3 Ring Video Doorbell Alternatives
If Ring’s video doorbells aren’t for you, here are three great alternatives.
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Last Updated on Oct 28, 2025
There’s no doubt that Ring’s video doorbells (the Ring Video Doorbell 2, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, the Ring Peephole Cam, and more) are the best-known on the market, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other fantastic options. Since video doorbells have become mainstream security devices, Ring now faces serious competition from major players. It’s even caused them to lose some of their market share.1
Ring may have pioneered the development of video doorbells, and we’ve been testing them since the start, but a lot of other security and smart home companies have moved into the space since. Some of them have even put unique twists to their video doorbells. It’s safe to say that Ring is no longer the only good option for front door security.
In this post, we’re checking out three Ring video doorbell alternatives that our experts regularly recommend — the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, the Lorex Video Doorbell, and the Vivint Doorbell Camera. These are the video doorbells we suggest when someone wants Ring-level quality without the Amazon ecosystem commitment or recurring subscription fees.
Ring Video Doorbell Alternatives
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1. Lorex Video Doorbell
View Packages Links to Lorex
Lorex stands out with its commitment to local storage – all four models include either microSD card slots or NVR connectivity, completely eliminating monthly fees. This is a game-changer compared to Ring’s mandatory $4.99 monthly subscription for cloud recording. Here’s a breakdown of Lorex’s offerings:
Video Doorbell Lorex 4K Lorex 2k Lorex 2k Lorex 1080p Resolution 4K 2k 2K 1080p Power Source Wired Battery Wired Wired Price $199.99 $179.99 $149.99 $79.99 So what are the drawbacks of Lorex? The biggest limitation is AI detection capabilities. While Lorex cameras now offer basic person detection on higher-end models, they still can’t match Ring’s advanced features like package detection or familiar face recognition. That results in more nuisance alerts from passing cars or wandering cats. They are also not as smart home-friendly as Ring cameras. While they can connect to Alexa and Google Assistant, Lorex doorbells don’t integrate that well with other smart home platforms.
FYI: Without person detection, you’ll get alerts for movement of any kind, including movement from animals, cars, and other inanimate objects.
Here’s something interesting about Lorex’s approach. The 2K and 4K models support cloud storage and local storage with the rest only offering local storage. Local storage actually provides better privacy protection since your footage never leaves your property. The trade-off? If someone steals your doorbell or damages your recorder, you could lose your evidence. That’s why Lorex’s newer models feature tamper detection alerts to mitigate this risk.
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2. Vivint Doorbell Camera
What makes Vivint’s $249.99 doorbell camera special? First off, you’re getting that incredible 180-degree square field of view. It’s like having peripheral vision for your front door. We could see packages left at awkward angles and even spot someone approaching from the side. We also got two-way audio, and digital pan and zoom. The camera included two LED sensors for infrared night vision — clear enough to make out the two raccoons helping themselves to our trash cans.
While older video doorbells from Vivint had a 720p HD resolution, all current models feature 1080p HD with HDR, which really shines when dealing with bright sunlight or shadow-heavy porches. We’re also fond of the Smart Deter feature. It automatically triggers a red LED ring and plays a warning tone when someone lingers at your door, deterring potential porch pirates before they strike.
On top of that, Vivint is great with home automation. Its security system and components can communicate with Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling voice control. Plus, the doorbell integrates seamlessly with Vivint’s professional monitoring service. That allows agents to see and speak through your doorbell during an alarm event – a feature Ring doesn’t offer even with their professional monitoring plans.
You should know that the Vivint Doorbell Camera requires professional installation, as you can see on our Vivint pricing page. While this adds $99-$199 to your initial cost, the technician handles all the wiring and ensures optimal placement for that 180-degree view. They’ll also integrate it with your existing Vivint system and train you on all the features – something DIY installations can’t match.
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3. SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is a great low-priced alternative to Ring doorbells. At just $169, this doorbell punches above its weight class with person-only alerts and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity for better streaming stability.
Not only was the resolution (video quality) 1080p, the industry standard, but it was HDR rather than HD. HDR eliminates shadows and glare for a sharper image. In addition, the field of view was a healthy 162 degrees, so we could see packages on our porch even when the delivery person left them in unusual places.
We also had optical zoom, two-way audio, and clear infrared night vision. For cloud storage, we have a few options. The self-monitoring with video storage plan costs $9.99 per month and covers unlimited cameras. We could also pair it with professional monitoring through the Core, Pro, or Pro Plus plans, which cost $31.99, $49.99, or $79.99 respectively. Ring’s plans with professional monitoring cost a bit less, but SimpliSafe’s monitoring is more feature-rich with active monitoring capabilities.
NOTE: While infrared night vision creates black-and-white video, SimpliSafe’s color night vision feature activates the built-in spotlight for full-color footage when motion is detected.
The SimpliSafe Doorbell Pro probably isn’t for everyone. It requires a hardwired connection, for example, so it’s not particularly easy to install. You’ll want an existing doorbell transformer between 8-24V AC to make the installation smoother.
Also, this isn’t a doorbell for cold climates. Its operating temperature range is -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C), which might struggle in extreme northern winters but handles most U.S. climates just fine.
On the plus side, the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is a fantastic investment for Apple users like us. We found the Apple version of the app intuitive and incredibly responsive. It’s no wonder users have rated it 4.8 out of 5. The SimpliSafe Pro gave us everything we needed and more.
Recap
Look, Ring makes solid video doorbells, but they’re not the only game in town anymore. Each of these alternatives brings something unique to the table that Ring either doesn’t offer or charges extra for. The three doorbells above are good choices for different needs and preferences.
Go with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro if you’d like …
- Sharp HDR resolution with color night vision
- A great iPhone app
- Optical zoom
Go with the Lorex Video Doorbell if you’d like …
- No monthly fees
- Local storage
- 4K resolution options for crystal-clear footage
- Complete privacy with no cloud dependency
Go with the Vivint Doorbell Camera if you’d like …
- A 180-degree field of vision
- Smart home integration with Google Assistant or Alexa
- Professional installation
- Smart Deter technology to prevent porch piracy
If none of these sound like the right option for you, have no fear! We recommend reading our review of the year’s best video doorbells. You’ll find options from Google Nest, Arlo, Eufy, and other brands that might better match your specific needs and budget. While you’re at it, check out the best security systems as well.
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Research Nester. (2025). Video Doorbell Market Size & Share, by Technology Type (Wired Video Doorbells, Wireless Video Doorbells); Application – Global Supply & Demand Analysis, Growth Forecasts, Statistical Report 2026-2035.
https://www.researchnester.com/reports/video-doorbell-market/4993
