Best Alternative to ActTrust – Why Researchers Prefer Fibion Krono

Searching for the best alternative to ActTrust? You’re not alone. The ActTrust device by Condor Instruments has long been used in sleep and circadian rhythm research. But many researchers today are looking for a solution that delivers more precision, seamless usability, and scientifically validated analysis—all in one package.

That’s where Fibion Krono comes in.

If you’re evaluating alternatives to ActTrust, here’s why more and more research teams are choosing Fibion Krono instead.

Why Researchers Are Seeking Alternatives to ActTrust

While ActTrust has been a solid option, several limitations often lead researchers to explore other choices. Here’s a quick look at why:

• Limited accelerometer precision: ActTrust uses a 2-axis accelerometer, which can miss complex wrist and arm movements compared to modern triaxial sensors.
• Proprietary docking station required: Charging and downloading data require a specific dock, adding extra hardware steps.
• No real-time data streaming: ActTrust lacks Bluetooth or wireless syncing, making live compliance monitoring impossible.
• Basic software: While ActStudio provides essential functions, it often requires manual post-processing or third-party tools to perform deeper circadian analysis.

If you’re looking for more advanced sensor capabilities, validated circadian metrics, and simplified analysis, it’s worth considering an alternative.

Meet Fibion Krono: The Best ActTrust Alternative

Fibion Krono is purpose-built for researchers who need accurate, reliable, and multi-sensor data—without unnecessary hassle.

Developed by chronobiology experts, Fibion Krono seamlessly combines:

• Precise motion detection.
• Detailed light exposure analysis.
• High-accuracy temperature monitoring.
• Scientifically validated analysis tools.

Trusted globally in both clinical trials and academic research, Fibion Krono offers everything ActTrust users expect—and more.

How Fibion Krono Outperforms ActTrust

Superior Light Sensor Suite

Fibion Krono features an advanced light sensing system designed specifically for circadian and sleep research. It includes:

• Blue light sensor (460–490 nm) — targeting the melanopic range crucial for circadian rhythm studies.
• Broad photopic light sensor — capturing overall visible light.
• Infrared sensor (>800 nm) — helping distinguish between natural and artificial light sources.

With a wide dynamic range of 0.01 to 43,000 lux, auto-adjusting gain, and flicker suppression, Fibion Krono provides accurate light exposure data in any environment—whether indoors under artificial light or outdoors in daylight.

ActTrust’s RGB and IR light sensors offer decent coverage, but lack the fine-tuned blue-light filtering and advanced light source detection that Fibion Krono delivers.

High-Precision Triaxial Accelerometer

Movement detection is a core component of actigraphy. Here’s where Fibion Krono stands out:

• Triaxial accelerometer with ±2 g range and 0.001 g sensitivity.
• Captures subtle wrist movements and postural changes accurately.

In comparison, ActTrust uses a 2-axis accelerometer, which may miss complex or vertical arm movements, reducing sensitivity in certain motion analyses.

Large Temperature Sensor with Excellent Skin Contact

Fibion Krono’s temperature sensor is designed with a large contact surface, ensuring consistent skin contact and high measurement accuracy (±0.1 °C).

Beyond just logging wrist temperature, the device smartly uses temperature changes to:

• Detect non-wear time — sudden temperature drops signal when the device is removed.
• Analyze circadian temperature rhythms — providing an additional layer of insight into the participant’s biological clock.

ActTrust does measure skin and ambient temperature but lacks Fibion Krono’s enhanced non-wear detection accuracy and skin contact optimization.

Event Marker Button

Fibion Krono includes a simple yet crucial feature: the event marker button.

Participants can use it to:

• Log key events such as bedtimes, wake times, naps, or specific tasks.
• Ensure events are precisely timestamped in the data.

This enhances the accuracy and contextual understanding of recorded data, making analysis clearer and more actionable.

Validated TAP Method and DLMO-Based Estimation

Fibion Krono leverages the TAP approach—Thermometry, Actimetry, Position—to improve sleep and wake detection far beyond conventional actigraphy.

• Combining temperature, motion, and wrist orientation leads to higher specificity, particularly in distinguishing between quiet wakefulness and true sleep.

Additionally, Fibion Krono provides high-resolution temperature and activity data that supports DLMO-based circadian phase estimation using scientifically validated methods — enabling non-invasive analysis directly from device data.

ActTrust lacks this level of integrated, validated multi-sensor analysis.

Scientifically Validated Analysis & Ready-to-Use Reports

Once data is collected, Fibion Krono simplifies the analysis process:

• KronoWare software manages device configuration and data review.
• KronoWizard cloud platform automatically generates:
  • Sleep reports.
  • Activity summaries.
  • Circadian rhythm metrics.
  • Participant-ready visual reports.

There’s no need to export files to third-party software or perform manual post-processing. Everything is processed with scientifically validated algorithms, ready for immediate use in research publications or clinical assessments.

Researcher-Friendly Procurement

With Fibion Krono, purchasing is straightforward:

• Directly available from Fibion—no need to go through distributors or third-party resellers.
• Fast, responsive service with personalized support for research teams.

Why Fibion Krono Is the Smarter Choice

Let’s recap why Fibion Krono stands out as the best alternative to ActTrust:

• Advanced light sensor suite — including precise blue light measurement, broad photopic, and infrared detection, with a wide lux range and flicker suppression.
• High-sensitivity triaxial accelerometer — capturing detailed wrist movements and posture, far beyond the limitations of 2-axis sensors.
• Large, accurate temperature sensor — providing excellent skin contact, reliable circadian temperature analysis, and effective non-wear detection.
• Event marker button — allowing easy, precise logging of important events by participants.
• Validated TAP method & DLMO-based estimation — giving researchers superior sleep-wake detection and supporting accurate circadian phase estimation from wearable data.
• Scientifically validated analysis & ready-to-use reports — all handled within KronoWare and KronoWizard, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-processing.
• Direct procurement & personalized support — no middlemen, straightforward communication, and fast turnaround.

Call to Action

📅 If you want to learn more about Fibion Krono, do not hesitate to book a video call with our experts, or to ask for a quote.