Whoop vs. Fitbit: Which Fitness Tracker Is Better?

Activity Tracking 

Winner: Fitbit

Both the Inspire 3 and the Whoop 4.0 list automatic exercise tracking as a feature, which means each wearable should be able to detect when you’re working out without you having to log every sweat session manually in the app. While this feature worked during both tests, we found that the Fitbit was faster and more accurate, even recording short walks just a few minutes after they ended. On the other hand, the Whoop was slower and only detected longer workout classes, like yoga, sometimes as much as 1 hour after we completed them. 

After a workout, both the Inspire 3 and the Whoop 4.0 break the activity down into various statistics. The Whoop’s Strain Score lets you know when your body is ready to push harder in the gym and when it needs to rest, while Fitbit’s Zone Minutes track how long you spent in certain cardio, fat burn, or optimal heart rate zones. Whoop Live can even add real-time data on top of videos of you exercising, so you can watch how your body reacted during training. 

Although Whoop’s activity tracking is more thorough—with high-tech features—we liked that Fitbit’s Inspire 3 was quicker to automatically track our workouts. It’s also worth noting that, unlike the Inspire 3, the Whoop 4.0 does not monitor your daily step count. This feature is available with all Fitbit models (and with many other best-in-class fitness trackers), so we were disappointed to find that the Whoop doesn’t have it. With all of this in mind, Fitbit earned our vote in this category for its speed and convenience. 

Health and Sleep Tracking 

Winner: Whoop

Most Fitbit and Whoop features are dedicated to recording and processing your health data. Both bands track your blood oxygen, resting heart rate, skin temperature, menstrual cycle, and more. Where they differ is in how they package these insights in their apps. 

The Whoop breaks your numbers down into weekly and monthly trends, creating Performance Assessments every Monday that analyze your performance compared to the previous week, and provide specific recommendations for future sessions. For example, if we stayed up late and recorded a few alcoholic drinks using the in-app journaling feature, the Whoop might recommend we take it easy and go to bed earlier the next day. 

The Fitbit app is not as specific as Whoop’s. While you can customize which insights the app shows you, none are as detailed. For instance, while Fitbit does track weekly activity trends, it doesn’t offer personalized coaching. However, it’s worth noting that Fitbit does offer mindfulness exercises and strategy recommendations, while the Whoop doesn’t offer mindfulness recommendations at all. 

When it comes to sleep, both trackers are fairly similar. They record when you fall asleep, when you wake up, how long you slept, and how long you spent in each sleep stage (awake, REM, light, and deep). Both trackers also have silent vibrating alarms, which we appreciated when compared to the noisy alarms on our smartphones. We found this also encouraged us to move our phones out of our bedrooms at night, which can help improve sleep quality. The one feature that sets the Whoop apart is that it also recommends an optimal time for you to go to bed each night—although we noticed that the suggestions were sometimes unrealistic, with suggested bedtimes as early as 7:30 p.m.

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that offers the most detailed health tracking, the Whoop is our top pick. When it comes to sleep tracking, the Inspire 3’s simpler insights may have a slight advantage, but it was not enough to nudge out the Whoop for this category 

Accuracy

Winner: Fitbit

When a fitness tracker isn’t accurate, its recommendations do not reflect what’s best for you and your body. During testing, we paid close attention to each tracker’s metrics to make sure they matched our daily activity levels. 

Right away, we realized it would be harder to determine the Whoop’s accuracy because of the statistics it tracks. The Whoop doesn’t count steps, and because it relies on other metrics that aren’t as easily trackable without the help of an external device, like calories burned, it doesn’t provide many numbers that we could actually verify. But we did notice that it accurately logged how long we worked out for. And, the sleep tracking feature was also mostly correct, with just a few minutes difference from our actual sleep schedules on most days. 

On the other hand, the Inspire 3 tracked our sleep schedules down to the minute, but we found that the step counter could be overly sensitive. Sometimes, the tracker recorded activities like making the bed as extra steps, slightly skewing our results. The difference was less than 100 steps each day, so we thought this was a fair trade-off for the Fitbit’s other features. 

Although it was close, Fitbit’s Inspire 3 sleep tracking was more precise, earning it the win in this category. 

Ease of Setup

Winner: Fitbit

After opening the box, both trackers required a basic setup process before we could begin wearing them. Each band also needed to be fully charged, and we had to download the Fitbit and Whoop apps—both of which didn’t take long. 

