How Much is Ring Doorbell Subscription

The Ring doorbell has become one of the most popular smart home devices in the UK, offering security and convenience in one. It lets you see, hear, and speak to visitors through your phone and records motion events automatically. However, to unlock the full potential of the system, most users choose to pay for a Ring Protect subscription. This leads to one common question: how much does a Ring doorbell subscription actually cost?

Understanding how Ring’s subscriptions work is vital before you buy one of their devices. The subscription determines how long your recordings are stored, what features are available, and whether you can download or share video clips. This guide explores everything UK homeowners, landlords, and tenants need to know about Ring subscriptions, including pricing, features, benefits, and when it may or may not be worth paying for.

Understanding the Purpose of a Ring Subscription

A Ring doorbell works perfectly well without a subscription in basic form. You can still receive notifications when someone rings the bell, view live footage from your phone, and use two-way audio to speak to visitors. However, once the moment passes, that video is gone. Without a subscription, your doorbell does not record or store any footage.

The subscription is what allows the device to record and save video clips to the cloud. It also unlocks features such as reviewing past events, downloading clips for evidence, sharing videos with neighbours or the police, and using advanced motion detection alerts. Essentially, the subscription transforms a Ring doorbell from a live-view camera into a full security system with video history and playback.

The Current UK Subscription Costs

In the UK, there are three main Ring Protect plans available, each priced according to the level of service. The first and most popular is Ring Protect Basic, which costs £4.99 per month or £49.99 per year if you pay annually. This plan covers one single Ring device, such as one doorbell or one camera.

The second option is Ring Protect Plus, which costs £8 per month or £80 per year. This plan covers all Ring devices at one property, meaning you can have multiple doorbells and cameras under one subscription.

The third and newest tier is Ring Protect Pro, which costs around £16 per month and is designed for more advanced systems that support 24/7 video recording. This plan is aimed at users who want constant monitoring or who use multiple security cameras and smart alarms together.

What Each Plan Includes

The Ring Protect Basic plan provides access to 180 days of cloud storage for video clips. This means you can view and download footage of motion events, doorbell presses, and live-view sessions for up to six months. It also lets you take snapshots between events, receive smart alerts, and share videos directly from the app.

The Ring Protect Plus plan includes everything in the Basic plan but adds multi-device support. This is ideal for homes with several cameras, such as one at the front door, one covering the back garden, and another for the driveway. It also provides an extended warranty for all devices while your subscription remains active, which can save money on replacements or repairs in the long term.

The Ring Protect Pro plan adds professional monitoring for compatible systems, 24/7 video recording on supported cameras, and more detailed event history. Although not all doorbell models support continuous recording, this tier is designed for users with Ring Alarm systems or those wanting an integrated home security setup.

Is a Subscription Required for a Ring Doorbell?

No, a Ring subscription is not required to use the doorbell. You can still view live footage, talk to visitors, and receive alerts when motion is detected or the doorbell rings. However, you will not be able to review past footage once the live event ends. The doorbell essentially becomes a live-only system.

Most homeowners find that the subscription adds significant value because it allows them to go back and review events, particularly if they miss a visitor, suspect suspicious activity, or need evidence for a delivery or insurance claim. Without the subscription, you can only respond in real time and have no stored recordings to look back on.

How Long Recordings Are Stored

Both the Basic and Plus subscriptions include up to 180 days of video storage in the cloud. This means you can view recordings made in the past six months before they are automatically deleted. You can shorten this duration manually in the app for privacy reasons if preferred, choosing a 30 or 60-day window instead.

If you want to keep a particular clip permanently, you can download it directly from the app or the Ring website before it expires. Once downloaded, the video is stored locally on your device and will not be deleted by Ring.

Annual vs Monthly Subscription Options

Ring offers two payment structures: monthly and annual. Paying monthly gives flexibility, letting you cancel at any time, while the annual option saves money overall. For example, the Basic plan at £4.99 per month adds up to £59.88 per year, but the annual version costs only £49.99, saving almost £10. The same applies to the Plus plan, where the yearly rate offers similar savings.

For those who plan to use their Ring doorbell long term, the annual plan is more cost-effective. However, if you are trying the system for the first time or live in rented accommodation where you may not stay long, a monthly plan may be the better choice.

Evaluating Value for Money

Whether a Ring subscription is worth it depends on how you use the device. For users who only want to see who is at the door when it rings, a subscription might not be essential. You will still get real-time notifications and two-way communication, which is often enough for basic convenience.

