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This is a basic comparison of Fitbit vs. Garmin at the brand level, so you know what types of devices each offers and what their apps and subscriptions include. This way, you can evaluate the entire ecosystem beyond a specific product you might want to buy from one of these brands.
This article will first explain what kind of products each brand sells so you can get an idea of their hardware ecosystem. Then, it will detail what their official apps offer, and finally, it will explain their payment plans.
Differences in Their Catalogs
Google bought Fitbit several years ago. It currently focuses on sports bands, although it also has smartwatches. In Google’s catalog, if you’re looking for smartwatches, you have the Pixel Watch (check out our Galaxy Watch6 vs. Pixel Watch 2 comparison), Fitbit Sense, and Versa, and in activity bands, only the Fitbit.
Still, even the brand’s smartwatches focus on health and fitness, with options like stress management, sleep tracking, an electrocardiogram and heart rate sensor, and plenty of exercise options for your workouts. The bands also focus on training and heart rate.
Garmin, on the other hand, has a vast and varied catalog with all kinds of devices. The main ones are smartwatches and sports wristbands, but there are also handheld GPS devices, chest heart rate monitors, and cycling computers.
The watch section includes models for various needs, from general-purpose watches to those designed for specific sports. There’s even a model for golf with special sensors. Other models cater to running, triathlons, marathons, swimming, adventure, diving, and more.
In terms of devices, Fitbit has a more generic catalog, while Garmin has a more specialized one. However, both brands focus on sports and fitness when designing their products. They have their own operating systems (OS) and integrated apps.
What Their Apps Offer
On the apps and OS front, Fitbit integrates with Google Apps, so all your data syncs to any phone where you have it installed. The free Fitbit app provides a daily readiness score indicating whether your body is ready to work out or needs rest. It includes a workout library.
You can set goals, monitor activity such as steps and distance traveled, and receive hourly reminders to move. It also offers heart rate monitoring, metrics like calories burned or minutes in the active zone while exercising, sleep tracking and scoring, weight tracking, and, on some devices, skin temperature monitoring.
Other options include tracking food and water intake, women’s health monitoring, and blood glucose tracking. Premium plan users gain access to additional features, such as personalized sleep analysis, mindfulness sessions, and more.
Garmin has many devices and multiple apps. Its primary mobile app, Garmin Connect, allows you to view data collected by your watches, scales, GPS, and other devices on Android or iOS.
This app lets you customize the layout with the metrics that matter most to you. It has a Featured section displaying key stats, including sleep, body energy monitoring, and training status. The At A Glance section provides a detailed view of various metrics.
Additional features include social tools to connect with friends, guided workouts, a gamification system with medals for motivation, challenges to compete with others, and the ability to create shareable stories with photos and data overlays. The app also includes trails for mountain routes, animated exercises, and personalized sessions.
Subscriptions
Fitbit Premium is a fitness subscription designed to help users reach their goals more efficiently. It costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 annually, with a 90-day free trial available.
Garmin offers more than a dozen subscription plans. Options include tracking your dog with a compatible device, maps and charts for boats, search and rescue services, additional SOS insurance, and plans for storing video clips, indoor workouts, golf data, and outdoor route maps.
Each subscription has a different price depending on the device and desired features. The catalog is extensive, with both monthly and annual plans available. Garmin’s subscription webpage provides details on the full catalog and compatible devices.
Images | Fitbit | Garmin
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