Updated October 1, 2026 · ThriveCue Editorial Team
Academy vs Puttr
Academy vs Puttr: the differences
| Compare |  Academy |  Puttr |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $399.99Lower | $699 |
| Return window | 60 daysHigher | 30 days |
| Brand or store | Store | Brand |
| Markets | US | US, CA, GBCovers more |
| Lifetime warranty | Not confirmed | No |
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Key differences
- Academy scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.5.
- Price from is lower at Academy: $399.99 vs $699.
- Return window is higher at Academy: 60 days vs 30 days.
- Support channels: only Academy offers Phone.
- Puttr is available in 2 more countries.
- Products: only Academy offers Treadmill, Exercise bike, Rower.
- Products: only Puttr offers Golf.
- Markets: only Puttr offers CA, GB.
Our verdict on each
Academy
Academy suits anyone building a home gym in the US who wants one store for treadmills, bikes, strength kits and recovery tools without paying for a membership. Equipment starts at $399.99, the membership costs $0, and the catalogue ranks 1 of 59 on that.
Puttr
Puttr suits golfers who want a specialist golf brand and a 30 day return window, with a checkout covering US, CA and GB. Buying direct from Puttr Inc keeps the range to golf, starting at $699. Note the lifetime warranty answer is no before you commit.
Score breakdown
| Area | Academy | Puttr |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2HigherTreadmills start at $399.99 with a $0 membership, and it ranks 1 of 59 on that. | 8.2Entry price of $699 ranks 62 of 67 on price from. |
| Offer | 9.2HigherA 60 days money back window, no membership needed and foldable models sit behind a $399.99 entry price. | 8.8Returns rank 8 of 60, with support on email and help centre and a brand direct sale. |
Pick Academy if, pick Puttr if
Pick Academy if cost, offer, price from, and return window matter most.
Pick Puttr if markets matter most.
By the numbers
| Fact | Academy | Puttr |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $399.99 | $699 |
| Return window | 60 days | 30 days |
How they place
| Ranking | Academy | Puttr |
|---|---|---|
| Golf equipment | 57 of 69 | 1 of 69 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Academy | Puttr |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Treadmill, Exercise bike, Rower, Cross trainer, Strength, Home gym, Massage gun, Recovery | Golf |
| Legal entity | Academy, LTD | Puttr Inc |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Academy | Puttr | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $399.99highest quarter | $699highest quarter | $73 |
| Return window | 60 dayshighest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 65 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Academy
Pros
- No membership is required, and the membership costs $0 where one is offered.
- Returns run 60 days with a 60 days money back window, longer than the 30 typical across the site.
- Support covers email, phone and help centre, so questions can go to a person as well as a knowledge base.
Cons
- Treadmills start at $399.99, which places Academy at 38 of 71 on the price ranking, a long way behind the 1 of 59 it holds on membership cost.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre only, so a question about a heavy machine goes by phone, email or the help centre.
Puttr
Pros
- Puts one sport behind the catalogue: Puttr sells golf gear, while Academy lists camping, hiking and outdoor clothing and Mizuno lists activewear, golf and racket sports.
- Ships to US, CA and GB, so the same checkout covers buyers across those markets.
- A named company, Puttr Inc in the US, sits behind the order terms and the refund policy.
Cons
- The brand offers no lifetime warranty, so wear or damage to golf gear sits with the buyer once the return window closes.
- The $699 entry price ranks 62 of 67 on the site's price from list, toward the dearer end of the field.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone line listed, while phone support appears at 73.3% of golf equipment sellers.
Who each suits
Academy
Who it suits
- US buyers fitting out a home gym who want cardio and strength in one order
- Households wanting a 60 days returns window instead of a membership commitment
- People in small homes looking for foldable treadmills
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers in the US who want live chat, since support runs on email, phone and help centre
- Shoppers chasing the lowest entry price, since treadmills rank 38 of 71 on price
- Anyone outside US, as stock and delivery are US based
Puttr
Who it suits
- Golfers who want a specialist golf brand and can buy in the United States, CA and GB.
- Buyers who put a 30 day return policy above a low entry price.
- Shoppers who want the warranty question settled first, since the lifetime warranty answer is no.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after golf plus everyday sportswear in one place: Academy lists camping, hiking and outdoor clothing.
- Buyers who want team apparel alongside golf gear: Manchester United lists team sports, activewear and golf.
- Golfers who need phone support, since Puttr's contact runs on email and help centre only, and a broader catalogue sits with Academy.
Country by country
| Country | Academy | Puttr |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | No | Yes |
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Academy
Do I need a membership to buy a treadmill from Academy?+
No. A membership is not required, and the membership itself costs $0 a month where it is offered. Treadmills are listed from $399.99, so the hardware price stands on its own without any recurring fee attached.
What does a treadmill cost at the entry level?+
Treadmills start at $399.99, which is the figure the store quotes for the cheapest machine in the range. On price, Academy ranks 38 of 71 brands, so the entry price is competitive rather than the lowest available.
Puttr
How much does Puttr cost?+
Puttr's catalogue starts at $699, and everything in it sits in the golf range. The site ranks 67 brands on entry price, with Puttr at 62, so buyers after a lower starting figure are better served by another ranked brand.
Where is Puttr based and where does it ship?+
Puttr is based in the US and its listed markets are US, CA and GB. Those are the markets the store's own terms are written for, so golfers based or travelling in the US, Canada and the UK fall inside the stated coverage while others would check delivery before ordering.