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Google Nest vs. Ring Home Security Review
DIY security now spans cameras, doorbells, and alarms that you can self-install and manage in an app, with optional subscriptions for cloud video and pro monitoring. If you’re choosing between Google’s Nest ecosystem and Ring, the key differences today center on subscription structure, cloud storage duration, and monitoring options. Google’s camera plans are sold as Nest Aware (per home, unlimited cameras), while Ring offers Ring Protect tiers that scale from single-device recording to whole-home coverage and pro monitoring. As of 2025, headline U.S. prices are: Nest Aware $8/month ($80/year), Nest Aware Plus $15/month ($150/year) for 60-day event history plus 10 days of 24/7 video history on compatible wired models (details); Ring Protect Basic $4.99/month ($49.99/year) per device, Ring Protect Plus $10/month ($100/year) per location, and Ring Protect Pro $20/month ($200/year) per location with 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm (where available) (plan overview; monitoring).
Google Nest vs. Ring Overview
| Upfront equipment cost | Varies by kit; cameras/doorbells sold separately. Subscriptions (Nest Aware) are optional and billed per home. | Varies by kit; Ring Alarm equipment purchased upfront. Subscriptions (Ring Protect) are optional and billed per device or per location. |
| Cost for basic plan | Nest Aware $8/mo or $80/yr per home; Plus $15/mo or $150/yr (adds 60-day event + 10-day 24/7 on compatible wired cams). See features. | Basic $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr per device; Plus $10/mo or $100/yr per location; Pro $20/mo or $200/yr with pro monitoring. Plan details. |
| Monitoring | Nest Aware is not monitoring. Professional monitoring for Google-centric setups is available via ADT Self Setup (~$24.99/mo). | Ring Protect Pro includes 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm (where available) at $20/mo or $200/yr. Learn more. |
| Terms | Month-to-month subscriptions; cancel anytime. Equipment purchased upfront. | Month-to-month subscriptions; cancel anytime. Equipment purchased upfront. |
| Standout features | Per-home pricing covers unlimited Nest cams; Aware Plus adds 60-day event history + 10-day 24/7 CVR on supported wired models. Nest Aware. | Adjustable cloud retention (U.S. up to 180 days with Extended Video Storage); Ring Protect Pro adds cellular backup and extra Alarm features. Storage options. |
Monitoring
Both ecosystems support self-monitoring via mobile apps, and both offer optional professional monitoring paths—delivered differently. Ring bundles 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm with Ring Protect Pro ($20/month or $200/year per location in the U.S.; availability varies by jurisdiction) and includes Alarm features like cellular backup and network resilience (official support). Google’s Nest Aware plans do not include monitoring; Google-centric users can pair with ADT Self Setup for professional monitoring (commonly about $24.99/month).
For cloud recording and smart alerts, Ring’s Protect tiers are: Basic at $4.99/month ($49.99/year) per device; Plus at $10/month ($100/year) per location for unlimited Ring devices; and Pro at $20/month ($200/year) per location with monitoring. U.S. accounts can keep event recordings for a default ~60 days and optionally enable Extended Video Storage up to 180 days. Google’s Nest Aware is $8/month ($80/year) per home with 30 days of event video history; Nest Aware Plus is $15/month ($150/year) with 60 days of event history plus 10 days of 24/7 continuous video history on compatible wired cameras.
If professional monitoring is a must, Ring Protect Pro’s $20/month pricing is among the most affordable big-brand options (plans), while ADT Self Setup monitoring for Google-centric homes typically runs about $24.99/month (ADT Self Setup). Across the DIY market in 2025, typical monitored alarm plans cluster around ~$18–$30/month (e.g., SimpliSafe Standard $19.99, Abode Pro $22.99), with higher tiers adding video verification and other features (SimpliSafe; Abode).
Integration
Plan your ecosystem before you buy. Matter and Thread now anchor multi-brand interoperability for sensors, locks, plugs, and more—major platforms like Google Home and Alexa act as Matter Controllers, and many devices double as Thread Border Routers (CSA: Matter; Thread Group; Google Home + Matter; Alexa + Matter). Cameras are the exception: as of recent Matter updates, consumer cameras aren’t in the spec yet, so you’ll still manage Nest and Ring cameras in their own apps (industry coverage). For legacy Zigbee/Z‑Wave gear, bridges and hubs remain useful paths into modern platforms. If you want pro monitoring, note that Ring Protect Pro also enables cellular backup and backup internet options for Ring Alarm, while Google‑centric monitoring is delivered via ADT’s self‑setup program (Ring Protect; ADT Self Setup).
