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Comment by jpeg_hero | Hacker News Reader

I do want to give a shout out to Strava. I don't know their economics, but it's an amazing app, it's completely taken over their niche, and you can tell they just care.

I honestly don't know how they support an app of such complexity and full features.

Kudos to them.

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As a very long time Strava user, I think they actually don't deserve any kudos here. They have the "best" app in the sector, but only because they have essentially the only sports social network out there. They have done nearly nothing to improve the app or user experience in years. They know they have the network effect down, and are heavily resting on their laurels.

One example: if you look at similar, more serious training apps in the sector (i.e. Training Peaks) the amount of analytics and richness around training plans is just night and day. Strava has had all the data to present a really great analytics experience and they don't.

I know I'm arguing for Strava "stealing" more features from competitors, but in this case it would be how competition should work. Two entities of similar power push each other to improve features. Instead, Strava relies on its network effect to essentially be a comfortable monopoly, and Training Peaks knows that it likely won't be successful at putting together a social network in a similar way (Garmin, the biggest equipment maker in the space has tried and has essentially gotten no traction).

It's not the worst thing in the world, these are not real problems. So what, I pay for 2+ sites when 1 good innovative one would be enough. But for Strava to pretend it's innovative, when at best it's cribbing from actual innovators below their size, is pretty rich.

>> 'They have the "best" app in the sector, but only because they have essentially the only sports social network out there.'

You could almost say this about any successful app. Facebook is by no means the best at any of the things they do, but they're the site that has the highest adoption rates, so it is what it is.

For whatever reason, people prefer Strava over the alternatives, and so they get to be the best as long as people don't go elsewhere.

Personally, I use Garmin Connect and Strava both, each for different reasons, and it really rounds out my data and social network needs.

I haven't used Training Peaks since it was a Flash/Flex app. I imagine for a vast majority of Strava's user base, they're not into the detailed micro-management of their workout plans and goals. And they likely aren't athletes working with coaches, etc.

There's been plenty of new app features and user interface updates over the years. I think you're conflating your needs of a highly technical training plan with goals and demographics of the Strava app.

That said, I'm still waiting for Strava, Zwift and Trainer Road to merge into the mega one-stop-shop. ;)

Edit: Also add RideWithGPS to my uber-list of one company, since I use them to generate my route maps over Strava's version, because I think it's better, which actually goes to show that the little guy can still compete. (Probably a small niche market, though.)

I can’t import Apple Health data into Strava without another third party app. It’s been a pending feature request for years.

So I don’t bother with Strava anymore. I just use the default Apple workout app.

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