Best Smart Basketballs (2026): DribbleUp vs Spalding TF DNA vs SIQ
DribbleUp is for guided ball-handling classes, and Spalding TF DNA is for shot data such as arc, spin and release time. Both need a paid membership for most features. SIQ’s app hasn’t had an App Store update since July 23, 2024, and SIQ’s own website now says “SIQ is now Spalding TF DNA”, so check carefully before you buy an SIQ ball.
We haven’t hands-on tested these balls. Facts come from each maker’s store and the App Store on October 17, 2026. See how we get the data.
| Ball | What it tracks | How | App platforms | Ball price (Oct 17, 2026) | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DribbleUp Smart Basketball | Ball handling in live and on-demand classes | Your phone or tablet camera tracks the ball | iOS, Android | $29.99 on sale (shown against $59.99) | 10 days free, then $19.99/mo on dribbleup.com; App Store lists $16.99 or $19.99/mo and $119.00/yr |
| Spalding TF DNA (All-Surface or Legacy TF1000) | Makes, misses, swishes, shot arc, release time, spin rate and distance | A sensor inside the ball | iOS (see note) | $249.99 All-Surface or $299.99 Legacy TF1000, each with 1 year of membership | $124.99/yr after the first year (App Store) |
| SIQ Basketball | Makes, misses, release angle, spin rate and shot situation (App Store listing) | A sensor inside the ball | iOS | Not sold on siqbasketball.com, which now points to Spalding TF DNA | $8.99/mo Regular, $14.99/mo Pro, $6.99 SIQ Shooter (App Store) |
Spalding’s store says the TF DNA app is free on iOS and Android. We list iOS only because we couldn’t find a Google Play listing on October 17, 2026.
Data checked
Smart basketball apps
| App | Price as shown | Platforms | Last iOS update | Data checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spalding TF DNA | Ball $249.99 (TF DNA All-Surface) or $299.99 (Legacy TF1000), each with 1 year of membership (Spalding); after that, Annual Membership $124.99 (App Store) | iOS | Fresh | |
| DribbleUp | Free download; in-app: DribbleUp Membership $16.99 or $19.99, Annual $119.00 (App Store); needs DribbleUp smart equipment (Smart Basketball $29.99 on sale, list $59.99, at dribbleup.com) | iOS, Android | Fresh | |
| SIQ Basketball | In-app: Regular (1 Month) $8.99, Pro (1 Month) $14.99, SIQ Shooter $6.99 (App Store); needs an SIQ smart ball | iOS | Stale |
No smart ball needed: phone-camera trackers
| App | Price as shown | Platforms | Last iOS update | Data checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball AI | Website: Ball AI Pro $9.99/mo or $57.99/yr (3-day free trial on yearly), Family Plan $16.99/mo or $99.99/yr; App Store in-app purchases list $5.99-14.99 monthly and $39.99-57.99 yearly | iOS, Android | Fresh | |
| Shot Count - Basketball AI | Free download; in-app purchases $9.99 and $69.99 (App Store) | iOS | Fresh |
Picked by hand from the whole directory: every smart-ball app we list, plus two phone-camera apps that work with a normal ball. Price as shown is copied from each listing and was checked on the date in its row; the last-update column is the iOS App Store date. Ball prices in the text come from each maker's own store.
DribbleUp: best for dribbling classes
DribbleUp’s Smart Basketball comes in 28.5” and 29.5” sizes. Your phone or tablet camera follows the ball while a coach on screen runs the class. DribbleUp’s product page says “Membership separate” and lists unlimited classes free for 10 days, then $19.99 a month, for up to 6 household members. Families report real gains when kids use it most days, and some kids lose interest: read Is DribbleUp worth it? for nine real reports, or DribbleUp vs HomeCourt.
Spalding TF DNA: best for shooting data
Spalding says the ball “knows a shot from a dribble” and automatically tracks every attempt, makes, misses, swishes, shot arc, release time, spin rate and distance, with no camera setup. There are two covers with the same sensor, app and membership: the TF DNA All-Surface ($249.99, composite, indoor and outdoor) and the Legacy TF1000 ($299.99, microfiber, indoor hardwood). Both come with one year of membership and 30 days to send it back.
