Yes, Ring requires a paid subscription for video recording and history storage. The doorbell works without one – you get live view, two-way talk, and motion alerts – but the moment someone leaves your porch and you want to review the footage, you’ll need a Ring Protect plan. No subscription, no recording. That’s the deal.
Free vs. Paid: What You Actually Get
Here’s exactly what works out of the box with no subscription, and what’s locked behind a plan:
- Free (no subscription needed): Live View, Two-Way Talk, motion alerts, real-time notifications
- Requires a paid plan: Video history and recording storage, Rich Notifications (snapshot previews in alerts), Snapshot Capture, extended warranty
- Ring AI Pro plan only: 24/7 professional monitoring, 24/7 Backup Internet (with Ring Alarm)
Bottom line: without a plan, the Ring Doorbell 2 is a live intercom with a motion sensor. Useful, but not really a security camera.
Ring Subscription Plans (Updated January 2026)
Ring renamed its plans in January 2026. The old Basic/Plus/Pro names are gone. Here’s what replaced them:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Solo | $4.99 | $49.99 | One device |
| Ring Multi | $9.99 | $99.99 | All devices at one location |
| Ring AI Pro | $19.99 | $199.99 | All devices + professional monitoring |
All three paid plans include 180 days of cloud video storage – a significant upgrade from the 60-day limit the old plans had. New Ring devices come with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate before committing.
Ring Solo makes sense if you have a single doorbell and handle your own monitoring. Ring Multi is the obvious pick once you have more than one camera. Ring AI Pro is for people who want someone else to deal with it when something goes wrong at 3am.
What You Get Without a Subscription
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 is discontinued (Ring pulled it in April 2020), but plenty of people still have one running. Without a subscription, it still does the basics:
- Live View – open the app and see your front door in real time
- Two-Way Talk – speak to whoever’s at the door through the app
- Motion alerts – get a notification when movement is detected
- Doorbell press alerts – obvious, but worth stating
What it won’t do is save any of that. No recording means no evidence if something actually happens. You’ll get notified that motion was detected, open the app, and see… whatever is there right now. The moment you close the app, it’s gone.
If the Doorbell 2 is getting long in the tooth, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the current replacement – head-to-toe HD+ video (1536p), longer battery life, and it works with all the same subscription plans. Around $100-$150 depending on where you buy it.
Is the Ring Protect Plan Worth Paying For?
For most people, yes – but only if you actually need the recordings. Ring Solo at $4.99/month ($49.99/year) is cheap enough that it barely registers as a recurring cost. If you’re using the doorbell as a security tool rather than a novelty, the subscription makes the device actually functional for that purpose.
Ring Multi at $9.99/month is the right call once you have two or more cameras. Paying Solo rates per-device adds up fast. Multi covers everything at one address for a flat rate.
Ring AI Pro at $19.99/month is mostly for people who also have a Ring Alarm and want professional monitoring. If you just have a doorbell, you’re paying for features you won’t use.
One honest caveat: Ring is the only source of video storage for Ring devices. There’s no local storage option on the Doorbell 2, no SD card slot, nothing. You pay Ring or you don’t have recordings. That’s a deliberate design choice, and it’s worth knowing before you buy.
How to Set Up a Ring Protect Plan
Open the Ring app
Launch the Ring app on your phone and make sure you’re signed into your account.
Go to Account settings
Tap the menu icon (three lines, top left), then tap Account, then tap Ring Protect Plans.
Choose a plan
Select Ring Solo (one device), Ring Multi (all devices at one location), or Ring AI Pro (all devices plus professional monitoring). Compare the annual pricing – it works out to roughly two free months versus paying month-to-month.
Select your device
For Ring Solo, choose which doorbell or camera the plan covers. Ring Multi and AI Pro cover all devices at one location automatically.
Complete payment
Enter your payment details and confirm. Your 180-day video history starts recording immediately. New Ring devices get a 30-day free trial before any charge.
Ring Protect FAQs
Do you need a subscription for Ring Doorbell 2?
No subscription is required to use the basic features. Live View, Two-Way Talk, and motion alerts all work without paying. You need a Ring Protect plan to record and store video history.
What are the current Ring Protect plan names?
Ring renamed its plans in January 2026. The old Basic/Plus/Pro names are now Ring Solo ($4.99/month), Ring Multi ($9.99/month), and Ring AI Pro ($19.99/month).
How much does Ring Protect cost per month?
Ring Solo is $4.99/month, Ring Multi is $9.99/month, Ring AI Pro is $19.99/month. Annual plans work out to about two months free: $49.99, $99.99, and $199.99 per year respectively.
Is Ring Doorbell 2 still supported?
Ring discontinued the Doorbell 2 in April 2020, but existing units still work and receive software updates. If you’re replacing it, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the current equivalent.