Do smart rings need a subscription?
Some smart rings require a subscription for full features and some don't. Oura charges $5.99/month for advanced insights, Whoop (a strap, not a ring, but adjacent) is subscription-only at $30/month, while Samsung Galaxy Ring, RingConn, and Ultrahuman are subscription-free with all features included. Read the fine print before buying — a $300 ring with a forever subscription can cost more than a $500 subscription-free ring over 3 years.
Subscription-required rings (as of 2026)
- Oura Ring — $5.99/month after first 30 days, required for sleep stages, readiness scores, and trends
- Some Ultrahuman tier features — basic data is free, premium insights require Ultrahuman M1 subscription
Subscription-free rings
- Samsung Galaxy Ring — all features included with purchase
- RingConn — no subscription, full data access
- Amazfit Helio Ring — no subscription
3-year total cost of ownership comparison
A $349 ring with $5.99/month = $349 + $215 = $564 over three years. A $399 subscription-free ring = $399 over three years. The subscription model can be worth it if you value the insights, but check what specifically is gated. See our full smart rings catalog for current pricing.
Browse our full Smart Rings catalog for current models and our verdict on each.
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