Two great treadmill brands, two very different philosophies. One wants you streaming classes; the other just wants to run without a monthly bill.
Sole F80 Treadmill — Top Pick
With a strong continuous-duty motor, a joint-friendly cushioned deck, and a heavy, planted build, the Sole F80 wins for most home gyms because you own the whole thing outright with no monthly fee, ever.
In a hurry? That's our pick. Want the reasoning and the full comparison? Keep reading.
On paper, ProForm and Sole look like they belong in the same conversation, and they do. Both build sturdy folding treadmills, both offer real incline, and both show up on nearly every home-gym shortlist. But the moment you actually use them, the split becomes obvious. ProForm builds its whole experience around iFIT, a subscription platform that streams guided runs, auto-adjusts your incline, and drops you into scenic trails around the world. Sole takes the opposite road: a heavier, no-nonsense machine you own outright with no monthly fee ever asked.
So the real question is not which brand is better in the abstract. It is which philosophy fits how you actually train. If you crave a coach in your ear and follow-along programming, ProForm's interactive value is hard to beat for the money. If you hate subscriptions and want a treadmill that feels like it will outlast the house, Sole is built for you. Below we break down motor power, incline, deck cushioning, screens, and long-term value so you can pick the right one the first time.
Key Takeaways
- ProForm is built around iFIT, a paid subscription that unlocks guided classes and auto-adjusting incline; without it you lose most of the interactive magic.
- Sole is subscription-free with a sturdier, heavier build, a cushioned deck, and simple controls, our top pick for owning outright with no recurring cost.
- For most home gyms our winner is the Sole F80: strong CHP motor, generous incline, a forgiving deck, and no monthly bill.
- Choose the ProForm Carbon Incline if you want the most interactive value and enjoy follow-along, coach-led runs.
- Want a bigger touchscreen or steeper training? The NordicTrack X22i and X32i are the alternatives worth a look.
Round 1: Motor, Incline & Cushioning
Start with the engine, because a treadmill motor sets the ceiling for everything else. Both brands are strong here, but Sole tends to run a touch beefier. The Sole F80 packs a continuous-duty motor rated around 3.5 CHP, which stays quiet and composed whether you are walking or pushing a hard tempo run. ProForm's Carbon Incline uses a capable motor as well, comfortable for daily jogs and interval work, though Sole's is the one that feels most unbothered under a heavy, sustained load. If you are a bigger runner or you log serious mileage, that extra headroom matters more than any spec sheet lets on.
Incline is where both machines shine and where iFIT earns part of its keep on the ProForm side. The ProForm Carbon Incline climbs to roughly 12 percent and, with iFIT running, auto-adjusts that grade to match your on-screen trail or trainer, so you never touch a button. The Sole F80 also offers a strong incline range you control manually, plain and simple. Neither approach is wrong. Automated incline is genuinely fun and immersive; manual incline never depends on a subscription or an internet connection to work.
Then the deck underfoot. Sole built its reputation on cushioning, and the F80's flexible, shock-absorbing deck is one of the most forgiving in its class, a real gift for anyone nursing knees or joints. ProForm's deck is comfortable and competent, tuned to feel responsive during guided runs, but Sole's is the one people single out for long, low-impact sessions. Add in the F80's heavier frame and larger running surface and it simply feels more planted, less flexy, more like a light commercial machine you would find at a gym.
Round 2: Screen, Subscription & Value
This is the round that decides most buyers. ProForm's Carbon Incline is designed hand-in-glove with iFIT. The touchscreen streams coach-led classes, scenic world runs, and structured programs, and the platform auto-controls your speed and incline so you can just follow along. It is genuinely motivating, and for the price, that interactive value is excellent. The honest catch: without an iFIT membership, you lose most of that experience and are left with a more basic treadmill. So budget for the ongoing membership, not just the machine, if the classes are why you are buying.
Sole flips the script entirely. The F80 ships with a clear, no-nonsense display that shows your stats, plus Bluetooth so you can stream your own apps if you want, and it asks for exactly zero dollars per month, forever. There is no locked-down ecosystem, no login wall, no feature that quietly disappears if you cancel. You buy it once and you own the whole thing. For people who resent recurring fees or who already have their own running playlists and workouts, that freedom is the entire point.
