Smartwatch subscriptions explained
Short answer: Most watches in our catalog work with no subscription: 275 of 311. 19 offer an optional plan for extra features and 17 require a plan or service to work as designed. Check this before you buy, because a required plan is an ongoing cost.
Last verified September 26, 2026.
Three situations
None: the watch works without a plan. Optional: it works, and a plan adds features such as extra analysis or cloud storage. Required: key features do not work without a plan. This is common on kids watches that call and report location through a SIM. We do not show plan prices on this site, because they change by country and over time. Check the maker's page.
Watches with an optional or required plan
| Model | Brand | Plan status | What it needs | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazfit Active | Amazfit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Amazfit Active 2 (round) | Amazfit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Amazfit Balance | Amazfit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Fitbit Charge 5 | Fitbit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Fitbit Charge 6 | Fitbit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Fitbit Inspire 3 | Fitbit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Fitbit Sense 2 | Fitbit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Fitbit Versa 3 | Fitbit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | Fitbit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Google Fitbit Air | Fitbit | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Pixel Watch (1st gen) | Optional | Not specified | eSIM · LTE | |
| Pixel Watch 2 | Optional | Not specified | eSIM · LTE | |
| Pixel Watch 3 | Optional | Not specified | eSIM · LTE | |
| Pixel Watch 4 | Optional | Not specified | eSIM · LTE | |
| Pixel Watch 5 | Optional | Not specified | eSIM · LTE | |
| SaveFamily Iconic 4G | SaveFamily | Optional | Parent app | 4G · nano-SIM |
| TCL Movetime MT48 Kids | TCL | Optional | Parent app | 4G · nano-SIM |
| Withings ScanWatch Light | Withings | Optional | Not specified | None |
| Xplora X6 Play | Xplora | Optional | SIM or plan | SIM · 4G |
| Anio 6 | Anio | Required | SIM or plan | 4G · nano-SIM |
| Fitbit Ace LTE | Fitbit | Required | Not specified | LTE · SIM |
| Gabb Watch 3e | Gabb | Required | Not specified | LTE · SIM |
| Garmin Bounce 2 | Garmin | Required | Not specified | LTE |
| Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro | Garmin | Required | Not specified | LTE-M |
| Garmin Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED | Garmin | Required | Not specified | LTE-M |
| Garmin Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED | Garmin | Required | Not specified | LTE-M |
| Garmin Fenix 9 Pro | Garmin | Required | Not specified | LTE-M |
| Garmin quatix 8 Pro | Garmin | Required | Not specified | LTE-M |
| KidiWatch Connect 5.0 4G | Kidiwatch | Required | Not specified | 4G · SIM |
| KidiWatch PROTECT 4G | Kidiwatch | Required | Not specified | 4G · nano-SIM |
| myFirst Fone R1c | myFirst | Required | SIM or plan | 4G · nano-SIM |
| one2track Connect NEXT | One2Track | Required | Not specified | 4G · SIM |
| Spacetalk Adventurer 2 | Spacetalk | Required | SIM or plan | 4G · nano-SIM |
| TickTalk 6 | TickTalk | Required | Not specified | eSIM |
| Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure | Verizon | Required | Not specified | LTE · SIM |
| Watch-Me Grace | WatchMe | Required | Not specified | 4G · SIM |
Which brands list subscriptions
| Brand | Models with optional plan | Models with required plan | Total models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin | 0 | 6 | 33 |
| Amazfit | 3 | 0 | 26 |
| SaveFamily | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Fitbit | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| 5 | 0 | 5 | |
| Withings | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Kidiwatch | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Anio | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gabb | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| One2Track | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Spacetalk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| TCL | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| TickTalk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Verizon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| WatchMe | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Xplora | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| myFirst | 0 | 1 | 1 |
What a plan usually covers
A plan can cover mobile data for a watch with eSIM or SIM, cloud features, or a parent app. Ask what happens to the watch if you stop paying: some keep basic functions, others lose calls or location. See do smartwatches need a data plan, eSIM smartwatches explained and kids smartwatch safety features.
Before you buy
Read the maker's current plan terms, the countries covered and how to cancel. Features change. See our methodology and the carrier guide.