Ring has recently announced an increase in the price of its Ring Protect Basic subscription plan, set to take effect in the second quarter of 2024. This price hike applies to both monthly and annual subscription tiers, impacting smart home enthusiasts who rely on Ring’s home security camera kit.
Prior to this change, the Ring Protect Basic subscription was priced at $3.99 per month. However, as of March 11, the monthly rate will be raised to $4.99. For those opting for an annual subscription, the cost will increase from $39.99 to $49.99 per year.
Customers with renewals scheduled before March 11 will continue to pay the previous, lower fees. Subscriptions due for renewal on or after March 11 will be subject to the updated pricing.
It’s important to note that this price adjustment only affects the Ring Protect Basic plan, while higher-tier subscription options that support additional cameras will maintain their current rates.
Exploring Alternative Options
Ring currently offers three subscription plans: Basic, Plus, and Pro. The Basic plan allows video capture from one device and includes features like 180-day video history, person alerts, notifications, alarm notifications, and the ability to download up to 50 videos at once.
The Plus subscription tier, priced at $10 per month or $100 annually, offers support for multiple devices in the same location without hardware limitations and an extended product warranty.
For those seeking advanced features, the Pro subscription starts at $20 per month and includes benefits such as cellular alarm backup, professional monitoring around the clock, and an internet backup option. The trend of price increases in home security subscriptions is not unique to Ring, with competitors like Google’s Nest and Arlo also raising their rates in recent months.
While the cost of maintaining home security systems may be on the rise, there have been positive developments as well. Amazon recently announced the discontinuation of the “Request for Assistance” feature in its Neighbors app, a move that eliminates the ability for law enforcement and safety agencies to request Ring camera footage from communities for investigative purposes.