After year one, Spalding says the membership “is what keeps tracking, history and the programs running. The ball still works as a ball without it.” The App Store lists the Annual Membership at $124.99.
SIQ: check before buying
SIQ was a sensor ball whose app tracked makes, misses, release angle and spin. Today siqbasketball.com shows “SIQ is now Spalding TF DNA” and links to the Spalding ball. The SIQ Basketball app is still on the App Store, published by the same developer as the Spalding TF DNA app (SstatzZ Oy), but its last update was July 23, 2024, and it still lists monthly in-app purchases. If you already own an SIQ ball, check the app works on your phone before paying for a month. If you’re buying new, the Spalding TF DNA is the current product.
DribbleUp vs Spalding: head to head
- What they train: DribbleUp is built around ball-handling classes. Spalding TF DNA is built around shot data. If you want better handles, DribbleUp; if you want to fix your arc or release, Spalding.
- How they track: DribbleUp needs a phone or tablet camera pointed at you. Spalding’s sensor is inside the ball, so you can just shoot.
- Platforms: DribbleUp has iOS and Android listings. We found only an iOS listing for the Spalding TF DNA app.
- Up-front cost: DribbleUp’s ball was $29.99 on sale; Spalding’s starts at $249.99 but includes a year of membership.
Do you need a smart ball at all?
Not for shot tracking. Phone-camera apps like Ball AI and Shot Count count makes and misses with a normal basketball; Ball AI also reports release angle and release time, per its App Store listing. See every option in basketball shot tracking apps. For gym systems that mount above the rim, see what NOAH Basketball costs.
The hidden cost: subscriptions
Two-year cost at October 17, 2026 prices, before tax:
| Setup | Formula | 2-year total |
|---|---|---|
| DribbleUp, monthly membership | $29.99 + 24 × $19.99 (ignoring the 10 free days) | $509.75 |
| DribbleUp, annual membership (App Store price) | $29.99 + 2 × $119.00 | $267.99 |
| Spalding TF DNA All-Surface | $249.99 (year 1 included) + $124.99 | $374.98 |
| Spalding Legacy TF1000 | $299.99 (year 1 included) + $124.99 | $424.98 |
| SIQ, Regular monthly (ball not included) | 24 × $8.99 | $215.76 + a ball you already own |
Our arithmetic. DribbleUp’s ball price is a sale price; at $59.99, add $30.
FAQ
What is the best smart basketball? It depends on what you’re training. For ball-handling classes, DribbleUp. For shot data like arc, release time and spin, Spalding TF DNA. SIQ’s site now points to Spalding TF DNA, and the SIQ app hasn’t been updated since July 2024.
Is DribbleUp or Spalding TF DNA better? They do different jobs. DribbleUp uses your phone camera for guided dribbling classes and works on iOS and Android. Spalding TF DNA has a sensor in the ball that tracks shots automatically; we found only an iOS app listing.
Does Spalding TF DNA need a subscription? Yes, for tracking after the first year. The ball comes with one year of membership; after that, Spalding says membership keeps tracking, history and programs running, and the App Store lists it at $124.99 a year. The ball still works as a normal ball without it.
Is the SIQ basketball still supported? SIQ’s website now says “SIQ is now Spalding TF DNA”. The SIQ Basketball app is still on the App Store, but its last update was July 23, 2024.
Can you play real games with a smart basketball? Spalding calls the Legacy TF1000 an official game ball for indoor hardwood, and the TF DNA All-Surface handles asphalt and hardwood. Whether your league allows it is up to the league.
Are smart basketballs worth it? If the player will train with the app most days, often yes. Over two years, a DribbleUp setup costs about $268 to $510 and a Spalding TF DNA about $375 to $425 at today’s prices. If you only want makes and misses, a phone-camera app with a normal ball costs less.