That said, Fitbit’s setup process was much more intuitive. The device did most of the work for us, and connecting the band to our phone was simple. Creating a Fitbit account also didn’t take long, and the app automatically activated our free, six-month Fitbit Premium membership. We also liked how easy it was to navigate around the app for the first time. 

Setting up the Whoop was more complicated because it took us a few tries to get the band to connect with our phone. The app is also much more involved, with many sections and pages to categorize all of the tracker’s data. 

But it’s worth noting that the Whoop automatically connected to the Apple Health app, while Fitbit doesn’t integrate with any other apps. Even so, we preferred Fitbit’s more seamless setup, which won out again over the Whoop for this category. 

Ease of Use 

Winner: Fitbit

The best fitness tracker for you should be a seamless addition to your workout routine that’s easy to use. Both the Inspire 3 and the Whoop eventually fit into our daily routines, but they had very different learning curves. 

The Whoop required more time and energy upfront. We had to commit to learning the ins and outs of the app and how to use the tracker’s tech-forward features. It collects lots of metrics and categorizes them using a dictionary of Whoop-specific terms, like Strain, Sleep, and Recovery Scores, Personal Assessments, a Health Monitor, and more. We noticed that it took two weeks to feel comfortable using the app—and even then, some of the Whoop’s personalized coaching still hadn’t taken effect yet because the tracker hadn’t collected enough data. 

Conversely, Fitbit’s app is simpler, with a design that’s easier to read and insights that are more intuitive. During the first few days, the app walks you through what all of its scores and analyses mean. We preferred these tips over the few pointers that popped up in the Whoop app. 

The physical Fitbit tracker is also easier to use. It has a touchscreen that shows you all of your metrics at a glance. This is a great feature, especially if you prefer something more hands-free. The Whoop’s screen-free design, on the other hand, meant that we had to pull our phones out every time we wanted to check our progress. 

It’s also worth noting that you can conveniently charge the Whoop while you wear it using the included battery pack, while the Fitbit can’t be charged while in use. But we still found that Fitbit’s user experience was better designed and easier to use for the average person, earning it another win for this category. 

Design and Comfort

Winner: Fitbit

If your fitness tracker isn’t comfortable, you won’t want to wear it—especially while you sleep. A tracker’s design also plays into how it feels on your wrist, so we paid close attention to each band’s size, shape, and weight. 

When it came to physical comfort, both bands were similar. They are lightweight, flexible, and water-resistant. The Fitbit’s silicone strap and small screen made it so comfortable that it was easy for us to forget we were wearing it. And while the Whoop band is wider, its thin fabric also contributed to a barely-there feel. However, we found that the Whoop’s width wasn’t as comfortable when sleeping.

When looking at the physical bands, you will find one main primary difference—the screen. The Inspire 3 has a small, low-profile touchscreen that allowed us to keep track of our statistics in real-time, set alarms, and check text notifications. The Whoop, on the other hand, has a screen-free design that required us to use the app more often to monitor our progress. This can be a challenge if you are looking for something more hands-free.

We also noted some important differences in the clasps. The Fitbit uses a standard buckle, like a wristwatch, which makes it easy to use and secure. Meanwhile, Whoop has its own locking mechanism, which took us more than a few tries to figure out. We also noticed that the Whoop was harder to put on and take off with one hand. Plus, the tracker even fell off twice when the clasp wasn’t exactly lined up, increasing the likelihood of losing it on a run or when you are particularly active. 

Whether you like having a screen or not comes down to personal preference. But given the Fitbit’s smaller size and simpler buckle, we found that it outperformed the Whoop in both design and comfort. 

Compatibility

Winner: Whoop

When considering compatibility, it is important to consider which phones and apps your fitness tracker can connect to. We like that both the Fitbit and the Whoop are compatible with iOS and Android smartphones. But what sets Whoop apart from Fitbit is that it can be linked to your Apple Health profile. 

Because of this Apple Health integration, we felt that Whoop edged out the Inspire 3 in this category. But it is worth noting that we don’t consider this feature a dealbreaker unless you’re already dedicated to tracking your data in the Apple Health app. But because the Whoop offers Apple Health integration, it gets the win over the Inspire 3 for this category. 

Battery Life

Winner: Fitbit

Overall, fitness trackers have a battery life that lasts anywhere from two days to two weeks. The Whoop lasts up to five days on a single charge, which is pretty average based on its competitors. But, the Inspire 3 lasts twice as long, going up to 10 days between charges. 

While both may sound like a long time, we definitely noticed a difference in how often we charged each band. The Inspire 3’s battery life felt more convenient. However, we like that you can charge the Whoop while you wear it—even in the shower, according to the brand’s website. 

