Understanding Ring’s Subscription Plans: What You Need to Know
(Here’s What I Pay, Why I Pay It — and If It’s Worth It for You)
When I first got my Ring Indoor Cam, I thought the free features would be enough. And to be fair, you can use the camera without paying a dime. But once I started using it daily and realized how much more powerful it could be, I looked into Ring’s subscription plans — and I’m glad I did.
In this post, I’ll break down exactly what each Ring Protect plan includes, what I personally use, and how to decide which one makes the most sense for your needs.
Get your Ring Indoor Cam here on Amazon
Table of Contents
Can You Use Ring Without a Subscription?
Yes — and I did for the first few days. Without a plan, you still get:
- Live View
- Motion alerts
- Two-way talk
- Real-time notifications
But here’s the catch: you can’t record or save videos. That means if someone walks into your house while you’re away, and you miss the alert — there’s no footage to go back and review. That’s why I quickly realized I needed a plan.
Ring Protect Basic ($3.99/month or $39.99/year)
This is the one I started with — and honestly, it covers all the essentials for most people. The Protect Basic plan gives you:
- Video recording and playback for 1 Ring device
- 60-day video history
- Video saving and sharing
- Snapshot capture every few minutes
It’s affordable, easy to manage, and it only applies to one camera — which is perfect if you’re just using a single Ring Indoor Cam.
Ring Protect Plus ($10/month or $100/year)
When I added a second Ring device (a Doorbell Cam), I upgraded to the Plus plan. It covers:
- Unlimited Ring devices at one location
- Everything in the Basic plan
- Extended warranties
- 10% off Ring products on Amazon and Ring.com
If you have multiple cams — or you plan to expand — this is the most cost-effective option. I like that I don’t have to manage separate subscriptions for each device.
Ring Protect Pro ($20/month or $200/year)
This plan is more for advanced users, especially those with Ring Alarm systems. It includes:
- Professional monitoring
- Alarm cellular backup
- Alexa Guard Plus
- Eero Secure for Wi-Fi protection
- All Plus features
If you only have a single indoor cam, you likely won’t need this level — but if you’re building a smart home security network, it’s worth considering.
Do I Need a Subscription?
Technically no, but practically? Yes — if you want to:
- Watch past footage
- Download or share videos
- Use motion snapshots
- See exactly what happened when you missed a live alert
I originally skipped it, but after one missed alert where I really needed the playback, I signed up the same day. Since then, I’ve been able to save clips, track packages, and even rewatch footage when something looked off.
How to Choose the Right Plan
Here’s my simple advice:
- One camera only? Start with Protect Basic.
- Two or more cameras? Upgrade to Protect Plus.
- Using Ring Alarm too? Consider Protect Pro.
And the best part? You can switch plans anytime. I tested Basic for a month before moving to Plus, and the process was super simple in the Ring app.
Is It Worth It? My Honest Opinion
For me, yes — 100%. The price is reasonable, and the ability to go back and watch recorded footage makes me feel way more secure. I use it daily, and the peace of mind is worth every penny.
Check the Ring Indoor Cam on Amazon
One thing I really appreciated about Ring is how transparent the pricing is. There are no hidden fees, surprise renewals, or sneaky upsells. I get a reminder before my plan renews, and I can cancel or switch at any time right inside the app.
When I first subscribed, I worried that I’d forget to cancel or get charged accidentally — but Ring actually made it super easy to track your billing cycle and manage your subscription. I set mine to annual billing to save a bit more long-term.
If you’re a renter like me, and you’re not planning to stay in one place for years, the monthly plan option is great. You don’t have to commit to a full year — you can pay month-to-month and cancel if you move or no longer need the service.
I also like that Ring’s plans include cloud storage for video — no memory cards or local drives needed. That means I can access my footage from anywhere, even when I’m not home. I once had to check an old clip from another state, and it loaded instantly.
For those who travel often, I can’t stress enough how valuable the 60-day video history is. I went on a trip for 10 days and forgot to check my alerts until I got back. Thankfully, everything was saved, and I was able to review it all.
Another bonus with the Plus and Pro plans is that Ring gives you an extended warranty as long as you keep the subscription active. That’s peace of mind in itself — especially if you’re investing in more than one device.
One tip: If you shop Ring devices through Amazon and you’re already subscribed to Ring Protect Plus, don’t forget about the 10% discount on eligible items. I didn’t know that at first and missed a deal, but now I always check before ordering new gear.
While I haven’t needed professional monitoring yet, I can see why the Ring Protect Pro plan would be ideal for families or homeowners who want a full security system. The built-in cellular backup and Alexa Guard features make your home feel bulletproof.
What’s great is that you can test any plan for free for 30 days when you first activate your camera. That’s how I discovered the features I actually used daily — like saving clips or going back to rewatch an alert I missed during work.
I’ve had other smart cams before, and their plans were confusing, limited, or way more expensive. Ring’s pricing is clear, flexible, and affordable, which made me trust the brand even more after using it for a few months.
I also noticed that Ring regularly updates the app and adds new features to all plans — not just the most expensive one. That’s rare. Even on the Basic plan, I’ve seen new features like snapshot capture and upgraded motion filtering added over time.
Lastly, having a subscription made me feel like I was using the full potential of my device. The free version works, yes — but the ability to replay, download, and share videos has been a game-changer. I’ve even saved funny clips of my dog for memories.