Hatch wake routines do not require Hatch+

The Hatch Rest 2nd gen and Rest+ 2nd gen provide core wake cues, light, sounds, clock display, and app scheduling without requiring Hatch+. The optional Hatch+ plan expands stories, music, and guided content.

An account and the Hatch Sleep app are still required for setup. Those access requirements are part of the control system, not a paid subscription. Hatch documents saved scheduled playback through Bluetooth fallback for both generations, using separate support pages; some Hatch+ library content may not play offline.

Nanit separates standard routines from Predictive OK to Wake

The Nanit Sound + Light supports standard day-specific sound and light routines without requiring Nanit Insights. Predictive OK to Wake is a different feature: it requires a linked Nanit Pro Camera, a compatible mount, and an eligible Insights plan.

The predictive cue therefore is not a stand-alone feature of the Sound + Light Machine. A household choosing only scheduled cues does not need that paid layer for the core routine.

Three on-device models have no paid content layer

The Light to Rise, Groclock, and MELLA have no documented subscription or paid extras. Their schedules and light controls run from the hardware.

Light to Rise and MELLA also include built-in sound-machine functions. Groclock does not include a sound machine, though it does provide an optional audible alarm.

Included features still differ by model

Subscription-free does not mean feature-identical. Rest+ 2nd gen and Nanit support day-specific, multi-step routines; Rest 2nd gen supports multiple steps without exact-generation evidence for day selection. Groclock provides a separate clock-time nap mode. MELLA provides a nap countdown. Light to Rise provides wake and bedtime schedules with built-in sounds.

Power also remains independent of subscription. Rest+ 2nd gen and Nanit Sound + Light have rechargeable operating batteries. Groclock, MELLA, Light to Rise, and Rest 2nd gen require external power for their cues to run.

Separate subscriptions from app and internet requirements

A product can be subscription-free and still require an app, account, or Wi-Fi. That is the case for initial setup on both Hatch models and for Nanit Sound + Light. The Tommee Tippee Connected Sleep Trainer also requires an app, account, and Wi-Fi, while Tommee Tippee does not state whether a subscription applies; that uncertainty matters if a confirmed no-fee control path is required.

Compare these as separate fields: paid plan, account, app, Wi-Fi setup, offline editing, and saved-schedule playback. The control-style guide explains the practical effect of each.

What to verify in the feature list

  • Identify the exact core cue you need: light, alarm, sound, schedule, or nap mode.
  • Check whether the paid plan expands content or unlocks the control itself.
  • Treat account and network requirements separately from payment.
  • For Hatch, core wake scheduling is included; Hatch+ adds a larger content library.

Manufacturer references

Material reviewed 2026-09-07. Specifications can vary by generation and region.