Users grow wary of Oura’s ties to DOD and are opting for cheaper smart rings

Ready to ditch your Oura Ring?

Some users are swapping their Oura Rings for other smart rings and wearable fitness trackers. But, it’s not the rings themselves they have a problem with; it’s the brand’s ties to the Department of Defense and Palantir, a large-scale data software analytics company.

In 2025, Oura expanded its long-standing partnership with the DOD, supplying thousands of rings to military personnel to track readiness, sleep, stress and more. Some of this data is managed and shared through Palantir’s analytics services. While Oura’s CEO assured that consumer data is never sold or shared, many users are still skeptical of the company’s ties to defense contractors.

“It’s not that Oura Ring is selling your data, it’s that your data is being used to feed this Palantir algorithm or whatever algorithm the U.S. government is using to look at the population,” One concerned TikToker explained in their video. “So safe to say, I’m never putting that thing back on…”

While some are ditching smart rings altogether, other social media users have been buzzing about budget-friendly alternatives that offer many of the same health-tracking features. Some options — like the popular BOYACARE Smart Ring — retail for up to $370 less than the Oura Ring 4.

And, the BOYACARE Ring even comes with some unexpected perks.

BOYACARE Smart Ring

Amazon

These $130 smart rings offer many of the same features as the Oura Ring — including heart rate, blood oxygen, HRV, temperature and menstrual cycle tracking. They also monitor sleep stages and provide detailed monthly reports to help users better understand their habits.

The BOYACARE ring also has a feature Oura doesn’t offer: a customizable vibration alarm that gently wakes you, plus it can alert you for calls when your phone isn’t nearby, so you never miss an important message. It’s essentially a built-in personal alert system.

All health tracking and analytics are available continuously via the companion app, and the BOYACARE subscription is free — unlike Oura, which costs $6 per month. So, whether you’re still wary of Oura’s partnerships or just want to save a buck or two (or $370), BOYACARE could be your best bet.

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.