The landscape of fitness technology is ever-evolving, and with it, the monetization strategies of the companies that power our tracking and training. Garmin, a long-standing titan in the world of GPS watches and fitness trackers, has recently made a significant shift by introducing its first paid subscription tier for Garmin Connect, dubbed Garmin Connect+. This move, announced in early 2025, has sparked considerable discussion among users, raising questions about value, the future of the free Garmin Connect platform, and the broader trend of subscriptions in the fitness tech industry.
Garmin Connect+ at a Glance: What's Included?
The new premium plan, Garmin Connect+, is available for $6.99 per month or $69 per year in the USA. A 30-day free trial is available to all Garmin users, allowing them to explore the new features before committing to a paid plan. The subscription unlocks the following features:
Active Intelligence
- Powered by AI, this feature provides personalized insights and suggestions based on a user's health and activity data.
- The AI offers daily summaries, workout follow-ups, and end-of-day guidance, potentially incorporating metrics like sleep quality, HRV, and training load.
- While promising, early reports suggest mixed results with some insights appearing too generic.
Performance Dashboard
- Provides customizable graphs and charts via the Garmin Connect web interface.
- Allows comparison of fitness data over time, such as power zones, distance trends, and pace progress.
- Exclusive to the web platform at launch, raising concerns about accessibility for mobile users.
Live Activity
- Allows real-time mirroring of workout data from Garmin watches to the Garmin Connect app during indoor workouts.
- Especially useful for activities like treadmill running and strength training, providing a larger view of metrics.
- Currently limited to indoor activities, but expected to expand in the future.
Training Guidance
- Enhanced educational content for Garmin Coach users, including expert tips and videos to improve training.
- Differentiated from AI insights, focusing more on structured training plans and advice.
Expanded LiveTrack Features
- Offers automatic text notifications for designated contacts when activities begin or end.
- Provides personalized LiveTrack profile pages with previous activity history.
- Allows users to embed LiveTrack maps on other websites.
Social Features
- Includes custom profile frames and exclusive badge challenges.
- Gamification aspects intended to enhance user engagement but viewed as less essential by most.
User Reactions and Industry Trends
The introduction of Garmin Connect+ has been met with a spectrum of reactions. While some users appreciate the enhanced features, others are frustrated by the paywall imposed on functionalities they feel should be included with Garmin's premium-priced devices.
Key Concerns
- Garmin previously emphasized the free nature of Garmin Connect, and users worry that valuable features will increasingly be gated behind subscriptions.
- Comparison to competitors like Apple and Coros who offer similar features without additional fees.
- Fear that future software improvements may focus more on Connect+ users than those on the free platform.
Industry Perspective
- Subscription-based models are becoming standard in the fitness tech industry, with competitors like Whoop, Fitbit, and Apple all offering paid services.
- Garmin's move into this space reflects broader trends toward monetizing software features rather than relying solely on hardware sales.
Conclusion
The launch of Garmin Connect+ marks a significant shift in Garmin's strategy. While the new features offer potential value for those willing to pay, many users feel this is a step away from Garmin’s original promise of accessible fitness tracking. The coming months will reveal whether Connect+ can strike the right balance between offering premium features while continuing to support the robust free platform Garmin users have come to expect.