Finding the best running app for you is an important part of your training and competition. There are a number of really good running apps, of course each has their own pros and cons. Fortunately, many have trail periods where you can try them out before buying.
The amount of detail running apps are able to track is really amazing, and they come along way in the last few years. You'll be able to track your performance and dial in to see how you're improving. This article will cover the best apps suited for runners to help you select the right one for you.
Best Running Apps
OUR TOP PICK
Runkeeper
EDITORS CHOICE
Strava
BEST VALUE
Nike Run Club: Running Coach
OUR TOP PICK
Runkeeper
The Runkeeper app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
It is one of the most talked about apps for runners, and those who’ve used it often say it’s better than the Strava app.
The Runkeeper app gives you all the running stats you could want, and it uses GPS for distance and pace etc.
You can set your own goals and receive guidance on how to reach them, and choose a personalized plan that will get you in a good routine.
All activities are recorded, so you can reflect back on your progress and see how close you are to achieving your goals.
What’s more, you get audio-guided workouts with dedicated motivational running coaches to compliment your running regime.
And the app is also perfectly integrated with Apple Music and Spotify, so you can listen to your favorite playlists as you run.
Sync it with a range of different devices, including iPhone, Apple Watch, Garmin, FitBit, as well as to partner apps, including Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and many more.
It also features Bluetooth connectivity to connect to your heart rate monitor.
If you decide to upgrade to a premium membership, you'll get detailed progress insights and live tracking to closely monitor your training along the way.
And you can strategize for your next race by taking advantage of tailored race-training plans to prepare you for race day.
Customer reviews of this app are overwhelmingly positive from Android and Apple users alike.
Pros:
- Gives you all the running stats you could want
- You get audio-guided workouts from coaches
- Integrated with Apple Music and Spotify
- Syncs with a range of different devices
- Premium membership for race training
Cons:
- Continued use of GPS can drain battery life
EDITORS CHOICE
Strava
The Strava app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
Strava is one of the most well known fitness apps, and its used by millions of people all over the world. It's primarily used by runners and cyclists, but can also be used for other sports besides.
It'll connect with pretty much any GPS device, including smartphones, Garmin or FitBit, and will use that data to bring up all your running stats, including distance, speed, pace, elevation gained and calories burned.
You'll be able to look back on your data, keep a training log, and see how your fitness regime has progressed.
To help you choose your next run you'll be able to tap into Strava's huge trail network. And you can show off your route either on your Strava feed, or on various other social media apps.
If you use Strava together with the HealthKit app, you'll be able to include data on heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and blood glucose.
If you upgrade to the subscription version, you'll be able to access customizable training & workout plans, which is perfect if you have a specific goal in mind, such as weight loss or training for a marathon.
A Strava subscription also gives you live feedback to boost your performance, and more advanced performance metrics.
Customer reviews of this app are overwhelmingly positive from Android and Apple users alike.
Pros:
- Used by millions of people all over the world
- Connects with pretty much any GPS device
- Features a huge trail network for finding new trails
- Share workout on social media
- Works with the HealthKit app
Cons:
- Lot's of ads on the free version
BEST VALUE
Nike Run Club: Running Coach
The Nike Run Club app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
It shouldn't surprise you that Nike has its own running app, but you may be surprised to learn that it's free to download and use.
And not only does it tick all the boxes of what you’d want a running app to do, but it also goes beyond to provide guided runs and training plans, which is something you’d expect to only be available with a paid subscription.
You get all your usual stats, like distance, average speed, elevation, GPS route, heart rate and so on, and all the data gets stored, so you can look back at your progress.
The training plans give you a goal to run towards and the guidance to reach it, including a Marathon training plan.
One of the best parts of the Nike Run Club app is it provides inspiration from elite athletes with audio guided runs, and there's even audio cheers from your friends as you hit your targets.
You can choose to accept various challenges to get you motivated, and aim to see your name up on a leaderboard.
There's even a running community you can join with a dedicated social media feed where users share their photos and progress and inspiration.
Whether you wear Nike running shoes or not, you can pair the app via Bluetooth to your running shoes for more accurate data on your cadence.
Customer reviews of this app are overwhelmingly positive from Android and Apple users alike.
Pros:
- Features training plans and guided runs
- Motivate yourself with all sorts of fun challenges
- Shoe tagging for more accurate data collection
Cons:
- Continued use of GPS can drain battery life
RUNNER UP
Zombies, Run!
The Zombies, Run! app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
This is the perfect app for making your run super fun, it’s such an immersive game that it'll get your heart pounding and your heart rate up to that all important fat loss zone.
Basically, you’re in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, and you have to collect supplies such as food, medicine, and ammo and bring them back to your base.
But at any point on your run, you could suddenly hear the sounds of a horde of zombies approaching, and you have to run for your life to evade them!
It’s a great way of pushing yourself to run faster, and is amazing at training those who might eventually want to race.
And it’s good for interval training as well.
You use the app with headphones, and that’s how you'll get alerted to the presence of zombies.
But when there are no zombie grunts or radio announcements, you get to listen to music as you run.
And, better yet, you can choose your own custom playlists.
It’s also very interactive, and you can share the results of your run online, and see what everyone else on the app is doing.
Customer reviews of this app are overwhelmingly positive from Android and Apple users alike.
The biggest drawback to the app is that you have to pay a subscription fee, but if the app motivates you to keep up your running, then you could easily argue that it’s worth the money.
