One of the best tools you can use in protecting your home is a video doorbell. With a video doorbell, you can keep an eye on and control who enters and exits your house, as well as recording footage of the front. Instead of using security cameras on your property, you can ensure that you have a recording of everyone who comes to the front of your house with a video doorbell. There’s a huge range of great video doorbells available on the market- however, many of them require a subscription or monthly payment to access all of their features.
You might be asking yourself, ‘are there video doorbells without subscriptions?’ Fortunately, there are some great video doorbells out there, which you can use without a subscription or additional monthly payment. Many of these doorbells use an SD card for local storage, eliminating the need for a cloud and therefore a subscription. However, some of these doorbells do allow you to get access to cloud storage instead.
Best Video Doorbells Without a Subscription
This is why we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite video doorbells, which don’t require a subscription to use. With a no subscription video doorbell, you can make use of this great technology, without the additional financial burden of needing to make monthly payments. If you’re looking for the best video doorbell without subscription, then here is a list of some of our top picks:
- Amcrest 1080p Video Doorbell Camera Pro
- eufy Security, wi-fi video doorbell
- Remo+ Remobell
- ZUMIMALL WiFi Video Doorbell Camera with Chime
- RCA Doorbell Video Ring Security Camera
- UOKIER WiFi Video Doorbell Camera
- Skybell HD
- Hikvision DS HD-1
- GEREE Video Doorbell Camera Wireless
- Ring Video Doorbell 3
How Should I Choose a Video Doorbell Without Subscription?
The most important thing to think about when choosing a video doorbell is, of course, the product itself. The best video doorbell should have a range of features that make it easy to keep an eye on your property, and which make it easy for you to communicate with people on your property.
Installation
To use most video doorbells, you need to have an existing doorbell, whether it be electronic or digital doorbell with wiring. However, others come with everything you need, including all of the necessary hardware.
WiFi Network
Most video doorbells need a 2.4 GHz network to operate. However, some are also compatible with a 5 GHz network.
Two-Way Audio
One of the most important features for a doorbell to have is a good two-way audio system, which lets you communicate with people in front of the doorbell. Most doorbell cameras without subscription have a two-way audio system that you can use via an app. This is especially useful if it’s dark and vision is obscured.
Power Supply
You should also think about the kind of power supply your video doorbell is going to use. Most of them should be connected to your house’s electrical supply, but you can also find battery-operated video doorbells without subscription. However, this can be something of a drain on your house’s electrical supply, and your power bill. If you think using a video doorbell is going to be too much for your power supply to handle, then you can look for a video doorbell with a battery instead. Most models have a battery life of at least a few months, and some actually come with rechargeable batteries.
Field of View
Video doorbells vary quite considerably in terms of how large their field of view is. Some video doorbells have a field of view that is large enough to see the whole front porch or yard, while others have a narrower field of view, which is only enough to see the person in front of the doorbell. If you want the securest option, then you should look for a video doorbell with a larger field of view. This way, you can use the camera as more of a security tool, as well as for identifying visitors and people at the door.
If you’re less concerned about security, then you can choose a video doorbell that has a smaller field of view. This is usually a cheaper option, and it should be enough to identify people at the door, as well as see when packages have been delivered to your front door if they’re dropped right out the front.
Resolution
The higher the resolution of the video doorbell camera you choose, the better the quality of the image is going to be. HD video is going to show you much more detail than a lower quality picture. If you’re looking for a video doorbell that you can use as a surveillance device, then you should try and find a video doorbell with a very high-quality camera. This way, the footage is going to be more useful for you if you ever need to use it- for example, in case a crime has been committed on your property.
Motion Detection
Motion detection is a crucial security feature for a video doorbell to have. A video doorbell with motion detection can alert you when people walk in front of the door. You can also program the doorbell to start recording automatically if someone crosses the sensor.
You can program some video doorbells so that they turn on when certain parts of viewing angle are crossed, but not all of them. If this is a priority to you, then you should look for a video doorbell with features that let you customize motion detection related to the viewing angle.
Is it User-friendly?
Video doorbells vary quite a lot in terms of how user-friendly they are. Some are very simple and straightforward to use, while others are more complex and customizable. Many video doorbells come with an app, for example. The app should let you access the doorbell video, and program the doorbell.
