Last updated on May 13th, 2025 at 05:40 am
When it comes to choosing the right fitness tracker, Fitbit Versa and Garmin smartwatches are two major contenders. Both brands have earned a strong reputation for producing reliable, user-friendly devices designed to help you live a healthier, more active lifestyle.
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll break down the strengths, features, and use cases of both Fitbit and Garmin. Whether you’re a beginner in the fitness world or a seasoned athlete, this guide will help you decide which tracker suits your needs.
Fitbit Versa vs Garmin: A Brand Showdown
Fitbit and Garmin are two of the most trusted names in fitness wearables. Fitbit, known for its sleek design and intuitive app, is great for everyday users. Garmin, on the other hand, offers more in-depth analytics and is often the go-to for athletes and outdoor adventurers.
If you’re searching for an affordable fitness tracker with GPS or a device focused on stress monitoring, both brands have solid options. But which one gives you the best value for your health journey?
Let’s dive into the detailed comparison.
What Fitness Tracker Is Better Than Fitbit?
While Fitbit is widely popular, many users are exploring alternatives. If you’re a runner or triathlete, you might want a Fitbit alternative for runners—and that’s where Garmin, Polar Grit X, and Coros Apex come in.
Garmin stands out because of its multi-sport capabilities, GPS accuracy, and durable hardware. For example, the Garmin Forerunner and Vivosmart series are specifically designed for outdoor and endurance athletes, offering features beyond standard fitness tracking.
If you’re looking for a device that tracks more than just steps and calories, Garmin could be a smart upgrade.
Garmin vs Fitbit: App Experience
Fitbit App Experience
The Fitbit app is known for its clean interface and ease of use. It allows you to track:
- Daily steps
- Calories burned
- Sleep stages
- Heart rate trends
- Menstrual health (for women)
You can also integrate third-party apps and use Fitbit Premium for guided workouts and personalized health insights. It’s an ideal companion for someone who needs a simple fitness tracker for beginners.
Garmin App Experience
Garmin’s Connect app is more comprehensive and targeted toward performance metrics. It can be synced to your PC for detailed workout analysis and connects to the Garmin Connect IQ Store for customizable watch faces and additional features.
If you’re training for a marathon, Garmin’s app offers coaching plans, pace tracking, and recovery time estimation—perfect for serious athletes who want deeper insights.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Garmin vs Fitbit
Fitbit Versa provides 24/7 heart rate monitoring, making it a solid choice for everyday health tracking. However, if you’re looking for the best smartwatch for heart monitoring, Garmin takes it to another level.
Garmin includes ECG-like sensors in select models and uses medical-grade technology to deliver more precise readings, especially useful for individuals with heart conditions.
Fitbit Charge HR vs Garmin Vivosmart:
- Fitbit: Great for casual users who want to track heart health throughout the day.
- Garmin: Better for performance athletes who need in-depth cardiac insights.
Stress Tracking: Fitbit vs Garmin
Stress is an invisible enemy, but both brands offer tools to help manage it.
- Fitbit uses its EDA sensor (Electrodermal Activity) and HRV (Heart Rate Variability) metrics to track your stress levels and offer guided breathing sessions.
- Garmin tracks stress using heart rate trends and activity levels, then provides recovery suggestions based on physical strain.
If you’re searching for a stress monitoring smartwatch that goes deeper than simple notifications, Garmin gives you more actionable data.
GPS Accuracy: Which One Leads?
While the Fitbit Versa does offer GPS tracking, it often relies on your phone’s GPS (in some models), which can be limiting.
In contrast, Garmin provides built-in GPS in most of its fitness watches, making it a better choice for runners, hikers, and cyclists who want accuracy and independence from their smartphones.
For users looking for an affordable fitness tracker with GPS, models like the Garmin Forerunner 45 or Garmin Vivosmart 4 deliver impressive performance without breaking the bank.
Sleep and Swim Tracking: Fitbit vs Garmin
Both Fitbit and Garmin do a good job tracking sleep, but the approach differs slightly.
- Fitbit uses its Sleep Score system to evaluate your rest based on REM, light, and deep sleep stages. It also tracks movement during the night and can detect potential sleep issues.
- Garmin tracks sleep stages and also integrates blood oxygen levels for a deeper analysis, making it a solid fitness tracker for sleep tracking.
When it comes to swimming, Garmin takes the lead with water resistance ratings of up to 5 ATM and the ability to track swimming laps, stroke type, and SWOLF score. Fitbit can track basic swim metrics but lacks the advanced swim data Garmin offers.
Fitbit vs Garmin: Which Is Right for You?
Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Fitbit Versa | Garmin Watches |
|---|---|---|
| User Experience | Simple and beginner-friendly | Advanced and customizable |
| Heart Rate Accuracy | Good | Excellent (with ECG in select models) |
| GPS | Phone-connected or built-in (model-dependent) | Built-in, highly accurate |
| Stress Monitoring | EDA and HRV | Detailed physical and recovery data |
| App Integration | Third-party apps supported | Extensive app ecosystem via IQ Store |
| Battery Life | 4–6 days | 7 days to 2 weeks (model-specific) |
| Price | Budget-friendly to moderate | Moderate to premium |
Final Verdict: Fitbit or Garmin?
- Choose Fitbit if you want a stylish, affordable tracker with an easy-to-use app. It’s perfect for general wellness, step counting, and sleep monitoring.
- Choose Garmin if you’re a performance-driven athlete or outdoor enthusiast who needs precise metrics and longer battery life.