Comparing data output: Apple vs Fitbit vs Oura By: Alana Reich May 27, 2024 Estimated reading time: 8 minutes. It’s undeniable that wearable technology has been a game changer for our health and wellness. With the help of new and constantly improving technologies, we are now able to get valuable and (mostly!) accurate data insights right at our fingertips: whether it’s learning the approximate number of calories you burned in your workout or the amount of deep sleep you got last night, wearable trackers like the Apple Watch, Fitbit and Oura Ring are highlighting the important role that data plays in maintaining our health. If you’ve been on the fence about trying one of these gadgets or simply cannot make your mind up about which one to invest in, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will compare the data output features of the Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Oura Ring, highlighting their varying strengths and weaknesses in health, fitness, and sleep tracking. This article will also compare different user reviews and experiences, and will offer practical advice for those looking to make informed decisions about wearable technology. For students in the tech or health fields looking to learn more about wearable technology and data output, this article will also include further resources and courses to explore, including Lighthouse Labs’ Intro to Data Analytics Course and Data Science Bootcamp. Apple Watch vs Fitbit vs Oura Ring Apple Watch features Starting with the Apple Watch, there are many different models and price ranges to choose from, ranging from $329 CAD for the SE model to $1,099 CAD for the new Ultra 2 model. No additional membership is required to use the watch for fitness tracking, but if users want to also make calls and send texts from their watch, there is an additional GPS and/or cellular fee charged per month. Fitbit features Similar to the Apple Watch, Fitbits also come in many different models and styles, ranging from $99.95 CAD for simple trackers to $549.99 CAD for Google-linked smartwatches. Data from the devices can be accessed through a free app, but users can also upgrade to a Fitbit Premium subscription ($9.99 CAD/month or $79.99 CAD/year) to get even more insights (free for the first 6 months). Oura Ring features Unlike the Apple Watch and Fitbit, the Oura Ring has more limited models and customizations given that the product was launched more recently. There are currently two ring models to choose from: The Heritage (ranging from $399 CAD to $599 CAD depending on finish) and the Horizon (ranging from $469 CAD to $699 CAD depending on finish). The Oura Ring also requires a membership to access all of its data insights: the membership is free for your first month, but will then incur a fee of $7.99 per month afterwards. The Oura Ring also does not have a screen or any buttons, and cannot be used for calling or messaging. On one hand, this makes for a more seamless and less distracting wear experience, as well as enabling an extended battery life (up to seven days according to their website). However, if cellular features are important to you, this may not be the right fit. Water Resistant Membership Required Battery Life Price Apple Watch Yes No (but available) Up to 18-72 hours (varies per model) $$$-$$$$ Fitbit Yes No (but available) 24 hours-10 days (varies per model) $$-$$$ Oura Ring Yes Yes Up to 7 days $$$ Types of data collected All three of these gadgets collect data in three main areas: sleep, health, and fitness. The types of data collected, though, vary per device. Check out the wearable tech comparison below: Sleep Out of the three tech pieces, the Oura Ring and Fitbit definitely have more of an emphasis on sleep tracking and sleep patterns, providing users with a Sleep Score out of 100 indicating how well you slept (higher the score = better sleep). The Oura Ring and Fitbit also differentiate between deep, REM, and light sleep and track how long you were in each stage. Similarly, the Apple Watch also tracks the different types of sleep, but can only provide an estimate of how long you spent in each stage. The Oura Ring, on the other hand, prides itself on accuracy. Additionally, both the Apple Watch and Oura Ring track breathing habits, while the Fitbit is able to detect snoring and noises (only in Premium). Health When it comes to health features, all three devices are pretty similar: they all collect data to help track and predict menstrual cycles, and also all have an emphasis on stress management and mental health. For example, all three devices offer mood logging, where users can keep track of how they are feeling emotionally throughout the day. The Oura Ring is probably the most conscious of reproductive health, though, as the ring can help predict early pregnancy or irregularities during pregnancy. However, the Apple Watch probably comes first in more traditional health capabilities, as the watches can now even take an ECG (an electrocardiogram). Apple Watch users can also set up a Medical ID and share data with healthcare professionals (available on Fitbit as well), which is why more healthcare professionals are opting for the Apple Watch (more on this later). Fitness Of the three wearable tech gadgets, the Apple Watch is arguably the most fitness focused, with the Fitbit coming in at a close second. One of the main reasons for the Apple Watch’s superiority here is its Activity Ring feature. There are three rings that users are prompted to complete daily: Move, Exercise, and Stand. As an incentive to get some daily movement in, users are encouraged to ‘close their rings’ and can even share their ring data and compete with friends and family. While this daily incentive may work well for some, one user review found the notifications to be very annoying and demanding. The Fitbit also has great capabilities when it comes to fitness metrics: it’s able to automatically detect activity and log a workout, can track your Active Zone minutes and can also give you a Cardio Fitness score by analyzing your oxygen levels. The Oura Ring is definitely less fitness-oriented, but can still detect activity and can give you a ‘readiness’ score to recommend whether to take a rest/recovery day or if it’s a good time to push hard at the gym. Sleep Health Fitness Apple Watch REM/Core/Deep sleep Sleeping Respiratory Rate Period & cycle tracking Mood logging Medical ID Activity