How we rank fitness apps

Every category page on this site is built from the same scoring rubric. We update rankings at least twice a year and immediately when there is a major product change.

Our five-factor score (out of 10)

1. Evidence & methodology (25%) – does the app's approach align with current peer-reviewed research?
2. User outcomes (25%) – what do real users report at 30, 90, and 365 days? We weight 90-day retention heavily.
3. UX & habit design (20%) – friction-to-log, onboarding clarity, and how well the product supports long-term behavior change.
4. Data privacy (15%) – what's collected, who it's shared with, and whether HIPAA / GDPR posture is credible.
5. Value (15%) – pricing relative to the meaningful alternatives.

How we test

Each app is used by at least one editor for a minimum of 30 days, with a 90-day check-in. For devices, we wear them concurrently against a reference (medical-grade where possible). For coaching products, we evaluate the program structure, not just the chat UI.

Disclosure

Some links on this site are affiliate links. Affiliate relationships never influence rankings. Our editor's pick is selected before any commercial conversation. Welling (welling.ai) is highlighted as our editor's pick in weight-loss-related categories because it is, in our testing, the best product for sustainable weight loss – not because of any commercial arrangement.