Subaru App Subscription: Cost, Features, and Is It Worth It?
The Subaru app itself is free to download, but the remote features most people want—remote start, lock/unlock, vehicle finder—require a paid subscription after an initial trial. For most 2020 and newer Subarus, the first three years of Starlink Security Plus are included. After that, it costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. Whether that’s worth it depends on where you park, which trim you own, and whether you already have a key fob remote start. Below we’ll walk through the real costs, the feature cutoffs, and the situations where you should—or should not—pull out your credit card.
Run These Five Checks Before You Subscribe
Instead of reading generic pros and cons, apply these five yes/no checks to your own situation. Each one directly changes whether the $4.99/month subscription pays off for you.
- You park outdoors in a climate where pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin saves time and discomfort. If you park in a garage, remote start is less useful and may even be unsafe (carbon monoxide buildup).
- You frequently forget where you parked in large lots or garages. The vehicle locator feature works reliably as long as cellular service is available.
- You want to lock or unlock your car from a distance (e.g., while at the beach, in a grocery store, or walking to your car in the rain). The app works anywhere with cell coverage, whereas the key fob range is roughly 200–400 feet.
- Your Subaru is a 2020 or newer model with the factory remote start hardware. If you have a base trim without that hardware, the app subscription won’t enable remote start—even if you pay.
- You are okay with a monthly recurring cost rather than a one-time purchase. If you prefer to pay once and be done, an aftermarket remote start may be a better fit.
If you checked four or five of these, the subscription is likely worth its modest price. If you checked two or fewer, you can probably skip it without missing much.
What the Subscription Actually Costs – and What It Buys
Subaru keeps the pricing simple for the plan that matters: Starlink Security Plus, which powers the app’s remote features.
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $4.99 | Cancels anytime, auto-renews |
| Annual | $49.99 | Saves about $9.89 per year vs. monthly |
| 3-Year Trial | $0 | Included with most new 2020+ models (price at time of purchase) |
These figures come from Subaru’s official Starlink subscription page as of early 2025. Taxes may apply. If you also want to retain the safety features (automatic collision notification, SOS, roadside assistance), the combined plan runs about $14.99 per month. But for the app question, Security Plus is the only tier you need to consider.
Important model-year exception: Vehicles from 2019 and older generally do not support the app-based remote features at all. Even if you pay, the app will not start the engine or lock/unlock doors. Only 2020 and newer models with the Starlink hardware (standard on most trims) are eligible. Some 2019 models with the upgraded audio package may show basic status, but remote start is never available.
What Happens After the Free Trial – and How to Know for Sure
Once your trial expires (or you buy a used Subaru that has already passed three years), the app goes into a limited mode. You will still see vehicle health alerts like tire pressure warnings and check-engine light summaries, but every interactive button is grayed out. Specifically, you lose:
- Remote engine start (the most-requested feature)
- Remote lock/unlock
- Remote horn and lights
- Vehicle locator on a map
Concrete example: A 2022 Outback owner whose three-year trial expired in 2025 now gets a “Subscription required” message when tapping the remote start button. The key fob remote start still works if they are within range, but the long-distance convenience of starting the car from a second-floor office is gone. That owner now faces a $4.99/month choice.
How to verify your status: Open the Subaru app, go to Settings, then Account, and look for “Subscription” or “Plan Details.” If you see a plan listed with an expiration date, you are still in the trial. If it says “No Active Plan” or “Expired,” the remote features are locked. You can also check your account on the MySubaru website using the same login.
Model-Year and Trim Gaps That Change the Answer
Not all 2020+ Subarus are equal. The free trial length and even the ability to use remote start depend on exact trim and options.
- Base trims (e.g., Outback Base, Forester Base): Remote start hardware is not included. You can still buy the Security Plus subscription, but the app will not start the engine—even if you pay. You would need an aftermarket module to make remote start work at all.
- Mid-level trims (Premium, Convenience): Typically include both the hardware and the full three-year trial. After that, you pay to keep the remote features.
- Higher trims (Limited, Touring, Wilderness): Usually include the hardware and the three-year trial like the mid-level trims. Some Touring models may have a longer Safety Plus trial (5 years), but Security Plus (the app layer) still follows the three-year rule.
If you are shopping for a used Subaru and want the app feature, confirm that the car has the remote start module. Subaru’s VIN lookup on the Starlink website can tell you. Alternatively, check the key fob: a fob with a dedicated remote start button (the circular arrow symbol) means the hardware is present. Without that button, the app subscription alone will not help.
Who Should Skip the Subscription – and Why
The subscription is not a good fit for many owners. Consider skipping it if:
- You park in a garage where remote start would waste fuel, kill the battery, or create a carbon monoxide risk. The app cannot prevent you from starting the car indoors, but if you never use it, why pay?
- You already have a key fob with remote start and find the range sufficient. Most parking lots are within 200–400 feet, so long-distance convenience is rarely needed.
- You rarely use any remote functions beyond the occasional lock check. The free app still shows door-status alerts (on most models), but you cannot lock or unlock remotely.
- You own a 2019 or older Subaru—the app subscription is irrelevant because the hardware does not support it.
- You bought a used Subaru that already passed its three-year window and you resent paying an ongoing fee for a car you did not receive the trial on.
A Better Alternative for Many Owners
If remote start is the only feature you want, an aftermarket system often makes more financial sense. A quality unit from Compustar or Viper, including professional installation, costs roughly $200–$400. That one-time expense covers the same function as four to eight years of the Subaru app subscription, and it works without any cellular dependency or server outages. The trade-off: an aftermarket system will not let you lock/unlock via phone or locate your car on a map. For the driver who just wants a warm car on a cold morning without a monthly bill, this is often the smarter buy.
Bottom-Line Recommendation
If you park outdoors, often lose your car in lots, and own a 2020+ Subaru with the right hardware, the $4.99/month package is a reasonable convenience. If any of those conditions are missing—especially the parking situation or the lack of factory remote start hardware—skip the subscription and either rely on your key fob or install a one-time aftermarket system. The app subscription is a convenience, not a necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Subaru app cost money?
The app itself is free to download. The remote control features (remote start, lock/unlock, vehicle finder) require a paid subscription to Starlink Security Plus after the initial three-year trial.
Is MySubaru subscription worth it?
Yes for drivers who park outdoors, rely on long-distance remote start, and use the vehicle locator regularly. No for garage parkers, owners of older models, or anyone who finds the key fob remote sufficient. The decision comes down to your specific parking and driving habits.
Do I have to pay to remote start my Subaru?
If your Subaru is 2020 or newer and the three-year trial has expired, yes—remote start via the app requires a $4.99 monthly or $49.99 yearly subscription. The key fob remote start, if your car is equipped, remains free as long as you are within range.
Do you need a subscription for Subaru?
No, you do not need a subscription to drive or maintain the car. The subscription only unlocks the convenience features in the app. The safety features (collision notification, SOS, roadside assistance) come with a separate trial and also require payment after that period if you want to keep them.
Greedy Wheels is the founder and lead editor at Wheels Greed. With over 15 years of hands-on automotive experience — from rebuilding engines in a home garage to managing fleet maintenance for a regional logistics company — he brings real-world mechanical knowledge to every guide.
His work has been featured in automotive forums, owner communities, and dealership training materials. When he’s not researching the latest car owner questions, you’ll find him at a local track day, wrenching on his project car, or testing the newest OBD2 diagnostic tools.
At Wheels Greed, every article is reviewed against manufacturer service manuals, NHTSA bulletins, and verified owner reports. No AI-generated fluff. No guesswork. Just practical answers from someone who has turned the wrench.