The Fibit Versa was released in 2018 and the Fitbit Versa Lite was released in March 2019. Even though they are both very capable activity trackers, there are some key differences between the two. These are the main ones:
Music Storage & Music App Integration - Standard Versa Only
If you’re hoping to store music on your Smartwatch, you will need to opt for the standard Versa or the Versa premium.
The Fitbit Versa Lite doesn’t allow you to store music on the watch, and it doesn’t integrate with Deezer or Pandora.
Indoor Swim Tracking - Standard Versa Only
If you want to track your swims, you need to opt for the standard Versa. The standard model gives you access to laps, swim duration and total calories burned during your workout in the pool.
Even though the Versa Lite is waterproof, it doesn’t actually track swims properly.
Now you know which one to choose if swimming is a key part of your training schedule.
On-Screen Workouts - Standard Versa Only
This is one of the stand out features of the original Versa. The ability to access personalized workouts that play on the screen is actually quite amazing if you think about it.
Floors Climbed During the Day - Standard Versa Only
Once again, this particular feature is limited to the standard Versa and the Versa premium.
The good news is that the Versa Lite still offers All-Day Activity Tracking. It just won’t show how many stairs you climbed during the day.
Of all the differences between the Versa and the Versa Lite, this is the least important, unless stair training is a key focus for you.
The table below lays out the key differences between the Fitbit Versa and the Fitbit Versa Lite.
Key Differences
Ok. So now we know the main differences between these two Smartwatches. Now let’s have a look at the similarities, so you better understand the strengths that both of them share.
Key Similarities
Why is the Versa Lite cheaper than the normal Versa?
It lacks 4 key features that the normal Versa has, namely: music storage, swim tracking, on-screen workouts and floors climbed during the day.
Which one would I buy, if I had to choose today?
There’s no question that the standard Versa is better than the Versa lite. That’s also why it’s more expensive.
So for me, I would spend the extra money and get the original. The Versa Lite does have some great color options, and it’s still a good activity tracker, but if you’re going to drop more than $200, you might as well get the most feature rich version.
Is the Fitbit Versa worth buying?
This ultimately depends on whether you want a really good activity tracker or a solid GPS running watch.
I actually bought the Fitbit Versa for my wife, because it’s attractive enough for her to wear all the time, and it excels as an activity tracker.
But if you’re big into running, it isn’t necessarily the best choice. This is mainly because it doesn’t have on board GPS.
Final Thoughts
If you want a top notch activity tracker to help you lose weight and stay motivated, the Fitbit Versa is perfect. It’s very good looking, it functions well as a Smartwatch, and the Fitbit app is awesome.
Personally, I would opt for the original Versa rather than the Versa Lite, but if you don’t need the swim tracking, the music storage or the on-screen workouts, the Versa Lite is still a very good option.
