When you buy a Ring Doorbell, a smart video doorbell that records visitors and sends alerts to your phone. Also known as a video doorbell, it seems like a one-time purchase—until you get billed every month. The Ring monthly charge isn’t hidden, but it’s often misunderstood. Most people think they need it to use the camera, but that’s not true. You can see live video and get motion alerts without paying a cent. The fee is for storing video history, advanced alerts, and professional monitoring. If you don’t care about saving past footage or having police dispatched when your alarm goes off, you don’t need to pay.
The Ring Alarm, a DIY home security system that includes sensors, a base station, and optional monitoring. Also known as a smart alarm system, it works the same way. You can arm it, get push notifications, and even trigger sirens without a subscription. But if you want to review who came to your door last Tuesday, or have someone call the cops when your front door opens at 3 a.m., that’s where the monthly fee kicks in. Many users don’t realize they can use Ring devices fully offline—no cloud, no fee. It’s not ideal for everyone, but it’s an option. And if you’re looking to cut costs, there are plenty of no monthly fee security systems, home security setups that store video locally and don’t require a subscription. Also known as self-monitored alarms, they work just as well for basic protection.
What you pay for isn’t the hardware—it’s the convenience. Cloud storage, person detection, extended video history, and 24/7 monitoring all come with a price tag. But if you’re okay checking your camera live when you get home, or reviewing footage directly from your SD card, you can skip the fee entirely. The real question isn’t whether the charge is fair—it’s whether you need what it buys. Many users find they never use the saved clips, or their neighbors’ cameras already cover the same area. Others switch to local storage solutions that cost less over time. The truth? You don’t have to pay Ring to keep your home safe. You just have to know what you’re actually paying for.
Below, you’ll find real answers about Ring’s pricing, what you get for your money, and how to set up a secure home without ever seeing a monthly bill. From battery life tips to alternatives that don’t charge you, we’ve got the straight facts—not marketing fluff.
Ring doesn't charge for the device, but you need a subscription to save video, get smart alerts, or use professional monitoring. Here's exactly how much Ring costs in 2025 and whether it's worth paying.