Whoop has officially revised its controversial upgrade policy for the new Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker following intense backlash from its user base. The company, which previously demanded upgrade fees or subscription extensions, has now pivoted to offer more flexible hardware transition options for its members.
The U-Turn on Upgrade Fees
When the Whoop 5.0 was initially announced, the company faced immediate criticism for its pricing structure. Members were originally told they would need to either extend their existing subscriptions by 12 months or pay a one-time fee of $49—rising to $79 for the EKG-enabled model—to obtain the new hardware.
This move was widely perceived as a betrayal of the brand’s premium subscription model (which costs between $199 and $359 annually), which historically promised free hardware upgrades. Furthermore, the policy appeared to directly contradict previous statements on the company’s own website regarding membership perks.
New Policy Details
In response to the mounting pressure, Whoop released a statement on Reddit detailing a more generous approach:
- Users with more than 12 months remaining on their subscription are now eligible for a free upgrade to the Whoop 5.0.
- Customers who already paid the upgrade fee are entitled to a full refund.
- Those with less than 12 months remaining can secure the upgrade by extending their current subscription.
Addressing the “Stinginess” Allegations
Whoop attributed the initial friction to a broader transition in their business model, shifting away from shorter-term plans toward mandatory 12- and 24-month subscription cycles. Simultaneously, the company attempted to walk back previous claims, stating that a blog article promising free upgrades after only six months was posted in error.
“We also want to acknowledge that a previous blog article incorrectly stated that anyone who had been a member for just 6 months would receive a free upgrade,” the company stated. “This was never our policy and should never have been posted.”
Community Skepticism Remains
The reception within the Whoop subreddit has been polarized. While some community moderators labeled the policy change a “win,” many users remain unconvinced by the company’s explanation. Skeptics argue that the company is simply attempting to save face after being caught trying to quietly pivot away from long-standing promises.
Discontent also persists among users who fell just short of the new 12-month threshold, with many voicing frustration that they remain excluded from the free upgrade path despite their loyalty to the platform.