Ring Alarm Security System Cost and Pricing
Ring's security system is affordable, with optional professional monitoring and cellular backup for the low price of $20 per month or $200 per year. Here's everything you need to know about their pricing.
- Professional monitoring for $20 per month
- No contract required
- Amazon-owned company
Ring emerged on the market about a decade ago with a video doorbell and a dream. Today, they’re one of the biggest names in home security, offering high-quality, low-cost equipment to fit just about any security need.
Why would you want to go with Ring? Well, they’re one of the best home security systems around, for one. They have world-class professional monitoring for just $20 per month, and their equipment offers cutting-edge protections as well as some interesting opportunities for home automation. It can be installed with minimal tools or know-how, and they don’t require any long-term contracts.
Are they the right system for you, though? In this guide we’re going to break down the cost of Ring’s equipment, discuss their offerings, and detail their overall value. By the end, you’re going to have a pretty good perspective of Ring’s security systems, and a good idea if they’re going to meet your needs.
Ring Alarm Pricing Overview
Package | Price |
---|---|
Ring Alarm 5-piece | $199.99 |
Ring Alarm 8-piece | $249.99 |
Ring Alarm 10-Piece | $259.99 |
Ring Alarm 14-Piece | $329.99 |
Ring Alarm Pro (Base Station Only) | $249.99 |
Ring Alarm Pro 8-Piece | $299.99 |
Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece | $379.99 |
Ring Versus The Top Home Security Systems
Ring as a brand is one of the best there is in the security business, but Ring’s specialty is doorbell and security cameras. That’s apparent with the Ring Alarm, because even though it’s a good security system, it’s somewhat lacking in terms of equipment options. If you want to explore better options, read our comparison pages featuring Ring vs ADT, Ring vs SimpliSafe, and Ring vs Vivint. Or check the pricing on these systems below to see if there’s a match:
What We Like About Ring Alarm
- Self-monitoring or 24/7 professional monitoring for $20 per month or $200 per year: Even without paying any monthly fees whatsoever, you’ll be able to livestream footage, receive notifications and control your system remotely, among other features. But for those that want professional monitoring and cellular backup, the cost is super affordable.
- DIY installation: All of Ring’s components come already synced with the base station, and the app walks you through the installation process step by step. That’s great news for your wallet, as professional installation costs $120 to $600 on average.1
- Integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant: We loved doing voice commands with Ring Alarm, and it works with the two most popular voice assistants from Amazon and Google.
- Tons of camera and video doorbell options: From indoor to outdoor cameras, from wireless to wired, Ring has options at many price points when it comes to security cameras and video doorbells.
Equipment Costs
Pricing-wise, Ring is one of the most affordable security companies on the market today. They’re always coming out with new and improved versions of their cameras and video doorbells, so there’s a nice range of prices depending on what features you want. You can customize your own system, but note that the base station is required no matter what security kit you end up going with.
With the addition of Ring Alarm Pro to Ring’s lineup comes an upgraded base station with a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router that covers up to 1,500 square feet. You can either buy the base station alone as an upgrade to your existing Ring Alarm system, or buy a new 8- or 14-piece Ring Alarm Pro Package for as low as $299.99.
Ring Alarm Equipment Cost Breakdown
Here are the prices for Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro accessories:
Item | Price |
---|---|
Alarm Pro base station | $249.99 |
Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit | $149.99 |
Ring Power Pack | $129.99 |
Contact sensor 6-Pack | $99.99 |
Smoke and CO listener 2-Pack | $69.98 |
Contact sensor (outdoor) | $49.99 |
Keypad | $49.99 |
Contact sensor 2-Pack | $39.98 |
Flood and freeze sensor | $34.99 |
Panic button | $34.99 |
Smoke and CO listener | $34.99 |
Motion Detector | $29.99 |
Range extender | $24.99 |
Contact sensor (indoor) | $19.99 |
Security yard sign | $14.99 |
Open window magnet | $4.99 |
Slim magnet | $4.99 |
Package Costs
To get the most savings, it makes sense to buy a package rather than individual pieces of equipment. Prices range from around $200 to over $770, so there’s a really big range depending on how much equipment you need. But whether you’re an apartment dweller or a homeowner, Ring has a security kit for you, plus add-on equipment available on their website and Amazon.