Night Vision
Some video doorbells also come with night vision. For many, night vision is an important safety feature- especially given that most break-ins happen at night. Having night vision is very helpful in this respect. With night vision, you can see subjects in front of the door easily, even if it’s pitch black outside. In fact, without night vision, your door bell. is next to useless at nighttime, especially if you want to use it for security purposes.
Storage
Storage is also a very important feature to consider when looking for a video doorbell, especially one that comes without a subscription. If you buy a video doorbell without a subscription, then it usually has a micro SD card for storage instead of using free cloud storage.
However, some video doorbells without a subscription do come with free cloud storage. This free cloud storage is usually limited to a set amount of days. This is unlikely to be suitable to someone who wants to extensively record with their video doorbell and keep the footage for long periods without reviewing it, or archive it.
Our List of Some of the Best Video Doorbells Without a Subscription
Below, we have compiled a list of some of the best video doorbells available which you can use without a subscription or paying a regular fee. We have included both our own review of the doorbell, as well as customer feedback and Amazon links.
The Amcrest 1080p Video Doorbell Camera Pro
Starting off our list is the Amcrest 1080p Video Doorbell Camera Pro. You can install it right onto your existing doorbell wiring, so you don’t need a battery to use the Amcrest Video Doorbell. The Amcrest also has a number of great options for storage. It comes with a micro SD card installed, but it also comes with a free one-year free cloud subscription. This means you can choose between using the local storage on the video doorbell, or using cloud storage for at least a year without having to pay for a subscription.
The Amcrest also has some sophisticated security features and has a great app. With the app, you can get notifications for whenever someone is at the door, and you can also use the app to talk to people at the door through the doorbell. Additionally, the video camera has a wide viewing angle, and night vision and a wide motion detection area. Doorbell cameras like these are high-quality video cameras, taking crisp, crystal clear recordings whenever the camera is on.
Customer Feedback
Lots of customers love the 2-way audio system that this video doorbell has. It’s easy to talk to people on the other side of the doorbell, and there is generally little to no lag. The audio is clear and high-quality. There are also lots of options for customizing the motion detection functions that this video doorbell has. You can block out specific zones within the range of the motion detector, or turn it off altogether to negate any false negatives.
On the more critical side, some customers note that the software that comes with the Amcrest 1080p is not the best. Some people have issues getting SD cards to work when switching them in or out of the video doorbell. Oftentimes, you need to format the SD card before switching it in or out, which isn’t always that straightforward. Users also note that you need to take the SD card out of the video doorbell and download the stored footage onto a computer, instead of being able to download the footage from the SD card straight into the app, which other video doorbells let you do.
For users who care about the sound that their doorbell uses, the Amcrest 1080p may not be the best option. This is because many users find it difficult to get the chime function to work properly on the Amcrest 1080.
Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Eufy’s Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell is perhaps one of the best-regarded subscription-free video doorbells on the market. The doorbell has in-built 30-day storage, which is also encrypted to military standard. This is one of the best doorbells with cameras that you can buy today. The Eufy video doorbell uses 2K technology, which produces crystal clear footage at 2k resolution, even when lighting is poor. In addition, the Eufy video doorbell has an aspect ratio of 4:3, both recording and displaying a large area.
The Eufy video doorbell also has 2-way audio, letting you easily communicate with anyone outside the doorbell via the app. You can also pre-record greetings or messages for people who come to the door, so you can greet them without needing to be there personally or needing to talk via the app. This is especially useful for directing couriers if you get a lot of packages delivered. The 2-way audio is high quality, making it very easy to make out what the other person is saying.
You can connect the eufy video doorbell to your smartphone, or you can also employ your google assistant to control the video doorbell. This truly is a smart doorbell, making it effortless for you to manage deliveries and guests, and use the security features to keep an eye on your property. If this isn’t the best smart doorbell with no subscription, it’s certainly one of them.
Customer Feedback
Users love how easy it is to install this doorbell without needing to change or alter the existing doorbell wiring. The eufy doorbell is very compact, making it easy to fit into smaller spaces where other video doorbells might not fit. In addition, the real-time video feed comes on almost instantly, making it effortless to keep an eye on the front of your property or talk with couriers or guests.
