Best Free Apple Watch Apps Without Subscription 2026

Tired of subscription fatigue? These Apple Watch apps respect your wallet—either completely free or one-time purchase. No monthly fees, no recurring charges, just great software.

Last updated: January 2026 • 10 apps reviewed

Free Apple Watch apps

Quick Reference

Completely Free

Workout, Shazam, Citymapper

Freemium (Free Core)

Belly, Overcast

One-Time Purchase

Chirp, Streaks Workout

Understanding App Pricing Models

Free

No cost at all. May include ads or limited features. Best examples: Apple's built-in apps.

Freemium

Core features free forever. Optional paid upgrades for extras. Fair model when implemented well.

One-Time Purchase

Pay once, own forever. No recurring costs. Often the best value for quality apps.

Best No-Subscription Apps

1

Belly

★ 4.9Virtual Pet

Care for a virtual cat on your Apple Watch with no subscription required. The free tier includes full pet care, feeding, playing, and watch complications. Premium is optional for extra cosmetics.

Full pet care freeWatch complicationsStandalone modeOptional premium

Pricing: Freemium - Core features free forever

2

Workout (Built-in)

Fitness

Apple's native workout app is completely free and incredibly powerful. Track runs, walks, cycling, swimming, and dozens of other activities with no subscription.

All workout typesGPS trackingHeart rate zonesHealthKit sync

Pricing: Free (built-in)

3

Shazam

★ 4.8Music

Identify songs playing around you directly from your Apple Watch. No subscription, no ads, completely free. Owned by Apple, so it's well-integrated.

Song identificationOffline queuingApple Music integrationHistory sync

Pricing: Free - No IAP

4

Chirp for Twitter

★ 4.4Social

Read and post tweets from your Apple Watch. One-time purchase, no subscription. View your timeline, notifications, and compose tweets from your wrist.

Read timelinePost tweetsView notificationsNo subscription

Pricing: $3.99 one-time

5

Overcast

★ 4.8Podcasts

Premium podcast player with Apple Watch support. The free version includes all playback features. Smart Speed and Voice Boost are free. Premium removes ads.

Smart SpeedVoice BoostStandalone playbackEpisode download

Pricing: Free - Premium removes ads

6

Streaks Workout

★ 4.7Fitness

One-time purchase for a powerful workout app with no recurring fees. 30 exercises, customizable routines, and watch-first design.

30+ exercisesCustom routinesVoice guidanceHealthKit sync

Pricing: $4.99 one-time

7

WatchNotes

★ 4.5Productivity

Simple note-taking app with one-time purchase. No subscription, no cloud fees. Create and view notes directly on your watch.

Create notesVoice dictationChecklist supportiCloud sync

Pricing: $2.99 one-time

8

Carrot Weather

★ 4.7Weather

While it has subscription options, the one-time purchase tier gives you a full-featured watch app with no recurring costs.

ComplicationsHourly forecastWeather mapsPersonality modes

Pricing: Free basic / $24.99 one-time premium

9

Bear Focus Timer

★ 4.6Productivity

One-time purchase Pomodoro timer with charming design. No subscription for core features. Focus better without recurring fees.

Pomodoro techniqueFocus trackingCute designWatch support

Pricing: $1.99 one-time

10

Citymapper

★ 4.7Navigation

Navigation and public transit app that's completely free. Real-time departures, route planning, and turn-by-turn directions on your watch.

Transit timesWalking directionsReal-time updatesOffline support

Pricing: Free - No subscription

Belly: Fair Freemium Done Right

Belly demonstrates how freemium should work. The free version includes:

  • ✓Complete pet care - Feed, play, and nurture your cat
  • ✓Watch complications - See your pet on your watch face
  • ✓Standalone mode - Works without your iPhone
  • ✓Step integration - Activity benefits your pet

Completely free with no ads, no subscription, and no artificial limitations. Beautiful cosmetics available to personalize your pet.

Try Belly Free

Red Flags: Avoid These Subscription Traps

Subscriptions for Basic Utilities

A simple timer or note app doesn't need a subscription. If it asks for monthly payment for basic functions, find an alternative.

Free Trial to Paid Surprise

Watch out for apps that seem free but require subscription after a short trial. Always check pricing before downloading.

Unclear Pricing

If an app's pricing isn't immediately clear, it's often because the developer knows you won't like it. Transparent apps state costs upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any genuinely free Apple Watch apps?

Yes, many apps are genuinely free. Apple's built-in apps (Workout, Timer, Weather) have no cost. Third-party apps like Shazam, Citymapper, and the free tiers of Belly and Overcast offer substantial features without payment. Look for apps marked 'Free' with no in-app purchases.

What's the difference between free, freemium, and one-time purchase?

Free apps have no cost whatsoever. Freemium apps (like Belly) are free to use with optional paid upgrades. One-time purchase apps cost once and never again—no subscriptions. All three are better than subscription apps for long-term cost savings.

Why do so many Apple Watch apps have subscriptions?

Developers cite ongoing server costs, continuous updates, and sustainable income. However, many apps don't need subscriptions—a note-taking app or timer has minimal ongoing costs. Look for one-time purchase alternatives for simpler utility apps.

Related Guides

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Best Apple Watch Games

Complete gaming guide

Standalone Apps

Apps that work without your iPhone

Quality Apps, No Subscription

Start with Belly—a virtual pet app that proves you don't need subscriptions for great experiences. Free to try, fun to play, fair to pay.

Download Belly Free