Short answer
Choose ProForm if you want trainer-led iFIT classes that change speed and incline for you, led by the Pro 9000 and its 16-inch touchscreen. Choose Horizon if you want no required membership, steeper 15% incline, a wider deck on the 7.4 AT and lifetime frame and motor coverage on every model we reviewed.
Key takeaways
- ProForm is the connected choice: iFIT classes adjust speed and incline for you, with a membership.
- Horizon is the no-membership choice, with dial controls and third-party app support.
- Horizon lists a lifetime frame and motor on every model we reviewed; ProForm does not.
- Horizon reaches 15% incline and offers the only 22 × 60-inch deck here (7.4 AT).
- Best picks: ProForm Pro 9000 for classes, Horizon 7.4 AT for running, Horizon 7.0 AT for most homes.
ProForm and Horizon Fitness are two of the most common brands buyers weigh when they want a folding home treadmill that is a real step up from a walking pad. They overlap in size and use, but they are built around opposite ideas. ProForm sells a connected experience: its treadmills are designed around iFIT classes that steer the machine for you. Horizon sells a simple, sturdy treadmill with fast dial controls and leaves the app choice to you.
This guide compares the three ProForm and four Horizon treadmills we reviewed at FitGearHQ, all sold on Amazon in the US: the ProForm Carbon TL, Carbon TLX and Pro 9000, and the Horizon T101, T202, 7.0 AT and 7.4 AT. We look at lineups, motors, decks, incline, consoles and subscriptions, warranty patterns and build, then name the best model from each brand by need. For the wider market, see our best treadmill brands guide.
ProForm vs Horizon at a Glance
The table sums up the two brands across the criteria that decide most purchases. It is based on the seven models we reviewed, so it describes the treadmills you are most likely to shop rather than every product either brand has sold.
In short, ProForm wins on screens and guided training, while Horizon wins on incline range, deck width at the top of the range and warranty length. FitScores come from our reviews; a model can score differently in a specific Best guide because each guide weights performance, comfort and features for its own use case.
| Criteria | ProForm | Horizon Fitness |
|---|---|---|
| Models we reviewed | Carbon TL, Carbon TLX, Pro 9000 | T101, T202, 7.0 AT, 7.4 AT |
| FitScore range | 74.8 to 91.7 | 71.8 to 89.9 |
| Motors | 2.6 HP to 3.6 HP | 2.5 HP to 3.5 CHP |
| Running surfaces | 18 × 55 in (Carbon TL); 20 × 60 in (TLX, Pro 9000) | 20 × 55 in (T101); 20 × 60 in (T202, 7.0 AT); 22 × 60 in (7.4 AT) |
| Max incline | 10% (Carbon TL) or 12% | 10% (T101), 12% (T202), 15% (7.0 AT, 7.4 AT) |
| Decline | None | None |
| Top speed | 10 mph (Carbon TL) or 12 mph | 10 mph (T101) or 12 mph |
| Consoles | 5-in and 7-in LCD; 16-in pivoting touchscreen on the Pro 9000 | LED and LCD consoles with dial controls |
| App / subscription | iFIT membership for classes and auto-adjust | Third-party apps; no membership required |
| Max user weight | 300 to 350 lb | 300 to 350 lb |
| Warranty pattern | 10-year frame, 1 year motor and parts (Carbon); 2 years on everything (Pro 9000) | Lifetime frame and motor; parts 1 to 5 years; labor 1 to 2 years |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
Lineup: Who Each Brand Builds For
ProForm keeps its Amazon lineup short. The ProForm Carbon TL (FitScore 74.8) is a compact walker with an 18 × 55-inch belt and 10 mph top speed. The Carbon TLX (77.7) steps up to a full 20 × 60-inch deck, a 3 HP motor and 12% incline. The Pro 9000 (91.7) is the flagship, with a 3.6 HP motor, a 16-inch pivoting touchscreen and a 350 lb capacity. It ranks #1 in our best treadmill with classes guide.
Horizon Fitness spreads four models across walking, jogging and running. The Horizon T101 (71.8) is a 10 mph walker and light jogger and ranks #1 in our best treadmill for shared spaces guide. The Horizon T202 (76.7) adds a 60-inch deck and leads our best budget treadmill guide. The Horizon 7.0 AT (80.7) is the all-rounder, and the Horizon 7.4 AT (89.9) is the runner’s model and our #1 pick for running.
The models pair up naturally. The Carbon TL faces the T101, the Carbon TLX faces the T202 and 7.0 AT, and the Pro 9000 faces the 7.4 AT. Our ProForm Carbon TL vs Horizon T101 comparison covers the entry-level matchup in detail.
