Ring subscription pricing and what you get
Ring offers two subscription tiers: Ring Protect Basic at $3 per month (or $30 per year) and Ring Protect Plus at $10 per month (or $100 per year). Both are paid directly to Ring, not bundled with other services, though Amazon Prime members sometimes see promotional pricing during sign-up.
Basic covers video recording and storage for one device — usually a doorbell or outdoor camera. Plus covers unlimited devices on your account and includes professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems if you have one. Neither subscription is required to use a Ring device; without one, you can still see live video and receive motion alerts, but recordings won't save.
The main difference between tiers is device count and alarm monitoring. If you own one doorbell and want to keep recordings, Basic works. If you have multiple cameras or a Ring Alarm system, Plus becomes the practical choice because you'd otherwise pay Basic fees for each device separately.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Basic costs $3 monthly or $30 yearly and covers video storage for one device only.
- Ring Protect Plus costs $10 monthly or $100 yearly and covers unlimited devices plus professional alarm monitoring.
- Without a subscription, your Ring device still works for live view and motion alerts, but video recordings are not saved.
- You pay Ring directly each month or year; the subscription is not included with Amazon Prime or other bundled services.
- Professional monitoring through Plus requires a separate Ring Alarm system; the subscription alone does not set up monitoring.
What video storage actually means
When you subscribe, Ring stores your video recordings in the cloud for 60 days. You can watch, read, or share clips during that window. After 60 days, Ring deletes them automatically. This is different from local storage — Ring devices do not save video to a hard drive in your home.
Motion and person detection trigger recordings automatically. You can also manually record at any time through the Ring app. Without a subscription, you still receive notifications when motion is detected, but the video itself is not saved unless you manually read it to your phone in the moment.
The 60-day window resets each time a new recording is made, so if your camera records frequently, you may have footage from the full 60 days. If it records rarely, older clips disappear sooner. Ring does not offer longer storage periods even at higher price points.
When you actually need a subscription
You need a subscription only if you want video recordings saved automatically. If you live in a quiet area, check your doorbell occasionally, and don't need a record of what happened while you were away, you can skip it. The live view works without paying anything.
Households with Ring Alarm systems often find Plus worthwhile because professional monitoring — which contacts emergency services if your alarm triggers — requires the subscription. Basic does not include monitoring; it only covers video storage for one device.
If you own multiple cameras, the math shifts quickly. Two devices on Basic cost $6 monthly; Plus at $10 covers both plus any future cameras you add. Most people with more than one Ring device find Plus cheaper within a few months.
How to check what you're currently paying
Open the Ring app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left. Select "Subscriptions" or "Account Settings" depending on your app version. You'll see your current plan, renewal date, and payment method. The app shows whether you're on a monthly or yearly plan and when your next charge occurs.
If you signed up through Amazon, check your Amazon account under "Memberships and Subscriptions" as well — some promotions route the charge through Amazon rather than Ring directly. Either way, you can cancel or change your plan from the Ring app without contacting support.
Your subscription covers all Ring devices on the same account. If you share account access with a family member, they see the same subscription status and cannot change it without your permission.
Cancelling or changing your plan
You can cancel anytime from the Ring app without penalty. If you're on a yearly plan and cancel mid-year, Ring does not refund the unused portion — you keep access until the renewal date, then it stops. Monthly plans end when ready when you cancel.
To downgrade from Plus to Basic, go to Subscriptions in the app and select "Change Plan." Ring will prorate the difference if you're mid-billing cycle. To upgrade, select the Plus option and pay the difference for the remainder of your current period.
If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you start fresh with a new billing date. Ring does not restore old recordings after cancellation; anything older than 60 days is already deleted, and anything newer is deleted when your subscription ends.
Ring Protect Plus and alarm monitoring explained
Ring Protect Plus includes professional monitoring only if you own a Ring Alarm system (the separate security system with sensors and a keypad). The subscription alone does not set up monitoring — you must have the hardware installed and configured first.
Professional monitoring means Ring's monitoring center receives alerts when your alarm triggers and can contact police or fire on your behalf. This service is included with Plus at no additional cost beyond the subscription. Without Plus, you can still arm and disarm your alarm through the app, but no one monitors it.
If you have an alarm system but don't subscribe to Plus, you'll receive notifications on your phone when it triggers, but the monitoring center won't. This is useful if you're home or nearby, but offers no protection if you're away and can't respond.
Comparing Ring to other doorbell cameras
Most video doorbell brands charge for cloud storage the same way Ring does. Nest Hello requires a Nest Aware subscription ($6 to $12 monthly depending on features). Logitech Circle View costs $3 to $10 monthly. Wyze charges $1.99 monthly for one camera or $4.99 for unlimited devices. The pricing landscape is similar across brands.
The real difference is what features come with each tier. Ring's Basic tier is among the cheapest, but it covers only one device. Wyze's unlimited-device tier is cheaper overall, but Wyze cameras have fewer integrations with other smart home systems. Nest's tiers include more advanced features like person and package detection, which costs more.
If you already own Ring devices, switching to another brand means replacing hardware. If you're choosing your first doorbell, comparing subscription costs alongside the camera price itself gives a clearer picture of total cost over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for Ring Protect to use my doorbell?
No. Your Ring doorbell works without a subscription — you can see live video and get motion alerts. You only need to pay if you want video recordings saved automatically. Without the subscription, you can still manually read video to your phone while it's happening.
Can I use one subscription for multiple Ring devices?
Yes, but only with Ring Protect Plus. Basic covers one device only. If you have two doorbells or cameras and want both recorded, you either need Plus or pay for Basic twice. Plus costs $10 monthly regardless of how many devices you own.
What happens to my videos if I cancel my subscription?
Any recordings older than 60 days are already deleted by Ring. Anything newer than 60 days is deleted when your subscription ends. You have until that point to read any clips you want to keep. After cancellation, no new recordings are saved.
Does Ring Protect Plus work without a Ring Alarm system?
Yes. Plus covers video storage for unlimited devices whether or not you own an alarm system. The professional monitoring feature only works if you have a Ring Alarm, but the video storage benefit applies to any Ring camera or doorbell on your account.
Can I switch between monthly and yearly billing?
Yes. You can change your billing frequency anytime from the Subscriptions menu in the Ring app. If you switch from monthly to yearly mid-cycle, Ring charges you the prorated difference. If you switch from yearly to monthly, you keep access until your yearly renewal date, then it converts to monthly billing.