The best app depends on what your group wants to compete on. A daily step leaderboard is fair when everyone walks, but useless when one friend lifts, another cycles and another runs. Some apps solve that problem. Others are deliberately specialised.
Quick answer: choose Fitcoin for competition across different activities, Stridekick for mixed-device step challenges, Strava for runners and cyclists, Hevy for gym lifts, Apple Fitness for Apple Watch friends, Samsung Health for Android step competitions, and Garmin Connect for Garmin owners.
Fitness competition apps compared
| App | Best competition | Platforms | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitcoin | Mixed workouts and weekly rankings | iOS, Android | Compatible health data required |
| Stridekick | Cross-device step challenges | iOS, Android | Centred mainly on steps |
| Strava | Running and cycling | iOS, Android, web | Private Group Challenges are paid |
| Hevy | Strength workouts and lifts | iOS, Android, web | Not built for steps or running |
| Apple Fitness | Activity Ring competitions | Apple | Apple ecosystem only |
| Samsung Health | Friend and global step challenges | Android | Mostly step-based competition |
| Garmin Connect | Garmin challenges and badges | iOS, Android, web | Best value requires Garmin hardware |
1. Fitcoin: best for competing across different workouts
Fitcoin converts compatible steps, workouts, heart rate and active energy from Apple Health or Health Connect into a daily FitScore. Friends can compare FitScore or steps across Today, 7-day and 30-day periods, while weekly ranking tiers add promotion and demotion.
Its advantage is comparability. A runner does not automatically beat a friend who completed a hard gym session simply because running generates more steps. FitScore is designed to recognise different forms of effort, then add rewards, streaks, achievements and private Leagues. We build Fitcoin, so this recommendation is not independent. Read how FitScore works and the guide to weekly Leagues.
2. Stridekick: best for friends with different watches
Stridekick is built around group step and activity challenges. Its major strength is device compatibility. A group can include Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Samsung Health, phone-only and other tracker users without forcing everyone to buy the same watch.
The official compatibility guide explains that iPhone data can flow through Apple Health and Android sources can connect through Health Connect. That makes Stridekick a strong option for workplaces, families and friendship groups that want one simple step target. The limitation is also the appeal: it is much better at comparing steps than comparing a run with a strength session.
3. Strava: best for runners and cyclists
Strava remains the strongest social network for route-based sport. Friends can follow activities, give kudos, comment, join clubs, compare segments and attend club events. Public challenges and club communities create useful competition even on the free tier.
Private Group Challenges are currently a subscriber feature and can include up to 199 invited athletes. Strava is excellent when everyone runs or cycles. It is less fair when the group wants to compare gym training, walking and team sports in one score.
4. Hevy: best for gym friends
Hevy combines detailed set, rep and weight logging with a social feed. Friends can follow each other, like and comment on workouts, share routines and inspect training volume. Its exercise leaderboards compare the heaviest logged performance across a selected group of movements.
This is meaningful gym competition rather than a step contest with dumbbells nearby. The official Hevy leaderboard guide says rankings cover 38 exercises and update when followed users record new personal bests. Hevy is the best specialist here for strength logging, but it does not provide an overall activity score across sports.
5. Apple Fitness: best for Apple Watch friends
Apple lets Watch users share Activity progress and start seven-day competitions. Each person earns points from the percentage of their Activity Rings completed, up to 600 points per day and 4,200 over the week. Alerts show who is ahead.
It is simple, private and already installed for Apple Watch owners. The problem is access. It is not a realistic group solution when even one friend uses Android or a non-Apple wearable. Apple documents the scoring in its Activity sharing guide.
6. Samsung Health: best free step competition on Android
Samsung Health's Together section supports friend challenges and monthly Global challenges. Groups can compete to reach a step target first or travel the greatest step distance within a set period.
Samsung also provides controls for who can see a step count, who can send challenges and whether contacts are synced. It is a practical free option for Android-heavy groups, although its competition remains much more focused on steps than complete workout effort. See Samsung's current Together instructions.
7. Garmin Connect: best for Garmin households
Garmin Connect supports connection challenges, badge challenges and weekly leaderboards alongside detailed data from Garmin watches. Friends can compete over steps, running, cycling and other supported goals while collecting badges.
Core app access is free, but most of the value comes from owning Garmin hardware. It is excellent when a group already uses Garmin and awkward when friends own a mixture of devices. A broader app such as Stridekick is easier for mixed-watch step competitions.
How to choose
- Choose the metric first. Steps, miles, lifts and overall activity produce different winners.
- Check every device. A challenge fails if one friend cannot connect their watch or phone.
- Prefer short seasons. Seven-day and monthly competitions reset before the bottom half loses interest.
- Use fair groups. Similar ability levels make leaderboards more motivating.
- Review privacy. Confirm whether activities, routes and health totals are public, friends-only or private.
Best overall for mixed activity: Fitcoin.
Best for mixed-device steps: Stridekick.
Best for running and cycling: Strava.
Best for gym lifts: Hevy.
Frequently asked questions
Can iPhone and Android friends compete together?
Yes. Fitcoin, Stridekick, Strava and Hevy support both platforms. Apple Fitness competitions do not.
Which app is best for a family step challenge?
Stridekick is the strongest choice when family members use different phone and wearable brands. Samsung Health works well when everyone uses compatible Android devices.
Which app is best for competing at the gym?
Hevy is best for specific lifts and training logs. Fitcoin is better when gym workouts need to count alongside running, walking and other activities.
Method: Features and platform access checked July 25, 2026 against current official documentation. Subscription boundaries and device support can change. Fitcoin is included as our own product and is identified clearly.
About the author: Harris Khan is the co-founder of Fitcoin and a Loughborough University alumnus with more than 15 years of personal training experience.