Launch monitor subscriptions explained

What usually works without a plan

Units with their own screen or a simple app generally show core data with no subscription. The PRGR listing states no wifi, downloads or apps are needed. The Swing Caddie SC200 Plus shows carry, swing speed, ball speed and smash factor on the unit with voice output. The Shot Scope LM1 listing mentions lifetime session history in the Shot Scope app. These are the simplest choices if you want no ongoing costs.

What listings say, brand by brand

Where a listing does not state the terms, check the maker's website. Rapsodo, for example, sells a membership, and its site explains which metrics and features it covers.

Compare launch monitors and their software →

Common paid features

Core practice data is rarely paywalled, but the features that make a garage simulator fun often are. If you are building a home set-up, factor in software from the start. Our home simulator guide lists which units include simulation.

• Virtual courses and full simulation rounds.
• Extra courses beyond a free starter set.
• Advanced metrics, sometimes including some spin or club data.
• Swing video storage and cloud history.
• Online competitions and leaderboards.
• Third-party simulator software such as course play platforms.

Phones, tablets and computers

Software costs are only part of the picture; the device that runs it matters too. Some units show numbers on their own screen, like the Voice Caddie SC4 Pro with its built-in display. Others rely on a phone or tablet app, and full simulator platforms often need a capable Windows PC. The SC4 Pro listing notes that its simulators are only available on iOS, not Android, and the original Rapsodo MLM listing states iPhone and iPad only. Check that the app supports the phone or tablet you already own before you commit.

If you plan to run third-party course software on a PC, check that your launch monitor is supported by that platform and whether the platform charges its own licence fee on top of any subscription from the launch monitor maker. Those combined costs are worth adding up before you choose a unit for a home simulator.

What happens if a plan lapses

Terms vary. Typically, paid features stop and core data continues, but some makers restrict more. A unit sold with one year of software, like the SkyTrak ST MAX, will need a renewal decision after twelve months. Before you buy, find out whether the unit still shows basic numbers without a plan, whether your stored sessions remain accessible, and whether third-party software needs its own licence.

Questions to ask before buying

Software terms change over time, so check the maker's current page rather than older reviews. For lower cost units with simple terms, see our under £700 guide.

1. 1

   Which data shows with no subscription at all?

2. 2

   Is there a free tier, and what does it include?

3. 3

   Is software included for a fixed period, and what does renewal involve?

4. 4

   Does simulation need a phone, tablet or PC, and which operating systems are supported?

5. 5

   Do third-party simulator platforms need a separate licence?

Note:Keep a note of renewal dates and cancel any free trials you do not want to continue before they convert to paid plans.

Frequently asked questions

Do all launch monitors need a subscription? No. Simple units such as the PRGR show data without any app or plan. Subscriptions mostly cover simulation and advanced features.

Is the Voice Caddie SC4 Pro free to use? The listing describes no fees for the unit and a free E6 Connect tier with one course and a range, with an optional subscription for extra courses.

What do I lose without a Garmin Golf subscription on the R10? The listing says virtual rounds and the weekly tournament need an active subscription; practice data through the app is described without that condition.