Lots of users also comment on the quality of the 2-way audio, noting that it’s easy to communicate with guests or couriers at the door through the app. In addition to the 2-way audio, lots of users enjoy the pre-recorded message feature, letting you greet guests at your property without needing to be personally available.
Even though the eufy doorbell records footage in 2k resolution, some users note that the quality of the video recordings isn’t always as clear as you might expect. Others report that the motion detection is perhaps too sensitive. False positives are apparently quite common through the motion sensor. If you have this issue with the eufy doorbell, you might like to set it up so that the motion detection only responds to certain areas within the field of vision.
Remo+ RemoBall S Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera
The RemoBall S Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera is a smart doorbell that provides 24/7 surveillance. You don’t need to pay for a subscription, and the video doorbell stores all video recorded for up to three days with free cloud storage. This video doorbell records HD video, and you can actually stream the video as well. The RemoBall has infrared night vision, meaning that anything in the detection area at night should be shown clearly on video. The camera lens is a wide 180 angle, so you see more of the doorbell’s surroundings in the detection area.
The RemoBall has an app that you can employ to access the doorbell’s 2-way audio. The 2-way audio lets you speak to guests or anybody at the front door and the app also lets you access the camera in real-time- meaning that you can watch the camera anytime you want. Five different users can watch the stream at the same time, meaning the whole family can keep track. You can also utilize Google Assistant in conjunction with the RemoBall, as well as other digital assistants like Alexa.
Customer Feedback
Many users say that the RemoBall is obviously well-built, feeling sturdy, and durable. It’s also easy to attach to the wall or the door, and the app gives notifications so quickly that they are almost in real-time. Conversely, some users report that the RemoBall’s motion detection may be overly sensitive and give a lot of false positives.
Some users also note that the audio and video quality can sometimes seem a little subpar. This is especially noticeable when you watch videos back. The three days of free cloud storage might not be sufficient for people who don’t want to download their footage every few days.
ZUMIMALL Wi-Fi Doorbell Camera with Chime
Unlike some of the other video doorbells in this list, the ZUMIMALL Wi-Fi Doorbell is a wireless smart doorbell, and it runs on a battery instead of wiring. The battery life is impressive- you generally only need to recharge the battery every two-five months or so. ZUMIMALL’s Wi-Fi doorbell records in real-time as soon as it detects motion, and it comes with an SD card, which you can utilize as local storage to back up the footage.
The ZUMIMALL Wi-Fi doorbell is actually waterproof, so you can install it just about anywhere without having to worry whether or not it is going to be safe. It also has a two-way audio system, so you can chat with anybody at the door without needing to come to the door yourself. Also, you can record a 30-second message for guests or visitors, if you would prefer. Through the app, you can actually give other users permission to view the video footage and access the doorbell. This makes it easy to give your whole household access to the doorbell, instead of being restricted to one user.
Customer Feedback
Lots of users praise this smart doorbell for how easy the app is to use. In addition, customer support is very responsive and easy to contact through the company website. This makes troubleshooting really easy if you encounter any issues with the doorbell.
Users are also impressed with the battery life that this doorbell has. The battery is rechargeable, and it lasts so long that you generally only need to recharge it every two-five months. However, some users note that there is a considerable delay between the motion detection and recording. Sometimes the video doorbell fails to record the faces of visitors because it doesn’t start recording in time. Also, the motion detection doesn’t work as well in the middle distance- it tends largely to pick up on figures or people that are right in front of the doorbell, or at the end of the motion detection range.
RCA Doorbell Video Ring Security Camera
RCA’s video doorbell comes with most of what you need to install it. All you need to ensure you have in place is a 8-24V AC transformer. This video doorbell can connect to 2.4 or 5GHz wifi networks. This means that you can access the camera anywhere that you can access wifi. One of the most impressive and distinctive features of the RCA camera is its motion sensor technology, especially compared to other doorbell cameras on the market. The RCA camera has far more sophisticated motion sensor technology than other video doorbells. What is unique about the RCA camera is that it uses heat technology to differentiate between humans in front of the doorbell camera and other movements. This greatly reduces the incidence of false positives with this camera.
In addition, you can also select and customize the zones that the camera picks up. This is another way for you to reduce the incidence of false alerts.
