How to Cancel WHOOP Membership in 2026 (Return the Strap or Pay)

Updated February 2026 • 8 min read

WHOOP is the fitness tracker with no upfront cost but a mandatory subscription of $30/month or $239/year. The hardware is "free" — but if you cancel, you either return the device or pay a hardware fee. It's a clever lock-in. Here's how to escape.

⚠️ The WHOOP Trap

Annual plan commits you to 12 months upfront ($239-299)
Canceling mid-contract may require returning the device
Without a subscription, the WHOOP band is a useless bracelet
Your historical data may become inaccessible after canceling
Auto-renewal is ON by default — charges hit before you remember to cancel

WHOOP Pricing

Monthly: $30/month ($360/year)
Annual: $239/year ($19.92/month effective)
24-month: $399 ($16.63/month effective)

Over 3 years: $720-1,080. An Apple Watch SE costs $249 one-time and has no subscription for health tracking. A Garmin Venu Sq 2 costs $250 with zero subscription. WHOOP's lifetime cost far exceeds alternatives.

How to Cancel WHOOP

Open the WHOOP app
Go to Account → Membership
Tap Cancel Membership
Complete the retention flow (they'll offer discounts and pauses)
Confirm cancellation

Or by email: Contact support@whoop.com and request cancellation in writing.

📦 Device Return Policy

If you cancel within your commitment period:

Annual plan (first 30 days): Full refund if you return the device
Annual plan (after 30 days): No refund for remaining months
Monthly: Cancel anytime, no return needed, but the device becomes useless

Check your specific membership terms — policies have changed multiple times.

Export Your Data

Before canceling, export your health data:

WHOOP app → Account → Download My Data
You'll receive a CSV export of your strain, recovery, sleep, and HRV data
If synced to Apple Health: your data persists there regardless of WHOOP status

Alternatives (No Subscription)

Apple Watch — $249-799 one-time. Heart rate, HRV, sleep, blood oxygen, ECG. Health app is free forever. Best ecosystem integration.
Garmin — $200-800 one-time. Training Load, Body Battery, HRV, sleep score. No subscription. Best for runners/cyclists.
Oura Ring — $299 + $5.99/month subscription. Similar HRV/sleep focus as WHOOP but ring form factor. Still has a subscription, but cheaper.
Fitbit — $100-330 one-time. Basic health tracking, free tier adequate. Fitbit Premium ($10/month) optional.
Samsung Galaxy Watch — $250-450 one-time. Good health suite, no subscription. Best for Android users.

Do You Need a Wearable at All?

Honest question: does tracking HRV, strain, and recovery actually change your behavior? Studies show most recreational athletes gain minimal actionable insight from wearable data. If you already listen to your body (tired = rest, energized = train), you might not need any device. The $360+/year could go toward a gym membership, coaching, or better food.

🔍 Total Fitness Spending Check

WHOOP + gym + supplements + apps — fitness subscriptions stack up. Upload your bank statement to JustCancel and see your total fitness spend. Most people are paying for 3-4 overlapping services.

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Quick Cancel Guide: Whoop

Direct cancel link + step-by-step instructions