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Have you noticed the sheer number of smart video doorbells out there today? It seems like everyone knows at least someone who has one, even if they don’t own it themselves. Lately, the smart security system market has been cornered by two big brand names: Ring vs Blink. Interestingly enough, both are subsidiaries of Amazon. However, the two have plenty of factors that set them apart despite their shared ownership. What’s the difference between Ring vs Blink? And which security system is better? Let’s compare and contrast the two below.
Ring vs Blink: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ring | Blink | |
|---|---|---|
| Original name | Bot Home Automation, Inc. | Immedia Semiconductor Inc. |
| Founded | 2013 | 2009 |
| Founder(s) | Jamie Siminoff | Peter Besen Don Shulsinger Dan Grunberg Stephen Gordon Doug Chin |
| Parent Company | Amazon (2018- ) | Amazon (2017- ) |
| Key Figures | Jamie Siminoff (CEO) Mel Tang (CFO) Jon Irwin (COO) | Peter Besen (CEO) Don Shulsinger (CFO) Stephen Gordon (COO) |
| Products | Smart doorbells, surveillance cameras, and home alarm systems | Home security cameras and video doorbells |
| Subsidiaries | Neighbors app | None |
| Annual Revenue | $165 million (est.) | $33 million (est.) |
Ring vs Blink: What’s the Difference?
While Ring and Blink occupy the same corner of the market and are owned by Amazon, some key factors set these two apart. From their respective price points across their distinct product lines to their inclusion of a companion app (or lack thereof) to the overall difference in quality between these two brands, the Ring vs Blink is a lot more complicated than it seems. Let’s examine four of these key differences below.
Pricing
Firstly, there’s the difference in pricing between Ring vs Blink. The distinction is obvious when comparing similar products from these two rival brands. For instance, Ring’s wired video doorbells start at $64.99 and go up to $349.99. Battery-operated models start at $99.99 and top out at $199.99. Blink, by comparison, costs much less. Their video doorbell is priced at $49.99. The same is true for other products, such as an outdoor floodlight with a camera. Ring’s models range from $199.99 to $269.99, while Blink’s is just $99.99.
Products
- 1080p HD video doorbell
- Playback from your smartphone, tablet, or PC
- Enhanced motion detection, better privacy zones, increased audio privacy, and dual-band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz) Wi-Fi connectivity over Ring Video Doorbell 2
- Mobile push notifications when doorbell is pressed or motion sensors are triggered
- Wireless model features rechargeable battery pack
- Easy setup with mounting tools included
Ring and Blink also have different products. As you might have picked up in the pricing section, Ring has a wider range of options for each product it offers. Conversely, Blink typically just has one of each product at a time. Ring’s catalog has numerous video doorbells, several outdoor floodlights with cameras, and a variety of options for indoor cameras, as well. Blink, on the other hand, only has one video doorbell, one outdoor floodlight with a camera, and so on. All in all, Ring comes out on top with its variety.
Companion App
Another major difference between Ring vs Blink? Both offer a companion app for an added sense of security. We’re talking, of course, about Neighbors, a free app for iOS and Android. It allows you to discuss and share real-time security and safety updates in your area using footage straight from your Ring. While Blink users can certainly feel free to use the Neighbors app, Ring is at an advantage for creating the app in the first place. Not to mention the ease with which Ring cameras can share footage to the Neighbors app.
Overall Quality
Lastly, we should discuss the overall quality of Ring vs Blink. For one, both smart home brands are easy to install, and neither requires a subscription in order to work. Their cloud storage pricing is also identical, as Amazon owns both. What’s more, both record in 1080p HD video. However, Ring offers 24/7 professional monitoring whenever an alarm is tripped, unlike Blink. On the other hand, Blink has far more wireless options than Ring does — and local storage options, as well. The superior choice is still a very close call.
The History of Ring
The Ring Video Doorbell was designed to solve an annoying problem with no other solution available on the market. Founder and current CEO Jamie Siminoff was tired of missing deliveries at his door whenever he was tinkering with the latest tech inventions in his garage. Then, in 2013, the idea popped into his head. What if there was a way to connect a video camera to your doorbell and access that feed from your smartphone? Siminoff soon discovered no such product existed. So, he made one. With this, the Ring Video Doorbell was born.
From the very first prototype, it was clear to Siminoff, friends, family, and colleagues that the product was going to be a hit. The concept was a smart doorbell that utilized a motion-triggered video recording with live, real-time notifications sent to the phone. Everyone agreed it was genius. Siminoff dubbed it the Doorbot. He took the idea to ABC’s hit series Shark Tank but walked away without a deal. Surprisingly, the exposure alone was enough to result in $5 million in sales for Doorbot.