Customer Feedback
Many users say that this is a great video doorbell and that it is one of the few video doorbells that is compatible both with 2.4 and 5 HGz wifi networks. Another feature that differentiates this video doorbell from others is that you can easily adjust the video quality. The RCA Doorbell generally records high-quality video and audio, and it can capture images and send them to you via the app when you have visitors so that you can identify them when they are at the door.
However, some users note that the software can be a bit hit-and-miss. It tends to be buggy and may lag considerably. Also, the SD card is quite easy to remove. This might be a concern when it comes to crime, especially theft. If someone was to rob your property, they could quite easily remove the SD card, and you would then not have any video evidence of the event.
UOKIER WiFi Doorbell Video Camera
This is more of a budget-friendly option compared to the eufy video doorbell, but it packs an impressive range of features nonetheless. The UOKIER records high-quality HD video, supporting a resolution of 1080p. This doorbell also has a very sophisticated motion detection system- which only humans can activate. The motion sensor also has a default detection range of 10 meters. You can change this range in the app, but 10 meters is probably ideal for a lot of users. It’s a wide enough range to pick up most movement but isn’t so sensitive that it picks up people that aren’t actually in front of the door.
This doorbell is battery-powered, and once the battery has been charged, it usually lasts between two to four months. Generally speaking, you get about three months’ worth of use from the battery before you need to charge it. The UOKIER app sends you a notification when you need to charge the battery, so there’s no need to worry about missing it and then the doorbell running out of charge.
However, you can also choose to use the existing doorbell wiring. If you’re looking for your next door bell, the UOKIER is a great option, thanks to its relatively low price and flexibility, both in terms of features and usage.
Customer Feedback
Users praise the UOKIER for its great range of features at an affordable price tag. It can compete with other doorbells which cost twice as much as the UOKIER. The complaint that most users have about the UOKIER is that the battery doesn’t last as long as advertised, but two or three months’ of use is still pretty impressive, we think.
Skybell HD Wi-fi Video Doorbell
The Skybell HD Is a compact, sturdy, and well-made doorbell, which looks sleek and tidy. It comes both in bronze and silver, giving users some choice when it comes to color. It’s also exceptionally easy to install compared to some of the other doorbells on the market. Once you’ve removed your previous doorbell, all you need to do is connect the Skybell’s connector plate to the wires.
Another advantage of using the Skybell HD is the storage options. The Skybell HD has a free and unlimited cloud for storage, meaning you can get your footage whenever you want. You can use the app to get the footage you want from the cloud and download it straight into your phone. It’s much easier to get footage this way than through an SD camera, and the subscription-free cloud means you don’t need to worry about the doorbell camera running out of storage space.
The Skybell HD camera has a substantial field of view and 180-degree vision. This means that the camera picks up a large range, and the video is of great quality. The picture is crisp and clear, and it picks up everyone that comes to the door. You can get a very detailed video with the Skybell HD, and it supports 1080p resolution.
This is even true of recordings at night. The Skybell HD takes great video at night thanks to its night vision, which is full-color. However, motion detection with the Skybell HD may not quite be on par with some of the other doorbells on this list. The Skybell HD seems to be delayed in picking up people who come into the motion detection field at a distance. If you want a smart doorbell for security reasons, then you might want to choose one that is more responsive at a distance than the Skybell HD.
The Skybell HD also has a comprehensive app, which is easy to use and very user-friendly. You can adjust a huge number of functions and features with the app, including motion sensitivity, notifications, and the color of the LEDs. The app also sends you a notification when someone is in front of the door, allowing you to communicate with them easily, or simply observe the free video.
Skybell’s HD Wi-Fi Doorbell has a fantastic two-way audio system. The sound of the two-way audio is top-notch, with both the microphone and speakers sounding very clear and crisp. As long as you have a reliable wi-fi connection, you shouldn’t have to worry about the two-way audio at all, as it works with almost no lag whatsoever. Among all of the doorbells on this list, the Skybell may have one of the best two-way audio systems.
You can also connect the Skybell HD with all of the major home voice assistants, like google assistant and Alexa.
Customer Feedback
Most users rave about the picture quality that the Skybell HD’s camera can pick up, as well as the great-quality two-way audio system. However, some users note that there may be some compatibility issues between the Skybell HD and Android phones. Android users might want to consider whether or not they can get a different doorbell instead of the Skybell HD, as it may be difficult to get all of the features of the doorbell to work properly with an Android phone.
