Presentation
A Comparative User Experience Analysis of Wellness Apps: Google Fit, Fitbit, and Apple Health
SessionMobile Applications (DH1)
DescriptionBackground
From the moment the global pandemic began in 2020, there has been a notable increase in the usage of wellness applications. This surge is primarily attributed to a growing number of individuals seeking reliable resources to track and manage their health. A comprehensive evaluation of users' experiences with these wellness tools is essential to accurately comprehend their needs and preferences, which can then be utilized by technology providers to create more impactful, user-centric products. These improved applications will not only cater to individual user needs but also contribute positively to enhancing the health standards of the entire community.
Participants
This study examines user experiences with three leading mobile wellness apps: Google Fit, Fitbit, and Apple Health. The study engaged a diverse group of 109 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 75 years old, of varied genders, who utilize smart wearable devices to monitor health and fitness data regularly. These participants were judiciously allocated to assess one of the three wellness apps, ensuring an even distribution and comprehensive analysis.
Methodology
This research employed a task-based online unmoderated usability test to evaluate whether the applications meet user expectations and requirements, understand user response to the app's design elements such as brand messaging, visuals, navigation, categories, and the product selection process, and to compare each application with its competitors. Tasks encompassed fitness activity check-ins, tracking of calories, distance, and steps, sleep analysis, personal information updates, etc.
The proprietary Ipsos UX Score, an analysis method utilizing a standardized battery of questions with 6-point scale rating, gauged usability, relevance, and design appeal, was implemented to quantitatively compare the selected wellness apps using statistical analysis (ANOVA and Bonferroni posthoc comparison). Furthermore, the wellness sector's scores were juxtaposed with the Ipsos cross-industry benchmarking scores, which were averages compiled from 118 websites/apps across 14 industries. Such comparisons provide perspective on the position of wellness apps' user experience within the broader digital landscape and offer valuable insights for continuous enhancement and improvement. Qualitative insights drawn from user feedback during and after tasks on the wellness apps supplemented the quantitative data, shed light on user behaviors, and paved the way for detailed design recommendations.
Results
Overall, the UX scores for the wellness sector notably surpassed the Ipsos cross-industry benchmarking scores across all UX dimensions. The sector posted an impressive 5.11 compared to 4.70 from Ipsos benchmarking on the overall UX Score, 5.08 against 4.87 on Usability, 5.01 as opposed to 4.32 on Relevance, and 5.35 compared to 5.11 on Design Appeal. When considering the three wellness apps individually, Apple Health lagged behind with a significantly lower overall UX Score of 4.99 as compared to Fitbit's 5.15 and Google Fit's 5.18. Similarly, Apple Health scored lower in Usability with 4.81, while both Fitbit and Google Fit achieved a higher score of 5.22. Fitbit stood out in Relevance, registering a significantly higher score of 5.03 against Apple Health's 4.99 and Google Fit's 5.00. On the other hand, Google Fit led in Design Appeal with a substantially higher score of 5.43, in comparison to Apple Health's 5.33 and Fitbit's 5.28.
Qualitative insights gleaned from the study underscored that users appreciate wellness apps for centralizing their data and assisting them in enhancing their health. They responded positively to features such as data gamification, consolidation of health data, and reminders. However, drawbacks such as inconspicuous new features, overwhelming functionality, and a preference for features associated with connected wearables over the app were also reported.
In the realm of usability, users reported that they could easily locate common features like weight tracking and sleep statistics. However, they faced challenges when it came to manually adding activities or deciphering specific activity tracking. Thus, it is advisable to streamline the processes involved in manually updating activities and personal data for enhanced user experience.
Users highlighted features like challenges and reminders within wellness apps as motivational and interactive elements, factors that significantly contributed to the consistently high Relevance scores observed in the wellness app sector. However, it was observed that most users did not recognize any new features introduced in Fitbit or Google Fit. In the case of Apple Health, users expressed that the multitude of new features made it challenging to explore all of them. The swift introduction of new features was perceived as overwhelming by some users. To enhance the relevance of these apps, it is recommended to increase the visibility of new features and assist users in understanding how these features and the associated data connect to their health.
In the category of Design Appeal, users expressed their appreciation for certain design elements, such as the use of a dark theme and color-coded metrics. However, they also emphasized the need for simplicity, cautioning against interfaces becoming overly sophisticated or high-tech. To boost design appeal, it is recommended for apps to stay in line with current design trends while maintaining clean, uncluttered interfaces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while wellness apps have made significant strides in recent years, there are still areas for improvement in ensuring an optimal user experience. This study provides a valuable comparison of three popular wellness apps and offers insights and recommendations for their future development. The in-depth understanding of user experiences, derived from this study, can serve as a valuable roadmap for developers in fine-tuning their offerings to more effectively meet user needs and preferences.
