Head-to-head

Nest vs Ring

Nest 4.6★ · Free to download 60

Winner Ring

Ring 4.7★ · Free to download 75

Ring is generally a better choice for home security with more reliable camera functionality, while Nest struggles with app usability and connectivity issues.

Full reviews: Nest · Ring

Nest users report frequent app glitches, connectivity problems, and frustrating scheduling features, despite appreciating its convenience for thermostat control. Ring, while also experiencing some offline issues and recording inconsistencies, is praised for its clear video quality and effective security features.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: Ring^R7^R8^R11^R12

Nest Nest offers smart thermostat control from anywhere, with users appreciating the ability to adjust temperatures remotely and save energy ^R11^R14. However, many users find the scheduling feature difficult to use, unintuitive, and often buggy ^R7^R8^R12^R13. Some also report issues with automatic temperature adjustments overriding manual settings .

Ring Ring is valued for its security camera features, including clear viewing, notifications, and the ability to check home while away . Users appreciate the video quality and the peace of mind it provides . However, some users report issues with motion detection, missing important recordings, and cameras not capturing events ^R82. There are also complaints about the Neighbors app's moderation and privacy concerns .

Ease of Use edge: Ring^R7^R8^R14^R17

Nest Nest is often described as convenient and easy to use for basic temperature control ^R14. However, the app's navigation is criticized for being difficult, especially for scheduling ^R7^R8^R17. Some users also find the setup and programming difficult, requiring calls to support ^R55.

Ring Ring is generally considered easy to use and control . Users find the app straightforward for checking their home and receiving notifications . However, some users report difficulties with the Neighbors app's posting requirements and issues with password creation or sign-in processes .

Reliability & Performance tie^R6^R9^R10^R16

Nest Nest users frequently report issues with the app being slow to load ^R6 and experiencing frequent disconnections or going offline ^R9^R10^R16^R30. These connectivity problems make the devices unreliable and frustrating to use.

Ring Ring cameras are often praised for their consistent reliability and high-quality video . However, a significant number of users report cameras constantly going offline and needing resets ^R64. There are also complaints about delays in loading live feeds or notifications and the app crashing .

Price & Value tie^R1^R4^R25^R64

Nest Nest users express concern about increasing prices ^R1 and the system becoming too expensive, especially compared to competitors ^R4. Some feel that good features have been removed while prices went up ^R1. There are also complaints about Google discontinuing products and not caring about existing users ^R25.

Ring Ring users generally find the product to be a good value, with some noting that even the least expensive equipment works perfectly . However, many users criticize the mandatory monthly or yearly subscription, stating the camera is useless without it ^R64^R73^R100. There are also complaints about having to pay monthly for individual features .

Customer Support edge: Ring^R55^R82^R86^R87

Nest One Nest user mentioned needing to call Nest for setup and programming assistance ^R55. There are no other direct mentions of customer support quality.

Ring Ring receives positive feedback for its customer service ^R86. However, some users report support being useless for recording issues ^R82 or encountering difficulties with account processes after upgrading cameras ^R87.

Pick Nest if

you prioritize smart thermostat control and energy savings, and are willing to tolerate potential app usability issues and connectivity glitches ^R11^R14.

Pick Ring if

you need a home security system with clear video quality and reliable motion detection, and are comfortable with a subscription model for full functionality .

Evidence note: Reviews for Nest are heavily skewed towards thermostat-related issues, while Ring reviews focus almost entirely on camera and doorbell functionality. The comparison is therefore primarily between Nest's thermostat app experience and Ring's camera security system experience.

Frequently asked

Does Nest have issues with its scheduling feature?

Yes, many Nest users report significant problems with the scheduling feature, describing it as difficult to navigate, unintuitive, buggy, and sometimes not fitting correctly on the screen ^R7^R8^R12^R13.

Is a subscription required for Ring devices?

Yes, many Ring users state that a monthly or yearly subscription is required for the camera to be fully functional, and without it, the device is considered useless ^R64^R73^R100.

Do both apps experience connectivity problems?

Yes, both Nest and Ring users frequently report their devices going offline or losing connection (^R9, ^R10, ^R16, ^R30, , , , , for Nest; ^R64, , , , , , , for Ring).