Weigh the long game on value. ProForm often costs less up front and packs more tech, but the subscription adds up year after year, and the machine is lighter and more folding-focused than tank-like. Sole usually costs more at checkout yet includes a strong warranty and a heavier, sturdier build meant to last for years with no recurring cost. Over a few years of ownership, the subscription-free path frequently wins on total spend, which is a big reason the F80 takes our crown for most home gyms.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Subscription | Build | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole F80 Treadmill | Own it outright | None required | Heavy, sturdy | No monthly fee |
| ProForm Carbon Incline | Interactive value | iFIT for full value | Foldable, lighter | Guided classes |
| NordicTrack X22i | Overall alternative | iFIT for full value | Rugged incline trainer | Steep incline range |
| NordicTrack X32i | Big-screen alternative | iFIT for full value | Rugged incline trainer | Large touchscreen |
1. Sole F80 — Winner: Best No-Subscription
Sole F80 Treadmill
The Sole F80 is the treadmill we hand to anyone who wants to buy once and be done. It leans on a strong continuous-duty motor around 3.5 CHP, a genuinely forgiving cushioned deck, and a heavy, planted frame that feels closer to a light commercial machine than a typical home unit. There is no subscription, no login wall, and no feature that vanishes if you stop paying. You own all of it, outright, the day it arrives.
That subscription-free freedom is the whole pitch, and it is a strong one. The clear display shows your stats without fuss, Bluetooth lets you stream your own apps and playlists, and the folding deck tucks away when you are done. Pair the sturdy build with a solid warranty and low-impact cushioning, and you get a treadmill that quietly outlasts flashier rivals. For most home gyms, this is the smart, no-regret pick.
Pros
- No subscription required, ever, so you own the full experience outright
- Strong continuous-duty motor stays composed under heavy, sustained runs
- Exceptionally cushioned deck that is kind to knees and joints
- Heavy, sturdy frame that feels planted and built to last
- Solid warranty plus Bluetooth to stream your own apps
Cons
- Usually costs more up front than the ProForm
- No built-in guided classes or auto-adjusting incline
- Heavier and bulkier to move, even though it folds
2. ProForm Carbon — Best Interactive Value
ProForm Carbon Incline Treadmill
The ProForm Carbon Incline is built to make running feel like a class, not a chore. It pairs with iFIT to stream coach-led sessions, scenic world runs, and structured programs, and the platform auto-controls your incline and pace so you can simply follow along. Its incline climbs to roughly 12 percent, and when the trainer sends you up a virtual hill, the deck rises to meet it. For the money, that interactive value is genuinely excellent and hard to match.
Be honest with yourself about the subscription, though. Most of the magic here lives inside iFIT, so without a membership you are left with a more basic treadmill. Budget for the ongoing fee, not just the machine. If follow-along coaching keeps you motivated and you want the most engaging run per dollar, this is the one. It is lighter and more folding-focused than the Sole, which suits smaller spaces well.
Pros
- Outstanding interactive value with iFIT's coach-led classes
- Auto-adjusting incline that follows trainers and virtual trails
- Engaging touchscreen experience that keeps you motivated
- Often lower up-front cost than subscription-free rivals
- Lighter, folding-focused design for smaller rooms
Cons
- Needs an iFIT subscription to unlock its full value
- Loses most of its appeal without the membership
- Lighter build feels less planted than the sturdier Sole
3. NordicTrack X22i — Best Overall Alternative
NordicTrack X22i Incline Trainer
If neither the ProForm nor the Sole quite fits, the NordicTrack X22i is the alternative most people should look at next. It sits in the same iFIT family as the ProForm but ups the ante with a rugged incline-trainer frame and a steep grade range that lets you train serious hills, plus a large 22-inch touchscreen that makes guided runs immersive. It is a natural step up for anyone who loved the ProForm concept but wants more machine.
The trade-off mirrors the ProForm's: to get the full experience you will want an iFIT membership, and the auto-adjusting incline shines brightest with it. But the sturdier build and steeper incline give you real training headroom. For a buyer who wants interactive classes and a tougher, more capable frame, the X22i splits the difference between the ProForm's value and the Sole's build quality.
