Fitabase
Fitabase is a cloud-based SaaS platform that aggregates Fitbit and Garmin wearable data for academic and clinical research studies, offering IRB-compliant de-identification, real-time monitoring, multi-resolution exports, and the recently launched Fitabase Engage suite for participant engagement.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Fitabase does
Fitabase, operating as Small Steps Labs LLC, is a cloud-based SaaS platform founded in 2011 that aggregates biometric data from Fitbit and Garmin wearables for academic and clinical research studies. The platform connects study-controlled or participant-owned devices through OAuth-based integrations with the Fitbit Partner API and the Garmin Partner API, capturing data at native device resolutions including daily summaries, hourly intervals, minute-level activity, and second-level cardiac inter-beat intervals. Infrastructure is hosted on Microsoft Azure with ISO/IEC 27001:2005-aligned controls, and a REST API (developer.fitabase.com) provides programmatic access for EHR integration and continuous export pipelines. A specialization worth highlighting is the IRB-friendly de-identification workflow that avoids collecting email, Fitbit account, friends list, or GPS data, paired with pre-built consent form and IRB text templates. The platform has been deployed in over 1,100 research studies worldwide and counts NASA, Yale, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cornell, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Brown University among named institutional users.
The product surface has expanded significantly in the past 18 months. In early 2025 Fitabase introduced Enhanced Beat to Beat Interval (EBBI) data collection from Garmin devices to enable HRV-oriented sleep research, and in Summer 2026 it launched the Fitabase Engage suite — a participant-facing Mobile App (surveys, EMAs, just-in-time interventions), a Garmin smartwatch Wrist App delivering boolean, Likert, stepper, and multi-select prompts, and an SMS Messaging feature, all managed from the central Fitabase dashboard. Premium add-ons include the Batch Export API, Food and Weight data exports, and Dexcom device support.
Monetization is through quote-based annual SaaS subscriptions with modular add-ons, sold via enterprise field sales triggered by a 'Request a Demo' call-to-action and supported by content-driven demand generation through a Research Library, Knowledge Base, and blog. Target customers are academic medical centers, pharmaceutical clinical trial sponsors, CROs, and digital health innovators conducting measurement and validation studies, personalized and adaptive interventions, and healthcare innovation programs. The company is privately held, founder-operated (Aaron Coleman, CEO and founder), headquartered in San Diego, California with a reported headcount of 1-10, and self-certified to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework with UK and Swiss extensions.
Fitabase firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fitabase
- Legal name
- Small Steps Labs LLC
- Website
- https://fitabase.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Fitabase is a cloud-based SaaS platform that aggregates Fitbit and Garmin wearable data for academic and clinical research studies, offering IRB-compliant de-identification, real-time monitoring, multi-resolution exports, and the recently launched Fitabase Engage suite for participant engagement.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fitabase industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Research Data Management Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wearables & Consumer IoT Integration Platforms (BYOD) (HLACAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Data Aggregation, Interoperability & APIs for RPM (FHIR/IoMT Gateways) (HLACAFAO)
Keywords
Where Fitabase is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Fitabase business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- SaaS Platform Subscription: Fitabase operates as a subscription-based SaaS platform for research institutions, clinical trial sponsors, and healthcare organizations. Pricing is quote-based and tiered, with the website noting 'Request a Demo' and 'Please inquire about pricing' as primary engagement paths. Automated batch exports and API access are described as premium add-ons to the base platform subscription.
- Premium Add-on Services: Specific premium features including automated batch export API access, Food and Weight data exports, and Dexcom device integration are available as additional charges on top of the base platform subscription. These are explicitly noted as requiring price inquiries.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Base platform subscription with quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
Fitabase product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fitabase is a cloud-based SaaS research data management platform that aggregates and exports wearable device data (Fitbit and Garmin) for academic researchers, clinical trial sponsors, and healthcare innovators. The platform enables real-time participant monitoring, secure de-identified data collection, high-resolution batch exports (CSV at daily, hourly, and minute-level), and IRB-compliant workflows. Optional add-ons include the Fitabase Engage participant engagement suite (mobile app, wrist app, SMS messaging) and a REST API for programmatic access and EHR integration.
