Oura Ring App vs. Apple Health – The Better User Experience

Both the Oura Ring and the Apple Watch are used for the same purpose- tracking fitness and sleep. The two have similar data displayed on their apps, but are they really that different to comprehend?

For a noob like me, the numbers and graphs could get a little overwhelming. So, I decided to test which app’s user interface is likely to keep me on track with my health journey.

The Interface

Right off the bat, the Oura app has a better interface with easier to distinguish features. The data is easily legible in the form of tabs and scores. Each day, it gives me a score based on various metrics, and I’ve become habitual of planning my day according to these scores.

If any score or data is a little confusing, tapping on each metric gives you detailed information on what the metrics track. This gives me, a person who doesn’t want to do a deep dive every morning, very good information with just one quick glance.

It’s also very convenient to swipe through the app to get the data from previous days. Another great feature of the Oura app is that it takes into account data from the previous days and recommends activity and sleep based on the same.

It also sends a reminder about an hour before my ideal bed time to help me get into the zone of preparing for bed. Something which the Apple Health lacks.

Apple Health is a little more complicated in terms of not having the data under different tabs. It allows me to add the metrics I want to see on the dashboard, but it is still not as convenient as the Oura app.

The one thing I like about Apple Health over the Oura App is the ability to download reports for each metric to share with your doctor, in PDF form, right from the app. Oura also has reports, but they send out weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for combined metrics. For separate metric reports, I’d have to log on to Oura Web for the same.

Oura app is a little more convenient in terms of having your data already categorized. It gives Oura app a headstart but doesn’t rule out Apple Health just yet.

Scores

For each tab displayed on the Oura app, they provide a “score” based on previous data calculated by the device. These scores are condensed on the basis of various metrics, almost feeling like a test you need to ace. I thought I wouldn’t be bothered by these scores but now that I think about it, it is probably why I’ve been making better, healthier choices lately.

The sense of accomplishment and accountability, even if it’s to an app, subconsciously makes you want to do better. Not to mention, I do a little dance when I receive the crown on either of the metrics, i.e., a score of 85 and above.

The score feature isn’t the same on the Apple Health app. Apple Fitness app does come with “activity rings,” which are pretty similar but depend on the goals you make for yourself instead of having a pre-decided number.

If you’re someone who is motivated by achieving a goal, both the apps have these features to help you strive to do better.

Key Metrics

With both being the most sought-after devices in their markets, they pack a ton of data. The ease comes in the apps.

• Oura splits the data into three tabs- readiness, sleep, and activity. Apple Health has a summary tab where you can add various metrics manually.
• The Oura app requires you to add a workout from the app separately and unlike Apple, doesn’t automatically detect workouts. 
• Apple Health has an ECG report that can be checked with your Apple Watch and sent to your doctor in a PDF format, a feature missing in the Oura app.
• Oura app monitors stress under its ‘Daytime Stress’ feature using the heart rate, HRV, temperature, and motion metrics throughout the day. Oura app compiles a graph to depict the levels of stress.

For the amount I paid for my Apple devices, this seems like a feature that Apple could easily crack but, unfortunately, hasn’t.

• The Oura app determines which phase of my cycle I am in. The Apple Health app has no such distinction and only shares an estimated ovulation date if you have the Apple Watch Series 8 or later or any Apple Watch Ultra model.

Note that you have to log your period start and end date manually for both apps.

When it comes to understanding my cycle better, the Oura app definitely outperforms Apple Health. However, I’m less likely to reach out for the Oura app if I want more detailed information about my workouts.

Reminders

The Oura app sends a reminder to move if you have been inactive for long. Since the Oura ring is not a device which sends notifications, the reminders come via the app. Which is a little inconvenient if you don’t have your phone with yourself all the time.

The Apple Health app gives no such reminders. The reminders come via the Apple Watch instead, so even if you’re not carrying your phone, you will still get these notifications.

What Sets the Oura App Apart?

Experiments

The Oura app offers ‘experiments’. Now, what are Oura experiments?