For anyone using their Ring doorbell as part of a home security system, however, the subscription is highly beneficial. Being able to store, review, and share footage provides peace of mind and valuable evidence in case of theft, vandalism, or missed deliveries. For landlords or property managers, having recorded footage can help with tenant disputes or maintenance access records.

Comparing Ring Plans to Alternatives

When comparing Ring’s subscription model with other smart doorbell brands in the UK, its pricing remains competitive. Many similar devices from brands like Google Nest or Arlo have comparable or higher monthly fees. Nest’s subscription, for example, also charges per device or per home, while Arlo offers storage tiers that can cost more depending on resolution and recording length.

Ring’s advantage lies in simplicity. Even the Basic plan offers generous cloud storage and straightforward pricing. The Plus plan adds multi-device coverage without multiplying costs, making it a sensible choice for households with multiple cameras.

Hidden Costs to Consider

While the subscription prices may appear straightforward, there are a few other costs to keep in mind. Your internet connection must be reliable, as Ring footage uploads to the cloud in real time. If you have a data-limited broadband plan, heavy video activity could increase data usage. You may also need accessories like a Ring Chime for indoor alerts, a solar charger, or an additional battery pack for convenience, all of which add to the total investment.

You should also be aware that if you cancel your subscription, all saved videos will be permanently deleted after the retention period. Any clips not downloaded beforehand will be lost. This can be a surprise for users who pause payments temporarily, assuming videos will remain accessible when they resubscribe.

Price Changes and Customer Reactions

Ring subscription costs have increased slightly in recent years, rising from around £3.49 per month for the Basic plan to the current £4.99. Price changes are often introduced alongside new features, longer storage options, or upgraded app functionality. Some users have expressed frustration over rising costs, while others see it as fair given the platform’s improvements and reliability.

It is wise to check your renewal emails or the subscription section of your account regularly to stay informed of any updates or new plans. Paying annually can often lock in the current rate for the year, providing some protection from short-term price rises.

How to Subscribe and Manage Your Plan

You can start or modify your Ring subscription directly through the Ring app or via the official website. Once your doorbell is installed and set up, open the app, navigate to “Control Center,” and tap “Ring Protect Plan.” From there, you can choose your preferred plan, payment method, and whether to pay monthly or annually.

If you upgrade from Basic to Plus, your existing recordings remain accessible, and the transition is seamless. You can also cancel at any time. Once cancelled, your doorbell will revert to live-view mode only, and any recordings will be deleted after the set retention period.

Is There a Free Trial?

Yes, when you first set up a new Ring doorbell, you typically receive a 30-day free trial of Ring Protect. During this trial, you can experience all the benefits of cloud recording and playback. After the trial ends, the system continues to function, but recordings stop unless you subscribe.

This free period is an excellent opportunity to test how much you rely on stored footage. Many users find that once they see how useful playback is for deliveries, security checks, and monitoring visitors, they choose to continue with the subscription.

Why Some Users Choose Not to Subscribe

A minority of Ring users opt out of the subscription model, relying instead on live viewing and instant notifications. For example, residents in quieter areas who rarely receive visitors might find a subscription unnecessary. Similarly, some use the doorbell purely as an intercom to answer calls remotely without the need for stored footage.

However, the vast majority of Ring customers find at least the Basic plan worthwhile, as it provides the essential functionality that transforms the doorbell into a proper security device rather than just a smart gadget.

Alternatives to Ring’s Cloud Storage

If you prefer not to rely on cloud storage, there are some alternatives, though they come with limitations. Certain Ring models can connect to a Ring Alarm Base Station or a Ring Protect Hub, which may allow limited local video storage in specific setups. However, most doorbells are cloud-dependent, meaning local-only storage options remain restricted.

For users who want fully local recording, alternative brands such as Eufy or Reolink offer options that record directly to an SD card or home base, but these lack the convenience of remote cloud access and sharing features.

Conclusion

A Ring doorbell subscription in the UK currently starts at £4.99 per month or £49.99 annually for a single device, £8 per month or £80 annually for all devices at one property, and around £16 per month for advanced 24/7 monitoring under the Pro plan.

While you can use the doorbell without a subscription, you will lose access to video history, downloads, and playback. For most users, especially those using Ring for security, deliveries, or property management, the subscription is well worth the investment.

When deciding which plan suits you best, consider how many devices you own, how often you need to review footage, and how much value you place on recorded video history. By understanding the costs and benefits clearly, you can make an informed choice that fits both your security needs and your household budget.