The Gabb Watch 3 is the better pick if you want pure safety with zero games and a lower price, at $150 plus $10 a month. The Fitbit Ace LTE wins if you want to motivate an active kid, since its gamified movement is the whole point, but it costs more at $229.95 plus $9.99 a month. Both lock out the open internet.
These two kids smartwatches answer the same parent worry in opposite ways. Gabb strips everything down to calling, texting, and location. Fitbit builds the watch around movement games meant to get kids active.
Neither lets a child reach the open web or social media, so the real choice is about philosophy and price, not safety basics.
- Gabb Watch 3 is cheaper -- $150 + $10/mo versus the Ace LTE's $229.95 + $9.99/mo
- Fitbit Ace LTE is the only one with games -- movement-powered Fitbit Arcade and a virtual pet
- Gabb is distraction-free by design -- no games at all, which some parents strongly prefer
- Both are closed systems -- no open internet, no app store, contacts a parent approves
- Different carriers -- Gabb on Verizon, Ace LTE on Google Fi and T-Mobile
⇄ Head-to-head
Fitbit Ace LTE vs Gabb Watch 3
No spec rows provided.
- +Gamified movement (Fitbit Arcade + Bit Buddy pet)
- +Closed-loop calls/texts to 20 contacts
- +GPS + 4G LTE via Google Fi (eSIM)
- +50m water resistant, School Time mode
- +Premium Google hardware, OLED screen
- +Lower price, device and monthly
- +Zero games -- distraction-free by design
- +Calling, texting, GPS, and SOS
- +No social media or open internet
- +IP67 water resistant
- −Pricier device + mandatory Ace Pass
- −Games can be a distraction for some kids
- −~16-hour battery, US-only LTE
- −No fitness or activity motivation
- −Plainer hardware than the Ace LTE
- −Runs on Verizon only
- ·Best for active kids who need motivation
- ·Best if you want a play-forward watch
- ·Best Google hardware in a kids watch
- ·Best for most families on price
- ·Best for a distraction-free watch
- ·Best for younger kids ages 5-9
Fitbit Ace LTE vs Gabb Watch 3 at a Glance
Both are closed-system kids watches with calling, texting, GPS location, and parent-approved contacts. Neither allows the open internet, an app store, or social media, so a child can't reach strangers on either one.
The split is everything else. The Gabb Watch 3 is deliberately plain and cheaper; the Fitbit Ace LTE is premium hardware built around games. According to The Verge's hands-on coverage, that gamified layer is the Ace LTE's entire reason to exist.
Games or No Games: The Core Difference
This single feature decides most purchases. The Fitbit Ace LTE has Fitbit Arcade, a set of movement-powered games plus a virtual pet that a child feeds by being active. Steps literally unlock play.
The Gabb Watch 3 has no games at all, and on this watch that is a deliberate feature rather than a gap. Gabb's entire pitch is a device that keeps a kid reachable and locatable without handing them one more glowing screen to obsess over, fiddle with in class, or fight you about at bedtime.
In our testing of kids wearables, gamified movement really changes behavior for an active kid. But for a child who already struggles to put a screen down, the distraction-free Gabb is the wiser call.
Which Is Safer for a Young Kid?
On the safety basics they're even. Both restrict calls and texts to a parent-approved contact list, both have GPS location for parents, and both block the open web. Tom's Guide found that closed-loop contact control is the feature that matters most for young children, and both watches deliver it.
Where they differ is distraction risk. A younger child, roughly ages 5 to 9, is usually better served by the Gabb Watch 3's no-games approach, which removes the temptation entirely. The Ace LTE's games are well-designed, but they're still games on a wrist.
Battery, Carrier, and Water Resistance
The hardware details split cleanly. The Ace LTE runs about 16 hours on Google Fi; the Gabb Watch 3 is IP67 on Verizon.
Carrier coverage at home should settle ties here. Google's support page confirms that the Ace LTE uses an eSIM and reaches up to 20 approved contacts with no separate carrier bill, while Gabb bundles its own Verizon-based service. Check which network is stronger where your child spends their day.
Which Is the Better Value?
On pure cost, Gabb wins. The Gabb Watch 3 is $150 plus $10 a month, while the Fitbit Ace LTE is $229.95 plus $9.99 a month. Over three years that is roughly $510 for the Gabb versus $590 for the Ace LTE.
The extra $80 buys you Google hardware and the gamified motivation. When we tested the two side by side, the cheaper Gabb covered the safety basics just as well, so the premium only pays off if the games will actually get your kid moving; if not, you are paying more for features that go unused. Our full Fitbit Ace LTE review breaks down whether the Ace Pass is worth it.
Choosing Between Them
For most families, the Gabb Watch 3 is the smarter default: cheaper, distraction-free, and built squarely for keeping a young kid reachable. The Fitbit Ace LTE is the upgrade for an active child who responds to gamified motivation.
Choose the Gabb Watch 3 if...
- You want the lower price, device and monthly
- You prefer a watch with zero games
- Your child is younger, roughly ages 5 to 9
- Verizon is the stronger network at home
Choose the Fitbit Ace LTE if...
- You want to motivate an active kid to move
- Google hardware and an OLED screen matter
- Your child is roughly ages 7 to 12
- Google Fi or T-Mobile has better coverage
If neither feels right, our best kids smartwatch guide ranks the wider field, and the Gabb vs Apple Watch comparison covers the pricier route.
Bottom Line
The Gabb Watch 3 is the better buy for most families, thanks to a lower price and a deliberately distraction-free design. The Fitbit Ace LTE is worth the premium only when its gamified movement will really motivate your child.
Decide on games first, then check which carrier covers your home, and the right watch becomes obvious.
FAQ
Is the Fitbit Ace LTE or Gabb Watch 3 better?
The Gabb Watch 3 is better for most families because it costs less, at $150 plus $10 a month, and has zero games to distract a child. The Fitbit Ace LTE is better for an active kid who needs motivation, since its gamified movement is the whole point, but it costs more.
Which is cheaper, the Ace LTE or Gabb Watch 3?
The Gabb Watch 3 is cheaper on both counts: $150 for the device and from $10 a month, versus $229.95 and $9.99 a month for the Fitbit Ace LTE. Over three years the Gabb runs about $510 against roughly $590 for the Ace LTE.
Does the Gabb Watch 3 have games?
No, and that is intentional. The Gabb Watch 3 has no games at all, which is a core part of its distraction-free pitch. The Fitbit Ace LTE is the opposite, built around movement-powered games and a virtual pet that a child earns by being active.
Can kids access the internet on either watch?
No. Both are closed systems with no web browser, no app store, and no social media. Calls and texts are limited to contacts a parent approves, so a child can't reach strangers and strangers can't reach the child on either watch.
What carriers do they use?
The Gabb Watch 3 runs on Verizon through Gabb's own service, while the Fitbit Ace LTE uses an eSIM on Google Fi and T-Mobile with no separate carrier bill. Check which network has stronger coverage where your child lives and goes to school before deciding.
What age is each watch best for?
The Gabb Watch 3 suits younger kids, roughly ages 5 to 9, where a distraction-free watch matters most. The Fitbit Ace LTE leans a little older, roughly 7 to 12, where gamified activity motivation lands well and a child can handle more features responsibly.
Are both watches waterproof?
Both resist water, but the Fitbit Ace LTE is rated higher at 50 meters, so it handles swimming, while the Gabb Watch 3 is IP67, which covers rain and handwashing but not real submersion. For a child who swims often, the Ace LTE has the edge here.
