Peloton vs iFIT (2024): The Battle of Two Stellar Fitness Apps

Admittedly, I am someone who primarily trains with barbells and dumbbells. I typically avoid cardio at all costs. However, there is something intriguing about an interactive app that leads you through a variety of heart-pounding workouts from dumbbell sessions to treadmill-specific workouts.

For the first time, I got an up-close-and-personal experience with two of the best workout apps on the market: the Peloton app and iFIT. I’m going to break down the differences and show you the similarities in this Peloton vs iFIT showdown so you can make a choice on what app is right for you. 

Peloton App

Peloton App

GGR Score: 4.5

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Product Highlights

• World-class workout classes
• Variety of fitness routines
• On-bike and off-bike workouts
• Don't need a Peloton bike to sign up for the app

Pros & Cons

Pros

• World-class programming
• Not just bike workouts
• Can be used all over the world
• Keeps tracks of all training metrics
• Train from the comfort of your own home
• Seven-day free trial
• Two plan options

Cons

• Required to access Peloton Bike's features

Bottom Line

The Peloton app is one of the best training programs we've come across on any piece of exercise equipment.

iFIT App

iFIT

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Over 16,000 live and on-demand classes
• More than 60 types of workouts
• Immersive experience
• Classes filmed worldwide
• Live races and events
• World-class trainers
• Syncs with Nordictrack and ProForm equipment

Pros & Cons

Pros

• At-home training
• World-class coaches
• Immersive training experience
• Vast library of workouts
• Record and track workout metrics
• Individual and family memberships available
• Free trial

Cons

• Pricey for some
• No true path for progression

Bottom Line

iFIT offers fitness lovers versatility with machine-based classes and classes that do not require anything more than a towel or mat. Anyone looking for a home-exercise program will be hard pressed to find a more technology forward, expansive and inclusive platform than iFIT.

Peloton vs iFIT Comparison Chart

Quick Look: iFIT vs Peloton

Look, the thing is, both of these apps will likely give you what you’re looking for. They offer equipment-specific training for treadmills, bikes, and rowers. Additionally, both apps have weight training, HIIT, and yoga. Although these apps are similar, there are some variables in exercise categories like boxing, hiking, and pilates. 

Peloton and iFIT are apps that offer quality fitness experience as a standalone product, meaning you can use the app with nearly any type of fitness equipment you already own. To take it to the next level, both apps are designed to enhance your workout experience when you use the corresponding cardio equipment—the Peloton app is used with Peloton equipment and the iFIT app is used with either NordicTrack or ProForm. 

Overall, I think both apps offer a huge range of categories with the ability to follow along at your own pace, which means both apps are suitable for beginners or experienced individuals. It’s also worth noting how easy it is to pause videos in either app to breathe or grab water. 

If boot camp-style classes are where your heart is in the fitness world, both apps have a lot to offer. If you are committed to heavy lifting and barbell training, the Peloton vs iFIT debate might be insignificant to you. Unless, of course, you’re like me and you know you should do more things that increase your heart rate (beyond sets of five repetitions). 

The truth is the app that excites you and makes you want to workout is the app that’s best for you—regardless of how popular it is. 

GGR Head of Content Kate Meier shares her insights on iFIT by saying “It is worth the money if you’re actually going to use it for runs and off-treadmill workouts. Then the app becomes almost like a built-in personal trainer.” 

What’s better than logging in from the comfort of your own home and being greeted with workout choices and a pumped-up coach?

Nicole Davis, GGR editor, has experience with both apps and says, “What makes Peloton great in my eyes is the caliber of instructors and production.” I can agree—I think the video and sound quality adds to the experience. “There’s someone for everyone, and with the array of class types, I guarantee you’ll find something you enjoy to do,” Nicole adds. 

Who Should Buy the Peloton App

• Anyone who owns a Peloton exercise equipment 
• Anyone with a cardio machine (of any brand) who wants interactive fitness classes
• Folks who get fired up over live classes with leaderboard-style competition 
• People who want to connect an Apple Watch with the fitness app
• Anyone who likes catchy, popular music to go along with workouts 

Who Should Buy the iFIT App

• Folks who like the idea of on-demand classes
• Anyone who owns NordicTrack or ProForm cardio equipment
• Families who want to create multiple user profiles (and use them at the same time)
• People who want to incorporate strength training sessions into their fitness routine
• Anyone interested in scenic rides and runs in addition to cool features with Google Maps

Key Similarities Between Peloton and iFIT

It’s worth mentioning that I used my iPhone to test both apps, and while I have not personally used either app on an integrated machine, many on the GGR squad have. That said, both apps as a standalone product are engaging, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. 

