When buying a fitness tracker, many things will be on your mind, such as compatibility, app variety, and fitness tracking. Both the Garmin Vivosmart 4 and Fitbit Charge 3 have quite the capabilities in these areas, making the competition tough.
Since both of these watches have almost identical features, nitpicking the minutest differences is a must to understand which one will be the best for you. Generally speaking, the Fitbit brand has been leading the fitness tracking arena for a great while now. However, Garmin’s Vivosmart 4 strikes a good bargain.
So, should you choose the Garmin Vivosmart 4 or Fitbit Charge 3? Let’s find out.
Garmin Vivosmart 4 vs. Fitbit Charge 3: Which Is Better?
Simply put, this depends on your exact needs. The Garmin Vivosmart 4 has a compact, sleek design. In fact, that’s what makes it so special compared to other smartwatches. So, if you’re looking for a light and small fitness tracker that you can almost forget that you’re wearing, you should go for the Garmin Vivosmart 4.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for better readability for notifications, a bigger screen, and better navigation, you should pick the Fitbit Charge 3.
Design
To access your device settings through Garmin Connect web: Go to connect.garmin.com from your personal computer. Select (upper right corner) Select the specific Vivo device. Select Device Settings. Update the settings and select Save. NOTE: Notifications are always displayed in landscape format on the Vivosmart and Vivosmart HR. Allows you to select the watch face. Display Options. Allows you to customize your display. Sets the length of time before the backlight turns off. NOTE: A longer timeout decreases battery life. Sets the backlight to turn on when you rotate your wrist toward your body to view the device.
- The watch face and add or remove widgets, such as music controls for your smartphone (Customizing Activity Options, page 8). Time and date The current time and date. The device updates the time and date when you sync your device with a smartphone or computer. The total number of steps taken and your goal for the day.
- Allows you to select the watch face. Display Options. Allows you to customize your display. Sets the length of time before the backlight turns.
This is the one definitive feature for both trackers. Vivosmart 4 has a sleek design so light that you would often forget you’re wearing it. This is precisely why a lot of people opt for this fitness tracker. Nonetheless, if small displays can be eye-straining for you, then you should steer clear from this one.
In contrast, the Fitbit Charge 3 is bulkier and even chunkier. However, you’ll be able to read notifications more easily than you would on Vivosmart 4. The square screen adjusts the texts to be easily read instead of Fitbit Charge 3’s small rectangular screen.
All in all, the Vivosmart 4’s design is made to fit in and be discreet, while the Fitbit Charge 3 stands out.
Winner: Tie. It depends on your preferences.
Read also: Suunto vs Garmin
Vivosmart 4 Watch Faces For Sale
Battery Life
At first glance, you’ll find that both fitness trackers promise a 7-day battery life. However, this duration can and will fluctuate depending on your usage.
For instance, the Vivosmart 4’s battery life drops to around 4 days when using one of the unique features like the OX pulse. The same goes for Fitbit Charge 3, though it drops only to 5 days after constant usage.
However, when you think about it, the Garmin Vivosmart 4 sports one of the largest and most durable batteries considering its incredibly compact size. In fact, it contains a lot of unique features, and it all fits perfectly into this small watch, which is regarded as a feat compared to Fitbit Charge 3.
Winner: Fitbit Charge 3.
Fitness Tracking
Overall, both watches track your steps, stairs climbed, calories burned, movement, and heart rate, as inaccurate as that might be in some cases. They also track a host of other activities, though you might find that the Fitbit Charge 3 tracks more activities than Vivosmart 4.
Although both watches can track an array of fitness exercises and activities, they’re not highly accurate when it comes to their heart rate sensors, especially the Garmin Vivosmart 4.
Despite that, the Vivosmart can accurately measure the blood oxygen saturation thanks to its Pulse Ox sensor. However, it might be a bit inaccurate when it comes to run-tracking.
Winner: Fitbit Charge 3.
Read also: Garmin Fenix 5x Vs 5x Plus
Connectivity
The Vivosmart 4 can practically be paired with any device without worrying about it not syncing to the device. But make sure that you’ve downloaded the latest version of the Garmin Connect app, as not all the watch’s features will work on your phone if you don’t.
Although navigating the app might be a bit tricky, it’ll give you more control over your watch and even provide you with some useful customization options, like sleep times, watch faces, and more.
As for the Fitbit Charge 3, syncing it with your smartphone is much easier. All you have to do is turn on your Bluetooth; however, you might face some connectivity issues. In fact, your watch might not sync with your phone sometimes, which is why you’ll have to download the compatible Fitbit app with your device.
