In a move echoing the trend of price hikes across various services, Amazon-owned Ring has announced an increase in subscription fees for its entry-level plans, effective March 11, 2024. The Ring Protect Basic plan, catering to users seeking essential features, will see a notable surge in costs:
- $4.99 per month (up from $3.99)
- $49.99 per year (up from $39.99)
This represents a more than 22% price hike for both monthly and annual subscriptions. The Ring Protect Basic plan provides users with doorbell ring notifications and the ability to manage the Ring system through a mobile app. Without this subscription, users can only access the doorbell feed livestream and receive motion alerts.
Ring offers additional Plus and Pro subscriptions with enhanced features at higher costs of $10 per month and $20 per month, respectively. Notably, Ring states that these plans will remain unaffected by the price adjustments, focusing the increase solely on the Basic plan.
Customer reactions have been mixed, with some expressing frustration on various platforms. Criticisms include the absence of added benefits accompanying the price rise. Users have highlighted that this is not the first recent increase in Ring’s subscription prices. Some individuals consider the escalation too steep and contemplate discontinuing the subscription.
For those dissatisfied with the price hike, there is an option to cancel before the next billing date, potentially securing a prorated refund. As Ring users navigate these changes, discussions unfold around the perceived value of the service and alternative options available in the evolving landscape of smart home security.