If you're in the indoor fitness world, you most likely know both these names. Although they might seem similar, they aren't. If you´re looking for a cohesive app/machine experience, you should go with Peloton. If you´re looking for something with more material and more flexibility of equipment choice, iFit is for you.
If you´re like me, you might be wondering which of these apps offers the better experience and classes. Both platforms have thousands of content options, however, they do differ in many different aspects such as topics, accessibility and format. I´d go with the company who gives me the most content and the highest quality. Something tells me you might want this as well.
Join me in this iFit vs peloton app comparison article. We'll be taking a deep dive into what exactly these companies offer, this might just help us find out which is better.
Table of Contents
Right off the bat, one of the best ways to know which of these fitness apps is the best is by looking for key differences between the two apps. We'll be comparing aspects like content, quality, customization and accessibility. Let's take a look.
The cost of an iFit family membership will set you back $39/month. or $396/year if you pay up front. An individual membership costs $15/month or $144/year. When you compare it to Peloton, who charges $12/month for a membership, it does seem to be more expensive.
We´ll give this one to the Peloton app.
Both the Peloton and iFit app are compatible with a variety of devices and are accessible through Roku, Android Devices, Amazon appstore and Apple TV.
However, when it comes to your exercise bike, iFit is compatible with 4 different bike brands (Nordictrack, Proform, Freemotion, Matrix) whereas the Peloton app is only compatible with its own cycle.
The flexibility of choosing your bike brands seems quite reasonable. With Peloton you don't even have a choice, so this point goes to iFit.
Both the iFit and Peloton app offer live classes and on-demand classes. Here are their main focus options.
The Peloton app includes around 10,000 peloton classes. You can only use Peloton in treadmills, bikes and strength training equipment.
The iFit app includes over 16,000 videos from you to choose from.
The app also offers a sleep monitoring feature. this feature isn't offered by Peloton.
Finally, the app is compatible with elliptical bikes, strength exercise equipment, treadmills, and rowing machines.
Overall, the iFit app does present more content for you to choose from.
When we talk about quality, we mean how good the content and whole user experience is. Both apps are positively reviewed and rank among the most popular in their category.
Both apps offer live and recorded classes, which include a leaderboard and challenges to improve. With both apps you´ll get a challenging workout, you can start easy and slowly take tougher on-demand classes to get better.
It´s a tie! The quality on both apps is great.
Customization is all about how the app adapts to you.
When you begin using Peloton, you can take the FTP test. Based on that, Peloton recommends classes for your improvement. These classes are mostly pre-recorded. However, the app offers so much content, the classes feel tailor-made.
With 17,000 different videos you can choose from every class that seems made for you. Furthermore, the iFIT model is deeply based in progressive training, meaning your training sessions are all but hand-picked.
iFit! The app presents a great personal experience different for every customer.
Another way to compare the iFit vs. Peloton app is to review the good things and some of the disadvantages they have. So let's take a look.
To be precise, iFit offers more than 16,000 lessons regarding many areas of physical development. These include: strength classes, studio classes and access to all the features that will help you increase training quality.
If you wish, you can also access their on-demand workouts. You can just take a run or do some strength training. However, these classes are a bit more personalized to your taste.
iFit compatibility is a huge plus. The iFit app is available on 4 different machines (Nordictrack Proform, Freemotion and Matrix).
If you´re already subscribed, you can enjoy the benefit of having a social community to help you stay motivated.
Much like Peloton´s scenic rides, with this feature, you can explore the world from your bike by using Google maps. With the Google street view feature, you'll feel as if you were actually riding outside.
This unique feature allows you to gradually increase the intensity of your sessions to reach your goal.
The iFit monthly family plan comes at a fairly high price ($39/month or $396/for the yearly family plan). The individual iFit subscription is still a bit expensive at $15/month or $144/year.
In case you have some technical issues with your fitness tech, it is possible that you could have a bad experience solving your issue. Their customer service has received plenty of complaints.
Although they still have a lot of resources, if your main exercise hobby are live studio classes, think again before subscribing with iFit, as they´ve discontinued them.
Peloton machines are considered to be at the top of the industry. The Peloton bike is a household name and the treadmill is increasing in popularity. Additional Peloton equipment is also great, durable and has a nice design.
Both fitness apps are abundant in material. However, they offer differ in content. While iFit does offer more classes, Peloton offers special workouts such as bootcamp classes, cycling and running classes with some of the best instructors.
The app is very user-friendly. It is easy to navigate, use and riding your bike isn´t rocket science.
Peloton offers a cheap subscription, which comes at $12/month.
