Choose the Fitbit Charge 6 if you run or cycle outdoors without your phone, or want Google Maps directions and Google Wallet payments on your wrist. Choose the Garmin Vivosmart 5 if you mainly want slim all-day health and sleep tracking with no subscription upsell, and you carry your phone on runs. Both list up to 7 days of battery.
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How this page is compiled. Specifications and prices come from each maker’s own pages, checked in October 2026. Battery figures are the makers’ claims. We have not tested these trackers, and nothing here is a measured result.
Charge 6 vs Vivosmart 5 at a glance
| Spec | Fitbit Charge 6 | Garmin Vivosmart 5 |
|---|---|---|
| US list price (maker store) | $159.95 | $149.99 |
| Still sold by the maker | Yes, Google Store | Yes, Garmin.com |
| Battery (maker claim) | Up to 7 days (always-on display shortens it) | Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode |
| Display | Color touchscreen | OLED touchscreen, 88 x 154 pixels |
| GPS | Built-in GPS | Connected GPS (uses your phone’s GPS) |
| Heart rate | Continuous, on-wrist | Continuous (every second), Garmin Elevate wrist sensor, high and low alerts |
| Blood oxygen | SpO2 tracking | Pulse Ox: spot-check, part of sleep, or all-day |
| Sleep | Sleep stages, Sleep Score, Smart Wake alarm | Advanced sleep, sleep score and insights |
| Water rating | Water resistant to 50 m | 5 ATM (swim rated) |
| Phone compatibility | Android 11+ or iOS 16.4+, Google Account required | iPhone and Android |
| Payments and Google apps | Google Wallet, Google Maps directions, YouTube Music controls | Not listed |
| Subscription | Optional Google Health Premium, from $9.99, 3 months included | None required |
Check Fitbit Charge 6 prices on Amazon
Check Garmin Vivosmart 5 prices on Amazon
Which is better for…: Fitbit charge 6 vs garmin vivosmart 5
Everyday use
The Charge 6 does more on the wrist: a color screen, contactless payments through Google Wallet and turn-by-turn Google Maps directions. The Vivosmart 5 keeps things simpler, with notifications, smartphone music controls and Garmin’s Body Battery energy reading. On Android, it can also send text replies.
Running
The Charge 6 has built-in GPS, so it records pace and distance with your phone left at home. The Vivosmart 5 uses connected GPS, which means it borrows your phone’s location, so you need to carry the phone for mapped runs. For outdoor running, the Charge 6 is the stronger pick on paper.
Sleep tracking
Both give a sleep score and track sleep stages. The Charge 6 adds a vibrating Smart Wake alarm. The Vivosmart 5 lets you track blood oxygen during part of the night or all day. Google keeps some detailed sleep insights for Google Health Premium subscribers, while Garmin’s sleep features need no subscription.
Battery
Both makers claim up to 7 days. Google notes that turning on the always-on display shortens that, and Garmin states its figure for smartwatch mode. On the makers’ own figures, neither has a clear lead.
iPhone vs Android users
Both work with iPhone and Android. The Charge 6 needs Android 11 or iOS 16.4 or later, plus a Google Account. On the Vivosmart 5, text replies only work with Android phones. If you don’t want a Google Account, the Garmin is the simpler choice.
Subscription cost
The Charge 6 works without a subscription, and it comes with 3 months of Google Health Premium, which adds Gemini coaching, workout programs and a Daily Readiness Score. After that, Premium is listed from $9.99 on the Google Store. Garmin’s page lists no subscription for the Vivosmart 5’s features.
Is there a newer option?
Both trackers are still sold by their makers in October 2026, and there is no Charge 7 or Vivosmart 6 on sale. Google has, though, added two new trackers either side of the Charge 6: Understanding fitbit charge 6 vs garmin vivosmart 5 can make a meaningful difference in your results.
- Google Fitbit Edge: from $179.99, on pre-order at the Google Store. It has built-in GPS, an altimeter, Google Maps directions, up to 7 days of battery and a replaceable battery. Google says its display is 45% bigger than the Charge 6’s.
- Google Fitbit Air: from $99.99. It is a screenless band with 24/7 heart rate, SpO2, sleep stages and up to a week of battery. Google’s page does not mention GPS.
Garmin’s US site still lists the Vivosmart 5 as in stock and not discontinued. A Vivosmart 6 has been reported in leaks, but Garmin has not announced it.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Vivosmart 5 have GPS?
Not built in. Garmin lists connected GPS, which uses your paired phone’s location during outdoor activities.
Does the Charge 6 need Fitbit Premium?
No. Fitbit Premium is now called Google Health Premium, and core tracking works without it. Premium adds coaching, workout programs and extra insights. It is listed from $9.99, and the Charge 6 includes 3 months of it.
Can you swim with either tracker?
Google rates the Charge 6 water resistant to 50 m. Garmin rates the Vivosmart 5 at 5 ATM and says it is suitable for swimming.
Which one supports contactless payments?
The Charge 6 supports Google Wallet. Garmin’s Vivosmart 5 page does not list contactless payments.
Does YouTube Music work on the Charge 6?
Yes, there are YouTube Music controls on the wrist. Google says these controls need a paid YouTube Music Premium subscription.
For more trackers, see our fitness tracker comparison.
Sources
- Google Store: Fitbit Charge 6
- Garmin: Vivosmart 5
- Google Store: Fitbit Edge
- Google Store: Fitbit Air
- Google Store: Google Health Premium
Checked 18 October 2026.
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