Does Hatch Restore require a subscription?

The core alarm, sunrise and sunset work without one. Hatch+ ($4.99/month or $49.99/year, 30-day trial) expands the content library substantially. dawnr has no subscription at all — it's a one-time purchase.

Which routine fits better?

Hatch uses sunrise light and sound. dawnr adds a physical tap target out of arm's reach, so dismissal includes getting up and walking over. Choose based on the routine you want.

Plenty of people would. They do different jobs: Hatch for a calm wind-down and sunrise, dawnr for the moment you actually have to be up and out of bed.

dawnr vs Hatch Restore: gentle wake or walk-and-tap? (2026)

Last updated September 16, 2026

Short answer

Hatch Restore is a sunrise light and sound machine that eases you awake; dawnr adds a physical get-up-and-tap step. If you want a sunrise routine, Hatch is a fit. If you want distance before dismissal, dawnr changes the physical setup, and its core alarm has no subscription while Hatch's full library includes Hatch+.

Hatch Restore: Sunrise alarm + sound machine (a bedside light/audio device) — gentle wake, not a forcing function

At a glance

dawnr compared with Hatch Restore
Feature	dawnr	Hatch Restore
What it does	Adds a get-up-and-tap step	Eases you awake (light + sound)
Price	$59 one-time	$169.99 (Restore 3)
Subscription	None on the core alarm	Hatch+ $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr for the full library
Best for	People who want a physical wake-up step	People who want a calm sunrise
Where it lives	Out of arm's reach — that's the point	Bedside, within reach

Where Hatch Restore is genuinely good

A genuinely lovely sunrise + sound experience that many people find calming
Great for a wind-down and gentle-wake routine, and as a phone-free bedside clock
Polished hardware and a deep, well-produced content library

Hatch is well-loved for wind-down and sunrise. The most common gripe is that the nicest content sits behind Hatch+. It's a different job than dawnr — gentle wake vs. getting you up.

Where dawnr is different

Hatch eases you awake; dawnr adds a physical get-up-and-tap step
One-time price with no subscription on the core alarm, versus Hatch+ for the full library
A forcing function (walk + tap), not a light you can ignore and roll over from

Pick Hatch Restore if…

You're a lighter sleeper who wants a calm sunrise and wind-down ritual, you like a phone-free bedside device, and you don't mind Hatch+ for the full sound library.

Pick dawnr if…

You want the tap target out of reach and would rather pay once than subscribe for the part that wakes you.

Sources and disclosure

Published by dawnr, the maker of one product compared here. This is a specification comparison, not an independent test.

Put the off-switch out of reach.

Place dawnr away from bed. On supported iPhones, get up, walk over, and tap your phone to stop the alarm.

Order dawnr — $59 →See how it works

Free US shipping on every order · 30-night guarantee · no subscription required.

Questions people ask

Does Hatch Restore require a subscription?: The core alarm, sunrise and sunset work without one. Hatch+ ($4.99/month or $49.99/year, 30-day trial) expands the content library substantially. dawnr has no subscription at all — it's a one-time purchase.
Which routine fits better?: Hatch uses sunrise light and sound. dawnr adds a physical tap target out of arm's reach, so dismissal includes getting up and walking over. Choose based on the routine you want.
Can I use both?: Plenty of people would. They do different jobs: Hatch for a calm wind-down and sunrise, dawnr for the moment you actually have to be up and out of bed.

dawnr vs Hatch Restore