MARLVEL

Planet Fitness vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Planet Fitness's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Planet Fitness
This App
Crunch Fitness
Nemesis
FITCENTRUM ŠPORT - Košice
Contender
Vantaa Gym
Contender
Liikuntakeskus Parkki
Contender
YMCA On the Go
Contender
Bar Is Loaded 2 - Gym Math
Peer
Liftr Workout & Gym Planner
Peer
Alive by Whitney Simmons
Peer
30 Day Fitness Challenge
Peer
Core Identity
DeveloperPlanet Fitness Holdings, LLCCrunch FitnessOnGym s.r.o.WiseGym OyWiseGym OyYMCA Greater JolietdongledanKaran PandyaWhitney Simmons App, LLCLeap Fitness Group
CategoryHealth & FitnessHealth & FitnessHealth & FitnessSportsSportsHealth & FitnessHealth & FitnessHealth & FitnessHealth & FitnessHealth & Fitness
PlatformiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOSAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOSAndroidiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOSAndroid, iOS
Store Metrics
Rating4.9 / 54.8 / 55.0 / 50.0 / 50.0 / 54.4 / 54.6 / 54.5 / 54.9 / 50.0 / 5
Ratings Count735,61220,1203003,4852513543,6310
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree$2.49FreeFreeFree
Release DateNov 4, 2010Nov 6, 2010Jan 15, 2024Jun 3, 2022Aug 29, 2020May 19, 2020Feb 23, 2025Jun 11, 2018Jan 24, 2020Aug 17, 2020
Last UpdatedJun 29, 2026Apr 21, 2026Feb 17, 2026Apr 13, 2026Apr 22, 2026Mar 3, 2026Apr 4, 2026Jun 23, 2026May 1, 2026Mar 4, 2021
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentnegativepositive-----positivemixedpositive
Score25/10075/100-----85/10045/10075/100
Praises
  • Judgment-free atmosphere and friendly staff interactions foster a welcoming environment for gym members
  • Barcode check-in functionality provides a convenient alternative to physical membership tags for daily gym access
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  • Guided workout programs provide clear structure for beginners entering the gym environment
  • Structured workout plans provide a clear path for users to achieve weight loss goals at home
  • Low barrier to entry for beginners due to simple navigation and easy to follow instructions
Complaints
  • Persistent login failures and infinite loading screens prevent users from accessing their digital membership
  • Opaque billing practices and difficult cancellation procedures create significant financial frustration for departing members
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  • Frequent application crashes and stability issues interrupt workout sessions on mobile devices
  • Aggressive monetization tactics and inconsistent pricing models frustrate users expecting a free experience
  • Technical issues with advertisement playback prevent users from closing pop-ups during the workout flow
Requests
  • Granular workout tracking features for specific equipment and weight progression
  • Wait-list functionality for fully booked classes would reduce the need for constant manual refreshing
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  • Offline functionality would allow users to access workouts without reliable internet connectivity
  • One-time purchase options for premium features instead of recurring weekly or yearly subscription plans
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Judgment-free brand identity lowers entry barriers for beginners
  • Crowd Meter data reduces in-club visit friction
  • Refer-a-Friend program lowers customer acquisition costs
  • Digital check-in utility drives daily gym-going habit
  • Inclusive brand messaging lowers entry barriers for beginners
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  • Localized customer service channel provides direct member-to-staff communication
  • Digital gym card provides essential utility for facility access
  • Localized communication channel enables direct resolution of member-specific inquiries
  • Streamlined interface tailored to specific facility services
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  • Apple Watch integration creates hardware-level retention
  • 400+ exercise database provides immediate utility
  • Creator-led brand intimacy drives high conversion
  • Progressive overload methodology creates repeatable value
  • Progressive intensity loop drives daily habit formation
  • Bodyweight-only design minimizes acquisition friction
  • HIIT protocols capture time-constrained user segments
Weaknesses
  • Persistent authentication loops block gym access
  • Opaque in-person cancellation policy creates churn friction
  • Inaccurate Crowd Meter data during peak hours
  • Opaque billing and cancellation procedures drive churn
  • Technical instability during peak booking windows
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  • Zero rating count across both platforms
  • Lack of health data integration limits utility
  • Zero rating count indicates low user adoption
  • Lack of wearable integration limits data portability
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  • Manual logging friction in the journal
  • Lack of automated weight adjustment logic
  • 0.7★ Android-iOS rating gap limits reach
  • Frequent workout crashes increase churn risk
  • Aggressive subscription prompts drive negative sentiment
  • Ad-dismissal bugs interrupt the workout flow
  • Lack of reliable account syncing causes progress loss
Pricingfreemiumsubscriptionfreefreefreefreepaidfreemiumsubscriptionfreemium
MomentumActiveMaintenance-MaintenanceMaintenanceActive--ActiveZombie
Update Cadence5 versions, ~6d avg5 versions, ~9d avg-2 versions, ~3d avg2 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~0d avg5 versions--5 versions, 3 majors/6mo, ~16d avg5 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~478d avg

Compare Planet Fitness head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Planet Fitness, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0