# Garmin Connect™ vs SAM Trainer

The clearest difference is rating: SAM Trainer at 5.0 against Garmin Connect™'s 4.4. SAM Trainer also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.2). Garmin Connect™'s advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (59K vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SAM Trainer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin Connect™ has 59K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Garmin Connect™ ships an update every 2 weeks, SAM Trainer every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Garmin Connect™ | SAM Trainer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (59K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-connect/id583446403/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-trainer/id1326167642/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **59K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 39.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 12 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#27** | — |
| Size | 693 MB | 107 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) | [Sugar Rush Creative](https://appshunter.io/developer/723565884) |

## What reviewers say

### Garmin Connect™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-connect/id583446403)

**Currently charting:** #27 Top Free · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

Track your health and fitness activities with detailed statistics and personalized insights. Create custom workouts, build courses, and challenge friends. Syncs with compatible devices and other popular fitness apps.

**Highlights:** Activity tracking and health metrics, Detailed statistics analysis, Custom workout and course creation, Personalized home screen, Earn achievement badges, Sync with other apps

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent tracking and data analysis
- 👍 Great motivational features
- 🚀 Seamless syncing with devices
- 👍 Comprehensive fitness metrics
- 🚀 Intuitive and user-friendly app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues and sync problems
- 🐛 Buggy app updates and loss of functionality
- 🐛 Inaccurate sleep and activity tracking
- 🔋 Drains device battery quickly
- 🐛 Confusing and cluttered user interface

**Reported bugs**

- App constantly requiring device setup
- Weather data not syncing correctly
- Workout data not recording properly
- Inconsistent performance across iOS versions
- Inability to edit or customize activities

**Requested features**

- Customizable sleep tracking and goal settings
- Better integration with third-party apps
- Improved offline functionality
- More detailed workout analysis and planning
- Enhanced social features and challenges


### SAM Trainer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-trainer/id1326167642)

Learn to operate a HeartSine Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with this training application. It simulates the experience of using specific AED models, guiding users through the process with interactive steps and instructional videos.

**Highlights:** Simulates HeartSine AED models, Interactive step-by-step guidance, Instructional videos, Multi-language support, Adjustable CPR duration, Easy app restart

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Garmin Connect™ free?

Garmin Connect™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SAM Trainer free?

SAM Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Garmin Connect™ or SAM Trainer?

SAM Trainer is rated higher. Garmin Connect™ averages 4.4 out of 5 from 59K ratings, while SAM Trainer averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Garmin Connect™ or SAM Trainer have ads?

Neither Garmin Connect™ nor SAM Trainer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Garmin Connect™ or SAM Trainer?

Garmin Connect™ ships an update every 2 weeks, and SAM Trainer every 12 months. Most recently, Garmin Connect™ was updated on October 27, 2026 and SAM Trainer on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*