Garmin has new AI features for its fitness app, but you'll have to pay to access them.
On Thursday, the smartwatch maker popular with sports and fitness enthusiasts announced Garmin Connect Plus, a new paid subscription tier for its Garmin Connect smartphone app. The main selling point for the app's premium version, which shows health and fitness data, is a suite of new AI features.
The features, dubbed Active Intelligence, provide "personalized insights and suggestions throughout the day based on health and activity data," according to the press release. The more subscribers use Garmin Connect Plus, "insights will become more tailored to them and their goals," the announcement continued.
Garmin didn't share much else beyond how AI will provide insights and suggestions, or what those insights and suggestions are. But Garmin has deemed Active Intelligence worthy enough to charge for it, which is a departure from its previous stance on paywalls. Access to Garmin Connect data has been free compared to competitors like Whoop, Fitbit, and Oura, which require paid subscriptions or offer a premium tier. In 2023, Garmin launched Outdoor Maps Plus, charging $50 for access to more advanced mapping features. Looking back, it's a sign that Garmin was already moving away from its free-data-for-all attitude.
That said, existing health data and features on the Garmin Connect app will still be free. So rest assured, the data you're already tracking won't be put behind a paywall — for now, at least.
Garmin faces steep competition in the health and fitness market. There are the above-mentioned wearables — Whoop, Fitbit, and Oura. Plus, Google Pixel, Samsung, and Apple all have their own smartwatches with health, fitness, and AI-powered features. Meanwhile, Strava is increasingly popular as a subscription-based fitness app.
If you want to try out Garmin Connect Plus, the company offers a free 30-day trial. After that, it's $6.99/month or $69.99/year to access the premium features.