Motors and Decks
On paper, motor ratings are close. ProForm lists 2.6 HP on the Carbon TL, 3 HP on the Carbon TLX and 3.6 HP on the Pro 9000. Horizon lists 2.5 HP on the T101, 2.75 HP on the T202, 3 HP on the 7.0 AT and 3.5 CHP (continuous horsepower) on the 7.4 AT. Brands do not always rate motors the same way, so treat small gaps as a tie. Any of the 3 HP and up models handles daily walking, jogging and steady runs.
Deck size is the clearer difference. The Horizon 7.4 AT is the only model in this matchup with a 22 × 60-inch running surface, the width we recommend for tall runners and anyone with a wide gait. That is one reason it ranks #1 in our best treadmill for tall runners guide, with the Pro 9000 at #4. At the entry level, the Horizon T101 belt is 2 inches wider than the Carbon TL (20 against 18 inches), though both are 55 inches long and suit walking more than running.
Cushioning follows each brand’s style. ProForm uses ProShox cushioning across all three models. Horizon uses 3-Zone Variable Response cushioning, softer where you land and firmer where you push off. Neither lets you adjust firmness. Our treadmill cushioning guide explains what these systems do, and the 7.4 AT ranks #2 in our best treadmill for bad knees guide.
Pro tip: If you plan regular runs or are over 6 feet tall, look for a 60-inch deck at minimum. That rules out the ProForm Carbon TL and the Horizon T101.
Incline, Speed and Programs
Horizon reaches higher. The 7.0 AT and 7.4 AT both climb to 15% incline, against a 12% maximum on the ProForm Carbon TLX and Pro 9000. The entry models are even: 10% on both the Carbon TL and the T101, with the Horizon T202 at 12%. For steep incline walking, the two Horizon AT models are the better fit; see our best treadmill with incline guide for more options.
Neither brand offers decline on the models we reviewed. If downhill training matters to you, our Sole vs Horizon and NordicTrack vs ProForm comparisons cover the models that add it. Top speed is 12 mph on every model except the Carbon TL and T101, which stop at 10 mph.
How you change incline is where the brands really differ. On ProForm, an iFIT membership lets trainers and mapped routes adjust speed and incline for you, and features such as SmartAdjust and ActivePulse change them based on your performance or heart rate. On Horizon, you make every change yourself with the QuickDial or EasyDial controls on the handlebars, which testers find fast and easy mid-run. The 7.0 AT lists 8 built-in programs and the 7.4 AT lists 10, while ProForm relies on iFIT for structured workouts.
Consoles, iFIT and App Freedom
This is the deciding criterion for most buyers. ProForm treadmills are built around iFIT. The Carbon TL and TLX have small LCD screens (5 and 7 inches) and a device shelf, so you stream iFIT on your own phone or tablet. According to iFIT, the Train tier is built for personal devices, while the Pro tier is for equipment with an integrated screen, such as the Pro 9000 and its 16-inch pivoting touchscreen. Membership terms change, so check the current plans in the iFIT app before you buy.
Without a membership, an iFIT treadmill still runs in manual mode, but you lose the class library, automatic speed and incline control and features such as SmartAdjust. A large touchscreen without the Pro tier is mostly a big display, so plan for the membership if classes are the reason you are buying.
Horizon takes the opposite approach. It has no proprietary class platform on these models. The listings name Bluetooth support for apps such as Peloton, Strava and Zwift on the 7.0 AT and JRNY and Peloton on the T101, and Horizon notes that those apps need their own subscriptions. Its consoles are simple LED or LCD screens. On the T202, reviewers note that connected apps track your workout but cannot change speed or incline. That is why the Horizon 7.0 AT ranks #1 in our best treadmill without subscription guide.
Watch out: Do not buy a ProForm for its screen alone. Classes, automatic incline and SmartAdjust need an iFIT membership. If you never want a subscription, a Horizon is the simpler choice.
Warranty Patterns, Build and Support
Warranty is Horizon’s strongest argument. Every Horizon we reviewed lists a lifetime frame and motor warranty, and parts and labor grow with the model: 1 year of each on the T101 and T202, 3 years of parts and 1 year of labor on the 7.0 AT, and 5 years of parts and 2 years of labor on the 7.4 AT.
ProForm listings follow two patterns. The Carbon TL and Carbon TLX show a 10-year frame with 1 year on the motor, parts and labor. The Pro 9000 shows 2 years on frame, motor, parts and labor. No ProForm model in our data comes close to Horizon’s lifetime motor coverage. Warranty terms can differ between the manufacturer and a marketplace listing, so check the current warranty on the product page before you order.