Hikvision DS-HD1
The Hikvision DS-HD1 is one of the few non-subscription video doorbells that comes with infrared night vision. It also comes with a three-year warranty, making this a great option for those who are especially concerned about security and who want a doorbell that is especially dependable.
The night vision feature is probably what the Hikvision DS-HD1 is best-known for, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. Footage taken at night is clear and crisp. In addition, the night vision responds to motion almost as quickly as the camera does during the daytime. This is impressive, and one of the selling points of the Hikvision DS-HD1. The camera records at 2k resolution, allowing you to get a very clear look at subjects within the camera’s field of vision. This may be one of the best cameras on a smart doorbell without a subscription.
The Hikvision DS-HD1’s motion detection is also very impressive. It alerts you to movement almost instantaneously, meaning that it responds much quicker than many of the other video doorbells on the market. Compared to lots of other video doorbells, the Hikvision starts recording much more quickly once a subject starts approaching the door. This makes it arguably a better option than lots of its competitors if you’re looking for a doorbell for security reasons.
Two-way audio is an important part of doorbell cameras, and the Hikvision’s two-way audio system works fantastically. The sound is clear and there is virtually no lag. Having basically real-time communication through the doorbell is great if you need to talk to guests or couriers.
The Hikvision doorbell is wired, so you don’t need to worry about battery life, as you do with battery-powered doorbells. When you install the Hikvision DS-HD1, you can simply employ the same wiring as the existing doorbell. Another great perk of the Hikvision is the app. The Hik-Connect app has a range of great features, and it’s very easy and straightforward to use. Using the app, you can configure the camera, and plot out the motion detection area. This is a great way to prevent false positives.
GEREE Video Doorbell Camera Wireless
One of the standout features of the GEREE video doorbell is the wide-angle lens. At 166 degrees, the lens picks up a considerable range, and it records video at 1080p. This is another doorbell with an infrared camera, giving you great video footage, even at night. The doorbell comes with a pre-installed SD card for local storage, or you can also try the GEREE cloud without subscription for seven days.
Like the other video doorbells, the GEREE model turns on when it detects motion, and you get a notification that the camera has started recording. You can also adjust the sensor, depending on how much you want it to detect. This is a great way to get the information you need from your doorbell, without it sending you notifications every time it detects the slightest hint of movement in front of the door.
The GEREE doorbell is covered by a 12-month warranty, in addition to its other features. You can also record a 30-second voice message to play at the door for guests if you’re not home.
Customer Feedback
Many users commented that the GEREE doorbell is hardy, comes with a great range of accessories, and consumes a relatively low amount of power. However, some noted that the app is a bit unreliable and crashes frequently. Having a functional app is really important for a smart doorbell, as this is the main way you operate the doorbell. If you can’t get the app to work, then you would likely need to go home to manually adjust the doorbell. This potentially defeats the purpose of smart doorbells, to some degree.
Ring Video Doorbell 3
While it’s one of the more affordable video doorbells out there, the Ring Doorbell comes with a great range of features that make it competitive in the doorbell market. Ring Doorbells are very easy to install and set up, though you are going to have to drill a post for it if you don’t already have one. This may mean drilling into concrete or wood, depending on the structure of your house.
The Ring can work either as a battery-powered doorbell, or you can wire it to your house’s power supply. It’s probably best to install it without the battery, if you can, as recharging the battery can be inconvenient. Even though the Ring was designed to be a battery-powered doorbell, the battery is pretty difficult to get out of the camera to recharge. You also need to disable your Ring anytime you want to recharge your battery.
If you’re wondering how to use a video doorbell without a subscription, then the Ring is probably the most standard example. Instead of having cloud storage, the Ring has very limited local storage, so this isn’t the best option if you want to review your footage more than once before it gets deleted. If you do want to have more than the free storage, you need to pay for a plan. Then you can get access to the cloud.
Installing Ring doorbells may be a bit tricky as it requires special screws. This is intended to be an anti-theft feature, but in practice, it can be pretty inconvenient for the user. The doorbell comes with this screwdriver, but this means that you need to find that particular screwdriver every time you want to take down or adjust the camera. This isn’t especially practical, and can be pretty inconvenient if you lose the screwdriver somehow. You need to employ the screwdriver every time you want to recharge the Ring’s battery, so if you do lose the special screwdriver, you can’t charge the battery without getting a replacement screwdriver first.
