Fitbit vs smartwatch (which offers the best fitness apps and ecosystem)

[daweakling]

I was recently looking into purchasing either a Fitbit Charge 2 or LG Watch Sport or Samsung Gear S3 Frontier. 

 

Now I know you can do so so much more on a smartwatch than a Fitbit, but I am worried about the experience using it as a fitness tracker. 

 

Fitbit does very well with tracking your steps, heart rate, and movement constantly. I wonder if there is a good smartwatch alternative app that does the same. I know Samsung Health is very good and they are introducing many features. Like they recently introduced active heart rate monitoring last month. 

 

What would you guys recommend? Does the smartwatch ecosystem offer good fitness options? I know many people stand truly by Fitbits features and app but I feel like Samsung Health can kick its butt. 

[dizmo]

Have you looked into the Fitbit Ionic? I haven't, but it's supposed to blend both worlds. It should also get battery life that's a lot better than most full fledged smartwatches.

[Commodus]

3 hours ago, sebastiansulb said:

I was recently looking into purchasing either a Fitbit Charge 2 or LG Watch Sport or Samsung Gear S3 Frontier. 

 

Now I know you can do so so much more on a smartwatch than a Fitbit, but I am worried about the experience using it as a fitness tracker. 

 

Fitbit does very well with tracking your steps, heart rate, and movement constantly. I wonder if there is a good smartwatch alternative app that does the same. I know Samsung Health is very good and they are introducing many features. Like they recently introduced active heart rate monitoring last month. 

 

What would you guys recommend? Does the smartwatch ecosystem offer good fitness options? I know many people stand truly by Fitbits features and app but I feel like Samsung Health can kick its butt. 

I'd personally go with a smartwatch, most likely the Gear S3 (more on that in a bit).  I use an Apple Watch Series 3 myself but am familiar with the other options.

 

Fitness trackers can be more accurate than smartwatches, but that's debatable with a Fitbit... and more importantly, you get more flexibility and utility out of a smartwatch.  You're not completely locked into one company's fitness software, and you'll have a device that gives you more reasons to look than to check your step count or heart rate.  I use my watch for email alerts (is that work email really worth pulling out my phone?), music, weather, even just finding out when the next bus or train is due to arrive.

 

I give the nod to the Gear S3 because Android Wear feels... compromised right now.  Google's app ecosystem is wider than Samsung's, but Android Wear has the one-two combo of an imperfect interface and lackluster hardware.  The S3 has its quirks, but it's arguably easier to navigate, has a nicer hardware design than the LG Watch Sport and offers enough app choice.