Ring Alarm Packages
Ring Product | Retail Price | Sale Price |
---|---|---|
Alarm Security Kit (5 Pieces) | $199.99 | N/A |
Alarm Security Kit (8 Pieces) | $256.96 | $249.99 |
Alarm Security Kit (10 Pieces) | $309.94 | $259.99 |
Alarm Security Kit (14 Pieces) | $419.90 | $329.99 |
Alarm Pro Systems | ||
Alarm Pro Security Kit (8 Pieces) | $299.99 | N/A |
Alarm Pro Security Kit (14 Pieces) | $379.99 | N/A |
Alarm Pro Security Kit (13 Pieces) | $389.99 | N/A |
Protected Starter Kits | ||
Protected Basic Kit (5 Pieces + Video Doorbell) | $299.98 | $269.99 |
Protected Enhanced Kit (8 Pieces + Battery Doorbell Plus) | $429.98 | $379.99 |
Protected Deluxe Kit (14 Pieces + Wired Doorbell Pro) | $579.98 | $499.99 |
Monitoring Costs
Ring lets users choose between self-monitoring for free and 24/7 professional monitoring. With self-monitoring, the user will be totally responsible for their home’s security, but with 24/7 professional monitoring, a team of people will also get alerted if any of the alarms go off. If the user doesn’t respond to a notification or phone call, the professional monitors can dispatch emergency services for them, after verifying their necessity. We recommend getting 24/7 professional monitoring along with cellular backup to keep the system on if the power goes out.
Monitoring Cost Overview
Ring offers three subscription plans plus a free self-monitoring option. Here’s the breakdown.
What you get | Free | Ring Protect Basic | Ring Protect Plus | Ring Protect Pro |
---|---|---|---|---|
24/7 professional monitoring | No | No | No | Yes |
Cellular backup | No | No | No | Yes |
What it covers | All Ring devices at one address | 1 video doorbell/ security camera | All Ring devices at one address (except Ring Alarm/Alarm Pro) | All Ring devices at one address |
Ring.com discounts | No | No | 10% | 10% |
Two-way audio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Length of cloud storage (in days) | No | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Warranty length | 1 year | 1 year | Extended | Extended |
Snapshot capture | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Person alerts | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Rich notifications | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Persistent visitor | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Alexa greetings | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Shareable and downloadable cloud storage | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
In-app SOS button | No | No | No | Yes |
Duress code | No | No | No | Yes |
Alexa Guard Plus | No | No | No | Yes |
24/7 backup internet | No | No | No | Yes |
Extra data for $3 per GB | No | No | No | Yes |
Expandable external power | No | No | No | Yes |
eero Secure | No | No | No | Yes |
Monthly price | $0 | $3 | $10 | $20 |
Annual price | $0 | $30 | $100 | $200 |
Savings with annual plan | $0 | $6 | $20 | $40 |
Professional monitoring and cellular backup costs only $20 a month or $200 a year with Ring, one of the lowest fees we’ve seen among the top players in the industry. A monitoring package from Cove, one of the most affordable home security systems, starts at $17.99, and so Ring’s $20 per month plan isn’t too far off.
Plus, all plans are monthly with Ring, so there’s no need to sign up for a long-term commitment as required with a traditional alarm system from Brinks, for example, or an Alder security package. Plus, you’ll get 60 days of cloud storage, an extended warranty, and 10 percent off products on Ring’s website.
Home Automation
Since Amazon owns Ring, it’s no surprise that Ring works with Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. Using their voices alone, users can have Alexa:
- Show their cameras’ footage (live streamed or cloud storage) on their Echo devices or Fire TVControl smart lighting
- Adjust motion sensitivity
- Disable motion alerts
- Arm and disarm the security system or ask about its status
- Lock or unlock the door or ask about its status.
