Most devices we've checked do their main job without a subscription. Of 25, 15 work fully free, 6 keep the basics free but lock useful features behind a plan, and 4 need a plan to work at all. The ones that need a plan are fitness and sleep trackers and GPS pet trackers. Each row links to a guide that checks the maker's own pricing page; the date shows when we last checked it.
At a glance
"Not needed" means the device does what you bought it for with no plan. "Depends" means it works, but a feature most buyers want (usually recording or detailed data) needs a plan. "Required" means a plan is needed before it's useful. Prices are the cheapest paid plan, checked between Sep 6, 2026 and Oct 14, 2026.
Cameras and home security
Health and fitness
Baby and sleep
Pets
Smart home
What the pattern shows
The split isn't random. Devices whose main job happens in your home, such as a thermostat, a sprinkler controller, a robot vacuum, or a garage opener, almost all work free; the paid plans add history, monitoring, or extended warranties. Cameras are split: live view is free, and recording is where a plan usually comes in, unless the camera can save clips locally, as Blink (with its Sync Module 2) and Wyze can.
The devices that can't be used without a plan are the ones that depend on ongoing cloud analysis or a cellular connection: health and sleep trackers such as Eight Sleep and WHOOP, and GPS trackers such as Fi and Halo Collar. With those, the plan is part of the price of the device, so compare the total over the years you'll own it, not the sticker price. Several of our guides include a cost calculator for exactly that.
If you're choosing between brands, our guide to security cameras that work without a subscription compares the free options side by side.
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FAQ
Which devices require a subscription to work at all?
Of the 25 devices we've checked, 4 need a paid plan to do their main job (for Eight Sleep, during the first year): Eight Sleep, WHOOP, Fi, Halo Collar.
Do smart home devices need a subscription?
Mostly not. The smart home devices we've checked (thermostats, sprinklers, garage openers, robot vacuums, leak detectors) do their core job free. Paid plans tend to add extras such as longer history, monitoring, or warranty.
Which device types are most likely to charge a monthly fee?
Wearables and GPS trackers. A health band or pet tracker needs ongoing cloud processing or a cellular connection, and that's where we found every device that can't be used without a plan.
How do I check whether a device needs a subscription before buying?
Look for three things on the maker's own pages: what the app shows without a plan, whether video or data history is stored locally or only in the cloud, and the price of the plan after any first-year discount. Each guide linked from this page does that for one device.