In the world of wearables, the debate of Apple Watch vs Fitbit has always stood out. Both have a ton of features to help you track your fitness, monitor your health and stay connected.
But which one is for you? In this comparison we’ll go deep into the pros and cons of Fitbit and Apple Watch so you can make an informed decision on your next wearable purchase.
Design and Hardware
Apple Watch: Sleek
The Apple Watch is an icon in the smartwatch world, known for its sleek rectangular design with rounded corners. It comes in aluminum, stainless steel and titanium and looks premium.
The digital crown and side button make navigation easy and the bright and crisp Retina display makes information easy to read even in sunlight.
Fitbit: Options for Every Style
Fitbit has more options than ever, from slim fitness bands like the Charge series to smartwatch style devices like the Versa and Sense. This means you can choose a device that fits your lifestyle and style.
While not as premium looking as the Apple Watch, Fitbit devices often have longer battery life and are generally more affordable.
Fitness and Health Tracking
Apple Watch: Full Health Suite
The Apple Watch is great at health and fitness tracking:
Heart rate monitoring
ECG (on newer models)
Blood oxygen monitoring
Fall detection
Noise level monitoring
Menstrual cycle tracking
Sleep tracking
Apple’s Activity Rings make it easy to track daily movement, exercise and standing time. The Workout app supports many activities from running and cycling to swimming and yoga.
Fitbit: Fitness and Sleep Tracking
Fitbit devices are fitness first:
Step tracking
Heart rate monitoring
Sleep tracking
Menstrual health tracking
Stress tracking (on some models)
SpO2 tracking (on some models)
Fitbit’s app gives you detailed insights into your fitness trends, sleep patterns and overall health. Active Zone Minutes encourages you to get your heart rate up throughout the week.
Smart Features and Apps
Apple Watch: A Real Smartwatch
The Apple Watch is a full smartwatch experience:
Cellular (on some models)
Apple Pay
Siri
App Store with thousands of third-party apps
Make and receive calls and texts
Music storage
The tight integration with your iPhone makes the Apple Watch an extension of your phone, with seamless notifications and interactions.
Fitbit: Fitness first with Smart features
While Fitbit devices have become more smart, they’re still fitness trackers first. Depending on the model you may get:
Basic phone notifications
Fitbit Pay (on some models)
Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (on newer models)
Limited third-party app support
Music controls and storage (on some models)
The smart features on Fitbit devices are more basic than the Apple Watch but cover the essentials for fitness enthusiasts.
Battery Life
Apple Watch: Daily Charge Required
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Apple Watch is the battery life. Most models need daily charging, especially if you’re using GPS or cellular. You can expect around 18 hours of battery life so nightly charging is usually required.
Fitbit: Long Lasting Power
Fitbit devices have much better battery life. Depending on the model you can expect:
4-7 days for smartwatch style devices like the Versa and Sense
Up to 10 days for fitness bands like the Charge series
This longer battery life means less charging and you can use sleep tracking without worrying about running out of power.
Ecosystem and Compatibility
Apple Watch: iOS Only
The Apple Watch is iOS only. This tight integration is great for iOS users but excluded Android users. If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem the Apple Watch offers the best integration with your other Apple devices and services.
Fitbit: Cross Platform
Fitbit devices work with both iOS and Android phones, making them a more flexible option for users who switch between platforms or use Android devices. The Fitbit app is available on both platforms so you get the same experience no matter what phone you use.
Price
Apple Watch Series 8: Premium
Apple Watches are premium priced:
Apple Watch SE: $279
Apple Watch Series 8: $399
Apple Watch Ultra: $799
These prices go up with cellular models, larger sizes or premium materials like stainless steel or titanium.
Fitbit: More Options
Fitbit has more price points:
Fitbit Inspire 2: $99.95
Fitbit Charge 5: $149.95
Fitbit Versa 4: $229.95
Fitbit Sense 2: $299.95
You can choose a device that fits your budget and still get good fitness tracking.
Ultimately the choice between a Fitbit and an Apple Watch comes down to you. Here are the key points:
Choose Apple Watch if:
You’re an iPhone user and want iOS integration
You want a full smartwatch experience
You want advanced health features like ECG and fall detection
You don’t mind daily charging
You’re willing to pay premium
Choose Fitbit if:
You want a fitness tracker with some smart features
Battery life is your top priority
You use Android devices or switch between iOS and Android
You want a more affordable option
You want more design options
Conclusion
Both Fitbit and Apple Watch are great for health and fitness enthusiasts. The Apple Watch is a full smartwatch with tight iOS integration, Fitbit has longer battery life and fitness tracking at a lower price point.
If you’re an iPhone user and want a do-it-all smartwatch and are willing to pay premium the Apple Watch is hard to beat.
But if you’re primarily a fitness tracker, want longer battery life or use Android devices a Fitbit might be the way to go.
