Apple Fitness+ vs Strava
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top fitness apps picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Apple Fitness+
Ranked #3 of 14 in this directory
Studio-style workouts powered by your Apple Watch metrics
Strava
Ranked #8 of 14 in this directory
The social network for athletes who run, ride, and swim
Our pick: Apple Fitness+. Our editors rank Apple Fitness+ higher overall in Fitness Apps — but Strava can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Apple Fitness+ | Strava | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Workout Training | Running Cardio |
| Editorial rank | #3 of 14 | #8 of 14 |
Strengths
Apple Fitness+
- ✓Real-time Apple Watch metrics displayed on screen during workouts
- ✓High production quality with diverse and engaging trainers
- ✓Seamless integration across iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV
- ✓Activity ring closing and milestone celebrations add motivation
- ✓SharePlay allows working out with friends remotely
Strava
- ✓Largest social network for runners and cyclists with millions of active users
- ✓Segment leaderboards add competitive motivation to everyday routes
- ✓Syncs with virtually every GPS watch and fitness device on the market
- ✓Route discovery features help find popular running and cycling paths
- ✓Beacon live location sharing adds a safety layer for solo activities
Watch out for
Apple Fitness+
- !Requires Apple Watch, excluding Android and non-Apple users entirely
- !Monthly subscription at $9.99 or included in Apple One Premier bundle
- !No live classes, all content is pre-recorded
- !Workout variety is growing but smaller than Peloton's library
Strava
- !Many analytical features locked behind the $11.99/month subscription
- !Free tier has become increasingly limited over recent years
- !Segment competition can encourage unsafe road behavior for KOM hunting
- !Battery drain during GPS tracking on longer activities
Best use cases
Apple Fitness+
- →Watch your Apple Watch metrics in real-time during a 30-minute cycling workout on Apple TV
- →Complete the Time to Walk guided walking audio series during daily walks
- →Use SharePlay to do a HIIT workout simultaneously with a friend across the country
Strava
- →Track your weekly running mileage and compete on local segment leaderboards
- →Use the route builder to plan a scenic 50-mile cycling route on quiet roads
- →Share your Beacon location with a partner during early morning solo runs
About each tool
Apple Fitness+
Apple Fitness+ delivers studio-quality workout videos that integrate real-time metrics from Apple Watch directly on screen. Users see their heart rate, calories burned, and activity rings closing during workouts displayed on iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. The service covers HIIT, strength, yoga, Pilates, cycling, rowing, dance, and meditation with new workouts added weekly. The Apple Watch integration creates a uniquely personalized and motivating experience.
Strava
Strava is the dominant social fitness platform for runners and cyclists, combining GPS activity tracking with a competitive social network. Users record runs, rides, swims, and dozens of other activities while competing on segment leaderboards, joining challenges, and following friends. Strava's social features transform solo workouts into shared experiences, and the premium tier adds training analysis, route planning, and safety features like Beacon live location sharing.
Still deciding? Browse all 14 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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