Planet Fitness icon

Planet Fitness

v9.11.16

Planet Fitness Holdings

748.9K ratings

Report updated Mar 27, 2026

What Is Planet Fitness?

The Planet Fitness app is a highly successful digital companion that drives gym membership acquisition through a freemium model. By offering free workout content and utility features like the 'Crowd Meter,' it successfully lowers the barrier to entry for fitness beginners. Despite its strong market position—currently #2 in the Health & Fitness category—the app suffers from significant user sentiment issues stemming from legacy business practices. Specifically, the inability to cancel memberships within the app and reported billing frustrations create a disconnect between the modern digital experience and the underlying administrative processes.

What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.

Mixed
Facility Cleanliness and Staff
Difficult Cancellation Process... Show more

What does it look like?

What are the key features?

Crowd MeterDifferentiator

Real-time indicator to help members pick the best time to visit the gym based on current occupancy

Digital Club PassStandard

Touchless, seamless entry into the gym using the app as a digital membership card

On-Demand Digital WorkoutsStandard

A library of guided workout videos and routines accessible for both members and non-members

Equipment & Exercise TutorialsStandard

Step-by-step visual guides and tutorials for gym equipment and movements to improve form

Activity TrackerStandard

Logs in-gym and out-of-gym activities with integration to Apple Health

Refer-a-Friend ProgramDifferentiator

In-app referral system that rewards members with free months of membership for successful sign-ups

What's new?

Trending Down

The app's competitive position is currently strained by a decline in sentiment score and heightened user frustration regarding the inability to cancel memberships digitally.

declined

Sentiment Score Drop

The sentiment score decreased from 55 to 48, reflecting increased user frustration with billing and cancellation processes.

shifted

Cancellation Policy as a Core Weakness

The inability to cancel in-app has been elevated to a primary weakness and a significant threat regarding regulatory scrutiny.

added

New Praise for Physical Club Experience

Users are increasingly highlighting satisfaction with facility cleanliness and staff professionalism.

shifted

Executive Summary Tone

The summary now explicitly contrasts the app's digital utility with the friction of legacy administrative processes.

What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.

Mixed

Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate facility cleanliness and staff and workout content, but report difficult cancellation process and billing and payment issues.

What Users Love

Facility Cleanliness and Staff

very professional cleanliness

They have amazing customers service always kind and helpful!!

Workout Content

I love the collaboration with iFit for the workout videos!

There are tons of quick free workouts with different levels for those days yiu can't make it to the gym

Pain Points

Difficult Cancellation Process

canceling in the app is NOT POSSIBLE

They make it where you have to go in person to cancel your membership.

Billing and Payment Issues

they keep billing me and telling me that I've had late fees

if I miss my payment by a day I get charged 30 and then “15” for a late fee

High confidence · 308 reviews available

How is it ranked?📈 Growing

Planet Fitness is climbing the charts — gaining ranks across tracked charts.

ChartRankChange
Free#3
Free#9215

What are the pros and cons?

Pros

  • Strong brand recognition and massive user base
  • Crowd Meter provides a unique, high-utility differentiator
  • Effective freemium conversion funnel
  • High satisfaction with physical gym staff and cleanliness

Cons

  • In-person only cancellation policy creates significant UX friction
  • Lack of billing transparency leading to negative sentiment
  • Occasional technical bugs in core features like the Crowd Meter

What is the market outlook?

Growth Opportunities

  • Digitizing the cancellation process to improve user retention
  • Improving in-app billing management and history
  • Expanding social/competitive features in the activity tracker

Market Threats

  • Boutique fitness apps with modern, seamless subscription management
  • Competitors offering easier digital cancellation processes
  • Potential regulatory scrutiny regarding cancellation dark patterns

What are the key takeaways?

Planet Fitness is a divisive health & fitness app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.9/5 rating from 748.9K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate facility cleanliness and staff, though difficult cancellation process remains a common concern.

Best for: Individuals of all fitness levels seeking an accessible, non-intimidating, and affordable gym experience with flexible digital support.

How much does it cost?

Model: freemium

Tiers:
Free tier: Access to digital workouts, tutorials, and activity trackingClassic Membership: Starting at $15/month for home club accessPF Black Card Membership: Starting at $24.99/month for worldwide access, guest privileges, and spa amenities

Uses a 'freemium' app model to lower the barrier to entry for non-members, while gating premium gym amenities and exclusive perks behind tiered subscription memberships.

iOS Version

9.11.16

Android Version

9.11.16

Release Date

Nov 4, 2010

iOS Price

Free

Android Price

Free

Independent intel to help builders create better apps.

No publisher influence. No third-party bias. Built with objectivity in mind to serve the builder community. Reports are continuously improved and refined. For informational purposes only.

Hope this helps & keep building! · Found an error?

Cite this report

Marlvel.ai. “Planet Fitness Intelligence Report.” Updated Mar 27, 2026. https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/planet-fitness

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