Whoop vs. Fitbit, From A Certified Personal Trainer — Which Is Better?

Tracking your every step, heartbeat, and minute of sleep may seem like overkill to some. But for me (a certified strength and conditioning specialist, personal trainer, and fitness-tech lover), this data is a gold mine of information. Sleep in particular was always elusive for me, so the ability to track how the quality and quantity of my rest fluctuates is priceless. In testing the best wearable devices, I've learned a lot about the differences between Whoop and Fitbit.

Whoop is designed to be worn at all times to continuously collect data about your movement and recovery. The device is screenless and button-free, without notifications (except for an optional morning haptic alarm). It's lightweight and small enough to be almost unnoticeable. The knit-like band is super flexible and stretchy, making the device easy to wear during any activity or sleep. 

The Whoop 4.0 uses five LEDs and four photodiodes to pick up your vitals, including heart rate and skin temperature. These bits of physical feedback monitor changes in heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen levels, resting heart rate, sleep stages, and how intensely you exercise. The app gathers this data to help inform science-backed recommendations and reports on how you are recovering from daily stressors and activity.

Using the Whoop app is easy but can be a tad overwhelming due to the sheer amount of data to sift through. You'll find detailed sleep metrics, recovery data, menstrual cycle, calorie burn, strain, and more. Your experience will be tailored to your individual goal, such as maximizing your performance or increasing your overall activity levels. 

In the app, graphs, charts, and daily reports will suggest optimizing your routines for better recovery. A daily journal allows you to monitor how variables such as medication, stressful events, exercise, and social connection time affect your health.

The app also has built-in coaching. With this feature turned on, you'll get prompts suggesting the ideal routines for your goals, such as recommended bedtimes and how hard to push during your next training session. There's also a variety of workout plans and educational content available.

The Whoop 4.0 requires membership for the full experience, but the basic black wristband and tracker are included for free with your membership. You can choose from monthly, annual, and 24-month plans, which start at $40 per month, $319 annually, or $539 for 24 months. If you choose to pay monthly, a 12-month commitment is necessary. 

Whoop offers a $0 upfront commitment for the device with a paid membership. You can try the band and app for 30 days to see if it's a good fit, so it's a very low-risk investment. If you like using the Whoop and want to continue paying for the membership, you'll likely find there is even more to gain from it.

I find the most value in the coaching and recommendations my Whoop membership provides. Specifically, I've benefited a ton from Whoop's suggestions for adjusting my sleep and training intensities based on how I recover over time. 

My quantity and quality of sleep have improved, which is a massive leap for me. After all, better sleep is the key to my ability to train, work, and function as a parent and partner. 

As a very active person who tends to push my limits, the detailed coaching is particularly useful. Athletes and active individuals have a lot to gain from the trends revealed by Whoop data.

Jarrod Nobbe, M.A., CSCS, weightlifting and sports performance coach, owns a Whoop and Fitbit and notes that he likes the Whoop band specifically for tracking and assessments. "There is a reason why the Whoop band is becoming a favorite among professional athletes, but the Whoop band is geared more toward recovery feedback than the Fitbit and might be more suited for the fully invested fitness fanatic and athletes," he says.

Nobbe recommends the Whoop band to the athletes he coaches or to anyone who is fully invested in their fitness and health and who enjoys analyzing data. He says the data allows for a better training plan based on that particular day's readiness level, allowing auto-regulation of training to take place effectively. 

The Fitbit Charge 5 tracks heart rate variability, sleep quality, blood oxygen levels, readiness, and recovery. Every Fitbit has a display screen that doubles as a watch and allows you to see primary data throughout the day. The screen shows metrics such as current heart rate, step count, active minutes, and even phone notifications. 

Unlike other Fitbit versions, the Charge 5 has no buttons. To activate the screen or switch between displays, you'll simply tap the sides or top. You'll also use taps to choose and track exercise sessions, check stats, set alarms and timers, complete stress reduction sessions, or measure your heart rhythm.

The Charge 5 utilizes an accelerometer to track movement, with red and infrared sensors to detect oxygen saturation. The device also detects skin temperature and has electrical sensors for electrocardiogram heart rhythm measurements.

The Fitbit Charge 5 costs $149, and the Premium membership costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 annually. Premium memberships provide additional features and access to partnered content from Obe, Calm, Les Mills, and other similar platforms.

The Fitbit app is free with any device, but some features and programs (such as your daily readiness score, fitness and nutrition plans, and in-depth sleep and stress insights) are only included in paid Premium memberships. 

Fitbit devices are top sellers for a reason. They are user-friendly, straightforward, and easily customizable with various band styles and colors. The Charge 5 is a mid- to low-priced option and is a durable, functional device that can boost motivation and help you make informed decisions about your health and habits.

I've owned and used my Fitbit Charge 5 for about three years and have no complaints. I feel the investment was worth it. While I did have a Premium membership for a while, I am content with the information provided by the free version of the app. If you are looking for a tracker for essential health and wellness insights, you can't go wrong with the Charge 5. 

Nobbe says the Fitbit Charge 5 is more interactive and easier to use than the Whoop. He uses his Fitbit to provide immediate feedback and daily maintenance when performing daily tasks or training. He also favors his Fitbit when training for mountain bike races since he can link it with Strava to get excellent details about time splits, exertion levels, and time trial PRs.