These are self-driven tests that allow you to keep your habits in check, kind of like a daily checklist to track if you’re on the right track. You can join an experiment that Oura App offers and if you are in need of additional accountability, you can share the experiment and your progress with your friends.

I am currently on day 10 of my caffeine experiment, wherein I’m trying not to consume coffee at least 6 hours before bedtime. These experiments last 14 days. At the end of your experiment, you receive an Experiment Report with the results and a detailed interpretation of how your sleep, readiness, and activity scores affected the results.

Tags

Additionally, Oura App provides several ‘tags’ to monitor the effects of certain lifestyle choices, moods, and habits. You can add multiple tags such as coffee intake, mood such as excited, dark room, cold room, and so much more. 

You can study the effects of these tags on your metrics once you start to regularly add and monitor them.

Oura Advisor 

Oura launched a new feature (currently only available for iOS and active Gen3 members), the Oura Advisor. This is an AI-powered chatbot to help you understand your metrics better and lead a healthier lifestyle.

Personally, I found the Oura advisor experience to be a bit impersonal.

Device Compatibility

Apple Health is available on all iPhones and collects data from devices compatible with iOS. Apple Health is not available on Android devices.

Oura app is compatible with Apple devices running iOS 15 and higher and Android devices running Android 8.0 and higher.

Personalize the App

The Oura app splits the data between three tabs- readiness, sleep, and activity. Each tab provides a score based on previous data collected by the Oura Ring.

Apple Health, providing similar metrics, has a ‘summary’ tab wherein the data you mark as favourites is displayed on the dashboard. This dashboard is highly customisable with the metrics you want to see (favourites) on a daily basis, without a bunch of data being thrown at you.

Further Customizations

The Oura app allows me to set activity goals and edit bedtime. The app also has an ‘Explore’ section with guided meditations, breathing exercises, and audio to fall asleep to.

Apple Health does not have such features for guided breathing and meditation. All such features are a part of the Apple Watch.

Integration with Other Apps

The Oura app integrates its data with apps such as:

• Wild AI and Strava for fitness
• Natural Cycles, Clue, Flo, and Glow for menstrual tracking
• Chronometer, Noom, and Zero for nutrition
• Headspace and Apollo Neuro for stress and resilience.

Apple Health provides data by amalgamating data from different apps and devices. Therefore, it gives a detailed holistic view of your health. 

Interpretation

Although both apps track similar metrics, what I think puts the Oura app a little ahead of Apple Health is the ease of understanding these metrics. Each metric, when tapped on, gives a detailed description.

Another thing I love is that at a quick glance, I know how well I slept, how ready I am for the day, and if I need to move more to attain my step goal.

Membership

Oura app has an array of features which are unfortunately locked behind a paywall. A subscription of $5.99 USD/month or $69.99 USD annually is required to access all the data recorded by the Oura Ring.

Apple Health is free to use for iPhone users, and so is Apple Fitness. They track data with your Apple Watch and iPhone and all the data is accessible without having to pay for any subscription. Apple does offer Fitness+ which is a library of over 5000 workout videos and meditations, ranging from 5-45 mins. They have an assortment of workouts to choose from, ranging from yoga to HIIT, there are 12 workout types. They also have guided meditations and audio-guided walks.

Apple Fitness+ is free for 3 months, available to new subscribers, post which it costs $9.99 USD/month or $79.99 USD/year. You can also share Apple Fitness+ with 5 family members on a single subscription.

Final Verdict

While Apple Health packs a wealth of data, I have to say, I had a better user experience with the Oura App. Oura’s sleep data is unmatched and so is Apple’s fitness and activity. Both together, are the matrix of health.

If you are someone like me who doesn’t want to spend more than a minute to know how you’re doing in terms of sleep and activity, the Oura app will be your go-to. For a detailed analysis of my workouts, nothing beats Apple Fitness.

While I will always be a user of Apple devices, Oura has made its way to the top for understanding my health metrics. If you want a more detailed review of the Oura Ring, I tested it for a year, and you can read my opinion here.

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