This is a pretty extensive integration, but while Ring also works with Google Assistant, the capabilities are not nearly as extensive as with Alexa:
- Tell the camera to record
- Get an update on the “health” of devices
- Review previous notifications.
All in all, Ring works better in the Amazon ecosystem than it does in the Google ecosystem, where it’s very limited.
For example, we could use a Google Home or Chromecast-enabled device to get a battery status update on our Ring Spotlight Cam Battery or our Ring Video Doorbell, but we couldn’t pull up live video feeds from our cameras on our Nest Hub Max or Nest Hub. If you’re looking for a more Google-friendly security system than Ring Alarm, give SimpliSafe’s packages a look. While SimpliSafe’s integrations are still limited, we could still access our system by telling our Google Home Hub, “Hey Google, arm SimpliSafe to away mode,” or, “Hey Google, tell SimpliSafe I’m leaving.”
Aside from the voice assistants, Ring works with some third-party devices like:
- Dome Siren
- Leviton Decora In-Wall Switch
- GE Plug-In Dimmer
- Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt
- Kwikset Z-Wave Deadbolt
- Yale Touchscreen Deadbolt
- Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Control
If you want more information on Ring, including our own video, see our full Ring Alarm review.
Ring in the News
Ring is one of the only security companies to be in the news pretty frequently, and for good reason. In a nutshell, over 400 police departments in the United States are partnered with Ring2 so that they can access users’ footage to identify suspects in crimes. Keep in mind that the user must consent to the police accessing and using their footage, but many have criticized Ring as a form of mass surveillance.
Recently the United States Senate launched an investigation3 into Ring video doorbells and how police access and store the footage. In his investigation, Senator Edward J. Markey found that Ring doesn’t have any security requirements for how the police access the footage, share it with third parties, request it from users, and store it. Ring also refused to say that they wouldn’t sell their customers’ biometric data.
Another big story was the fact that the data of more than 3,000 Ring users were exposed in a breach4, allowing hackers to access users’ livestream footage along with their address, payment information, and more. However, Ring claimed that the leak was the fault of a third party and told all users to reset their passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Ring has also run into some other privacy concerns. The FTC found that employees illegally surveilled customers, and they were ordered to pay out $5.8 million in restitution.5
FYI: If privacy is a huge concern of yours, Ring is probably not the security system for you.
How Does Ring Stack Up?
Ring has some of the most affordable monitoring costs we’ve seen from a security company, only $20 per month or $200 per year for 24/7 professional monitoring and cellular backup, among other features. Only a handful of brands offer cheaper monitoring than Ring, and the difference is often minimal. Plus, when you consider older companies that charge as much as $60 a month for monitoring, in the grand scheme, Ring is definitely at the lower end.
We also appreciate that even without paying any monthly fees, Ring users can still live-stream footage, receive notifications if any of their alarms go off, and control their systems remotely. This isn’t the case with all systems; while some companies claim they offer self-monitoring, their systems essentially turn into local alarms only.
In terms of equipment, Ring is also pretty affordable. Ring is average in terms of camera and video doorbell pricing. There are much more expensive camera options for up to $500, as well as ridiculously cheap cameras for $20, but Ring sits right in the middle at an average of $100 to $200. For a system that offers a larger equipment selection and dedicated 24/7 professional monitoring, check out the plan offerings from Frontpoint, another popular and fairly affordable home security brand.
Find out if Ring can protect your home like other security systems
It’s good to have options. See how Ring compares to these top security systems picks.
Our Ring Alarm Security Kit Research and Data
The following is the data and research conducted for this review by our industry-experts. Learn More.