rings/Apple Fitness+ Heart Rate Steps, distance and calories Fitbit Sleep score REM/Deep/Light Sleep Snore & Noise Detect (Premium) Stress management (Premium) Mood logging Guided meditation library Heart Rate and HRV Steps, distance and calories Oura Ring Sleep score REM/Deep/Light sleep Blood Oxygen sensing Period & cycle tracking Stress management Guided meditation/breathing library Heart Rate and HRV Steps, distance and calories Data processing capabilities In terms of how data is processed exactly, all three devices use algorithms to extract insights, health recommendations, and more. To do so, all three devices leverage artificial intelligence, deep learning, and machine learning in some capacity. For example, the Oura Ring, uses machine learning capabilities to learn about your sleep patterns and provide you with optimal bedtimes and personalized guidance to improve sleep quality based on your data. Sleep data is typically processed and analyzed overnight, so users can wake up in the morning and get insights into how their night was. Real-time data utilization Another cool aspect of wearable tech is its ability to provide users with immediate feedback and alerts. For example, the Apple Watch can alert you when your heart rate is unusually high or if you have irregular heart rhythms. Also, both the Fitbit and the Oura Ring can send push reminders encouraging users to begin winding down when bedtime is approaching. These real-time alerts are an excellent way of leveraging data in the context of preventative healthcare and long-term health monitoring, as these notifications can help users continuously improve and maintain their health. Whether it's creating better sleeping habits or actively working to lower one’s stress levels, integrating wearable tech into your life can help you stay one step ahead, potentially even to the point of preventing diseases or long-term health issues. Data accuracy and technology All three of these devices collect data in different ways. Typically, though, data is sourced from small sensors that monitor body temperature, heart rate, movement patterns, oxygen levels, and so much more. However, as noted above with the Apple Watch’s sleep estimate, it’s important to keep in mind that the data collected from any of these devices may not be 100% accurate. This, in turn, may lead to insights and recommendations that are flawed. There is definitely a margin of error to account for here: for example, in a 2017 study, researchers from Stanford University set a 5% margin of error as the cut-off. In this study, they determined that the Apple Watch’s calorie tracking data capabilities were the most accurate (when compared to Fitbit and other wearable tech devices). However, pinpointing an exact number of calories burned can be a notoriously difficult feat. This is because the number of calories you burn depends largely on factors like your body composition, age, fitness level, and body size, so no two people burn calories the same way. Accurate calorie tracking also relies heavily on your energy input (i.e. your diet or what you eat) and your metabolism (check out this video if you want to learn more!). You can certainly help your wearable tech gadget become more accurate by adding information about yourself, like height, weight, etc., but it likely still won’t be completely accurate. Another metric prone to inaccuracy is step count, as wearable tech may count any small movement or brush of the arm as a ‘step’, in turn skewing the final step number. Sleep data can also be inaccurate if one’s device is not secured properly: since we tend to toss and turn during the night, wearable devices can easily slip off or become loose during sleep. This can make it hard for the device to accurately detect metrics such as heart rate, leading to incorrect data. Lastly, another area of contention when it comes to health monitoring accuracy is period and pregnancy tracking. Oura reported that the ring was able to predict labor onset with 71% accuracy by tracking body temperature trends. A spiked body temperature can also indicate conception or health irregularities, as one woman reported that her Oura Ring’s temperature insights led her to be diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency. Data sharing and privacy Another neat aspect of wearable tech is its capability to share your data with health apps and medical professionals. For example, the Apple Watch allows users to create a Medical ID that can be accessed without a passcode, so healthcare providers can access critical information like allergies or medications in an emergency. The Apple Watch also has a fall detection feature that immediately prompts users to make an emergency call should they need assistance. Moreover, the Fitbit allows Premium users to send their health reports directly to their healthcare provider. However, since all of these devices collect and analyze deeply personal information, discussions and concerns regarding data privacy and security inherently arise. The good thing, though, is that wearable tech brands are deeply aware of the need to keep data private, so there are various security measures in place to protect user data. For example, Apple uses encryption to protect user activity data. Fitbit has also recently taken a stance on data privacy, noting that it will not use user data for advertising despite its recent merge with Google. Oura Ring has also put out a similar statement in their privacy policy, noting that they will not share user data for surveillance purposes. Although the Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Oura Ring all share many similarities, the right choice for you will ultimately depend on your own personal and unique needs or preferences. If you’re more price conscious, you might want to go with a simpler option from Fitbit (and forego their Premium subscription), whereas if you prioritize aesthetics, you may want to opt for the sleek look and feel of the Oura Ring. Whichever brand you end up choosing, though, it’s clear that the innovative data insights that wearable tech offers are a revolutionary part of maintaining and improving our health. Interested in creating apps for devices like Apple Watch and Fitbit? Check out our Intro to Web Development course at Lighthouse Labs, or explore our immersive programs to transition to data science or machine learning and stay ahead of tech trends.