Soon after the Shark Tank appearance, Doorbot rebranded to the name Ring. Over the next several years, hundreds of millions in investments came Siminoff’s way. The greatest of the bunch? Amazon. In 2018, the e-commerce giant acquired Siminoff’s company for nearly a billion and a half dollars. Together, Amazon and Ring collaborated on a now-integral part of Ring’s business: the Neighbors app. Now, the line of Ring products includes video doorbells, surveillance cameras, home alarms, car security devices, and more.
How Blink Compares
- 1080p HD video, two-way audio, and infrared night vision video
- Two-year battery life for wireless option
- Push notification alerts and custom privacy settings on mobile
- 30-day free trial for Blink Subscription Plan
- Save and share clips with included Sync Module 2
- Simple setup with two AA batteries included
Blink was technically founded in 2009 as a semiconductor company long before getting into the security camera business. Peter Besen, Don Shulsinger, Dan Grunberg, Stephen Gordon, and Doug Chin were the founders. However, Blink didn’t embrace the consumer electronics industry until 2014 (when Ring was already post-Shark Tank and well on its way to the smash success it is today.)
In July 2014, Blink launched a highly successful Kickstarter campaign that crowdsourced a million dollars for the company to invest in its rival security camera line. However, Blink’s focus was not on video doorbells but on indoor security cameras. Their outdoor security camera didn’t come until 2016, with a home security system following suit in 2017 and a video doorbell later that year. Interestingly enough, Amazon acquired Blink before acquiring Ring. The tech giant bought Blink in December 2017 before snatching up Ring in February of 2018.
Looking at the two brands side by side in light of what we have discussed so far, it’s clear that Blink is the underdog. Ring has more expensive products, greater annual revenue, and stronger brand recognition than Blink. Not to mention Blink doesn’t have an app like Neighbors. But this isn’t all bad for Blink. It positions them as a more affordable, simpler take on the Ring. Regardless, the two have no problem co-existing, similar to how Apple owns AirPods Max and Beats by Dre.
Ring vs Blink: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Blink’s wireless technology preserves energy to extend battery life. Some models can last up to two years with a single set of batteries. Ring cameras primarily rely on wired power, eliminating the need for batteries.
- Ring cameras come equipped with an emergency response that lets you contact emergency services via the Ring app. They also offer around-the-clock professional monitoring on a monthly. fee
- Ring and Blink allow users to set custom motion zones within their camera’s field of vision. This allows you to block off or target specific areas you want to monitor — the camera will ignore the rest. This can significantly cut down on the number of false alarms.
- Blink outdoor cameras are built to withstand drastic temperatures. They remain fully functional in temperatures as low as -4°F and as high as 113°F. Whether in Alaska or Arizona, Blink users can rest assured their cameras will work fine.
- Ring’s Neighborhood app generates a map of recently reported crimes and alerts in your area to protect you and your home better. The app also makes it easy to create and interact with alerts from people in your area.
Ring vs Blink: Pros and Cons
| Pros of Ring | Cons of Ring |
|---|---|
| More advanced security features, such as 24/7 professional monitoring | Prices tend to be higher than Blink’s |
| Simple, smart home integration with other Amazon devices | If the Wi-Fi goes out, the camera won’t work |
| Incredibly easy install for both wired and wireless models | Some concerns with privacy and data collection |
| Larger customer base, which is especially nice in conjunction with the Neighbors app | Lots of false alarms if detection zones aren’t set |
| Pros of Blink | Cons of Blink |
|---|---|
| Products tend to be more affordable than similar offerings from Ring | Fewer options compared to Ring’s wide range of products |
| More wireless options than what Ring has to offer | Not as many advanced features as Ring has to offer |
| Long-lasting battery life thanks to Blink’s power-saving technology and features | Much more limited range than Ring cameras |
| Easy to set up and install, plus has a simple user interface | Limited smart home integration, even with other Amazon products |
Ring vs Blink: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
So: Which is the superior smart home security brand? Ring vs Blink? Even after all we’ve discussed thus far, the answer is still more or less up in the air. Blink has cheaper prices, but Ring has more products to choose from. Ring also has the added benefit of a companion app, while Blink has the benefit of more wireless options to choose from. It’s an incredibly close call. But, when all is said and done, the winner has to be Ring. With more bonus features, a larger product line, and greater benefits, the brand narrowly edges ahead of Blink.