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

[R7] Nest 1/5 · US Bad UX design: I love nest as a product, but this app is terrible, especially when it comes to the schedule feature. The landscape orientation is very awkward and difficult to navigate, and the add/remove UX is unintuitive. It also won’t scroll up to Monday, which is frustrating, and essentially renders what could have been a cool feature utterly useless. I honestly think the entire app could use
[R8] Nest 4/5 · US Convenient: Overall, the app is great and does what I expect it to do. However, the schedule is difficult to add and delete from my cell phone. I haven’t tried other media forms so I don’t know if it’s any easier with something else. There is also some type of deal with an energy company, but sadly, it’s not my energy provider. This is frustrating because I would love for the deals to be with my c
[R11] Nest 5/5 · US Love it: Great resource! Love the fact I can control the temperature from anywhere at anytime. And having the ability to opt in to better cooling options when not an issue with those at home is wonderful.
[R12] Nest 3/5 · US Unable to edit schedule: I used to be able to see all the days of the week to edit the schedule. Now I can only see Tuesday - Sun.
[R14] Nest 5/5 · US Easy and very convenient: We are able to change the setting from our phone from anywhere.
[R17] Nest 4/5 · US Needs easier app navigation: I like it a lot I just would like to see the app be easier to navigate and adjust temperatures for the week.
[R6] Nest 3/5 · US Slow to Load: The app consistently takes a while to load every time I open it. Very slow app
[R9] Nest 3/5 · US Sometimes good, sometimes bad: The thermostat and app usually work fine, but often the app just won’t communicate with the thermostat. This isn’t rocket science, just fix it so it works correctly 100% of the time.
[R10] Nest 1/5 · US You don’t need Nest: The connection between app and camera/ Thermostat is good about 1 out of 20 try’s it absolutely sucks!!!!
[R16] Nest 2/5 · US Spotty: It disconnects all the time and then I get signed out. Pretty annoying.
[R1] Nest 1/5 · US BAD and getting WORSE: Most of the good features have been removed, the price keeps going up, the application is getting worse to use, the web interface is gone. I'm looking to move over to a different system. I don't recommend this to anyone right now.
[R4] Nest 1/5 · US Way to expensive: We used to use Nest cameras in all of our stores. It become way too expensive and nowhere near competitively priced. Now we have to go with the camera that doesn't cost us every month.
[R25] Nest 1/5 · US What a Rip Off: I bought in to Nest with their great smoke alarms. Spent over $1,000 on them. Then Google bought them and stopped upgrading and selling them. So I am now getting rid of my thermostats as well. Shame on me for thinking Google would care about making an actual product. Never again. Nothing Google!
[R64] Ring 1/5 · US Constantly offline: App updated and even before then the camera was constantly offline. I have incredible wifi and the router is top of the line. Seems no matter what we do it will stay online for about a day but if anything even the slightest happens the system requires jumping through hoops and doesn’t stay online. Highly suggest a different security camera. Plus the monthly subscription just is
[R55] Nest 1/5 · US Had to call Nest: Very difficult to set up and program. Had to call nest for both So many annoying things. Temperature changes randomly Can set hold fir more than 3 hrs Shows set temperature rather than room temperature So sorry I bought it
[R82] Ring 1/5 · US Disappointed: It will work most of the time live however, not always. It frequently does not record what’s going on despite the battery being fine so they have a lot of work to do on this thing. Still fails to record and their support is useless.
[R86] Ring 5/5 · US Best security system ever: I love my ring service and 5 star customer service.
[R87] Ring 3/5 · US Don’t upgrade your camera: I upgraded one of my cameras and my whole system got shut down after one month. I deactivated the old one as soon as I put the new camera in, but that didn’t make any difference. I called the customer helpline and they told me that I have to verbally resign an agreement. And I told him this doesn’t make any sense. I’m paying for the service and you shut me off and they s
[R13] Nest 1/5 · US Schedule is off: Schedule on my nest is off now. Tried resetting and reprogramming and nothing. So frustrating!!
[R73] Ring 1/5 · US You pay $65 to use this camera: If you are not willing yearly subscription, its useless.
[R100] Ring 2/5 · US Expensive: Costs too much for what is available
[R30] Nest 3/5 · US App connection: It keeps losing Google connection and makes you re-sign in too often.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store