic, or cancel anytime through the Ring app. Changes take effect immediately. If you downgrade mid-month, you won't get a refund for the unused time.