Head-to-head

Vida Health vs Strava

Vida Health 4.6★ · Free to download 65

Winner Tie

Strava 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70

Choose Vida Health if you need personalized health coaching and medical management, especially for chronic conditions, but be aware of potential app bugs and customer service issues; opt for Strava if you prioritize robust activity tracking, social features, and a large community for running and cycling, accepting its aggressive upsells and occasional support frustrations.

Full reviews: Vida Health · Strava

Vida Health offers personalized health coaching and medical management, with users praising its accountability and support for conditions like diabetes, but it struggles with app functionality and customer service. Strava excels at activity tracking and community features for athletes, though users frequently complain about its aggressive subscription prompts and unresponsive support.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: Strava^R2^R3^R5^R6

Vida Health Vida Health provides tools for tracking food, weight, and blood pressure, along with personalized coaching and educational content ^R5^R23^R38. However, users report issues with the app freezing ^R3, inaccurate nutritional facts in the food log ^R6, difficulty adding new foods or recipes , and a lack of step tracking . Many find the layout difficult to customize and navigate, requiring excessive scrolling ^R2. There are also complaints about poor syncing with Apple Health and connected devices ^R24.

Strava Strava offers comprehensive GPS tracking for various activities, shoe mileage tracking, and social features like following friends and joining clubs ^R71. Users appreciate its ease of use for tracking workouts ^R71. However, some report recording issues, such as activities stopping midway or inaccurate times and distances . The app is criticized for being unintuitive and having a clunky UI with too many pop-ups . There are also requests for features like music playlists and better swim tracking .

Ease of Use edge: Strava^R2^R3^R5^R8

Vida Health Some Vida Health users find the app easy to use for tracking and appreciate the overall experience ^R5^R23. However, many describe the initial setup as challenging ^R8 and the app's navigation as difficult, requiring too much scrolling to log activities ^R2. Issues like freezing ^R3 and login problems after updates ^R27 further hinder usability.

Strava Strava is generally considered simple and easy to use for tracking workouts ^R71. However, some users find the navigation unintuitive and report that the UI has become clunky or broken after updates . Frequent subscription prompts also interrupt the user experience .

Reliability & Performance tie^R3^R24^R27^R32

Vida Health Vida Health users frequently report issues with the app freezing ^R3, not syncing with other devices ^R24, and login problems after updates ^R27. The AI chatbot is described as useless ^R32 and auto-generated messages can be overwhelming ^R24.

Strava Strava users experience various reliability issues, including the app stopping recording mid-run , freezing on startup , and not loading . Some report glitches where the app records times when not in use or doesn't count distance accurately . Connectivity issues with Apple Watch are also mentioned .

Customer Support & Service tie^R4^R7^R10^R12

Vida Health Vida Health receives widespread criticism for its customer service. Users report non-professional medical associates ^R4, a lack of follow-ups ^R7, difficulty speaking with anyone when glitches occur ^R12, and unresponsive providers . Many feel they are given the 'run around' ^R7 and that the company prioritizes costs over patient care ^R7^R12.

Strava Strava's customer support is a major pain point for users. Many complain about atrocious customer support, with an unhelpful AI bot that closes chats . Users report not receiving human responses for days or weeks, even for critical issues like subscription problems .

Price & Value tie^R1^R7^R12^R13

Vida Health Vida Health is often provided as a benefit through employers or insurance plans ^R13^R32. However, many users feel it's a 'scam' or 'gatekeeping' service that adds unnecessary hoops, particularly for medication access, and that it prioritizes cost reduction for employers over patient needs ^R1^R7^R12^R13.

Strava Strava has a free version, which users appreciate for basic tracking ^R71. However, there are frequent complaints about aggressive upsells and constant prompts to subscribe . Many users find the subscription price, around $80 per year, to be too expensive for the value offered, especially given that many features are paywalled ^R87^R89^R102. Some feel the app is 'too P2W' (pay-to-win) and that features they once enjoyed are now restricted ^R89^R91.

Pick Vida Health if

you are looking for personalized health coaching and medical management, especially if your employer or insurance covers it, and you need accountability for conditions like diabetes or weight loss ^R5^R38.

Pick Strava if

you are an athlete or fitness enthusiast who wants robust GPS tracking for running, cycling, and other activities, enjoys social features, and is willing to tolerate aggressive subscription prompts ^R71.

Evidence note: Vida Health's reviews are heavily skewed by users who are mandated to use the app by their insurance or employer, leading to significant frustration regarding medication access and perceived lack of patient care. Strava's negative reviews often center on its aggressive monetization strategy and customer support, despite its high lifetime rating.

Frequently asked

Is Vida Health good for weight loss?

Yes, Vida Health can be effective for weight loss, with users praising the accountability it provides and the support from health coaches and dieticians ^R5^R38. The app offers tools to track calories, carbs, protein, fats, and sugar, which helps users manage their diet ^R20^R23.

Does Strava have a free version?

Yes, Strava offers a free version that allows users to track their walks and workouts, and many users find it sufficient for basic activity logging ^R71. However, many advanced features and detailed insights are paywalled behind a subscription, which users often find expensive at around $80 per year ^R87^R89^R102.

What are the main complaints about Vida Health?

The main complaints about Vida Health revolve around its poor customer service, including unresponsive providers and a lack of follow-ups ^R4^R7, and significant app functionality issues such as freezing, inaccurate food logging, and poor syncing with other devices ^R3^R6^R24. Many users also feel the company acts as a 'gatekeeper' for medication, prioritizing cost savings for employers over patient care ^R1^R13.