During your first few lessons, the terms used might seem strange. This is known as Peloton lingo. Don´t worry, you can get the hang of it sooner or later. Here´s an article explaining everything you need to know about Peloton.
Their bikes aren't exactly dangerous to use. However, considering that some workouts could get really intense, there should be a bit more consideration towards the health of the rider.
A couple of years back, indoor bike brands that sold affordable and mass-produced bikes dominated the fitness space. In an effort to reconquer it, bike brands like Peloton or Nordictrack sought to offer their quality bike, coupled with a program to guide and entice you to train everyday. They offered this as a package deal. An offer which customers couldn´t refuse.
Back then, riding a bike inside your house was considered boring and expensive as well. So bringing in refreshing content for everyday riding brought new life into the space.
As this trend evolved, companies began to offer their classes through apps. Some companies, like iFit, decided to join forces with other quality companies to offer their services, while others like Peloton sought to release their own line of products.
This might just be redundant, as Peloton is a household name these days. Much like iFitness, Peloton specializes in indoor workout programs and offers their own exercise bikes (the famous peloton bike) and treadmill (Peloton tread) for you to train on. Unlike iFit, the Peloton app is only available on Peloton products.
Their fitness app is an extension of what they have to offer. As Peloton has some room to expand, they're not just offering exercise bikes and running lessons, but have rather begun to focus on every kind of physical activity you can do from home.
Peloton workouts are popular and well-known within the fitness industry. The company offers a variety of live classes, with a workout program that adapts to every person´s taste and preferences. Like with iFit, there is a whole array of options ranging in difficulty from which you can choose. Some of their classes include cycling, running, yoga workouts and meditation.
Their app is compatible with many household devices, such as your phone and TV, meaning that you can easily access the app for a convenient use.
iFit has emerged as one of the leading online physical fitness brands. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of improving indoor training.
Their biggest focus is overall health through challenges and fitness goals. They began offering videos, so you can run or ride your bike through a digital countryside and other interesting locations. Overtime, they also began creating content with expert trainers.
iFit doesn't offer their own custom fitness equipment (exercise bike and treadmill), but rather their software comes included whenever you buy your bike from one of the brands we previously mentioned.
Their fitness app is compatible with these machines and other devices. It offers a database full of live classes and recorded workout programs that you can take.
Each class is designed for you to choose the difficulty level of your training sessions based on your expertise and experience. Every course can be easily followed and are well reviewed.
Ultimately, the app is well-reviewed and rated.
iFit is filled with plenty of resources that no other app like this has. If you´re looking to get some original and motivational content for your training, you´re in the right place.
Furthermore, if you already own one of the exercise machines iFit is compatible with, you can just download the app, get a subscription and get going.
The app has enough information to keep you pedaling until the year 2050, so don't worry about getting bored.
Overall, the app is complete and enjoyable to use. If you want to get it, you definitely should.
Peloton is also filled with lots of incredible content, particularly specialized around their exercise machines. They offer a wide selection of running, cycling, yoga, meditation and other wellness activities.
However, due to the fact that the Peloton app is only compatible with Peloton devices, you won't just be getting the app, but rather the whole machine. If you already have an exercise bike that isn't Peloton, that could be a problem.
On the other hand, if you´re just thinking of getting an exercise bike, go for it. The experience is really accessible and it well-worth it.
All things considered, both apps are focused on fitness, but they use tremendously different approaches.
To be fair, iFit is better than Peloton in some ways, but the opposite is also true. So it's just a matter of personal priorities and compatibility. In general, both apps are great.
In May 2020, Peloton sued iFit claiming they copied some of their programs. A couple of months later, iFit sued Peloton for allegedly copying their latest stationary bike design.
With the individual subscription being around $15/month, it is completely up to you to find out if it's worth the money.
What truly makes a fitness app worth the money is how much work you put in. If you do 20-30 hours a month, then it´s probably well-worth your money. However, if you´re only going to ride one or two times during this period, don´t get the membership as it would just be a waste of money.
Here's the verdict regarding the iFit vs. Peloton app debate.
Both apps are spectacular tools that you can use to enhance your home fitness experience. Although both apps are drastically different in the approach they take towards fitness, both are for exercising and you´ll do great with any of them.
You should only be concerned if you´re looking for a specific feature. For example, I personally feel that iFit´s progressive sessions aren't a feature that Peloton offers. If they were something important to me, that could influence my choice.
In the end, both apps take different paths toward the same destination. Both have their high and low points. You also now know the differences between the apps. Compare this with your personal priorities to choose the app that best fits you.
