Fitbits have been the most popular dedicated fitness trackers for years, but they aren‘t for everyone. Whether you want more advanced health sensors, better style options, longer battery life or simply an alternative ecosystem, there are plenty of other fitness wearables to consider.
After testing and researching dozens of models, here are my top recommendations for the best Fitbit alternatives on the market this year:
Best Overall: Garmin Venu 2 Plus
The Garmin Venu 2 Plus offers perhaps the most well-rounded combination of fitness tracking, health monitoring and smart features of any Fitbit alternative. It builds on Garmin‘s already impressive Venu lineup with additions like a speaker, microphone and Bluetooth calling support.
The Venu 2 Plus stands out from the Fitbit Versa and Sense with over 25 built-in sport modes, more advanced sleep tracking and Garmin‘s new "Body Battery" energy monitoring feature. You also get an always-on AMOLED display that is brighter and easier to read outdoors along with up to 9 days of battery life. The addition of the speaker and calling features do push this more into smartwatch territory compared to other Garmin models focused purely on health and fitness.
Key Features:
- Bright, color AMOLED display with always-on option
- Built-in GPS, HRM, SpO2 sensors
- 25+ preloaded sport apps & advanced sleep tracking
- Up to 9 days battery life (24 hours in GPS mode)
- Garmin Pay contactless payments
- Onboard music storage for playlists
- Speaker and microphone for Bluetooth calls
- Garmin‘s new Body Battery energy monitoring
Pros
- Excellent fitness & health tracking
- Long battery life
- High-resolution color display
- Extra smartwatch features like calling
Cons
- More expensive than most Fitbits
- Not as slim or lightweight as Versa
The Venu 2 Plus takes Garmin‘s already impressive lineup and adds some welcome smartwatch enhancements for one of the strongest all-around Fitbit alternatives you can buy today.
Best Budget: Amazfit Bip 3
If you want Fitbit-style fitness tracking at a more affordable price point, the Amazfit Bip 3 is your best bet. The latest edition of this popular budget fitness watch packs impressive specs like built-in GPS and Alexa support into a lightweight body with up to 14 days of battery life.
For under $100, you get a bright color display, heart rate tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, over 60 sport modes and 5 ATM water resistance. The Bip 3 also adds some handy smart features like weather forecasts, alarm reminders, stopwatch and breathing exercises. While not as advanced at tracking metrics like sleep or stress as premium Fitbits, it covers all the basics very well.
Key Features:
- Lightweight form factor at 31 grams
- 1.69” HD color display (240 x 280 px)
- Built-in GPS & GLONASS support
- Heart rate tracking & blood oxygen monitoring
- Over 60 sports modes
- Alexa built-in for voice controls
- 5ATM water resistance rating
- 14 day battery life (with typical usage)
Pros
- Excellent value & features for the price
- Long 2 week battery life
- GPS connectivity & Alexa support
- Vibrant, easy to read display
Cons
- Not as stylish of a design
- More basic fitness & sleep tracking
If you want a solid activity tracker under $100 that covers all the essential health metrics, the Amazfit Bip 3 gives you Fitbit-quality features without the price.
Best for Apple Users: Apple Watch Series 8
As you would expect, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers the best experience for iPhone users looking for a Fitbit alternative. It adds key sensors for body temperature and crash detection over the Series 7 along with an excellent suite of fitness tracking and health monitoring tools.
While more expensive than a comparable Fitbit, you get much tighter integration with iOS and Apple‘s health ecosystem. That includes an ECG app to monitor heart health along with support for Apple Fitness+. The always-on Retina display remains brilliantly sharp and vivid. And you still get excellent battery life around 18 hours.
If the price gap narrows during sales, the Apple Watch Series 8 makes for a compelling Fitbit alternative for iPhone owners who want deeper health insights and access to Apple‘s premium fitness network.
Key Features:
- Bright always-on Retina OLED display
- Crash detection and fall alerts
- Body temperature sensors
- Blood oxygen & ECG apps
- Sleep & menstrual cycle tracking
- 18 hour battery life w/ fast charging
- Tight integration with iOS notifications & apps
- Supports Apple Fitness+ network & trainers
Pros
- Slick design & bright, responsive display
- Very accurate fitness & health sensors
- Deep iOS integration & Apple ecosystem perks
- Access to Apple Fitness+ workouts & trainers
Cons
- Expensive compared to Fitbits
- Limited compatibility with Android
If you‘re deeply embedded in Apple‘s ecosystem, the Watch Series 8 offers richer insights into health metrics along with access to Apple Fitness+ workouts & trainers.