I like that I could easily find my workout history on each app and scroll to find new workouts and categories without any issues. I found both Peloton and iFIT workouts to be challenging and offer a lot of similar things for subscribers. Let’s take a look: 

• Mix of studio and outdoor settings
• High-quality video production
• Quality sound and easy-to-understand instructors
• Small selection of classes with native Spanish- and German-speaking instructors
• Cycling classes
• Treadmill sessions (both running and walking)
• Rowing workouts
• Mindfulness and meditation 
• Tracking metrics, performance, and workout history

Important Differences: Peloton vs iFIT

The truth is, if you’re looking for instruction and coaching to get through heart-pounding workouts, you’ll be in good hands with either top-name app. However, I feel comfortable saying that Peloton will be best-suited for anyone who enjoys boutique studio workouts and bootcamps, while iFIT will be best-suited for folks who enjoy a mix of outdoor scenery and indoor sessions.

Peloton does have a small quirk when using the app alone (and not through a Peloton Bike or Tread): You’re not able to attend live classes and see the leaderboard metrics. However, if you own Peloton equipment, you’ll have the ability to sign up for the all-access membership to access the live sessions, participate in the leaderboard standings, and create up to five user profiles for the whole family. 

This community aspect is what so many Peloton customers adore about the brand. During a live session, you can even send fellow classmates virtual high fives while you work out (how fun!). 

Here are some of the main differences I found when using both apps on my smartphone:

iFIT

• Offers elliptical-specific workouts 
• Volume control to separately adjust background music and instructor’s voice
• Outdoor workouts are often set in dramatic landscapes around the world
• Drop a pin and follow courses anywhere in the world with the Google Maps feature
• Auto-adjust technology manipulates resistance levels, speed, and incline/decline based on trainer cues or Google Maps terrain 
• Family plan allows members to use their iFIT accounts simultaneously
• Does not offer live classes, only on-demand sessions

Peloton

• Audio-only feature to follow along with for outdoor workouts
• Heavy focus on studio classes
• Creates pumped-up playlists to turn up the vibe in workout classes
• Instructional sessions on stretching and mobility
• Offers a schedule of live classes with a live leaderboard showing your metrics (for all-access members)

Types of Workouts Offered

Whether you’re streaming directly through your equipment’s touchscreen or using a smartphone or tablet, both apps offer a vast library of workouts. There are also several NordicTrack and ProForm machines that offer Bluetooth connectivity to use your own device and still have access to auto-adjust technology. 

Both apps are set up in a way that tracks your past workouts and recommends new workouts for you with the more data that is collected. Here is an extensive list of categories each app offers:

Peloton classes offered:

• Bike Bootcamp
• Walking
• Cycling
• Stretching
• Tread Bootcamp
• Running
• Meditation
• Outdoor
• Yoga
• Strength
• Boxing
• Pilates
• Barre

iFIT class categories:  

• Runs
• Walks
• Strength
• HIIT
• Cycling
• Rowing
• Elliptical
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Mindfulness 
• Barre

Customer Experience

Both apps are available through Apple devices and Android devices and can even be streamed through a smart TV. It’s worth noting that neither app has an in-app help feature. You will have to use the website for the live chat feature or fill out a general inquiry form.  

In the case of iFIT, the menu does have a help screen but it automatically navigates to iFIT.com for further support. That said, our collective GGR experience with iFIT customer service is hit-or-miss—we know this because we’ve had extensive product testing experience with iFIT, the parent company of NordicTrack and ProForm. With most inquiries, the response time lags compared to other companies in the fitness industry. 

Honestly, the same goes for Peloton. Our expert product testers have had a wide range of experiences with Peloton customer support. However, that is mainly with exercise equipment— app-specific support might be more straightforward.  

Customer Reviews

Both apps have high ratings on the Apple App Store and thousands of reviews to read through. In both cases, I found that most complaints happen when the brand pushes an app update through the platform. 

iFIT has a 4.6-out-of-5-star rating on the Apple App Store and from nearly 39,000 customer reviews. The Peloton app has a 4.9- star-s out- of- 5-star rating with a whopping 696,000 customer reviews. 

Final Thoughts on Peloton vs iFIT

Much like any piece of actual fitness equipment, the one you actually use is the one that is worth it. Although there are a lot of similarities with both apps, there are a few differences that might stand to be appealing to you. Overall, here is what I liked about both:

• High-energy instructors
• Quality audio and video
• Huge range in workout styles and length of workouts
• Both apps are under $20 per month for individual base plans
• Mediation and/or mindfulness offerings

Peloton vs iFIT FAQs

Lauren Strong, CPT

Lauren is an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer working with clients of all ages and skill levels. She specializes in coaching the squat, bench, and deadlift and enjoys introducing beginners to barbell training. Before becoming certified, she worked in marketing roles after graduating from the University of Maine with a BA in Journalism. Writing for Garage Gym Reviews blends her two passions: writing and lifting. Lauren spends her leisure time in the kitchen, reading fiction, and taking nature walks. She's also an avid downhill skier, learning how to ski when she was just two years old. She lives in Maine with her husband and two cats.

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