Google Fit covers the basics well, but many Android users seek more detailed data, personalized coaching, and community engagement. If your fitness goals go beyond tracking steps, several alternative apps offer deeper insights, enhanced social features, and smarter planning tools tailored to your preferred training style.
From GPS-powered runners and cyclists to weightlifters and hikers, five apps stand out for their accuracy, feature sets, and robust ecosystems. Each of these apps syncs seamlessly with most major wearables and integrates with Android’s Health Connect, allowing you to switch between them without losing your data history.
Strava caters to social athletes and advanced GPS users
Strava has become the go-to social network for endurance athletes, boasting over 100 million users worldwide. It transforms solo training into a communal experience through segment leaderboards, clubs, and weekly challenges. Ideal for GPS-based activities like running, cycling, and hiking, it provides powerful route planning tools and heatmaps revealing popular paths. Premium subscribers gain access to custom routes, live performance metrics, and in-depth training analytics. Strava supports Garmin, Polar, COROS, Wahoo, Wear OS, and other devices, making it a versatile hub for multi-device users. Its real-time GPS accuracy and motivating leaderboards set it apart from standard fitness apps.
Samsung Health for comprehensive daily wellness
Samsung Health offers an all-in-one dashboard that goes beyond steps and calories by incorporating sleep coaching, stress tracking, and guided wellness programs. Paired with the latest Galaxy Watches, it provides body composition estimates via BioActive sensors and advanced running metrics like VO2 max. Where available, it includes clinical features such as ECG and blood pressure monitoring at the wrist. Meal and hydration logging are built-in, and proactive coaching nudges help maintain motivation. Although optimized for Galaxy hardware, Samsung Health functions smoothly on most Android devices and now offers enhanced syncing through Health Connect for seamless data transfers.
MyFitnessPal for nutrition and weight management
For those focused on body composition, nutrition tracking is essential. MyFitnessPal excels with its extensive database of over 14 million foods, barcode scanning, and customizable macronutrient goals for cutting, bulking, or maintenance. It calculates daily calorie targets based on your weight goals and adjusts them as you progress. Research shows that consistent self-monitoring increases weight loss adherence, and MyFitnessPal facilitates this with automatic syncing of exercise calories and step data from major wearables. Premium users benefit from meal-level macro tracking, recipe insights, and advanced goal setting.
Hevy for strength training and progression
Most general fitness apps fall short in the weight room, but Hevy is designed specifically for lifters. It offers an intuitive logging system for sets, reps, weight, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), supersets, and rest timers. Users can create custom or template-based workout plans and track progress with personal records and clear charts highlighting progressive overload. Hevy includes a light social aspect where you can follow friends’ workouts without distractions. Its data handling accommodates complex lifting scenarios such as microloading and paused reps, which many apps struggle with. An affordable annual subscription unlocks unlimited routines and advanced analytics.
AllTrails for hiking and trail running
For those who prefer outdoor exploration, AllTrails combines route discovery with essential safety features. With over 400,000 curated trails worldwide, it provides elevation profiles, difficulty ratings, user reviews, and seasonal tips. Filters allow you to search for dog-friendly routes, waterfalls, or easier terrain. You can record GPS tracks, download offline maps for low-signal areas, and access curated lists of trails in national parks. The premium version enables offline use and additional map layers, making it ideal when venturing beyond cell service coverage. Paired with a GPS watch, AllTrails completes the crucial plan-record-review cycle for trail runners.
Choosing the right Google Fit alternative
Select an app that aligns with your primary goals: Strava for GPS tracking and community, Samsung Health for overall wellness, MyFitnessPal for nutrition, Hevy for strength training, and AllTrails for outdoor adventures. Thanks to Android’s Health Connect, these apps now offer data interoperability, so you can track food in MyFitnessPal, runs in Strava, and get an overall health snapshot in Samsung Health without redundant input. The key is to pick an app that motivates you and provides meaningful metrics you’ll actually use.