Winner: Tie.
Water Resistance
If you often dip your hands in water or forget to take off your watch while showering, there’s no need to worry because both Vivosmart 4 and Charge 3 have a high degree of water resistance!
Actually, Garmin has been doing a pretty good job of keeping all their devices water-resistant. The Vivosmart 4 is no different, as it has a water resistance rating of 100 meters, which means that you can wear your watch while doing a variety of activities, including swimming. It can also provide you with valuable metrics while swimming.
On the other hand, the Fitbit Charge 3 is water-resistant up to 50 meters. While this rating can still give you readings on your performance while swimming, it doesn’t beat Vivosmart 4’s 100-meter rating.
Winner: Vivosmart 4.
GPS
Unfortunately, the Vivosmart 4 doesn’t have a built-in GPS, but it uses your smartphone’s GPS to track your outdoor activities and give you accurate readings of your health, which you can access through the watch’s app. Of course, this feature doesn’t substitute a built-in GPS, but it’s still useful in a way.
Likewise, the Fitbit Charge 3 doesn’t contain a built-in GPS as well, and it can track your outdoor activity, similar to how Vivosmart 4 does. So, make sure that you turn on the GPS on your phone every time you go exercise outside.
Winner: Tie.
Female Health Tracking
One of the best features that Fitbit Charge 3 has over the Vivosmart 4 is female health-tracking, something that’ll appeal to our female audience.
This feature basically tracks your menstrual cycle and incorporates that into your fitness data so you have a better understanding of which exercises should suit you best.
It’ll also help you set goals, connect with your friends, and help you better understand your health and body overall.
Winner: Fitbit Charge 3.
Garmin Vivosmart 4 – Pros & Cons:
Fitbit Charge 3 – Pros & Cons:
Garmin Vivosmart 4 vs. Fitbit Charge 3: Which One Wins?
Both of these fitness trackers are great; they have a lot of similarities, but they can also be different in various aspects, just as we’ve highlighted in this review. To sum it up, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly compact smartwatch with various features, the Garmin Vivosmart 4 is your best bet.
If you’re looking for a useful smartwatch with an excellent display and better navigability, the Fitbit Charge 3 is a great option for that purpose!
Several of Garmin’s latest watches offer support for apps, music and other smart features. They can also be personalized by downloading and installing custom watch faces, which completely change the way the main display looks.
Some of the Garmin smartwatches that support custom watch faces include Fenix 6, Forerunner 235, Vivoactive 3, Forerunner 45, Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 945. If you’d like to check whether or not your device is supported you can visit Garmin’s ConnectIQ storefront.
Like much of Garmin’s downloadable content, the watch faces are created by third-party developers. You can browse, download and rate them via ConnectIQ. More are added to the store regularly, so it’s always good to check back and see what’s new.
You can also download apps, widgets, and other updates via ConnectIQ depending on the device you own. Almost any of Garmin’s wearables can be enhanced by adding new device apps or custom data fields, which allows the watch to track more than it does natively. A Garmin Approach golf-themed watch, for example, can be used to track hiking specific stats, or display a star-chart, merely by installing new content.
That being said, one of the best ways to spruce up your watch is to install custom watch faces. You can find new faces that display way more than just the time, like sports stats, calendar details and even custom graphics — there’s a Super Mario themed watch face!
To help you get started, here are some of the best Garmin watch faces you can download right now:
25. Duck Hunt
Remember the classic Nintendo game Duck Hunt? That’s precisely what this watch face is, an animated rendition. When you look at your watch the animation plays, showing an endearing Muttley giggling as ducks fly overhead.
There are no stats displayed, just the time and date so this watch face is best when you don’t care to see your data or metrics.
Compatible Devices: D2 Bravo/ Titanium / Charlie / Delta / Delta PX / Delta S, Descent MK1, Epix, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 45 / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, Fenix Chronos, Garmin Swim 2, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Music, Vivoactive HR
24. CarbonAnalog
If you want a simple analog watch with a carbon-fiber style design then CarbonAnalog is a good choice. Right now, not many devices are supported. Hopefully, the developer will add more soon.
