# Variant Athletics vs EssentiallyFit

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: EssentiallyFit at none against Variant Athletics's 2. Variant Athletics's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 months). On price, rating, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Variant Athletics sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. EssentiallyFit asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Variant Athletics against 5.0 for EssentiallyFit. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Variant Athletics has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Variant Athletics ships an update every 2 days, EssentiallyFit every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Variant Athletics | EssentiallyFit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variant-athletics/id6470511744/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essentiallyfit/id6475042947/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 111 MB | 93 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chase Garsee](https://appshunter.io/developer/1644614892) | [Essentially Fit with Candace Rorrer, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1723174563) |

## What reviewers say

### Variant Athletics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variant-athletics/id6470511744)

This comprehensive fitness app offers an extensive exercise library with video guides, tailored workout programs, a smart interval timer, and an advanced macro calculator. It also features a knowledge hub for fitness and nutrition insights.

**Highlights:** Extensive exercise library with videos, Customizable workout programs, Smart interval timer for HIIT, Advanced macro calculator, Fitness and nutrition knowledge hub

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VARIANT PRO | $9.99 | per month |
| Variant Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


### EssentiallyFit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essentiallyfit/id6475042947)

This app offers efficient core strength workouts designed to build muscle, burn fat, and boost metabolism. Follow along routines help with form, and challenges can be done anywhere with minimal equipment. All workouts are 35 minutes or less.

**Highlights:** Core strength workouts, Follow-along routines, 35-minute or less workouts, Workout challenges, Minimal equipment needed, Progress tracking, Offline sync

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Variant Athletics free?

Variant Athletics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is EssentiallyFit free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Variant Athletics or EssentiallyFit?

Variant Athletics and EssentiallyFit are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Variant Athletics or EssentiallyFit have ads?

EssentiallyFit shows ads; Variant Athletics does not.

### Which is updated more often, Variant Athletics or EssentiallyFit?

Variant Athletics ships an update every 2 days, and EssentiallyFit every 5 months. Most recently, Variant Athletics was updated on November 3, 2026 and EssentiallyFit on November 4, 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.*