While it is definitely convenient to charge the Whoop while wearing it, we still preferred the Fitbit’s longer battery life for our busy schedules, earning the Inspire 3 yet another win. 

Water Resistance

Winner: Fitbit

Because neither fitness tracker is fully waterproof, we don’t recommend submerging them in water for long periods of time. That said, if water resistance is important to you, it is worth noting that the Whoop 4.0 is water-resistant up to 10 meters, while Fitbit’s Inspire 3 is water-resistant up to 50 meters. The Inspire 3 is also swim-proof, meaning you can wear it in the lake or while swimming laps. 

We also loved that both trackers were durable enough to wear while washing the dishes, without worrying about them getting wet. But if you need a fitness tracker to log laps in the pool, we suggest the Fitbit, because it’s more water-resistant than the Whoop. 

Membership Subscription

Winner: Fitbit

One of the biggest drawbacks to the Whoop 4.0 is that you can’t use it without purchasing a Whoop membership. When purchasing a tracker through Whoop’s website, you will be prompted to pick a subscription type after customizing your band. While there are a few payment options, each plan is fairly expensive.

Most Fitbits come with a free, six-month subscription to Fitbit Premium, which gives you access to additional tracking features, including an in-depth Sleep Profile, a Daily Readiness Score, and more. But after your trial ends, you can continue receiving insights from your Fitbit even if you decide not to purchase a membership.

Considering that the Inspire 3 can be used with or without a membership—and that Fitbit Premium costs much less than a Whoop Membership —we voted for Fitbit once again for this category. 

Device Cost 

Winner: Fitbit

When we published this review, Fitbit’s Inspire 3 was priced at around $100. If you’re considering investing in another Fitbit model, you can expect to spend between $80 and $300. On top of that, Fitbit’s Premium membership costs $10 per month, or $80 up front for a one-year subscription. Meanwhile, the Whoop 4.0 starts at $49 (price varies depending on the band color and clasp finish you pick). Membership options include $30 per month for a one-year commitment, $300 up front for one year, or $480 for two years, with commitment to a one-year membership required upon purchase of the device. 

In terms of additional costs, spare Fitbit bands can be purchased for anywhere from $30 to $100 and Whoop bands are priced between $50 and $90. You can also pick up accessories that allow you to wear the Whoop on your bicep instead of your wrist for around $70. 

Because the Whoop cannot be used without the purchase of a one-year membership, it’s significantly more expensive than the Inspire 3—leading us to favor Fitbit once again. 

GPS

Winner: Fitbit

Certain fitness trackers have GPS features that can show you your exact route on a map while walking or running. The Whoop 4.0 doesn’t have built-in GPS, but it can measure how far you’ve traveled. 

The Inspire 3 also doesn’t have built-in GPS. However, it can connect to your smartphone’s GPS to show your pace and distance traveled. Other Fitbit models, like the Charge 5 and the Versa 4, do have built-in GPS if this is important to you. We chose Fitbit over Whoop again in this category, because the Inspire 3 could use the location data from our smartphones as a way to track distance traveled and route. 

Extra Features

Winner: Whoop

The Fitbit Inspire 3 has a leg up on the Whoop when it comes to features like water resistance and mindfulness exercises. But when looking at each app, it was clear to us that Whoop’s app offers tons of other features that go far beyond Fitbit’s capabilities. 

One of our favorite Whoop features was the Journal. First, we chose customizable categories that matched our daily routines, like caffeine consumption, commutes to work, and how hydrated we were. (The app offers hundreds of options, so it’s easy to find some that are relevant to your lifestyle.) 

Then, we logged our yes or no journal answers daily to help the Whoop provide better tips. For example, if we told the Whoop we worked from home, it factored our response into our Strain Score and let us know we were ready for a more intense workout the next day. 

In the Whoop app, you can also set goals that customize your coaching recommendations even further. There’s a Pregnancy Coaching setting to help you navigate through all three trimesters, and it even links to the Whoop store directly in the app. Although it’s more expensive than the Fitbit, the Whoop 4.0 definitely offers more features for the price, making it the clear winner in this category. 

Why Trust Verywell Fit

With more than two decades of dance experience, Sarah Felbin loves diving into the latest wellness research. As a health and fitness writer, she's passionate about finding products that are of great value and make life easier. After testing both the Whoop 4.0 and the Fitbit Inspire 3, she now wears her Fitbit every day to track her workouts, heart rate, sleep, and more.