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Home Assistant vs Ring

Home Assistant logo

Home Assistant

Software

Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ring logo

Ring

Software

Home security with video doorbells and cameras

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Home Assistant has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them; Ring many false motion alerts triggered by sidewalks, cars, pets, and trees reducing usability
  • They diverge on capability: Home Assistant covers Local Control, Ring covers Video Doorbell.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Home Assistant and Ring actually diverge.

Attributes where Home Assistant and Ring differ
AttributeHome AssistantRing
Starting priceFree$4.99/month
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, WindowsiOS, Android, Web, Amazon Alexa

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2013).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Home Assistant

  • Local Control
  • Privacy First
  • Automation Engine
  • Custom Integrations
  • 150+ integrations
  • Voice Control
  • Mobile App
  • REST API

Only in Ring

  • Video Doorbell
  • Motion Detection
  • Two-Way Talk
  • Night Vision
  • Alexa
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT
  • Neighbors app

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Home Assistant

  • Home automationnot Ring
  • Energy monitoringnot Ring
  • Security systemsnot Ring
  • Device integrationnot Ring

Ring

  • Video doorbell monitoringnot Home Assistant
  • Security camera recording and event reviewnot Home Assistant
  • DIY alarm system with optional professional monitoringnot Home Assistant
  • Motion alerts and package-theft deterrencenot Home Assistant
  • Remote live view while away from homenot Home Assistant

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Home Assistant

  • Add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
  • Thread and Z-Wave are controlled by add-ons, so a Container install has no out-of-the-box support for either
  • A Container installation means bringing your own Linux host with Docker and handling updates by hand
  • The recommended install path expects dedicated hardware such as a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 2 GB of RAM, an Odroid, or an x86-64 machine
  • Every documented hardware option requires a wired Ethernet connection

Ring

  • Many false motion alerts triggered by sidewalks, cars, pets, and trees reducing usability
  • Night vision and HDR capabilities are weaker than premium competitors
  • Limited monitoring range covers only front or back door area
  • Requires Ring Protect subscription for cloud video history, person/vehicle detection, and advanced motion zones
  • Documented security breaches with hackers remotely accessing cameras and microphones to speak to users

Pricing, plan by plan

Home Assistant

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Unlimited devices
    • Full automation
    • Local control

Ring

$4.99/month
  • Basic$4.99/month
    • Video history up to 180 days
    • Snapshot capture
    • Smart alerts (people, packages, pets)
  • Plus$10/month
    • Video recording for all Ring devices
    • Single address coverage
    • All Basic features
  • Pro$null/month
    • 24/7 professional monitoring
    • Cellular backup service
    • All Plus features

Which should you pick?

Choose Home Assistant if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want privacy first.
Home Assistant review

Choose Ring if

  • You need video doorbell.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Amazon Alexa.
  • You also want motion detection.
Ring review

Questions people ask

Is Home Assistant or Ring better?
Neither clearly leads. Home Assistant starts at Free and Ring at $4.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Home Assistant or Ring?
Home Assistant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Home Assistant and $4.99/month for Ring.
Does Home Assistant or Ring run on more platforms?
Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows. Ring runs on iOS, Android, Web, Amazon Alexa.
Can I use Home Assistant for free?
Yes. Home Assistant has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ring starts at $4.99/month.
What is Home Assistant best used for?
Home Assistant is most often used for home automation, energy monitoring, security systems, device integration. Of those, home automation and energy monitoring are not what Ring is typically brought in for.
What can Home Assistant do that Ring cannot?
Home Assistant covers Local Control, Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations. Ring covers Video Doorbell, Motion Detection, Two-Way Talk, Night Vision.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ring: Can I use Ring without a subscription?

Yes, Ring doorbells work without a subscription. Users can view live video, speak through the camera, and receive motion alerts for free. However, video recording storage, advanced person/package detection, and video history require a subscription.

Source
Ring: What are Ring's subscription plan options and pricing?

Ring offers Basic ($4.99/month or $49.99/year) for video history up to 180 days from one device; Plus ($10/month or $100/year) for all devices at one address; and Pro with 24/7 professional monitoring.

Source
Ring: What platforms can access Ring?

Ring is accessible via iOS and Android mobile apps, web browser at ring.com, and integrates with Amazon Alexa for voice control and display on Echo devices.

Source
Ring: What are Ring's battery life expectations?

Ring battery doorbell battery life varies by usage patterns and motion alert frequency. High-traffic areas may require recharging every few weeks.

Source
Ring: Does Ring have privacy concerns?

Ring has faced documented security breaches. In 2019, hackers remotely accessed Ring systems, watching and speaking to users. The use of cameras and microphones raises privacy concerns for some users.

Source
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