Product overview
Fitabase is a comprehensive data management platform designed to support research projects using wearable devices. The core offering is a web-based platform for collecting and managing data from Fitbit and Garmin wearables in research studies. The platform includes the core data collection and export functionality plus optional add-on modules including the Fitabase API for programmatic access and automated batch exports. The recently launched Fitabase Engage suite (Summer 2026) adds participant-facing tools including a Mobile App for surveys and EMAs, an Engage Wrist App for Garmin smartwatch prompts, and SMS Messaging for sync reminders and check-ins — all managed from the central Fitabase dashboard.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fitabase Engage: A participant-facing suite of tools for research studies including Mobile App, Engage Wrist App, and SMS Messaging.
Products and services
- Fitabase Core Platform Web-based data management platform for research studies using Fitbit and Garmin wearables. Enables real-time participant monitoring, secure de-identified data collection, and export of activity, sleep, heart rate, and other biometric data for analysis. Targeted at academic researchers, clinical trial sponsors, and healthcare organizations.
- Fitabase Engage Participant engagement suite consisting of Mobile App, Engage Wrist App, and SMS Messaging tools. Enables researchers to deliver surveys, EMAs, just-in-time interventions, and notifications to participants through multiple channels, all managed from the Fitabase dashboard.
- Fitabase API
Quantifiable outcome
- Fitabase has supported over 1,100 research studies worldwide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Fitabase
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Fitabase technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature6 records
Fitabase partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Fitbit (Fitbit Inc.)coreFitbit is a core technology partner whose devices (wearable activity trackers, heart rate monitors, and connected scales) and Partner Web API are the primary data sources for the Fitabase platform. Fitabase subscribes to Fitbit's OAuth-based API to pull real-time device data (steps, sleep, heart rate, calories, etc.) into researcher dashboards. Fitbit updated its terms in 2023 to allow use by children under 13 with parental assent, expanding the researchable population for Fitabase users.
- Garmin Ltd.coreGarmin is a core technology partner providing wearable devices (smartwatches, fitness trackers, connected scales) and a Partner API that serves as the second primary data source for Fitabase. In early 2025, Fitabase collaborated with Garmin to introduce Enhanced Beat to Beat Interval (EBBI) data collection via the Garmin API, enabling researchers to collect HRV data during sleep. Garmin requires users to be at least 16 years old per its privacy policy.
- Microsoft AzurecoreFitabase's software, databases, and infrastructure are hosted entirely on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. Azure provides physical data center security, network security, and compliance certifications (ISO/IEC 27001:2005). Fitabase's backup archives are also maintained on Azure infrastructure. This is a fundamental infrastructure partnership enabling the SaaS delivery model.
- JAMS (Alternative Dispute Resolution)minorFitabase has committed to referring unresolved EU-US Data Privacy Framework complaints to JAMS, an alternative dispute resolution provider located in the United States, as part of its DPF compliance obligations. JAMS dispute resolution services are provided at no cost to complainants.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fitabase competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- VivoSense: VivoSense is a clinical-grade wearable analytics platform purpose-built for clinical trial endpoints in pharma and academic research. Like Fitabase, it ingests continuous biometric data from consumer wearables and processes it for regulated research, making it the most direct comparator in wearable-for-clinical-research.
- ActiGraph: ActiGraph manufactures research-grade actigraphy wearables and provides the CentrePoint cloud platform for data capture and analysis in clinical and academic studies. It competes directly with Fitabase in the wearable-for-research data layer, particularly for activity, sleep, and actigraphy endpoints.
- Empatica: Empatica produces medical-grade wearables (EpiMonitor, Embrace) and a research data platform used in clinical and academic studies. It overlaps with Fitabase in providing wearable-captured physiological data to research customers, particularly in neurology and digital biomarker studies.