The Ring for door bell also works as a regular door ring bell. This makes it a great replacement for your existing doorbell, in addition to being one of the best video bell options that you can get on a budget. Another great thing about the ring doorbell is that it has a wide range of chimes to choose from. This is important for some, so if you want to get the best possible range of options for your doorbell chime, then you should consider the Ring.
You can integrate Ring doorbells with most of the major digital assistants. Also, you can integrate it with other smart home features like smart locks or lights. Also, if your internet signal doesn’t extend far enough to use the Ring, you can get a wi-fi extender.
Being one of the less expensive smart doorbells which you can get without subscription, the Ring doesn’t have the best video or audio quality, compared to higher-end doorbell cameras. However, the audio and video quality is decent, an the two-way system works fairly well. It works well enough to hear and communicate with anybody who comes to the porch, as well as being clear enough to identify them. Compared to other doorbell cameras, the Ring’s motion detection seems not to work as quickly, and there can be a delay in taking pictures if your Wi-Fi connection is laggy. If the signal is weak, the Ring might not take any pictures until the subject in front of the door is leaving, which is pointless.
Customer Feedback
Lots of users praise the Ring app for being easy to employ and having a great range of features, which let you customize the door bell’s motion detection field, or choose from a range of presets. Also, Ring has a Neighborhood app, which lets you connect to other Ring users. This way, you can communicate with other Ring users about safety issues- if there is a crime spree in your neighborhood, for example. You can also find and exchange tips for getting the most out of the Ring.
You can also give multiple users access to the Ring app, meaning your whole household can keep an eye on it. You don’t need to have a single user who is responsible for constantly keeping an eye on things, or looking out for packages and deliveries. All you need to give someone access to the app is an email address.
Looking for more setup for the Ring? Check out these articles:
- How to View Ring Doorbell On TV
- How to Connect Ring to Echo Show
- What Are The Best Smart Locks That Work With Ring Doorbell and Alarm
Can I Use Ring Doorbell Without Subscription?
You can have a ring doorbell without a subscription. However, the options for storage are fairly bare-bones, so if you want to record video and review it multiple times, then you would probably be better off with a subscription. Ring doorbells have lots of different subscription plans, so you can choose the plan that best suits you. Compared to its competitors, the Ring’s plans are fairly inexpensive, and you can choose plans for one or several cameras.
Is There a Video Doorbell Without a Monthly Fee?
There are lots of video doorbells that don’t require a monthly fee or subscription to use. Most of these video doorbells have an SD card instead, allowing you to locally store recorded footage in the doorbell itself, as opposed to using cloud storage. Also, some doorbells allow you limited access or use of free cloud storage without paying a subscription fee. For example, some video doorbells come with a trial period for cloud storage, while others offer you a limited amount of cloud storage for free.
Can I Save Ring Video Doorbell Without Subscription?
If you don’t have a subscription, you can generally only view Ring doorbell footage once. Its storage is fairly limited, as it’s intended to be more of a straightforward option than some of the other, more sophisticated doorbells with extensive free storage. If you want to be able to save your Ring videos and review them multiple times, then you should probably consider getting a subscription.
So, Which is the Best Video Doorbell Without Subscription?
It’s difficult to say definitely which of these models is going to be the best option for you and your home. If you’re looking for a doorbell camera, you should think about the features that are going to be most useful for you. There’s no point getting a doorbell camera with extensive storage if you don’t want to review your footage, for example. Conversely, if safety is especially important to you, then you should make sure that the model you choose has a range of security features, like good night vision and motion detection.
If you don’t want to pay for a subscription, then think about the kind of free storage that is going to be most useful to you. By choosing a model with free local storage, then you know that you can access the footage that the camera records, but you need to clear the footage eventually. However, some models do come with some level of free cloud storage. If you want to be able to review the footage multiple times or have some type of archive for it, then you should consider choosing a model that has free cloud storage.
We hope this article is helpful for you in finding your next video door bell. There are plenty of options out there, so you just need to think about which is going to be best for you.
Looking for more smart home gear? Check out some of our reviews below:
