Wearable technology has become common, regardless of whether you’re a pro athlete or a regular consumer. Most use it in their daily routine to monitor their health and fitness.
Despite this, only a tiny number of wearables can match the precision and dependability offered by Whoop and Apple devices. This Whoop vs. Apple Watch comparison aims to show which wearable is the best option.
There are some things to look out for:
- Overview
- Key similarities and differences
- Key features
- Battery
- Health tracking
- Sleep tracking
- Design
- Activity motivation
- Exercise
- Apps
- Community
- Compatibility and integration
- Pricing
Whoop vs Apple Watch: Which would you choose if you had to?
Let’s get started!
Whoop vs Apple Watch Overall Winner
Apple Watch is a better wearable device because it’s a communication and application tool. It’s the best exercise and motivational tool available.
Apple Watch: The Apple Watch is a unique wearable for tracking one’s health and fitness. Fantastic if your only goal is to increase your exercise output.
Whoop: Calculates an “Optimal Strain” figure based on how well your body has recovered from your workout. People who buy it are active; therefore, Whoop believes you don’t need motivation.
Table of Contents
Whoop vs Apple Watch Overview
What Is Whoop and How Does It Work?
Whoop is wearable and an app that uses physiological data to help you improve your training and fitness. The Whoop 4.0 band is the company’s newest product, a wrist strap you can wear and use around the clock.
The Whoop app, which contains all the system’s data and coaching software, can gain access to and analyze your data. Also, Whoop gives data analysis for strain, recovery, and sleep. Whoop then analyzes this information and suggests how to enhance your performance.
What Is Apple Watch and How Does It Work?
The watch primarily depends on the user’s iPhone for most operations, such as syncing data with iPhone applications. Even if you need little data, you can still connect to a Wi-Fi network for basic phone calls and music streaming.
For communication and data use, devices can connect to an LTE network after the first setup, removing the iPhone requirement. From the oldest iPhone model to the Apple Watch SE, they are all compatible with each Apple Watch, depending on its OS.
New Apple Watches (watchOS 8) released after September 2021 come pre-installed with it. They also need an iOS 15 iPhone running.
Get the best Apple Watch deal here!
Key Similarities and Differences
Similarities Between Whoop vs Apple Watch
- Both devices and the battery charging pack are water-resistant up to a depth of 50 meters
- People can now use Strava and Apple Health with the newest Whoop 4.0 updates
- Both have a built-in sleep monitoring system
- Both the Apple Watch and Whoop integrate with third-party apps
Differences Between Whoop and Apple Watch
- Whoop 4.0 lacks a screen entirely, unlike Apple Watch, which has a touchscreen
- Unlike Apple, you can wear Whoop on different places of the body
- Whoop focuses on the physical effects of sports and workouts, whereas Apple Watch focuses on the actual execution of the session
- You get more battery life from the Whoop than from the Apple Watch
- Apple Watch includes GPS, whereas Whoop does not
Key Features
Feature |
Whoop |
Apple Watch |
Calorie Tracking |
Yes |
Yes |
Sleep Tracking |
Yes |
Yes |
Guided Workouts |
No |
Yes |
Strain Tracking |
Yes |
No |
Recovery Score |
Yes |
No |
Automatic Workout Detection |
Yes |
Yes |
Workout Tracking |
Yes |
Yes |
Health Monitor |
No |
Yes |
Battery Life |
5 Days |
16-24 Hours |
1. Battery
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Series claims up to 18 hours of battery life, the same as the original watch. It can also continue for a day or two, depending on your use.
You can charge the watch more quickly thanks to Apple’s fast charging feature. The limited battery life isn’t a deal breaker if you have a routine, but it’s still inconvenient for specific users.
Whoop Strap
The Whoop will provide you with longer battery life if that concerns you. Given that it lacks a display, this should not come as a significant surprise.
However, this tracker will offer you a week’s worth of data rather than weeks or months. The best part is it can deliver up to 5 days of battery life. It comes with a portable battery charging module that you can clip onto the top of the tracker.
Winner
Whoop is the winner because it has a 5-day battery life, which is significantly better than Apple Watch.
2. Health Tracking
Apple Watch
The series 7 contains an ECG sensor approved by the FDA to help detect cardiovascular issues. The integrated optical heart rate sensor can deliver alerts for high and low heart rates or abnormal heart rate rhythms.
With health and fitness tracking, Apple has several functions. Some that you can consider as health and fitness features. For example, the ability to monitor your sleep respiratory rate and blood oxygen levels.
You may connect it to various consumer health gadgets through the Apple App Store to get even more health information.
The Apple Watch is a substantial health tracking watch, but you’ll have to dig into Apple Health and manually track its key insights to understand them.
Whoop Strap
It’s more focused on your health, daily data, and metrics and places them front and center.
Whoop primarily monitors sleep, stress, and recovery. It determines how well you’ll recover from your last workout based on the toll the day has had on your body and your sleep patterns.
When compared to other smartwatches and fitness trackers, Whoop’s health features are basic and limiting. Whoop features heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature sensors.
Whoop’s Health Monitor also comprises these stats and sensors. As soon as it detects an abnormality, it will tell you to take a break from exercising until things return to normal.
Winner
Apple Watch comes out on top because it offers more detailed information about your health than Whoop.
3. Sleep Tracking
Whoop Strap
Whoop’s platform relies heavily on sleep data, and its accuracy and data quality rival that of other leading sleep trackers like Oura and Polar. Whoop measures how much sleep you need and tracks how much time you spend asleep.
Also, it displays that information as a percentage of how much sleep you need each night. If you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep, the app features a Sleep Coach that advises you to go to bed early.
Whoop will show you how well you slept, how long you stayed in bed, and how efficient the sleep was.
Apple Watch
Apple’s built-in sleep tracking is also trustworthy but has a more minimal feature set.
The sleep monitoring feature of the Apple Watch hides in the Apple Health app. Although its sleep tracking reveals if you’ve met your daily sleep goal, it doesn’t display any of your sleep cycles or quality.
Since the Apple Watch battery life is short, sleep tracking may interfere with your charging schedule. However, several third-party sleep tracking apps can help you gather more information.
Winner
Sleep tracking in Whoop is more accurate and helpful in determining your sleep quality and how well you’re recovering from your workouts.
4. Design
Apple Watch
The square design of the Apple Watch is the trademark of the brand. Mainly, it comprises stainless steel, a high-quality screen, and comes with a wide variety of watch bands from both first and third parties.
Apple has added two additional case ci-sizes to its product line-up (now 41mm and 45mm). It supports new features like Apple’s virtual keyboard on the larger screen.
With the large screen you’re getting an actual button instead of relying on the touchscreen. Apple’s Digital Crown is also part of the watch software. The watch is also waterproof to a depth of 50 meters.
Whoop Strap
While wearables have a wide variety of screens, the Whoop 4.0 doesn’t have one. It doesn’t provide a live readout of data or even display the time since it does all tracking in the background.
It may be off-putting to some; however, on the wrist, it looks normal without being overly “techy.” Those who don’t like wearing their smartwatch or sports watch on their wrist can wear this on any other part of their body.
Thanks to the stylish crocheted band, you can choose from various colors. Nothing is more visible on the product than a modest set of LEDs to show pairing and battery status.
Like the Apple Watch, it is water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters, and so is the battery charging pack. So you don’t have to take it off while taking a shower or swimming.
Winner
There is no winner here. It essentially comes down to whether you can live without the screen on stylish and comfortable wearables.
5. Motivation and Activity
Apple Watch
Apple Watch uses three activity rings to keep track of your daily activities.
The Move Ring
Adjusting the calories burned manually allows you to customize it to fit your preferences. In workout mode, Apple Watch measures your heart rate to determine how many calories you’ve spent.
The Exercise Ring
It keeps track of the number of minutes you’ve spent working out.
The Activity Rings
Adding points for completing tasks is one way to make working out more fun. With an Apple Watch on your wrist, you are more inspired than ever to keep active.
Whoop Strap
“Strain” is Whoop’s way of measuring how active you are, based on various heart rate data. Whoop calculates your daily “Optimal Strain” based on your body’s recovery status.
Whoop urges you to slow down and enjoy the experience compared to Apple Watch.
Whoop assumes you don’t require motivation because the typical Whoop customer is already active. Even when you’re ready to set a new Peloton personal record, Whoop encourages you to ease up on the pace.
Winner
Whoop is the winner because it continuously records 52 heart rate samples, even when you’re not active. During inactivity, the Apple Watch merely monitors your heart rate every five minutes.
6. Exercise and Fitness Tracker
Apple Watch
It’s hard to beat the Apple Watch’s fitness and sports monitoring capabilities and reasonable price. It accomplishes much, from counting steps and close rings to recording runs and swims. Also, it provides accurate heart rate data through external sensors.
The smartwatch has excellent integration with Apple’s fitness platform. An app store full of apps that can enhance its capabilities as a sport and fitness tracker.
The Apple Watch features a built-in GPS that tracks your route and distance. When used with an Apple Music playlist, it makes for an incredible workout companion.
Finally, Apple Watch offers a dashboard that displays your latest workout patterns and allows you to filter and view your previous workouts.
Whoop Strap
A key component of Whoop’s technology is its heart-rate sensor, which the company constantly works to improve for greater accuracy. The strain meter runs this data to understand better what’s in your toolbox for a tough training day and to guide your sleep and recovery suggestions.
Winner
The Apple Watch is the winner because it is a device that can accurately track exercises. For Whoop to compete with what Apple offers, its fitness features must be more thorough.
7. Apps
Whoop Strap
In the app department, Whoop and Apple are vastly different. The Whoop app provides relevant and actionable data, such as recovery, strain scores, and sleep analysis. It also includes information on how your weekly biometrics affect your exercise and sleep patterns.
Apple Watch
Wearables like the Apple Watch let you switch between two apps at once. There are several apps available for the Apple Watch. They include the Apple Watch app, which allows you to configure your watch and enter data. The Fitness app which provides vital information about your physical activity.
Winner
Whoop is the clear victor here, thanks to the app’s enhanced access to your biometric information. Apple’s fitness app is lacking in functionality and analytics.
8. Community
Both Apple and Whoop have vibrant user communities that foster a sense of belonging among all members.
Apple Watch
Other fitness enthusiasts can see how many workout minutes or calories you burn, and you can compete with them to see who logs the most. Apple even awards virtual medals for completing specific fitness challenges.
Whoop Strap
You have the option to share your workout accomplishments and analytics with other people through Whoop. It’s also possible to form your team or join an already active team. It also allows you to check other people’s sleep, recovery information, and daily workouts.
Winner
Whoop’s “teams” feature a few more advanced analytics which make it the clear victor in this category.
9. Compatibility and Integration
Apple Watch
Apple’s Healthkit and Health app come built-in Apple watches. You can also install third-party apps on the device to monitor sleep patterns, heart rate, and other metrics. In addition, Apple Watch wearables include secure interfaces for sharing health and fitness data with many healthcare professionals.
Whoop Strap
Since its inception, Whoop Straps have offered a bare minimum in functionality and integration with other products. Fortunately, the business has revealed that Whoop straps will be fully compatible with Apple Health. Currently, this feature is accessible in beta for all iOS users.
In addition, Whoop will fully integrate with Apple’s HealthKit in the future, allowing it to write data to HealthKit and read it. Currently, it is possible to use the Whoop straps with Equinox+, Training Peaks, and Strava.
Winner
Apple watch is the winner since it integrates with more third-party kits than Whoop.
10. Pricing
Your bank account will take a hit from both the Whoop 4.0 and the Apple Watch Series 7.
Apple Watch
There are seven models of the Apple Watch Series 7:
- Small 41mm: $529
- Larger 45mm: $569
Get the best Apple Watch deal here!
Whoop Strap
1. Battery
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Series claims up to 18 hours of battery life, the same as the original watch. It can also continue for a day or two, depending on your use.
You can charge the watch more quickly thanks to Apple’s fast charging feature. The limited battery life isn’t a deal breaker if you have a routine, but it’s still inconvenient for specific users.
Whoop Strap
The Whoop will provide you with longer battery life if that concerns you. Given that it lacks a display, this should not come as a significant surprise.
However, this tracker will offer you a week’s worth of data rather than weeks or months. The best part is it can deliver up to 5 days of battery life. It comes with a portable battery charging module that you can clip onto the top of the tracker.
Winner
Whoop is the winner because it has a 5-day battery life, which is significantly better than Apple Watch.
2. Health Tracking
Apple Watch
The series 7 contains an ECG sensor approved by the FDA to help detect cardiovascular issues. The integrated optical heart rate sensor can deliver alerts for high and low heart rates or abnormal heart rate rhythms.
With health and fitness tracking, Apple has several functions. Some that you can consider as health and fitness features. For example, the ability to monitor your sleep respiratory rate and blood oxygen levels.
You may connect it to various consumer health gadgets through the Apple App Store to get even more health information.
The Apple Watch is a substantial health tracking watch, but you’ll have to dig into Apple Health and manually track its key insights to understand them.
Whoop Strap
It’s more focused on your health, daily data, and metrics and places them front and center.
Whoop primarily monitors sleep, stress, and recovery. It determines how well you’ll recover from your last workout based on the toll the day has had on your body and your sleep patterns.
When compared to other smartwatches and fitness trackers, Whoop’s health features are basic and limiting. Whoop features heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature sensors.
Whoop’s Health Monitor also comprises these stats and sensors. As soon as it detects an abnormality, it will tell you to take a break from exercising until things return to normal.
Winner
Apple Watch comes out on top because it offers more detailed information about your health than Whoop.
3. Sleep Tracking
Whoop Strap
Whoop’s platform relies heavily on sleep data, and its accuracy and data quality rival that of other leading sleep trackers like Oura and Polar. Whoop measures how much sleep you need and tracks how much time you spend asleep.
Also, it displays that information as a percentage of how much sleep you need each night. If you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep, the app features a Sleep Coach that advises you to go to bed early.
Whoop will show you how well you slept, how long you stayed in bed, and how efficient the sleep was.
Apple Watch
Apple’s built-in sleep tracking is also trustworthy but has a more minimal feature set.
The sleep monitoring feature of the Apple Watch hides in the Apple Health app. Although its sleep tracking reveals if you’ve met your daily sleep goal, it doesn’t display any of your sleep cycles or quality.
Since the Apple Watch battery life is short, sleep tracking may interfere with your charging schedule. However, several third-party sleep tracking apps can help you gather more information.
Winner
Sleep tracking in Whoop is more accurate and helpful in determining your sleep quality and how well you’re recovering from your workouts.
4. Design
Apple Watch
The square design of the Apple Watch is the trademark of the brand. Mainly, it comprises stainless steel, a high-quality screen, and comes with a wide variety of watch bands from both first and third parties.
Apple has added two additional case sizes to its product line-up (now 41mm and 45mm). It supports new features like Apple’s virtual keyboard on the larger screen.
With the large screen you’re getting an actual button instead of relying on the touchscreen. Apple’s Digital Crown is also part of the watch software. The watch is also waterproof to a depth of 50 meters.
Whoop Strap
While wearables have a wide variety of screens, the Whoop 4.0 doesn’t have one. It doesn’t provide a live readout of data or even display the time since it does all tracking in the background.
It may be off-putting to some; however, on the wrist, it looks normal without being overly “techy.” Those who don’t like wearing their smartwatch or sports watch on their wrist can wear this on any other part of their body.
Thanks to the stylish crocheted band, you can choose from various colors. Nothing is more visible on the product than a modest set of LEDs to show pairing and battery status.
Like the Apple Watch, it is water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters, and so is the battery charging pack. So you don’t have to take it off while taking a shower or swimming.
Winner
There is no winner here. It essentially comes down to whether you can live without the screen on stylish and comfortable wearables.
5. Motivation and Activity
Apple Watch
Apple Watch uses three activity rings to keep track of your daily activities.
The Move Ring
Adjusting the calories burned manually allows you to customize it to fit your preferences. In workout mode, Apple Watch measures your heart rate to determine how many calories you’ve spent.
The Exercise Ring
It keeps track of the number of minutes you’ve spent working out.
The Activity Rings
Adding points for completing tasks is one way to make working out more fun. With an Apple Watch on your wrist, you are more inspired than ever to keep active.
Whoop Strap
“Strain” is Whoop’s way of measuring how active you are, based on various heart rate data. Whoop calculates your daily “Optimal Strain” based on your body’s recovery status.
Whoop urges you to slow down and enjoy the experience compared to Apple Watch.
Whoop assumes you don’t require motivation because the typical Whoop customer is already active. Even when you’re ready to set a new Peloton personal record, Whoop encourages you to ease up on the pace.
Winner
Whoop is the winner because it continuously records 52 heart rate samples, even when you’re not active. During inactivity, the Apple Watch merely monitors your heart rate every five minutes.
6. Exercise and Fitness Tracker
Apple Watch
It’s hard to beat the Apple Watch’s fitness and sports monitoring capabilities and reasonable price. It accomplishes much, from counting steps and close rings to recording runs and swims. Also, it provides accurate heart rate data through external sensors.
The smartwatch has excellent integration with Apple’s fitness platform. An app store full of apps that can enhance its capabilities as a sport and fitness tracker.
The Apple Watch features a built-in GPS that tracks your route and distance. When used with an Apple Music playlist, it makes for an incredible workout companion.
Finally, Apple Watch offers a dashboard that displays your latest workout patterns and allows you to filter and view your previous workouts.
Whoop Strap
A key component of Whoop’s technology is its heart-rate sensor, which the company constantly works to improve for greater accuracy. The strain meter runs this data to understand better what’s in your toolbox for a tough training day and to guide your sleep and recovery suggestions.
Winner
The Apple Watch is the winner because it is a device that can accurately track exercises. For Whoop to compete with what Apple offers, its fitness features must be more thorough.
7. Apps
Whoop Strap
In the app department, Whoop and Apple are vastly different. The Whoop app provides relevant and actionable data, such as recovery, strain scores, and sleep analysis. It also includes information on how your weekly biometrics affect your exercise and sleep patterns.
Apple Watch
Wearables like the Apple Watch let you switch between two apps at once. There are several apps available for the Apple Watch. They include the Apple Watch app, which allows you to configure your watch and enter data. The Fitness app which provides vital information about your physical activity.
Winner
Whoop is the clear victor here, thanks to the app’s enhanced access to your biometric information. Apple’s fitness app is lacking in functionality and analytics.
8. Community
Both Apple and Whoop have vibrant user communities that foster a sense of belonging among all members.
Apple Watch
Other fitness enthusiasts can see how many workout minutes or calories you burn, and you can compete with them to see who logs the most. Apple even awards virtual medals for completing specific fitness challenges.
Whoop Strap
You have the option to share your workout accomplishments and analytics with other people through Whoop. It’s also possible to form your team or join an already active team. It also allows you to check other people’s sleep, recovery information, and daily workouts.
Winner
Whoop’s “teams” feature a few more advanced analytics which make it the clear victor in this category.
9. Compatibility and Integration
Apple Watch
Apple’s Healthkit and Health app come built-in Apple watches. You can also install third-party apps on the device to monitor sleep patterns, heart rate, and other metrics. In addition, Apple Watch wearables include secure interfaces for sharing health and fitness data with many healthcare professionals.
Whoop Strap
Since its inception, Whoop Straps have offered a bare minimum in functionality and integration with other products. Fortunately, the business has revealed that Whoop straps will be fully compatible with Apple Health. Currently, this feature is accessible in beta for all iOS users.
In addition, Whoop will fully integrate with Apple’s HealthKit in the future, allowing it to write data to HealthKit and read it. Currently, it is possible to use the Whoop straps with Equinox+, Training Peaks, and Strava.
Winner
Apple watch is the winner since it integrates with more third-party kits than Whoop.
10. Pricing
Your bank account will take a hit from both the Whoop 4.0 and the Apple Watch Series 7.
Apple Watch
There are seven models of the Apple Watch Series 7:
- Small 41mm: $529
- Larger 45mm: $569
Get the best Apple Watch deal here!
Whoop Strap
There are subscriptions for Whoop, including the hardware and an accompanying app. If you put down $324 as a down payment, this will run you $18 a month in fees.
If you don’t want to pay anything upfront, you can pay $30 per month or $24 for a 12-month subscription.
Winner
Both companies use different pricing models, with Whoop using a subscription-based product and Apple using an up-front payment model, so there can be no clear winner here.
Whoop vs Apple Watch: Which One Would You Choose if You Had To?
It all boils down to how serious and competitive you want to be about your athletic performance and sport.
Apple Watch is a better fit for the everyday gym-goer because it’s more user-friendly. Maintaining good health and fitness is easier with the touch screen, metrics, and distance tracking.
Get Apple Watch if:
You’re looking for the best fitness tracker and motivational companion.
It contains a display to start your workout and monitor your progress while exercising. Using Apple Pay or pinging your phone are some of the additional features of the Apple Watch.
Get Whoop if:
You’re an athlete who relies on your body to perform at its best. It aids in recovery and provides support for sleep and health tracking.