On build, Horizon frames are heavier: about 318 lb for the 7.4 AT and 257 lb for the 7.0 AT, against about 218 lb for the Pro 9000 and 221 lb for the Carbon TLX. Extra weight means a steadier deck at speed but a harder move between rooms. All seven models fold. The 7.4 AT ranks #1 in our best durable treadmill guide, and regular care extends the life of either brand; see how to maintain a treadmill.
| Model | Frame | Motor | Parts | Labor | FitScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProForm Pro 9000 | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 91.7 |
| ProForm Carbon TLX | 10 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 77.7 |
| ProForm Carbon TL | 10 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 74.8 |
| Horizon 7.4 AT | Lifetime | Lifetime | 5 years | 2 years | 89.9 |
| Horizon 7.0 AT | Lifetime | Lifetime | 3 years | 1 year | 80.7 |
| Horizon T202 | Lifetime | Lifetime | 1 year | 1 year | 76.7 |
| Horizon T101 | Lifetime | Lifetime | 1 year | 1 year | 71.8 |
Best ProForm Treadmill by Need
For classes on a big screen, the ProForm Pro 9000 is the clear pick. It ranks #1 in our best treadmill with classes guide and #2 in our best treadmill with screen guide, and its 350 lb capacity matches the Horizon 7.4 AT. Our ProForm Pro 9000 vs NordicTrack 2450 comparison shows when a bigger iFIT treadmill is worth it.
For iFIT on your own tablet, the Carbon TLX gives you a full 20 × 60-inch deck and 12% incline and ranks #3 in our best folding treadmill guide. For walking in a smaller room, the Carbon TL ranks #3 in our best budget treadmill guide, though its 18-inch belt is best kept for walking.
Best for Classes
ProForm Pro 9000
FitScore 93.8/100
A 16-inch pivoting touchscreen, 3.6 HP motor, 12% incline and 350 lb capacity on a folding 20 × 60-inch deck.
Ranked in our Best Treadmill With Classes guide
Check Price on AmazonBest Mid-Range iFIT
ProForm Carbon TLX
FitScore 74.8/100
A 3 HP motor, 12% incline and a full 20 × 60-inch deck, with iFIT streamed to your own device.
Ranked in our Best Folding Treadmill guide
Check Price on AmazonBest ProForm Walker
ProForm Carbon TL
FitScore 74.8/100
A compact folding walker with 10% incline and a 10-year frame warranty on the listing we reviewed.
Ranked in our Best Budget Treadmill guide
Check Price on AmazonBest Horizon Treadmill by Need
For running, the Horizon 7.4 AT is the one to buy. It ranks #1 in our best treadmill for running, best treadmill for heavy people and best durable treadmill guides, with a 22 × 60-inch deck, 15% incline and 5 years on parts. Our Horizon 7.0 AT vs 7.4 AT comparison explains when the step up is worth it.
For most homes, the Horizon 7.0 AT ranks #1 in our best treadmill for home, best quiet treadmill and best value treadmill guides and includes a chest strap. For tighter budgets, the T202 leads our best budget treadmill guide, and the T101 suits shared rooms and walkers.
Best for Running
Horizon 7.4 AT
FitScore 89.9/100
A 3.5 CHP motor, 22 × 60-inch deck, 15% incline and 5-year parts coverage, with no membership needed.
Ranked in our Best Treadmill for Running guide
Check Price on AmazonBest All-Round Home
Horizon 7.0 AT
FitScore 79.5/100
A 3 HP motor, 20 × 60-inch deck, 15% incline, a chest strap in the box and 3 years on parts.
Ranked in our Best Treadmill for Home guide
Check Price on AmazonBest Entry-Level
Horizon T202
FitScore 77.3/100
A full 20 × 60-inch deck, 12 mph, 12% incline and lifetime frame and motor coverage at the entry level.
Ranked in our Best Budget Treadmill guide
Check Price on AmazonWhich Should You Choose?
Decide first how you want to train. If you want a coach on screen who changes speed and incline for you, and you are happy to keep an iFIT membership, choose ProForm. If you want to set your own workouts, use the apps you already have and get the longest warranty, choose Horizon.
- Classes on a large screen: ProForm Pro 9000. See best treadmill with classes.
- Running and intervals: Horizon 7.4 AT. See best treadmill for running.
- All-round home use without a subscription: Horizon 7.0 AT. See our Horizon 7.0 AT review.