Broad incumbents
- Clario: Clario (formed via the merger of ERT and Bioclinica) is a large clinical trial technology vendor offering eCOA, imaging, and decentralized trial solutions. It overlaps with Fitabase in supporting wearable-derived endpoints in regulated clinical trials but as part of a much broader enterprise stack.
- Medidata (Dassault Systèmes): Medidata's Rave clinical cloud captures wearable and sensor data for decentralized and hybrid trials across pharma and CRO customers. It is a broad incumbent where Fitabase competes on the wearable-data-collection layer within a much larger eClinical platform.
- Oracle Health Sciences: Oracle's Clinical One and eClinical platforms integrate wearable and remote sensor data capture into full clinical trial workflows. It competes with Fitabase in the data-aggregation-for-clinical-research layer as part of a much larger enterprise offering.
- Apple (HealthKit / ResearchKit): Apple's HealthKit, ResearchKit, and Apple Watch provide native APIs that academic and clinical researchers use to collect wearable data at scale. While not a direct vendor competitor, Apple's expanding research-grade tooling is a structural substitute that constrains Fitabase's addressable device ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Verily (Alphabet): Verily operates research-grade wearable platforms (including the Verily Study Watch and related APIs) and runs clinical research studies with academic and pharma partners. It is an emerging competitor in wearable-for-clinical-research with deep Alphabet backing and overlapping academic research customers.
Regional players
- iRhythm Technologies: iRhythm's Zio cardiac monitoring patch and associated clinician platform serve U.S. clinical and research customers. While focused on cardiac ambulatory monitoring rather than general wearables, it competes for wearable-derived cardiac research endpoints and real-world data in regulated studies.
Others
- Withings: Withings produces connected health devices (scales, watches, sleep mats) with cloud APIs increasingly used in academic and remote-patient-monitoring studies. It is an enabling/adjacent participant in the wearable-research ecosystem rather than a direct platform competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Fitabase social profiles
Digital presenceFitabase compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Fitabase financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fitabase leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Fitabase funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fitabase M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fitabase
What does Fitabase do?
Fitabase is a cloud-based SaaS research data management platform that aggregates and exports wearable device data (Fitbit and Garmin) for academic researchers, clinical trial sponsors, and healthcare innovators. The platform enables real-time participant monitoring, secure de-identified data collection, high-resolution batch exports (CSV at daily, hourly, and minute-level), and IRB-compliant workflows. Optional add-ons include the Fitabase Engage participant engagement suite (mobile app, wrist app, SMS messaging) and a REST API for programmatic access and EHR integration.
Is Fitabase a public or private company?
Fitabase is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Fitabase founded?
Fitabase was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Fitabase based?
Fitabase is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Fitabase make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. SaaS Platform Subscription is the primary driver. The others are premium Add-on Services.
Who are Fitabase's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are VivoSense, ActiGraph and Empatica. Broad incumbents are Clario, Medidata (Dassault Systèmes), Oracle Health Sciences and Apple (HealthKit / ResearchKit). Verily (Alphabet) is listed as an emerging player. iRhythm Technologies is listed as a regional player. Withings is listed as an others.
Does Fitabase have an API?
Yes. Fitabase API allows programmatic access to collect data, manage project properties, and integrate Fitabase into existing workflows. Available APIs include: Batch Export (programmatic access to batch export objects and CSV data download binaries, additional charge), Daily Activity (day level summary data for users), Profiles (connected device profiles in project), and Sync (obtain latest sync time from connected profiles). Authentication uses Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key header parameter. API is accessed via the developer portal at developer.fitabase.com. Developer documentation is at developer.fitabase.com.
What industry is Fitabase in?
Fitabase's product category is Research Data Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLACAFAF, Wearables & Consumer IoT Integration Platforms (BYOD), with a secondary code of HLACAFAO, Data Aggregation, Interoperability & APIs for RPM (FHIR/IoMT Gateways). Its NAICS code is 51821 and its SIC code is 7372.