Compatible Devices: D2 Bravo, D2 Bravo Titanium, Fenix 3, Fenix Quatix 3, Fenix Tactix Bravo, Fenix 3 HR, Fenix Chronos
23. Energy Face
If you want a clean e-ink style watch face that doesn’t use a lot of battery, check out Energy Face. It also displays a huge selection of personal stats and info, like Bluetooth status, alarm, and moon phases. It also has several configurable fields.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, All D2, Descent MK1, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / Forerunner 230 / 235 / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 935, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Music
Energy Face at ConnectIQ
22. Simply Late!
This watch face offers a rather unique take on the modern watch. All that’s displayed is the current hour with a progress indicator to tell you what part of the hour you’re in. Data is also displayed nicely at the top. It’s meant for anyone who likes to see the current hour at a glance, but nothing more.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Descent MK1, First Avenger, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 45 / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, Garmin Swim 2, All MARQ, Rey, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivoactive HR
21. Divinity
Like skulls? Want one on your watch face alongside the date and time? Then check out Divinity, an official watch face from Garmin.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, All D2, Descent MK1, First Avenger, Forerunner 245 / 245 Music / 645 / 645 Music / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivolife
20. GearMin
The GearMin watch face is an absolute beast, displaying just about every stat and personal detail your watch can track. It’s for data lovers and always active people, specifically those that want quick access to all important stats. You get elevation, current location, date and time, total steps, goal progress, Bluetooth status, notifications, heart-rate, alarms, an activity graph and much more.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Darth Vader, Descent MK1, Epix, First Avenger, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / 920XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Rey, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivoactive HR, Vivolife
19. Classic Collection
The best thing about this watch face is it’s a bundle that includes several classic designs inspired by real watches. All of the faces feature analog clock designs, of which there are seven. There are a variety of configurable colors, backgrounds, clock hands and more.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Descent MK1, First Avenger, Forerunner 245 / 245 Music / 645 / 645 Music / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Rey, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S
18. DividedTime
Want a plain style watch that displays the current time and date, with plenty of configurable options? Look no further than DividedTime. It offers a wide range of color options for the foreground and background. You can also remove everything extra for an incredibly clean style.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Descent MK1, First Avenger, ForeAthlete 735XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 45 / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, Garmin Swim 2, All MARQ, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivolife
17. Infinity
Infinity mimics traditional analog watches by display hour, minute and second hands. In the background is an infinite array of cubes, which is where the name comes from. At the north side of the face is the battery level and the south side has total steps. It looks great, works great and is definitely one to grab.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Darth Vader, First Avenger, Forerunner 245 / 245 Music / 645 / 645 Music / 935 / 945, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Rey, Venu, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivolife
16. RunningPro
This watch face has another analog-style design, except it displays running and activity stats in the background. You can see battery levels, current weight, altitude, calories burned, total steps, data, moon phase and more.
Compatible Devices: All D2, Forerunner 645 / 645 Music / 935, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5
15. Clock32
This watch face has a stylish, digital design with the time and date in the center and a progress bar around the edges. It supports multiple color configurations and displays a ton of extra details. You can see heart-rate, total steps, notifications, alarms, Bluetooth status, battery level and much more.
Compatible Devices: All D2, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / 920XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, Fenix Chronos, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive HR
14. Time Flies
This watch face has a slick, analog and digital clock design with “rich customization options” and support for several detailed stats like data, Bluetooth status, and battery level.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, All D2, Descent MK1, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / 920XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive HR, Vivolife
13. DigiSport
This watch face closely resembles the Nike face available on the Nike+ edition of the Apple Watch. The time is displayed on the right, and three circular icons sit on the left. The icons can be customized, allowing you to choose what’s displayed. Most of the options are unlocked by buying the premium version for $1.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Darth Vader, Descent MK1, Epix, First Avenger, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / 920XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Rey, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivolife
12. Lachesis (Light)
This animated watch face displays illuminated neon colors around the edges and places the time right in the center. There are four color schemes: coral pink, sunset orange, ocean green and sand grey. Extra info displayed includes calories burned, battery level, data and total steps.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Darth Vader, Descent MK1, First Avenger, Forerunner 245 / 245 Music / 645 / 645 Music / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Rey, Venu, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivolife
11. SkyTracker
If you want to see weather data, SkyTracker is the right watch face. It will show the temperature and weather conditions for your current location. It also displays battery level, heart-rate, mobile notifications, time and data. Additional options are available to unlock, too, like new colors and more.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Darth Vader, Descent MK1, First Avenger, Forerunner 245 / 245 Music / 645 / 645 Music / 935 / 945, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, All MARQ, Rey, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivolife
