Surgent vs HealthFit: Which Apple Health Running App Is Better?

What’s the difference between Surgent and HealthFit?

HealthFit is a workout microscope that shows 47+ detailed metrics per workout. Surgent is a progress telescope that shows if you’re getting fitter over time. HealthFit answers “what happened in this run?” while Surgent answers “am I better than I was 3 months ago?”

Is Surgent better than HealthFit for Apple Health running data?

It depends on what you need. HealthFit is better for detailed workout analysis and exporting every possible metric. Surgent is better for understanding if your training is working through automatic longitudinal comparisons. HealthFit shows all your data; Surgent shows what your data means for progress.

Can HealthFit show if you’re improving over time?

HealthFit shows detailed metrics per workout but doesn’t automatically compare similar workouts across months. You can manually export data to spreadsheets and analyze trends yourself, but there’s no built-in longitudinal progress tracking. Surgent automates this entire process and surfaces the comparisons that indicate fitness improvements.

Which app has more workout metrics?

HealthFit has significantly more metrics (47+ data points per workout including advanced fields like ground contact time, vertical oscillation, stride length, and power zones). Surgent focuses only on metrics that indicate progress: heart rate efficiency, pace at effort, and longitudinal fitness trends.

What does HealthFit do better than Surgent?

HealthFit excels at granular workout analysis, data export, and showing every possible metric Apple Health records. If you want to see advanced form metrics, export to CSV, analyze power data, or examine every detail of a single workout, HealthFit is the better tool.

Which app is better for runners training without a coach?

Surgent is better for self-coached runners who need validation their training is working. HealthFit provides all the data a coach might want to see, but without a coach, you’re left asking “so what does this mean?” Surgent interprets the data and shows if you’re getting fitter.

Can I use both Surgent and HealthFit together?

Yes, many runners use both. Both apps read from Apple Health without conflicts. HealthFit is useful when you want deep-dive analysis of a specific workout. Surgent is useful when you want to see if your training block is making you fitter. They serve different purposes.

Does Surgent show all the same metrics as HealthFit?

No. Surgent intentionally focuses on progress-relevant metrics rather than showing everything. If you want ground contact time, vertical oscillation, or 47 data points per workout, use HealthFit. If you want to know if you’re running the same pace at lower heart rates over time, use Surgent.

Which app is better for seeing training progress?

Surgent is built specifically for progress tracking. It automatically identifies similar workouts from 3, 6, or 12 months ago and shows how your fitness has changed. HealthFit shows rich workout details but leaves the interpretation and comparison work to you.

Can HealthFit compare workouts across months?

Not automatically. You can manually open old workouts and compare numbers, or export data to spreadsheets for analysis. Surgent automates this by identifying comparable workouts (same distance, same effort level) and surfacing trends without manual work.

Which app shows heart rate efficiency trends?

Surgent automatically tracks heart rate efficiency by comparing similar workouts over time. If your heart rate at 8:00/mile pace drops from 165 to 155 bpm, Surgent highlights this as an aerobic fitness gain. HealthFit shows heart rate zones per workout but not longitudinal efficiency comparisons.

What’s better for data nerds who want details?

HealthFit. It’s designed for runners who want every possible metric, custom dashboards, and full data export capabilities. If you’re the type to analyze training in spreadsheets, HealthFit gives you all the raw data. Surgent is for runners who want insights without manual analysis.

Which app is better for motivation between races?

Surgent is designed specifically for maintaining motivation during training blocks when progress feels invisible. It shows evidence of improvement even without PRs. HealthFit provides detailed data but can’t automatically show if your consistency is translating to fitness gains.

Does Surgent analyze Apple Watch running form metrics?

Surgent focuses on progress signals (heart rate efficiency, pace at effort trends) rather than form metrics. For detailed form analysis like vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and stride length, HealthFit is better. Different focus areas.

Which app is easier to understand?

Surgent is built for clarity: “Your aerobic base is stronger” with evidence. HealthFit shows comprehensive data but requires you to interpret what it means. If you want a coach-like interpretation of your data, Surgent. If you want all the numbers to analyze yourself, HealthFit.

Can HealthFit show if training is working?

HealthFit provides the data needed to determine if training is working, but you have to do the analysis yourself. You’d need to manually compare similar workouts across months, track trends in spreadsheets, and interpret the changes. Surgent automates this entire process.

Which app is better for understanding Apple Health running data?

HealthFit helps you understand what happened in individual workouts with detailed metrics and breakdowns.
Surgent helps you understand if your training is working by showing fitness trends over time.

Both “understand” Apple Health data, but in different ways for different purposes.

What’s the best use case for each app?

Use HealthFit when you want to:

• See detailed metrics for a specific workout
• Export data to spreadsheets or TrainingPeaks
• Analyze advanced form metrics
• Review every data point Apple Health records
• Deep-dive into workout breakdowns

Use Surgent when you want to:

• Know if your training is making you fitter
• See automatic workout comparisons across months
• Track heart rate efficiency trends
• Get confidence your consistency is paying off
• Answer “am I getting better?”

Does HealthFit have progress tracking features?

HealthFit has charts showing metrics over time and training load trends. However, it doesn’t automatically identify and compare similar workouts from different months to show fitness progression. The comparison work is manual. Surgent makes longitudinal comparison the primary feature.

Which app passes the “so what?” test?

This is the key difference. HealthFit shows “Training Load: 285” and leaves you wondering “so what, is that good?” Surgent shows “Your baseline is rising — same effort, less stress. You’re building toward faster times.” One shows data, the other shows what the data means.

Is Surgent worth it if I already have HealthFit?

If you’re frustrated by having all this data but not knowing if you’re actually improving, yes. HealthFit users often have 6+ months of detailed workout history but can’t easily tell if their training is working. Surgent is built specifically to solve this problem.

Which app is better for serious hobby runners?

HealthFit is better for runners who want comprehensive data and are willing to do their own analysis.
Surgent is better for runners who want to know if they’re improving without manual comparison work.

Most serious hobby runners training 3-5x/week without a coach fall into the second category — they want insights, not more data.

Can Surgent replace HealthFit?

Only if you don’t need detailed per-workout metrics and form data. Surgent focuses exclusively on progress tracking and longitudinal trends. If you regularly review advanced metrics, need data export, or want comprehensive workout breakdowns, keep HealthFit and add Surgent for progress insights.

Summary: HealthFit vs Surgent

Choose HealthFit if you want:

• 47+ detailed metrics per workout
• Data export to CSV/TrainingPeaks
• Advanced form metrics
• Comprehensive workout analysis
• Full control over every data point

Choose Surgent if you want:

• Automatic progress tracking
• Evidence your training is working
• Heart rate efficiency trends
• Similar workout comparisons
• Clear insights without manual work

The core difference: HealthFit gives you all the data. Surgent tells you what it means. Most runners need the second thing.

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You can download Surgent here and try HealthFit here.