Pros
- Rugged incline-trainer frame built for demanding workouts
- Steep incline range for serious hill and interval training
- Large 22-inch touchscreen makes guided runs immersive
- Full iFIT ecosystem with auto-adjusting incline
- Strong step up for buyers who outgrew a basic treadmill
Cons
- Needs an iFIT subscription to reach its full value
- Larger and heavier, so it demands more floor space
- Higher up-front price than the standard ProForm
4. NordicTrack X32i — Best Big-Screen Alternative
NordicTrack X32i Incline Trainer
The NordicTrack X32i is the alternative for anyone who wants the most cinematic guided run you can get at home. Its standout feature is an enormous 32-inch touchscreen that turns iFIT's scenic world runs and coach-led classes into something closer to a home theater experience. Underneath sits the same rugged incline-trainer platform as the X22i, with a steep grade range for genuinely tough hill training.
As with the rest of the iFIT lineup, the big screen and auto-adjusting incline lean on a membership to deliver their full value, so plan for that ongoing cost. But if immersion is your priority and you want the largest display in the family wrapped around a heavy, capable frame, the X32i is the top-shelf choice. It is the big-screen counterpart to everything the ProForm does well.
Pros
- Massive 32-inch touchscreen for a cinematic guided run
- Rugged incline-trainer frame built for hard workouts
- Steep incline range for demanding hill training
- Full iFIT experience with auto-adjusting incline
- The most immersive at-home class experience here
Cons
- Needs an iFIT subscription to justify the big screen
- The largest and priciest option in this comparison
- Big footprint that demands dedicated floor space
Which Should You Choose?
Pick Sole if you want to own it outright with no monthly fee
If recurring subscriptions rub you the wrong way, the Sole F80 is the clear call. You get a strong continuous-duty motor, one of the most forgiving cushioned decks in its class, and a heavy, planted frame backed by a solid warranty, all with zero monthly cost forever. Stream your own apps over Bluetooth if you like, or just run. It is the treadmill you buy once and stop thinking about, which is exactly why it wins for most home gyms.
Pick ProForm if you want interactive value and guided runs
If a coach in your ear and follow-along programming keep you coming back, the ProForm Carbon Incline delivers the best interactive value here. iFIT's classes, scenic runs, and auto-adjusting incline make every session engaging, and the up-front price is often friendly. Just remember to budget for the ongoing membership, since that is where nearly all of the machine's magic lives. For motivation-driven runners, it is money well spent.
Consider the alternatives if you want more machine or a bigger screen
Neither the ProForm nor the Sole hitting the mark? Step up to a NordicTrack incline trainer. The X22i gives you a rugged frame, a steep incline range, and a 22-inch touchscreen for serious iFIT training. The X32i pushes further with a huge 32-inch display for the most immersive guided runs at home. Both lean on iFIT for full value, so factor in the membership, but they offer real training headroom beyond the two main contenders.
Ready to Own Your Run With No Monthly Fee?
The Sole F80 gives you a strong motor, a forgiving cushioned deck, and a build made to last, all subscription-free so you own the full experience. Check current pricing and see why it tops our 2026 comparison.
Explore Brainstamped's Free ToolsFrequently Asked Questions
For most home gyms, the Sole F80 is the better all-around pick because you own it outright with no monthly fee, and it offers a strong motor, a cushioned deck, and a sturdier build. Choose ProForm's Carbon Incline instead if you want interactive iFIT classes and auto-adjusting incline, and you do not mind paying for the subscription that unlocks them.
The ProForm Carbon Incline works as a basic treadmill without one, but most of its value lives inside iFIT, the paid subscription that streams guided classes and auto-adjusts your incline. Without a membership you lose the coach-led runs and automated features. If those are why you want the machine, budget for the ongoing fee on top of the purchase price.
No. Sole treadmills like the F80 are subscription-free, which is a big part of their appeal. You get a clear stats display and Bluetooth to stream your own apps, but there is no locked ecosystem and no monthly fee, ever. You buy the machine once and own the full experience, with nothing that disappears if you stop paying.
The Sole F80 generally edges ahead on both. Its continuous-duty motor rated around 3.5 CHP stays composed under heavy, sustained runs, and its flexible, shock-absorbing deck is one of the most joint-friendly in its class. ProForm's motor and deck are comfortable and capable, but Sole's sturdier build is the one long-distance runners and bigger users tend to prefer.
Yes, if you want more machine. Both are rugged incline trainers in the same iFIT family as ProForm, with steep incline ranges for serious hill work. The X22i pairs that with a 22-inch touchscreen, while the X32i adds a huge 32-inch display for the most immersive guided runs. Like ProForm, they rely on an iFIT membership to reach their full value.