Best Wear OS: Google Pixel Watch
The Google Pixel Watch brings some unique advantages as a Fitbit alternative after Google‘s acquisition of the brand. It combines Fitbit‘s excellent activity tracking with the full power of Google‘s Wear OS smartwatch platform.
You get advanced health metrics from Fitbit like continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis and stress tracking wrapped up into Google‘s slick new circular watch design. There‘s also tight integration with apps like Google Maps plus Google Assistant and Google Wallet for contactless payments. Battery life is still a bit limiting at around 24 hours. But fast charging can get you from 0-50% in just 30 minutes.
For Android users who want a fitness-focused smartwatch experience, the Pixel Watch strikes a nice balance with Fitbit tracking and Google smarts.
Key Features:
- Circular domed Corning Gorilla Glass case
- Vibrant always-on AMOLED display
- Daily 24hr+ battery life (Extendable mode for multi-day)
- Fitbit sensors & activity/sleep tracking
- Integrated with Google Wallet, Maps, Assistant etc.
- Fast charging support (0-50% in 30 mins)
Pros
- Lightweight, comfortable curved design
- Vibrant and responsive display
- Tight integration with Google services
- Leading health metrics from Fitbit
Cons
- Only 24hr expected battery life
- More limited app support than Apple Watch
The Pixel Watch brings together the best of Fitbit and Google with accurate tracking and Wear OS capabilities perfect for Android users.
Best Advanced Health Tracking: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro stands out with its durable sapphire crystal display, titanium casing and much longer battery life up to 80 hours. It also packs an upgraded BioActive sensor suite that provides deeper insights into health metrics like body composition.
Beyond the rugged design, you get 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H water resistance and the ability to track over 90 different exercises including triathlons. There‘s even GPX support for importing hiking or biking routes. Samsung also bundles some unique advantages like detailed sleep tracking with REM cycles, real-time coaching to improve running form, and advanced calorie tracking.
If you want Fitbit-style tracking with more fitness focus and marathon-ready battery life, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a compelling alternative especially for Android users.
Key Features:
- Sapphire Crystal display with titanium casing
- BioActive Sensor for body composition etc.
- 80+ hour battery life
- Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM + IP68)
- Import GPX hike & bike routes
- Track running form & coaching in real-time
- Advanced sleep tracking with REM cycles
Pros
- Very rugged & durable design
- Much longer battery life
- More advanced health metrics
- Better water resistance rating
Cons
- Heavyweight at 46g
- Costs more than other Galaxy Watches
With extreme durability, richer health insights and up to 80 hours of battery life, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro stands out for fitness use cases.
How To Pick the Right Fitbit Alternative
When choosing the best Fitbit alternative, there are a few key factors to consider:
Your smartphone OS – If you use an iPhone, the Apple Watch provides the most seamless experience while Wear OS models like the Pixel Watch excel for Android users.
Fitness tracking needs – Assess which health metrics are most important to track (heart rate, sleep etc.) along with sport modes. More advanced watches like Garmin and Galaxy models have more metrics and workout profiles.
Style preferences – Most Fitbit alternatives come in square vs circular options now with different band materials. Make sure to choose a size and design profile that matches your personal tastes.
Budget – Fitbits span entry-level to premium models at $100 to $300 price points. Decide how much you want to spend as alternatives like Garmin range from budget to high-end.
Battery expectations – Battery life variations are huge from 12 hours on the Apple Watch up to 2 weeks with Amazfit models. Factor in your typical usage time vs charging availability.
Smartwatch extras – Some alternatives focus purely on health tracking while models like the Apple Watch and Pixel Watch add notifications, apps, mobile payments etc. Decide what mix of smartwatch capabilities matter most.
Final Thoughts on the Best Fitbit Alternatives
The Fitbit Versa and Sense lines have strongly defined the mainstream fitness tracker category. But the growing smartwatch space along with niche specialty trackers from Garmin now provide plenty of alternatives worth your consideration.
Choices that beat Fitbit with style, battery life, advanced health insights and tight ecosystem integration depending on your needs. Hopefully the recommendations and advice in this guide gave you a better idea of the best Fitbit alternative for your personal activity tracking needs in 2023.