Installation
Both paths are DIY-friendly with step-by-step app guidance. Ring’s Alarm kits pair sensors to a base station and can leverage cellular backup and network resiliency when you subscribe to Protect Pro (plan info). For Google-centric homes, cameras and doorbells set up in the Google Home app; continuous 24/7 video history requires wired power and Nest Aware Plus on compatible models. To minimize setup friction, ensure strong 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi and, if you’re building out sensors and locks, place at least one Thread Border Router per floor to strengthen the mesh (Thread best practices).
So, which is right for me?
| If you… | Then you should go with: | Here’s why: |
| Have Amazon smart home devices | Ring | Ring is owned by Amazon and integrates tightly with Alexa devices and routines; Ring Protect tiers scale to whole-home coverage and, with Pro, add pro monitoring and backups (plans). |
| Have Google smart home devices | Google/ADT Self Setup | Nest cameras and doorbells manage in Google Home with per-home Nest Aware; if you want pro monitoring, pair with ADT Self Setup (billed separately). |
| Are concerned about price | Ring | For a single camera or doorbell, Ring Protect Basic is $4.99/mo ($49.99/yr) per device—lower than Nest Aware’s $8/mo ($80/yr) per home. For many cameras, Nest’s per-home pricing can be cost-efficient versus Ring Basic; compare against Ring Plus at $10/mo per location. |
| Want robust professional monitoring | Ring (Protect Pro) or ADT Self Setup | Ring Protect Pro includes 24/7 monitoring for Ring Alarm at $20/mo; Google-centric users can opt for ADT Self Setup monitoring (about $24.99/mo). Typical DIY monitoring runs ~$18–$30/mo in 2025 (SimpliSafe; Abode). |
How to compare home security companies
Disarming
Both systems support PIN codes on a keypad and app-based control for arming and disarming. For guests, Ring lets you share access with specific roles or temporary PINs—see Ring’s guidance on Users and Roles. In a Google-centric setup, you’ll manage household members in the Google Home app for camera access and use the ADT app for alarm codes if you choose ADT Self Setup monitoring. Tip: create time-bound codes for sitters or contractors and delete them when no longer needed. As part of broader security hygiene in 2025, look for devices aligning with the FCC’s new Cyber Trust Mark program as it rolls out (FCC program).
How long do you want to store your video footage?
Cloud retention is a major difference. With a Ring Protect plan, U.S. accounts typically keep event recordings ~60 days by default, and you can extend up to 180 days where available via Extended Video Storage. Without a plan, Ring does not store videos in the cloud. Nest Aware provides 30 days of event history per home; Nest Aware Plus increases that to 60 days of event history plus 10 days of 24/7 continuous history on supported wired models. Many newer Nest cameras include 3 hours of event history with no subscription. In both ecosystems, videos auto-delete at the end of the retention window and are not recoverable after deletion (Nest policy; Ring policy).
Home Security FAQ
Should I get a video doorbell to go with my Google Nest or Ring Alarm?
Yes—doorbells extend coverage to your entryway and unlock useful automations. Choose within your ecosystem for the best experience: Nest doorbells integrate with Google Home and Nest Aware; Ring doorbells integrate with the Ring app and Ring Protect. Cross-ecosystem camera support via Matter isn’t available yet, so advanced camera features remain brand-specific (Matter overview; status update).
Is professional monitoring necessary for my home security system?
It’s optional but valuable if you want a staffed center to verify alarms and request dispatch 24/7. For Ring, Protect Pro includes professional monitoring for Ring Alarm at $20/month (U.S.). For Google-centric setups, monitoring is available via ADT Self Setup (about $24.99/month). Across DIY providers in 2025, monitored plans typically range ~$18–$30/month, with higher tiers adding video verification and other features (SimpliSafe; Abode).
What is the best home security system?
It depends on your ecosystem and budget. For single-device cloud recording, Ring Protect Basic at $4.99/month is the lowest-cost option. For multiple Nest cameras, Nest Aware at $8/month per home can be cost-efficient; if you need 24/7 video on compatible wired cams, choose Nest Aware Plus. If you want built-in professional monitoring with your DIY alarm, Ring Protect Pro is $20/month. If you prefer Google hardware with pro monitoring, consider ADT Self Setup. Price-sensitive buyers also look at value brands emphasizing local storage or lower-cost cloud plans, such as Arlo, Wyze, Eufy, and Blink (Arlo Secure; Wyze Cam Plus; Eufy local storage; Blink local storage).
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