Ring
Ring (by Amazon) offers DIY home security starting at $4.99/month — video doorbells, cameras, and Ring Alarm with professional monitoring available from $10/month, deeply integrated with Amazon Alexa.
Available Plans
Ring Protect plans (no contract required; all cover a single home location except Basic): Protect Basic ($4.99/month per device) — 60-day video history and Snapshot Capture for one Ring doorbell or camera; annual plan $49.99/year. Protect Plus ($10/month) — unlimited Ring devices at one location, 60-day video history, extended warranties on all Ring hardware, and 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm; annual plan $100/year. Protect Pro ($20/month) — all Plus features plus Backup Internet (3 GB cellular/month to maintain Ring Alarm monitoring during internet outages), 180-day video history, and Alexa Guard Plus; annual plan $200/year. Note: Ring Protect Plus price increased in April 2025. Professional monitoring for Ring Alarm requires Protect Pro ($20/month) — the Plus plan provides monitoring capabilities but not central station dispatch. All Ring hardware is purchased separately from monitoring plans.
Ring Protect Basic
$4.99/mo
Ring Protect Plus
$10/mo
Ring Protect Pro
$20/mo
About Ring
Ring is Amazon's home security brand and the company most responsible for mainstream consumer adoption of video doorbells in the United States. Since Ring launched its first video doorbell in 2013 and was acquired by Amazon in 2018 for approximately $1 billion, the brand has expanded into a complete home security ecosystem covering video doorbells, indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, floodlight cameras, spotlight cameras, and the Ring Alarm home security system with optional professional monitoring — all at price points significantly more accessible than traditional security companies.
Ring Protect monitoring plans are sold separately from hardware and represent the most flexible monitoring structure in the industry. Ring Protect Basic ($4.99/month per device) enables video recording and history for a single camera or doorbell. Ring Protect Plus ($10/month) covers unlimited Ring devices at a single location with 60-day video history, extended warranties on all Ring hardware, and 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems. Ring Protect Pro ($20/month) adds Ring's Backup Internet — a cellular connection providing 3 GB/month of data — ensuring your Ring Alarm stays monitored even when your home internet goes down.
All Ring hardware integrates natively and deeply with Amazon Alexa. You can ask Alexa to show your Ring camera feed on Echo Show displays, receive doorbell announcements through Echo speakers, arm or disarm Ring Alarm with voice commands, and trigger Alexa routines based on Ring motion or doorbell events — such as automatically turning on smart lights when the Ring doorbell rings at night. This Alexa integration makes Ring the natural home security choice for Amazon Echo households.
Best For
- ★Amazon Echo and Alexa households who want native smart home security integration without a separate hub
- ★Budget-conscious renters who want video doorbells and cameras with minimal monthly commitment
- ★Homeowners who want entry-level professional monitoring for Ring Alarm at just $20/month
- ★Multi-camera households who want all devices covered for a flat $10/month with Protect Plus
- ★Tech-savvy users who want flexible DIY security they can expand at their own pace
- ★Anyone who wants to start with a video doorbell and expand to a full security system incrementally
Pros
- ✓Most affordable home security monitoring available — starts at $4.99/month per device
- ✓Protect Plus covers unlimited devices for just $10/month — best value for multi-camera households
- ✓No long-term contract required on any Ring Protect plan — cancel any month with zero penalty
- ✓Deep Amazon Alexa integration — view cameras on Echo Show, get doorbell announcements on Echo speakers
- ✓Largest selection of video doorbells available from any single security brand
- ✓Hardware available at major retailers — Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon — easy to find and purchase
- ✓Backup Internet on Pro plan maintains Ring Alarm monitoring during home internet outages via cellular
Cons
- ✕Professional monitoring requires Protect Pro ($20/month) — the Protect Plus plan does not include central station dispatch
- ✕Ring devices require a Protect subscription for any video recording — without it, only live view is available
- ✕Ring security practices have faced scrutiny — including prior partnerships with law enforcement and past security vulnerabilities (since substantially improved)
- ✕No professional installation option — fully DIY, which may not appeal to all customers
- ✕Hardware quality at the entry price point is less robust than ADT or Vivint professional-grade equipment
- ✕Smart home integrations are primarily Amazon Alexa ecosystem — limited compatibility outside Amazon's platform
Availability
Ring ships security devices to all 50 US states and 100+ countries worldwide. Ring Protect monitoring is available throughout the United States and select international markets. Ring hardware is available at Amazon.com, Amazon retail stores, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, Target, and Costco — making Ring the most widely distributed home security brand in retail. The broad retail availability means customers can see and compare hardware before purchasing, which is unique in the home security category.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Ring home security cost per month?
Ring Protect Basic is $4.99/month for one device (video recording for a single doorbell or camera). Protect Plus is $10/month for unlimited devices at one home (60-day video history + Ring Alarm 24/7 monitoring). Protect Pro is $20/month and adds Backup Internet cellular connection and 180-day video history. No contract required on any plan.
Does Ring Protect Plus include professional monitoring?
Ring Protect Plus ($10/month) includes 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm — meaning if your Ring Alarm triggers, a monitoring center agent will contact you and can dispatch emergency services. However, full central station dispatch monitoring (where agents actively monitor and dispatch without you answering) is included in Protect Pro ($20/month) along with Backup Internet.
What happens if I don't have a Ring Protect subscription?
Without a Ring Protect subscription, Ring devices can still provide live view and real-time motion alerts to your phone. However, you cannot save, review, or share any recorded video — every alert requires you to open the app immediately to see what's happening. No video history is saved. Ring Alarm devices will trigger local sirens and send app notifications but with no central monitoring.
What is Ring Backup Internet?
Ring Backup Internet, included with Protect Pro ($20/month), provides 3 GB of cellular data per month that activates automatically if your home internet goes down. This ensures your Ring Alarm continues to communicate with Ring's monitoring center even during internet outages, router failures, or if an intruder cuts your cable line.
How does Ring integrate with Amazon Alexa?
Ring integrates natively with Alexa across the entire product line. Ask Alexa to show your Ring camera feed on Echo Show displays, set up announcements to alert your household when the doorbell rings, arm or disarm Ring Alarm with voice commands, and create Alexa routines triggered by Ring events — such as turning on lights when Ring detects motion at night.
How does Ring compare to SimpliSafe?
Ring: more affordable monitoring (starts at $10/month vs. $22.99/month), best Amazon/Alexa integration, largest selection of video doorbells and cameras, hardware available at retail. SimpliSafe: more comprehensive alarm system with faster monitoring response (sub-10 seconds), better cellular backup on all plans, stronger focus on traditional home security, portable for renters. Ring is better for camera-first households; SimpliSafe is better for alarm-focused households.
Does Ring offer professional installation?
No — Ring is a fully DIY brand. All Ring devices self-install, typically using screws or adhesive mounts. Most Ring doorbells replace existing wired doorbell hardware or use the included battery. Ring Alarm sensors use adhesive strips. There is no professional installation option — Ring's pricing reflects this lower-cost DIY approach.