Why We Don't Recommend Ring Doorbells
Ring has a documented history of privacy violations, employee misconduct, and security failures. Here's what you should know—with sources—and better alternatives that keep your footage private.
Documented Issues with Ring
These aren't allegations—they're findings from federal investigations, court settlements, and official sources.
FTC Settlement: $5.8 Million for Privacy Violations
In 2023, Amazon settled with the FTC for $5.8 million after Ring was found to have allowed employees and contractors unfettered access to customer videos without consent.
Employees Spied on Customers
According to the FTC, a Ring employee viewed thousands of video recordings from at least 81 female users, accessing cameras in bathrooms and bedrooms. The misconduct was only escalated when a supervisor noticed the employee was "only viewing videos of pretty girls."
Third-Party Contractors Had Full Access
Ring gave third-party contractors in Ukraine access to download every customer's videos with no technical or procedural restrictions until July 2017.
No Security Training Until 2018
Ring failed to implement basic security measures and had no privacy or data security training before 2018, despite warnings from employees and security researchers.
Vulnerable to Credential Stuffing Attacks
Ring's lack of basic security allowed hackers to use "credential stuffing" and "brute force" attacks to access customer cameras, leading to numerous incidents of strangers talking through Ring devices.
Mandatory Monthly Subscription
Ring requires a $4.99/month subscription for basic features like video history. Without it, you can't review footage—making it essentially unusable for actual protection.
The True Cost of Ring
Ring Protect Plan
- $4.99/month per device (Basic)
- $17.99/month for all devices (Plus)
- 5-year cost: $1,080+
- Footage stored on Amazon's cloud
- Police can request your footage
Local Storage Alternative
- $0/month subscription
- One-time hardware purchase
- 5-year cost: $0 in subscriptions
- Footage stays on YOUR property
- You control who sees your footage
Better Alternatives We Recommend
These cameras store footage locally on your property—no cloud required, no subscriptions, complete privacy.
UniFi Protect
Enterprise-grade cameras with local storage and no subscription fees. Your footage never leaves your property.
Best for: Homeowners who want professional-grade protection with complete privacy
Reolink
Affordable cameras with local recording options and optional cloud backup. Works great with Home Assistant.
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners who want flexibility
Amcrest
Professional IP cameras with local storage via NAS or NVR. Full RTSP support for smart home integration.
Best for: Tech-savvy users who want full control
Ready to Switch to Private, Local Storage?
We'll help you choose the right cameras for your home and install them with local storage—no subscriptions, no cloud, complete privacy.