Ring vs. Nest Security System

So, what are the differences between the Ring vs. Nest Security System?

The big differences are Ring Alarm’s more budget-friendly subscription plans, and its portability that’s hard to beat.

While Nest Secure offers compatibility with Google Assistant and comes with multiple disarm options.

However, we feel that Ring Alarm due to its flexibility is the more superior option between the two, while Nest might be best suited for those of you who have multiple Nest products already set up at home.

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The Short Version

Ring Alarm = Ethernet or Wireless hub to router connection, 24-hour hub battery back up available, comes w/ hub siren & extra siren support, no hub speaker & no hub sensors, separate, wireless, portable, rechargeable keypad, multiple keypad support, no key fobs, app & keypad disarming option, $10 per month or $100 annually basic subscription, one advanced plan available, remote monitoring & notifications available, cellular backup included with paid plan, Motion, Entry, Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, Alarm Smoke & CO Listener & Water sensors available, remote panic button available on keypad, variety of indoor and outdoor Ring Cameras available, monthly contracts available, compatible w/ Schlage Connect Z-Wave & all Ring products, supports Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, & Bluetooth for Setup technology.

Nest Secure System = Wireless hub to router connection, 12 hub battery backup, hub siren & speaker available, Motion, Proximity, Tamper hub sensors, keypad on the hub itself, no multiple keypad support, Nest tag key fob available, App, Nest Tag fob, keypad, Google Assistant disarm options, $19/month, 3-year agreement & $29/month, monthly contract disarm options, only one advanced subscription plan available, remote monitoring & notifications available, cellular backup available with paid plans, or pay $5/month ($50/year) if you want cellular backup without monitoring, Nest Detection motion sensor available, remote panic button on keypad, variety of indoor and outdoor Nest Cams available, monthly contracts available, compatible w/ Google Assistant, compatible w/ Wink, Nest Hello doorbell, Nest x Yale lock, & Nest Connect mesh WiFi, supports WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), & Thread/Weave technology.

Which one are you getting?

Last update on 2023-09-22 at 00:21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Ring vs. Nest Security System — Easy Comparison Chart

	Ring Alarm	Nest Secure
Technology	Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth for Setup	WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Thread/Weave
Color	White	White
Hub to Router Connection	Ethernet/Wireless	Wireless
Disarm Options	App, keypad	App, Nest Tag fob, keypad, Google Assistant
Battery Backup	Up to 24 hours	12 hours
Hub Siren	Yes	Yes
Extra Siren Compatibility	Yes	No
Subscription	$10 per month or $100 annually	$19/month, 3-year agreement $29/month, monthly contract
Advanced Subscription	Only one plan available	Only one plan available
Monthly Contracts Available	Yes	Yes
Hub Speaker	No	Yes
Hub Sensors	No	Motion, Proximity, Tamper
Remote Monitoring & Notifications	Yes (no subscription required)	Yes (no subscription required)
Cellular Backup	Included with a paid plan	Included with paid plans Or pay $5/month ($50/year)if you want a cellular backup without monitoring
Keypad	Separate, wireless, portable, rechargeable	On the hub
Multiple Keypads Support	Yes	No
Key Fobs	No	Yes
Sensors	Motion, Entry, Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, Alarm Smoke & CO Listener, Water	Motion
Security Camera	Yes	Yes
Other Smart Home Compatibility	Schlage Connect Z-Wave, all Ring products	Wink, Nest Hello doorbell, Nest and Yale lock, Nest Connect mesh WiFi
IFTTT	No	No
Google Assistant	No	Yes
Alexa	No	No

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Ring vs. Nest Security System — What’s Different?

Smart Home Integration – When it comes to smart home integration both models work very well within their own ecosystem, and while Ring is a little more limited in functionality due to its Z-Wave compatibility, there is still a wide range of products you can connect with.

Technology – Ring is a little more flexible than Nest when it comes to technology, as it connects with WiFi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee, and uses Bluetooth for its set up.

While Nest primarily uses Thread/Weave to communicate, while also supporting WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy for setup.

Voice Control – If you like the idea of using voice commands, you’ll be glad to know that Nest Secure offers compatibility with Google Assistant, while Ring isn’t compatible with any voice assistants.

Internet Connection – Both Ring Alarm and Nest Secure offer a WiFi hub to router connection, with the addition of Ring also supporting an Ethernet connection for more flexibility and a stronger connection should you need one.

Sensors – In terms of sensors, Ring Alarm offers plenty of extra sensors that you can add, such as the Motion and Entry options as well as the Alarm Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Listener.

While Nest secure only offers Motion Sensors.

Battery Backup – While you have the battery backup option with both models, Ring Alarm can go for a full 24 hours on a battery charge, while the Nest Secure can only function 12 hours without power.

Cellular Backup – Both security systems offer a cellular backup in the subscription plans already mentioned.

However with Nest Secure for just 5 USD per month, you can also have the backups without consistent monitoring, which can allow you to save on the ongoing security bill.

Extra Siren Support – Ring also comes with the advantage of supporting an extra siren, meaning that, you have more freedom when it comes to placing the base in different spots to avoid potential tampering.

While with Nest Secure the alarm is directly built into the base itself. 

Subscription – With Ring Alarm security system, you have access to all of its features without having to pay any additional monthly fee, with the option of paying an extra 10 USD per month for professional monitoring with cellular backup.

Whereas with Nest Secure you’ll need to pay a significantly higher fee of 19 USD monthly for a 3-year plan, or 29 USD per month, for the same perks.

Hub Sensors – With Nest Secure, the sensors come built into the base itself featuring Motion, Proximity, and Tamper sensors that should keep the hub and your home more secure.

While Ring doesn’t come with any sensors in its hub.

Key Fobs – The Nest Secure also includes a Nest tag which is basically a key fob you can easily place on your keychain to arm or disarm your system.

The Ring Alarm, unfortunately, doesn’t have this feature.

Keypad – With both security systems, you can use the keypad in order to arm or disarm the system.

However, the Ring Alarm system is much more flexible in that respect, since the Ring keypads are separate, wireless, portable, and rechargeable.

While Nest Secure only features a single keypad that can only be accessed via the hub itself.

Last update on 2023-09-22 at 00:21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API