From the moment the global pandemic began in 2020, there has been a notable increase in the usage of wellness applications. This surge is primarily attributed to a growing number of individuals seeking reliable resources to track and manage their health. A comprehensive evaluation of users' experiences with these wellness tools is essential to accurately comprehend their needs and preferences, which can then be utilized by technology providers to create more impactful, user-centric products. These improved applications will not only cater to individual user needs but also contribute positively to enhancing the health standards of the entire community.
Participants
This study examines user experiences with three leading mobile wellness apps: Google Fit, Fitbit, and Apple Health. The study engaged a diverse group of 109 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 75 years old, of varied genders, who utilize smart wearable devices to monitor health and fitness data regularly. These participants were judiciously allocated to assess one of the three wellness apps, ensuring an even distribution and comprehensive analysis.
Methodology
This research employed a task-based online unmoderated usability test to evaluate whether the applications meet user expectations and requirements, understand user response to the app's design elements such as brand messaging, visuals, navigation, categories, and the product selection process, and to compare each application with its competitors. Tasks encompassed fitness activity check-ins, tracking of calories, distance, and steps, sleep analysis, personal information updates, etc.
The proprietary Ipsos UX Score, an analysis method utilizing a standardized battery of questions with 6-point scale rating, gauged usability, relevance, and design appeal, was implemented to quantitatively compare the selected wellness apps using statistical analysis (ANOVA and Bonferroni posthoc comparison). Furthermore, the wellness sector's scores were juxtaposed with the Ipsos cross-industry benchmarking scores, which were averages compiled from 118 websites/apps across 14 industries. Such comparisons provide perspective on the position of wellness apps' user experience within the broader digital landscape and offer valuable insights for continuous enhancement and improvement. Qualitative insights drawn from user feedback during and after tasks on the wellness apps supplemented the quantitative data, shed light on user behaviors, and paved the way for detailed design recommendations.
Results
Overall, the UX scores for the wellness sector notably surpassed the Ipsos cross-industry benchmarking scores across all UX dimensions. The sector posted an impressive 5.11 compared to 4.70 from Ipsos benchmarking on the overall UX Score, 5.08 against 4.87 on Usability, 5.01 as opposed to 4.32 on Relevance, and 5.35 compared to 5.11 on Design Appeal. When considering the three wellness apps individually, Apple Health lagged behind with a significantly lower overall UX Score of 4.99 as compared to Fitbit's 5.15 and Google Fit's 5.18. Similarly, Apple Health scored lower in Usability with 4.81, while both Fitbit and Google Fit achieved a higher score of 5.22. Fitbit stood out in Relevance, registering a significantly higher score of 5.03 against Apple Health's 4.99 and Google Fit's 5.00. On the other hand, Google Fit led in Design Appeal with a substantially higher score of 5.43, in comparison to Apple Health's 5.33 and Fitbit's 5.28.
Qualitative insights gleaned from the study underscored that users appreciate wellness apps for centralizing their data and assisting them in enhancing their health. They responded positively to features such as data gamification, consolidation of health data, and reminders. However, drawbacks such as inconspicuous new features, overwhelming functionality, and a preference for features associated with connected wearables over the app were also reported.
In the realm of usability, users reported that they could easily locate common features like weight tracking and sleep statistics. However, they faced challenges when it came to manually adding activities or deciphering specific activity tracking. Thus, it is advisable to streamline the processes involved in manually updating activities and personal data for enhanced user experience.
Users highlighted features like challenges and reminders within wellness apps as motivational and interactive elements, factors that significantly contributed to the consistently high Relevance scores observed in the wellness app sector. However, it was observed that most users did not recognize any new features introduced in Fitbit or Google Fit. In the case of Apple Health, users expressed that the multitude of new features made it challenging to explore all of them. The swift introduction of new features was perceived as overwhelming by some users. To enhance the relevance of these apps, it is recommended to increase the visibility of new features and assist users in understanding how these features and the associated data connect to their health.
In the category of Design Appeal, users expressed their appreciation for certain design elements, such as the use of a dark theme and color-coded metrics. However, they also emphasized the need for simplicity, cautioning against interfaces becoming overly sophisticated or high-tech. To boost design appeal, it is recommended for apps to stay in line with current design trends while maintaining clean, uncluttered interfaces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while wellness apps have made significant strides in recent years, there are still areas for improvement in ensuring an optimal user experience. This study provides a valuable comparison of three popular wellness apps and offers insights and recommendations for their future development. The in-depth understanding of user experiences, derived from this study, can serve as a valuable roadmap for developers in fine-tuning their offerings to more effectively meet user needs and preferences.
Event Type
Oral Presentations
Track Keynote
TimeMonday, March 2511:30am - 12:00pm CDT
LocationSalon A-2
Digital Health