Can you use Ring without a subscription?
Facts last verified · Every claim is linked to its source · Methodology
Ring's own help page is blunt: "A subscription is required to review recorded video on your cameras and doorbells. Without a subscription, you can view live video and respond to alerts as they happen," and events are only recorded after you subscribe 1. Ring's privacy page puts the same fact the other way round: with no plan, Ring does not record or store your videos 2. For privacy that is a real trade-off: no plan means no Ring-held video archive, but also no evidence if something happens.
In 2026 Ring renamed its plans again. Home Basic became Ring Solo, Home Standard became Ring Multi, and Home Standard with 24/7 Professional Monitoring and AI Pro became Ring Pro; Ring says features carry over at no extra charge 3. Ring's US plan page lists Ring Solo at $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year (one device), Ring Multi at $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year (all devices at one location) and Ring Pro at $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year, plus tax. Add-ons are Pro Intelligence (+$5 a month per camera, for Solo or Multi) and 24/7 Continuous Recording (+$3 a month per camera) 4. All plans keep motion events for up to 180 days 1.
None of the Ring cameras and doorbells we track has a microSD slot or free local recording. The only local option, Ring Edge, needs a Ring Alarm Pro base station and a subscription, and it supports 1080p devices only 5. Ring devices also need an active internet connection 6.
Does Ring record without a subscription?
No. Ring says events are only recorded after you subscribe; without a plan you get Live View and real-time alerts only. 12
Do I need a subscription for each Ring device?
Not necessarily. Ring Solo covers one device; Ring Multi and Ring Pro cover all Ring devices at one location. 14
Does the free trial start automatically?
Yes. Ring says a 30-day Ring Protect trial starts automatically when you set up a new or certified refurbished device. 1
How much does Familiar Faces cost?
Familiar Faces is part of Ring Pro ($19.99 a month) or the Pro Intelligence add-on (+$5 a month per camera on Solo or Multi). Ring says it is not available in Illinois, Texas or Portland, Oregon. 417
Can I store Ring video locally instead?
Only with Ring Edge, which needs a Ring Alarm Pro and a subscription and supports 1080p devices only. 5
What are some no-subscription alternatives?
See Ring alternatives with no subscription and the best no-subscription cameras.
| Device | Score | Offline | Local storage | Home Assistant | RTSP/ONVIF | Subscription | Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Battery Doorbell 2KDoorbell · Battery | 12 | No | None | Cloud | No | Required | Required |
| Ring Wired Doorbell 4K ProDoorbell · Wired | 12 | No | None | Cloud | No | Required | Required |
| Ring Outdoor Cam 4K ProCamera · Plug-in, wired or Power over Ethernet | 12 | No | None | Cloud | No | Required | Required |
| Ring Outdoor Cam PlusCamera · Battery, plug-in, solar, wired or Power over Ethernet | 12 | No | None | Cloud | No | Required | Required |
| Ring Indoor Cam 2KCamera · Plug-in | 12 | No | None | Cloud | No | Required | Required |
| Ring Floodlight Cam ProCamera · Hardwired or plug-in | 12 | No | None | Cloud | No | Required | Required |
| Ring Floodlight Cam 4K ProCamera · Hardwired or plug-in | 12 | No | None | Cloud | No | Required | Required |
Informational only, not legal advice. Found an error? Tell us.
Sources
- Ring: Understanding Ring Protect subscriptions · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Ring: Privacy page · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Ring: Subscription plan changes in 2026 · checked Nov 2, 2026
- Ring: Ring Protect plans and prices (US) · checked Nov 2, 2026
- Ring: Store and process videos locally with Ring Edge and Alarm Pro · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Ring: Wifi recommendations ("require an active internet connection") · checked Oct 22, 2026
- Ring: Familiar Faces support article · checked Oct 22, 2026