Fitness tracking in no longer a wave, instead it has become a base that keeps the world today over it. Its popularity in no time brought the two smartphone OS giants Apple and Google into the competition.

While on one hand, Apple’s HealthKit is playing the Health Guru, on the other side it’s Google Fit. Each of them is claiming to deliver best in segment services. However, which of these is the best for you will indeed call for a close analysis.

Before we move ahead to find which one’s better, let’s study them individually:

Google Fit

It originally entered as software designed to help hardware makers and fitness app developers to log and display health-related data with the least possible coding. However, right before the start of 2015 it left the labs of developers and became a dedicated consumer-focused offering. Since then Google Fit has evolved itself as a fully developed mobile app, which not only tracks your steps but also assists during gym sessions.

HealthKit

This also works in the same way as Google Fit. It accumulates all the data linked with your health and uses it further to give better health related suggestions.

So, what’s the difference between Google Fit & Healthkit?

Here are some key differences between the two:

1. Design

Google Fit: It avails a user-friendly and simple design to the users. However, the glitch here is that the user will have to swipe the screen every time he/she wishes to access new information. To overcome this, the team ensured that user gets detailed information about his/her activities. Apart from this, users are also allowed to enter information manually. The interactive part here is the animated snippets, which come as a reward for users upon achieving a goal.

HealthKit: The details are similar to the ones offered in Google Fit. However, there’s one inclusion which makes Apple stand a bit taller. We are talking about the feature with which users are allowed to compare their attained metrics on a single screen. With this, the users can have a better experience as they can access more information with much ease.

2. Security

Google Fit: The data stored in the application can be shared with third party applications. However, before doing this the app requires user’s permission.

HealthKit: The information stored in the application can be shared only by user’s permission, which makes Apple take a similar stand as Google. However, as an addition, the mobile applications which are built using HealthKit have the data stored in an encrypted format.

3. Types of data

Google Fit: As shared officially, it covers the type of activity and time consumed, wheel speed, calories burned, distance covered, pedaling rate, weight, height, power generated in a workout, elevation, heart rate, and steps taken. The major point which comes out here is that Google Fit enables the applications to create their own customized data types.

HealthKit: HealthKit in this point takes a lap ahead by adding blood alcohol level, glucose, diet, sleep analysis and more in its list. However, it doesn’t allow the app developers to customize data types according to their wish. By any means, they’ll have to stick with the official list.

4. Partners

Google Fit: Adorned with an impressive list of partnerswhich includes Asus, Adidas, HTC, Fatsecret, Intel, Basis, LG, and more.

HealthKit: Apple takes a step ahead by having health-focused partners also on the list. This includes EPIC software and Mayo Clinic. To name others, we have Fitbit, Withings, Runkeeper, and Nike on the list.

Saying that HealthKit is ahead of Google Fit or vice-versa won’t be right. This solely depends on your choice. No doubts that both the platforms are in a way providing a better landscape to developers and users via better healthcare mobility solutions. The decision to choose one solely depends on your client base, app development budget, and the services/features you wish to avail.

The healthcare and fitness app industry is growing rapidly. We can expect big changes in the coming time. Keeping this in mind, this is the right time to join the market and get a healthcare and fitness app developed before it’s too late. Remember, the earlier you join the race, more are your chances to stay ahead. All you need is a well-planned and executed health mobile application.

Source: https://dzone.com/articles/build-healthcare-and-fitness-apps-using-healthkit