10. ActiFace
If you want as much information on your small watch display as possible, then ActiFace is the right choice. It shows time and date, daily goal progress, total steps, mobile notifications and heart-rate. It also displays a useful activity history graph that shows the distance you’ve traveled and the total calories you’ve burned along the way.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Darth Vader, Descent MK1, Epix, First Avenger, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / 920XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 45 / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920 XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, Garmin Swim 2, All MARQ, Rey, Venu, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivoactive HR, Vivolife
9. Gigantus
This watch face puts the time front and center in large, bold print. Various stats are displayed around the time, including heart-rate, Bluetooth status, alarms, activity details and more. You can also change the display colors by choosing from several presets.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, All D2, Descent MK1, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 935, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, Fenix Chronos, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music
Gigantus at ConnectIQ
8. Sport Master
Another official Garmin watch face, Sport Master is for all the active folks out there who want to track their progress in real-time. Time is displayed in both digital and analog formats. Additional details include calories burned, total steps, distance traveled, date, battery level and more.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Darth Vader, Descent MK1, First Avenger, Forerunner 245 / 245 Music / 645 / 645 Music / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Rey, Venu, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivolife
7. NoFrills
If you want something that has no frills, this watch face is the one to grab. The time sits front and center in a beautiful, bold font. As you progress towards your daily goal the numbers fill up with water. Additional stats are displayed around the edges including heart-rate, date, alarms, Bluetooth status, notifications and battery level.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Darth Vader, Descent MK1, Epix, First Avenger, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / 920XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 45 / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920 XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Rey, Venu, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivoactive HR, Vivolife
6. Ha Long Bay
Another animated watch face, Ha Long Bay adds a beautiful boating scene. Stats include total steps, battery levels, Bluetooth on, and time and date. It’s minimal, but it looks great and leaves plenty of open space to see the animation.
Garmin Vivoactive Watch Face Options
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, All D2, Descent MK1, Epix, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / 920XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920XT / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive HR, Vivolife
5. JBlack
If you want a clean watch face that’s packed to the brim with info, JBlack is your best bet. It shows alarms, battery levels, BT status, the current moon phase, total steps, and, of course, the time and date. Plus, if you make a small donation to the developer who created it, you can unlock a few other features too like heart-rate or sunrise and set times (to clarify, the watch already shows this info via settings but a donation adds support to the home screen).
Compatible Devices: D2 Delta / Delta PX / Delta S, Descent MK1, Forerunner 645 / 645 Music, 935 / 945, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, All MARQ
4. Crystal
Want as much information on-screen as possible, yet in an attractive way? Crystal is your type of watch face. It was named the winner of “Best New Watch Face” at Garmin’s 2019 Connect IQ Developer awards. It shows a variety of stats and info, and there are three configurable data fields including heart-rate, battery level, and mobile notifications.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, All D2, Darth Vader, Descent MK1, First Avenger, ForeAthlete 735XTJ, Forerunner 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 45 / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920XT/ 935, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, Garmin Swim 2, All MARQ, Venu, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivoactive HR, Vivolife
3. Movement
Made by Garmin, Movement is an excellent watch face in style and function. There’s a rainbow style UI, with various metrics placed around the face. You can see elevation, battery levels, a music equalizer, along with time and date. You can also change the colors to personalize the face if you like.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, All D2, Descent MK1, Forerunner 245 / 245 Music / 645 / 645 Music / 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivolife
2. Line
Line takes a unique approach to display metrics and time info on screen all at once. As the name suggests, a line separates the time and date from personal stats. There are multiple configurations so you can swap the layout to be side-by-side or top-bottom. You can change the display colors. The information shown includes calories burned, battery life, weather, heart-rate, mobile notifications, alarms and more.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, Captain Marvel, All D2, Descent MK1, Epix, ForeAthlete 230J / 235J / 630J / 735XTJ / 920XTJ, Forerunner 230 / 235 / 245 / 245 Music / 630 / 645 / 645 Music / 735XT / 920XT/ 935 / 945, All Fenix 3, All Fenix 5, All Fenix 6, Fenix Chronos, All MARQ, Vivoactive, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivoactive 4 / 4S, Vivoactive HR
1. My Watch
My Watch takes the number one spot because of how functional it is. It doesn’t look bad either, especially with how the minor details are displayed. The time takes front and center, and you get a wide variety of stats and info including heart-rate, activity time, altitude, temperature, moon phases, and much more. There are also two styles, light and dark, and none of the features are locked behind a paywall or donation requirement.
Compatible Devices: Approach S60, All D2, Descent MK1, Forerunner 645 / 645 Music / 935, All Fenix 5, Vivoactive 3 / 3 Mercedes-Benz Collection / 3 Music, Vivolife