Is Strava worth paying for?

Whether Strava is worth paying for depends on your needs; while the free version is good for basic tracking, many users find the subscription too expensive for the value, especially with frequent upsells and paywalled features ^R87^R89^R102. Some long-time subscribers have canceled due to price increases and the removal of features ^R91.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

[R2] Vida Health 4/5 · US Format: This app would be much better if the layout was customizable. I hate scrolling down to the bottom to log food and other stuff.
[R3] Vida Health 3/5 · US Keeps freezing: I don’t know why it keeps freezing. Great potential but it’s frustrating to use. Perhaps a bug fix?
[R5] Vida Health 5/5 · US First time: This is my first time using a weight loss program and I have to say I love this app. I love all the tools and the accountability it provides and my health coach Stephani is amazing! So encouraging and positive!
[R6] Vida Health 3/5 · US Food logging: The nutritional facts are incorrect. If you are someone watching your sodium intake you will get depress, most of the time it’s on the high side as well as the protein. Don’t trust it.
[R8] Vida Health 5/5 · US Review: I enjoy the app, but the whole process of joining has been challenging to a non savy tech person.
[R24] Vida Health 3/5 · US Coaching is good but app is buggy: Coaches are good but the buggy app is frustrating to use. Typical problems include not properly syncing with Apple Health, limited food database, etc. But the worst is now it is flooding my chat with auto notifications and messages many times a day about how my blood pressure is great. I had to turn off all notifications, and now I can’t even have a chat conver
[R27] Vida Health 3/5 · US Unable to log into Vida: Until the newest update I had no problem but now I have been unable to login or access the app for the last three days
[R32] Vida Health 4/5 · US The AI chatbot is utterly useless: This app and coaching is provided free by my employer. I’ve been giving it a go for about a week and a half now, maybe a little longer. I appreciate the ability to have video calls with a health coach who works of specific goals. But the food logging is very limited, poor interface. I will stick to using My Fitness Pal for food logging. The AI chatbot keeps sugge
[R4] Vida Health 1/5 · US worst service ever: The worst service I’ve ever had in my entire life, nonprofessional medical associates not easy to work with very hard to navigate system and process overall horrible horrible service
[R7] Vida Health 1/5 · US Worst experience ever since I have had health care coverage: The absolute worst i have ever experienced in a health management company. They only care about costs not about patient care or needs being met. No follow ups continued run around. They simply do not care what’s best for the patient! Never recommending this company to ANYONE!
[R10] Vida Health 1/5 · US You such: Not enough people employed!!!
[R12] Vida Health 3/5 · US Issue resolved: When things go well pleasant individuals, however when there is a glitch there is NO ONE to speak with NO recourse at all. Employers partnering with this program are simply looking to reduce costs. It’s not employee friendly. Medication runs out - that’s your problem. They will not allow more than one month refill at a time. Connected with live agent who escalated issue, receive
[R1] Vida Health 1/5 · US Absolute Garbage: Be prepared to jump through 20 hoops to get anywhere. These people don’t want to help they want to track ALL of your life. I can do this on my own. It’s a scam stay away
[R13] Vida Health 1/5 · US Terrible: It is awful that you have attached yourself as a requirement to insurance plans to make money off glp1s. This is so unnecessary and the format of having webinars during working hours is extremely inconvenient and unacceptable. This is a waste of time and not necessary. You are impeding on patient’s ability to have resources just to make a dollar and piggy back off a pharmaceutical drug.
[R20] Vida Health 5/5 · US Great app for tracking food: The food tracking is informative and helps hold you accountable
[R23] Vida Health 5/5 · US Good tracking weight app: I really like this app I can track my calories, carbs protein ,fats and sugar . Plus track my weight. Love it
[R38] Vida Health 5/5 · US Accountability: This app will definitely make you accountable for food on a daily basis. Working with my Dietician and Vida team is helping me finally my goals that I could not accomplish without them being by my side. You set goals and track them daily. You have videos to watch to help you to understand the who, what and why are holding you back. Being recently diagnosed with Diabetes- this app h
[R71] Strava 5/5 · US Love using this app: It’s simple to use and they have a free version. I love tracking my walks and workouts. It’s helped a lot in my motivation and seeing how often I am active. It was a pain tracking my workouts in my phone calendar and gym app. Now it’s all in one place.
[R87] Strava 3/5 · US Way to expensive: Man this stuff should be free
[R89] Strava 4/5 · US Great tracking: I enjoy Strava but I’ve also been a member long enough where I’ve lost the ability to do things unless I subscribe and that’s a bummer and way too expensive in my opinion.
[R102] Strava 3/5 · US It’s OK and free is OK but the request $80 for a year is outrageous: It’s been OK for the free portion. I’d be happy to purchase a yearly premium membership but $80 is just outrageous A few of my friends in my run group feel the same way You folks want $320 a year from the 4 of us but you’re getting zero dollars. How about drop it to $40 and get $160 out of us?!
[R91] Strava 1/5 · US Getting worse & worse: Used to love Strava and even paid for several years as a Premium subscriber to support their development and consistent improvements. But then Strava started removing more and more features, recently restricting API features and eliminating some entirely. Now, even Apps such as TREK Central are no longer able to sync accurate ride data. I officially cancelled my subscription

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store