Softwr

Fitness · head to head

Tonal vs TrueCoach

Tonal logo

Tonal

Fitness

The world's smartest home gym

From
$59.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TrueCoach logo

TrueCoach

Fitness

Personal training software for coaches

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only TrueCoach has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Tonal subscription is mandatory with equipment purchase; TrueCoach starter tier limited to 5 active clients (requires upgrade for more)
  • They diverge on capability: Tonal covers Digital weight system, TrueCoach covers Workout programming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tonal and TrueCoach actually diverge.

Attributes where Tonal and TrueCoach differ
AttributeTonalTrueCoach
Starting price$59.95/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsProprietary hardwareWeb, iOS, Android

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Fitness), founded (2015).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Tonal

  • Digital weight system
  • AI-powered training
  • Form feedback
  • Personalized programs
  • Strength assessment
  • Apple Watch
  • Hardware support

Only in TrueCoach

  • Workout programming
  • Client tracking
  • In-app messaging
  • Payment processing
  • Progress photos
  • MyFitnessPal
  • Stripe
  • Android support

Both cover

  • Apple Health
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Tonal

  • Home fitness with digital strength trainingnot TrueCoach
  • Personal workout customization and trackingnot TrueCoach
  • Recovery monitoring and adaptationnot TrueCoach
  • HSA/FSA eligible fitness equipmentnot TrueCoach

TrueCoach

  • Personal training programme creation and deliverynot Tonal
  • Client progress tracking and metrics monitoringnot Tonal
  • Nutrition and habit tracking for fitness coachingnot Tonal
  • Automated billing and payment processingnot Tonal
  • Coach-to-client direct messagingnot Tonal
  • Wearable device integration for automated trackingnot Tonal

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Tonal

  • Subscription is mandatory with equipment purchase
  • Rental program requires credit approval
  • Not available as rent-to-own option
  • Higher barrier to entry compared to traditional gym equipment
  • Financing options mentioned but rates not detailed

TrueCoach

  • Starter tier limited to 5 active clients (requires upgrade for more)
  • Standard tier limited to 20 active clients
  • Pro tier limited to 50 active clients (custom pricing required for 250+ clients)
  • Custom-branded fitness app only available in Standard and Pro tiers, not Starter
  • Wearables data integration (Apple, Garmin, WHOOP) only in Standard and Pro tiers
  • Public coach profiles feature only available in Standard and Pro tiers
  • Advanced nutrition and habit tracking only in Standard and Pro tiers

Pricing, plan by plan

Tonal

$59.95/month
  • Standard Membership$59.95/month
    • Required with Tonal 2 purchase
    • 12-month commitment
    • Access to Tonal system
  • Tonal 2 Rental$219/month
    • First 3 months promotional pricing
    • Delivery and installation included
    • Monthly membership
  • Tonal 1 Certified Refurbished Rental$159/month
    • First 3 months promotional pricing
    • Delivery and installation included
    • Reduces to $219/month after 3 months

TrueCoach

Free
  • Starter$26.34/month
    • Program & Workout Builder
    • Client Management Tracker
    • MyFitnessPal integration
  • Standard (Most Popular)$57.99/month
    • Everything in Starter
    • Up to 20 active clients
    • Public Coach Profiles
  • Pro$136.99/month
    • Everything in Standard
    • Up to 50 active clients
    • All integrations and features

Which should you pick?

Choose Tonal if

  • You need digital weight system.
  • You work on Proprietary hardware.
  • You also want ai-powered training.
Tonal review

Choose TrueCoach if

  • You need workout programming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want client tracking.
TrueCoach review

Questions people ask

Is Tonal or TrueCoach better?
Neither clearly leads. Tonal starts at $59.95/month and TrueCoach at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tonal or TrueCoach?
TrueCoach has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $59.95/month for Tonal and Free for TrueCoach.
Does Tonal or TrueCoach run on more platforms?
Tonal runs on Proprietary hardware. TrueCoach runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use TrueCoach for free?
Yes. TrueCoach has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Tonal starts at $59.95/month.
What is Tonal best used for?
Tonal is most often used for home fitness with digital strength training, personal workout customization and tracking, recovery monitoring and adaptation, hsa/fsa eligible fitness equipment. Of those, home fitness with digital strength training and personal workout customization and tracking are not what TrueCoach is typically brought in for.
What can Tonal do that TrueCoach cannot?
Tonal covers Digital weight system, AI-powered training, Form feedback, Personalized programs. TrueCoach covers Workout programming, Client tracking, In-app messaging, Payment processing. Both handle Apple Health, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Tonal: What is the cost of Tonal's Standard Membership?

Standard Membership costs $59.95 per month plus applicable sales tax and is required when purchasing a Tonal 2 machine with a 12-month commitment.

Source
TrueCoach: Does TrueCoach offer a free trial?

Yes. TrueCoach offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Trial users can fully test the platform before committing.

Source
Tonal: Can I rent a Tonal machine instead of buying it?

Yes, Tonal offers rental programs. Tonal 2 rents for $219/month for the first 3 months (then $279/month), and Tonal 1 Certified Refurbished rents for $159/month for the first 3 months (then $219/month). All rental prices include delivery and installation.

Source
TrueCoach: Do TrueCoach clients need to pay separately?

No. According to the pricing page, 'TrueCoach is 100% free for your clients.' Only the coach pays the subscription; clients access all features at no cost.

Source
Tonal: Does Tonal accept HSA or FSA payments?

Yes, Tonal is eligible for payment through HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) via TrueMed.

Source
TrueCoach: Are there hidden fees beyond the stated monthly price?

No. TrueCoach explicitly states 'Nope, what you see is what you get', there are no hidden fees. The monthly cost is all-inclusive.

Source
Tonal: Is Tonal available as a rent-to-own option?

No, Tonal explicitly clarifies that rental programs are not rent-to-own arrangements. Rental is a separate option from purchasing equipment.

Source
TrueCoach: What discounts are available for annual billing?

TrueCoach offers 1 month free on Starter, and 2 months free on Standard and Pro plans when billed annually instead of monthly.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Tonal

More on TrueCoach

Keep looking

Other head to heads