Private and open-source alternatives to Apple Watch
4 wearables and health rated against the same public privacy criteria as Apple Watch, with our picks first.
Why look for an alternative?
- Open source: no. Closed source.
- No trackers or telemetry: partial. Device and health analytics are only shared with Apple with consent, but the Apple website sets first-party performance cookies for analytics by default.
- Independent audit: partial. iCloud, which syncs Health data, has yearly ISO 27001 and 27018 certification audits, but only the certificates are public.
See the full Apple Watch rating.
The alternatives
AsteroidOS Grade B
Open source Linux distribution for smartwatches that replaces Wear OS on supported watches, with the AsteroidOS Sync companion app for Android.
AsteroidOS scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the wearables and health criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
Gadgetbridge Grade B
Open source Android app that connects smartwatches and fitness trackers to your phone without the vendor app or cloud account.
Gadgetbridge scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the wearables and health criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
InfiniTime Grade B
Open source firmware for the PINE64 PineTime smartwatch, with notifications, step counting and heart rate over Bluetooth through companion apps such as Gadgetbridge.
InfiniTime scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the wearables and health criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
Bangle.js Grade D
Open source, hackable smartwatch from Espruino that runs JavaScript apps, with an app loader in the browser and an Android companion based on Gadgetbridge.
Bangle.js scores 50 out of 100 (grade D) on the wearables and health criteria. It meets 2 of 4 criteria: open source and no ads or data sales.