- iFIT on your own tablet: ProForm Carbon TLX. See best treadmill for beginners.
- Tight budget: Horizon T202, or the ProForm Carbon TL for walking. See best budget treadmill.
- Small or shared room: Horizon T101 or ProForm Carbon TL. See best treadmill for small spaces.
- Heavier users: Horizon 7.4 AT or ProForm Pro 9000 (both 350 lb). See best treadmill for heavy people.
Checklist Before You Choose ProForm or Horizon
- Decide whether you want guided iFIT classes or your own workouts.
- If you choose ProForm, check the current iFIT plans in the app before ordering.
- Choose a 60-inch deck if you will run; a 22-inch width if you are tall or run fast intervals.
- Decide how much incline you need: 12% (ProForm) or 15% (Horizon AT models).
- Check the weight limit with a margin above your body weight.
- Compare motor, parts and labor coverage, not only the frame warranty.
- Measure the space for the treadmill in use and when folded.
- Confirm the warranty on the exact product page before ordering.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying the Pro 9000 for its touchscreen without planning for an iFIT membership.
- Running regularly on a 55-inch deck such as the Carbon TL or T101.
- Expecting decline on either brand; none of the models we reviewed has it.
- Comparing frame warranties only; ProForm Carbon listings show 1 year on the motor.
- Assuming third-party apps can control a Horizon; you change speed and incline with the dials.
- Choosing the 7.4 AT for a room where it has to move often; it weighs about 318 lb.
The Bottom Line
- ProForm belongs to iFIT Health & Fitness; Horizon Fitness belongs to Johnson Health Tech.
- ProForm classes and automatic speed and incline control need an iFIT membership; Horizon works with third-party apps and needs no membership.
- Every Horizon we reviewed lists a lifetime frame and motor; ProForm listings show a 10-year frame (Carbon) or 2 years on everything (Pro 9000).
- Top FitScores: ProForm Pro 9000 (91.7) and Horizon 7.4 AT (89.9); the Horizon 7.0 AT (80.7) leads the mid-range.
- Neither brand offers decline on the models we reviewed; Horizon reaches 15% incline, ProForm 12%.
Our Top Picks
Best for ClassesProForm Pro 9000FitScore93.8/100Check on Amazon- Best Mid-Range iFITProForm Carbon TLXFitScore74.8/100Check on Amazon
- Best ProForm WalkerProForm Carbon TLFitScore74.8/100Check on Amazon
- Best for RunningHorizon 7.4 ATFitScore89.9/100Check on Amazon
- Best All-Round HomeHorizon 7.0 ATFitScore79.5/100Check on Amazon
- Best Entry-LevelHorizon T202FitScore77.3/100Check on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Horizon is better for buyers who want no membership, steeper incline and longer warranties, led by the 7.4 AT and 7.0 AT. ProForm is better if you want iFIT classes on a built-in screen, led by the Pro 9000.
No. The Horizon models we reviewed work without a membership and connect to third-party apps such as Peloton, Strava or Zwift over Bluetooth. Those apps need their own subscriptions.
Yes. A ProForm runs in manual mode without a membership, but classes, automatic speed and incline control and SmartAdjust need iFIT. Check the current plans in the iFIT app.
The Pro 9000 scores 91.7 and adds a 16-inch touchscreen for iFIT classes. The 7.4 AT scores 89.9 and offers a wider 22 × 60-inch deck, 15% incline, a lifetime motor and 5 years on parts. Pick the Pro 9000 for classes and the 7.4 AT for running.
Horizon. Every Horizon we reviewed lists a lifetime frame and motor. ProForm Carbon listings show a 10-year frame with 1 year on the motor, and the Pro 9000 shows 2 years on everything.
None of the ProForm or Horizon treadmills we reviewed offers decline. Horizon reaches 15% incline on the 7.0 AT and 7.4 AT; ProForm tops out at 12%.
ProForm is a brand of iFIT Health & Fitness, which also owns NordicTrack. Horizon Fitness is part of Johnson Health Tech, which also owns BowFlex and Matrix.
Explore More Treadmill Comparisons
Horizon 7.0 AT vs 7.4 AT (2026): Which Horizon Should You Buy?
ProForm Pro 9000 vs NordicTrack 2450 (2026): Which iFIT Treadmill?
Best Treadmill Brands (2026): Who Makes the Best Treadmill for Your Home
Best Treadmill With Classes (2026): 5 Connected Training Picks
Best Treadmill Without Subscription (2026): 5 Picks With No Required Paid Plan
Treadmill Buying Guide (2026): How to Choose the Right Home Treadmill
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