Pros:
- Makes your run like playing a game
- Choose your own custom playlists
- It’s interactive and you can share your sun online
Cons:
- Not free to use, you have to subscribe
- Contains both ads and in-app purchases
- Continued use of GPS can drain battery life
RUNNER UP
Zwift
The Zwift app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
If you like to do your running on a treadmill at home or in the gym, then this is the running app for you!
It's perfect for keeping up with your daily runs, regardless of what the weather may be doing.
You pair the Zwift app on your tablet to a Zwift supported device, and the screen of the tablet becomes your view as you run.
And you can be anywhere in the world, from central London to a futuristic New York City, or run across the desert, through underwater tunnels, or over old ruins, or across the alps in Europe, or through the English countryside, the list goes on.
It’s just like those video games you see in the arcade.
There are over 1,000 structured workouts and training plans to choose from.
And there's over 200 live events you can take part in every day, including group runs and races.
You can make new friends and compete together, and see all your running stats on the screen.
Then you can analyze your workouts so you can take your running performance to the next level.
It’s not quite as popular as the other apps on our shortlist, but it does have a good average customer rating on both Google Play and the App store.
Pros:
- Makes training at home visually interesting
- Turns your workout into a game for better motivation
- 1,000 structured workouts and training plans
- Take part in live events such as races
Cons:
- Monthly subscription fee
- Need a Zwift supported device
- The graphics could be better
RUNNER UP
Map My Run By Under Armour
The Map My Run app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
This app has won numerous awards - and with good reason . . .
The star feature of this app is how it connects via Bluetooth to special Under Armour running shoes. It will not only track your run by GPS, but it can also go a step further and monitor data on your cadence.
And it syncs with other wearables, including Apple Watch, Garmin, and more. Plus it also syncs with other apps.
Many runners have found it useful to link with MyFitnessPal, so they can compare calories consumed to calories burned, which is important if you’re trying to lose weight, or maintain your current weight.
In addition to monitoring your route through GPS, the app also calculates your average pace for each mile, and your elevation.
You can use the Routes part to save your favorite routes and to find nearby places to go for a run.
There's also an online community where you can check in with how your friends’ running is going wherever they are in the world. Which is great for keeping inspired.
When you subscribe (for a minimal fee) you can receive personalized training plans, monitor & analyze heart rate zones to adjust your training based on your targets, and stay on track with audio coach updates
Customer reviews of this app are overwhelmingly positive from Android and Apple users alike.
Pros:
- Works with several wearable devices
- Syncs with other apps, e.g. MyFitnessPal
- Become part of an online community
Cons:
- Great app on it's own, but you'll need a subscription to get all the features
- It can really drain the battery of an Apple Watch
RUNNER UP
Adidas Running App By Runtastic
The Adidas app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
This app features built-in GPS tracking, so you won’t have to worry about pairing with a GPS device via Bluetooth.
In addition to tracking your location, it'll keep tabs on your pace, distance, number of steps, heart rate, and calories burned.
You can choose your own personal goals, and set your own training plan, as well as view your stats over time to see how you've progressed.
You'll also get a community newsfeed, with regular blog posts across a range of health and fitness topics. As well as the option to take part in virtual challenges with fellow runners around the world!
It’s compatible with a range of other apps, including Zwift and Garmin Connect, so you can keep an eye on your vitals, and more.
The Adidas app can be used for other sports, including hiking, cycling, yoga and more.
If you decide to go for premium membership, which has a small monthly fee, you can get personalized training plans for various races, that range from a weight loss plan to a full marathon.
There's also interval training, and an automatic pause when you stop moving.
Customer reviews of this app are overwhelmingly positive from Android and Apple users alike.
Pros:
- Features built-in GPS tracking
- Tracks various different running stats
- Join an entire running community
- Newsfeed, with regular blog posts
- Take part in virtual challenges
- Compatible with other apps
Cons:
- Continued use of GPS can drain battery life
RUNNER UP
Garmin Connect
The Garmin Connect app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
If you already own a Garmin wearable device such as a fitness tracker, it makes sense to look into how well the Garmin Connect app suits your needs before you decide which app to download and install.
It’s basically a one-stop source for all your health and fitness data.
When paired with a compatible device, it can track your heart rate, how well you’ve slept, and your energy and stress levels, your hydration levels, and even your menstrual cycle!
And of course it tracks all of your running stats such as distance, number of steps, pace and calories burned and so on.
It also works for other sports and activities.
You can create customized workouts, set your own targets, and earn badges for your accomplishments. As well as analyze your stats over time to view your progress.
There's a growing online running and fitness community with it's own social media newsfeed, where you can challenge your friends to compete with you.
One of the nicer features is the personalized homepage called My Day which can load the stats you're most interested in watching.
Customer reviews of this app are overwhelmingly positive from Android and Apple users alike.
Pros:
- One-stop source for all your health & fitness data
- Track how well you’ve slept, and your energy levels
- Create customized workouts and earn badges
- Can be used for other sports and activities
Cons:
- Continued use of GPS can drain battery life
Recap
As you can see, there are plenty of choices when it comes to finding a running app. If you're just getting started, you might be motivated by the "game type" apps such as Zwift or Zombies, Run!
Many apps today are building their own social communities, which can also be motivating. You may be able to hook up with an accountability partner that lives in another country!
Whichever running app you choose, you'll most likely be impressed with the amount of information it tracks and how much it can help you achieve your goals.
Do you want to learn more? Here's a video that discusses the running apps that offer training plans.