Encryption
In Transit | Yes |
---|---|
At rest? | Yes |
All network communications and capabilities? | Yes |
Security Updates
Automatic, regular software/ firmware updates? | No |
---|---|
Product available to use during updates? | Yes |
Passwords
Mandatory password? | Yes |
---|---|
Two-Factor authentication? | Yes |
Multi-Factor authentication? | Yes |
Vulnerability Management
Point of contact for reporting vulnerabilities? | Contact via HackerOne |
---|---|
Bug bounty program? | Yes |
Privacy Policy
Link | https://ring.com/privacy-notice |
---|---|
Specific to device? | No |
Readable? | Yes |
What data they log | Contact information like name, phone number, email and postal address, account information, payment information, geolocation of mobile device, Wi-Fi network information, social media handles, cookies, IP address, types of devices connected to services, web browser, language preferences, dates and times of website or app visits, video, audio, and environmental data. |
What data they don’t log | n/a |
Can you delete your data? | Yes |
Third-party sharing policies | Shares information with third parties. |
Surveillance
Log camera device/ app footage | Yes |
---|---|
Log microphone device/ app | Yes |
Location tracking device/ app | Yes |
Parental Controls
Are there parental controls? | No |
---|
Company History
Any security breaches/ surveillance issues in past? | Yes |
---|---|
Did they do anything to fix it? | Yes |
Additional Security Features
Anything like privacy shutters, privacy zones, etc.? | Can set up privacy zones |
---|
Overall Value
As long as you’re okay with Ring’s police partnerships, it’s a very affordable, simple and effective security system. With a ton of equipment options, DIY installation, integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant and affordable monitoring costs, Ring gives you the flexibility to spend as much or as little as you want to on your home’s security.
Ring Alarm FAQs
That’s not all, folks! Here are the questions we get the most about Ring Alarm.
-
How much is Ring Alarm monthly?
Ring subscriptions are either $0, $3 or $10, or $20 per month, but keep in mind that other than the $20 per month plan (Ring Protect Pro), all the other plans are for Ring security cameras and doorbells and not the Ring Alarm.
As for the $20 Ring Protect Pro plan, it includes professional monitoring, cellular backup, and a bunch of useful features like cellular data backup, Alexa Guard Plus, expandable external power, and in-app SOS button.
-
Is Ring Alarm any good?
Ring Alarm is a good security system that includes optional 24/7 professional monitoring, DIY installation, Alexa and Google Assistant integrations, plus tons of cameras and video doorbells to choose from. It also doesn’t require any monthly fees to livestream footage, receive notifications or use smart home integrations.
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Is Ring better than ADT?
No, ADT is a better security system than Ring. All of ADT’s systems come with 24/7 professional monitoring and professional installation, while Ring has optional 24/7 professional monitoring and DIY installation only. Ring has also been the victim of several hackings of their security cameras, while ADT hasn’t incurred any privacy issues.
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Does Ring Alarm call the police?
If you signed up for the Ring Protect Plus plan, which includes 24/7 professional monitoring, then yes, Ring Alarm can call the police for you in the event of an emergency. However, with the Ring Protect Basic plan or no plan, Ring will not call the police for you.
HomeAdvisor. (2020). Home Security System Install Costs. homeadvisor.com/cost/safety-and-security/install-an-alarm-system/#installation
The Washington Post. (2019). Doorbell-camera firm Ring has partnered with 400 police forces, extending surveillance concerns. washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/08/28/doorbell-camera-firm-ring-has-partnered-with-police-forces-extending-surveillance-reach/
ABC News. (2019). Senator blasts Amazon's Ring doorbell as an ‘open door for privacy and civil liberty violations'. abcnews.go.com/Business/senator-blasts-amazons-ring-doorbell-open-door-privacy/story?id=67162384
BuzzFeed News. (2019). SA Data Leak Exposed The Personal Information Of Over 3,000 Ring Users. buzzfeednews.com/article/carolinehaskins1/data-leak-exposes-personal-data-over-3000-ring-camera-users
Federal Trade Commission. (2023). FTC Says Ring Employees Illegally Surveilled Customers, Failed to Stop Hackers from Taking Control of Users' Cameras.
ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/05/ftc-says-ring-employees-illegally-surveilled-customers-failed-stop-hackers-taking-control-users