Gym memberships are expensive. Personal trainers cost even more. And let’s be honest—most of us don’t use them consistently anyway. Home workout apps changed the game: professional-quality workouts in your living room, no equipment required, for free or cheap.
I tested ten home workout apps over three months, doing every type of workout: HIIT, strength training, yoga, cardio dance, you name it. Here are the apps that actually work—and the ones that are just YouTube videos repackaged.
Best Home Workout Apps: Quick Comparison
| App | Best For | Price | Equipment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FitOn | Free Workouts | Free | None | 4.8/5 |
| Nike Training Club | Variety | Free | Optional | 4.7/5 |
| Apple Fitness+ | Apple Users | $9.99/mo | None | 4.8/5 |
| Peloton App | Cardio Classes | $12.99/mo | None | 4.6/5 |
| Chloe Ting | Free Programs | Free | None | 4.5/5 |
1. FitOn – Best Completely Free App
FitOn is genuinely free. Not “free trial then pay.” Not “free but workouts are locked.” Actually free. Celebrity trainers, hundreds of classes, personalized plans—all at no cost. How? They make money from premium features (meal plans and physical products), but the core app is 100% free forever.
What Makes FitOn Great
- Completely free – No trial period, no paywall later
- Celebrity trainers – Cassey Ho, Jonathan Van Ness, Gabrielle Union lead classes
- Every workout style – HIIT, strength, yoga, barre, Pilates, dance cardio
- 5-60 minute classes – Short on time? Quick 7-minute workouts available
- Personalized plans – Answer a few questions, get a custom workout schedule
- Social features – Work out with friends virtually
What’s Behind the Paywall
Premium ($29.99/year) adds meal plans and removes ads. But the workout library stays free. If you just want to exercise, you never need to pay.
Cons
- Some ads between workouts (skippable)
- Video quality isn’t 4K (1080p max)
Best for: Anyone who wants professional workouts without paying monthly fees.
2. Nike Training Club – Best for Variety
Nike Training Club on Google Play
Nike’s workout app used to cost $15/month. In 2020, they made it permanently free. Now you get 190+ workouts, training programs, and expert guidance at no cost. It’s one of the best free apps available.
Why NTC is Excellent
- 190+ workouts – More than enough variety to never get bored
- Multi-week programs – Beginner to advanced training plans
- Expert trainers – Nike’s professional coaching team
- Equipment flexibility – Bodyweight-only or add dumbbells/resistance bands
- Offline downloads – Download workouts for travel or bad internet
- Voice cuing – Audio instructions so you don’t need to watch screen constantly
Where It Could Improve
- Interface feels corporate/clinical – Less fun than FitOn
- Workouts can feel repetitive after months
Best for: Someone who wants structured training programs and doesn’t mind a basic interface.
3. Apple Fitness+ – Best for Apple Ecosystem Users
Fitness+ is Apple’s entry into workout apps. If you have an Apple Watch, it’s unbeatable—real-time heart rate on screen, activity rings integration, perfect sync. Without an Apple Watch? It’s still good, but less compelling.
What Fitness+ Does Well
- Apple Watch integration – Heart rate, calories, rings all on screen during workout
- Studio-quality production – Best video and audio quality of any workout app
- Motivating trainers – Energetic, diverse, genuinely encouraging
- Music integration – Workouts sync to actual songs (Apple Music)
- New classes weekly – Fresh content every Monday
- Huge variety – Strength, HIIT, yoga, cycling, rowing, dance, core, cooldowns
Pricing
$9.99/month or $79.99/year. Free with Apple One Premium bundle. 3 months free when you buy an Apple Watch.
Drawbacks
- Requires subscription (no free tier)
- Best features locked to Apple Watch owners
- Fewer total workouts than Nike Training Club
Best for: Apple Watch owners who want seamless integration and premium production quality.
4. Peloton App – Best Cardio Classes
You don’t need a $2,000 Peloton bike to use the Peloton app. For $12.99/month, you get access to thousands of classes: cycling (no bike required—just follow along), running, strength, yoga, stretching, meditation.
Why Peloton Works
- Incredible instructors – Charismatic, motivating, actually make you want to work harder
- Live and on-demand classes – Join live for energy, or do on-demand anytime
- Massive library – 10,000+ classes
- Leaderboards – Compete with other users (optional)
- Excellent music – Licensed playlists, themed rides (80s, hip-hop, rock)
Cons
- $12.99/month (more expensive than Apple Fitness+)
- Cycling classes obviously better with actual bike
- Can feel cult-like if you’re not into the Peloton vibe
Best for: Someone who loves cardio classes and wants the best instructors in the business.
5. Chloe Ting – Best Free Workout Programs
Chloe Ting is a YouTuber turned fitness phenomenon. Her “2 Week Shred” program went viral—millions of people completed it. Now she has an app with structured programs, all completely free.
What Works
- 100% free – No premium tier, no ads
- Multi-week programs – 2 Week Shred, Summer Shred, Hourglass Challenge
- No equipment needed – Bodyweight only
- Clear instructions – Easy to follow along
- Huge community – Millions doing the same program, sharing progress
Limitations
- Focus is mostly abs/core – Less full-body variety
- Programs are short (2-4 weeks) – Then you repeat or switch
- Less professionally produced than paid apps
Best for: Someone who wants a specific program (like “28 Day Flat Stomach”) and loves the community aspect.
Which App Should You Choose?
If you want the best free option:
FitOn or Nike Training Club. Both are excellent and completely free.
If you have an Apple Watch:
Apple Fitness+. The integration is too good to pass up.
If you love cardio and energy:
Peloton App. Instructors are unmatched.
If you want a specific challenge program:
Chloe Ting. The programs work and the community is motivating.
Final Recommendation
Start with FitOn (free). If you like it, great—keep using it. If you want more variety or better production, try Apple Fitness+ or Peloton free trials and see which vibe you prefer.
The best workout app is the one you’ll actually open every day. Download one today, pick a 7-day starter program, and just show up. Consistency beats perfection.
