Garmin Confirms New Features Will Be Behind Paywall

Key Takeaways

1. Garmin launched the Connect+ subscription service at $6.99/month or $69.99/year, while maintaining free access to current features in Garmin Connect.
2. Connect+ offers tailored insights powered by AI, improved live tracking, and unique achievement badges.
3. The service is seen as a key part of Garmin’s long-term fitness strategy, according to CEO Cliff Pemble.
4. Future features may be exclusive to Connect+ subscribers, with positive feedback from early users noted.
5. Upcoming updates are expected with the launch of the Forerunner 970, which will replace the Forerunner 965.

Garmin introduced its Connect+ subscription service at the end of March, sparking some debate among users. The service is priced at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. Garmin has tried to calm concerns by stating that all current features and data within Garmin Connect will still be accessible for free.

Connect+ Developments

Recently, Garmin has provided more information about the future of Connect+ and how it plans to enhance the service. During the Q1 2025 earnings call, Garmin’s President and CEO, Cliff Pemble, shared some insights. He mentioned that Garmin Connect+ is a premium plan that offers tailored insights using artificial intelligence, improved live tracking, and unique achievement badges.

Enhanced Health and Fitness Insights

Connect+ aims to boost users’ understanding of their health and fitness through personalized Active Intelligence insights powered by AI. As noted by the5krunner and other observers, Pemble went into more detail, though these specific remarks are not included in Garmin’s earnings call PDF. Instead, they can be found in the linked video starting from 11:23.

According to Pemble, Connect+ is a “long-term thing for us [Garmin]” and a “very important part” of their fitness strategy moving forward. He also suggested that upcoming features may be restricted to Connect+ subscribers, mentioning positive feedback from early users. While he did not specify what these paywalled features would be, he indicated they would relate to the company’s premium offerings. The first signs of these updates are likely to come with the launch of the Forerunner 970, expected to replace the Forerunner 965 later this season, which is currently priced at $499.99 on Amazon.

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