Garmin vívoactive 5 vs Polar Vantage V3: which lets you own your data?

Garmin vívoactive 5 scores higher for data ownership (78 vs 55). They differ on official api, data export, gadgetbridge / open firmware, home assistant.

Garmin vívoactive 5Polar Vantage V3
Score78/100 (Great)55/100 (Good)
Official API ⚡Partner/business only (10/25)Open API (25/25)
Data export ⚡Local raw files (25/25)Full account export (15/25)
Gadgetbridge / open firmware ⚡Supported (20/20)Not supported (0/20)
Home Assistant ⚡Community (HACS) (8/15)None (0/15)
SubscriptionNot needed (15/15)Not needed (15/15)
SubscriptionGarmin Connect+ (optional, not needed)None

⚡ = where they differ.

Garmin vívoactive 5

Garmin's best-selling everyday smartwatch has the usual Garmin data story: FIT files you can copy off the watch, Gadgetbridge rates it "mostly supported" for fully offline use, a community Home Assistant integration, and an official API for approved businesses only. Garmin Connect+ is optional.

API · Export · Home Assistant

Polar Vantage V3

Polar AccessLink is a public API you can register for. Data is exportable from Polar Flow. No subscription. Gadgetbridge supports only Polar's HR straps.

API · Export · Home Assistant

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Scores come from each device's cited sources, last verified 2026-10-20. See how we score.

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