Top Fitness Tracker in 2025: Oura Ring or Apple Watch?

On May 3, 2025

Track Your Health Like Never Before: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch

Do you remember the era of pedometers? Those simple step counters that could be clipped onto clothing. They were once considered the height of health tracking. But fast-forward to the present day, and pedometers seem slightly outdated. They’re now a fundamental feature on all of the
top fitness trackers.

Today, technology has transitioned from simple step counting to integrating sensors into your favorite accessories. Watches, rings, and even artificial intelligence have joined the fitness tech game. Two of the leading names in this domain are Apple and Oura. Their flagship products, the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Oura Ring 4, offer different approaches to health monitoring. So, which one is superior? Let’s delve into a comprehensive comparison between the Oura Ring and the Apple Watch.

Design and Comfort: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch

Apple has chosen the path of a traditional smartwatch with the Apple Watch. It’s retained its signature OLED display and wristband options over more than 10 iterations while becoming more compact. On the other hand, the Oura Ring is a new entrant in the fitness tracking game, offering the unique form of a smart ring. The
Oura Ring 4
looks like a conventional band, albeit slightly thicker, and is available in six different finishes and a range of sizes.

While the Apple Watch feels like a standard watch and is lightweight, the Oura Ring offers a more discreet design. It doesn’t interfere with your grip and packs a lot of biometric sensing capabilities into a compact package. Both devices are waterproof and can be worn throughout the day, whether you’re swimming or showering. However, the Apple Watch is compatible only with iOS, while the Oura Ring works well with both iOS and Android.

Fitness Tracking: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch

Both Apple Watch and Oura Ring prioritize fitness tracking. They monitor your activity, log your type of activity, and track your heart rate, steps, and distance. However, their approaches differ. The Apple Watch has an on-display sensor that collects biometric data, and it has two apps, Workout and Fitness, for the same. On the contrary, the Oura Ring, with its screenless design, provides all health data on your smartphone, through the Oura app. The Apple Watch, with its phone-free approach, wins this round for ease of accessing health data.

Sleep Tracking: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is not as comfortable as the Oura Ring when it comes to sleep tracking due to its stiff bands. In contrast, the Oura Ring is perfect for tracking sleep patterns, and it also provides insights into different sleep cycles and long-term calculations like your chronotype.

Battery Life: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch

The Oura Ring’s battery life lasts for almost a week, while the Apple Watch’s battery lasts for up to 24 hours. So, if you want a device that can track your activities round the clock, the Oura Ring is the clear winner.

Smart Features: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch

While the Oura Ring offers plenty of health tracking features, the Apple Watch offers additional features. iOS users can get iPhone notifications, take calls, reply to texts, and even connect to Spotify and other apps directly from their Apple Watch.

Cost: Apple Watch vs Oura Ring

In terms of cost, the Oura Ring and the Apple Watch are similarly priced. However, the Oura Ring requires a monthly subscription to access all its features, while the Apple Watch does not demand any additional costs beyond the initial purchase.

The Ideal Combination: Oura Ring and Apple Watch

Both the Oura Ring and the Apple Watch are winners based on individual preferences. If you prefer a fitness tracker that doubles as a smartwatch and you’re an iOS user, the Apple Watch is the perfect choice. If you prefer a more discreet design and need comprehensive sleep tracking, the Oura Ring is the way to go. However, using both devices together can offer the best of both worlds.

Still unsure? Check out reviews of the Oura Ring 4 and the Apple Watch Series 10 for further insights.