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Running apps have become as necessary as a solid pair of running shoes—especially when training for a particular race or event. By collecting tons of data about your performance, running apps can help you monitor your progress, to ensure you’re hitting your goals. The best running apps offer helpful features like virtual training, customized training plans, audio coaching, route mapping, and more.
The Best Running Apps - Our Top Picks
- Best Running App for Weight Loss: Joggo
- Best Running App for Personal Coaching: Future
- Best Run Tracking App: Garmin Connect
- Best Running App for Apple Watch: Future
- Best Running Training App: Joggo
- Best Free Running App: MapMyRun
- Best Running App for Beginners: Myfitnesspal
- Best Running App for Android: Garmin Connect
- Best Running App for Treadmill: Nordictrack iFit
- Best Running App for iPhone: Nike Run Club
Whether you’re hitting the pavement or a treadmill, the right running app can serve as a loyal companion or even a personal coach. So, how do you choose the right one for you? Don't sweat it. We've done all the research for you and compiled a list of the best running apps on the market.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
Best Running App for Weight Loss - Joggo
SPECS
- Price: 2 months – $66. 4 months – $92. 6 months – $132.
- Free trial: None
- Platform: Apple, Google
Some people get into running just for the pleasure of it, or to boost their level of physical activity. For many of us, though, running is a means to an end, and specifically a way to lose weight and enjoy an altogether healthier lifestyle. Joggo is a great option for those who are committed to their weight loss journey, and see running as their best way to move forward. The app will allow you to create a personalized plan based on your weight loss goals, and to track your progress along the way.
That’s not all. Joggo provides everything from personalized meal plans to no-equipment workouts that you can follow. And as for more running-specific content, it offers everything from a treadmill mode to audio guidance, and of course a full spectrum of GPS-enhanced tracking tools. It’s not the cheapest app in the world, but if you’re serious about running to lose weight, Joggo can be an invaluable tool.
What We Like
- Personalized fitness plans
- Tons of GPS tracking features
- Meal plans and no-equipment workouts included
What We Don't Like
- Pretty expensive
- No free trial available at this time
Best Running App for Personal Coaching - Future
SPECS
- Price: $150 annually
- Free trial: None
- Platform: Apple
Future offers an incredibly personalized virtual training experience. Staffed with elite personal trainers, Future provides one-on-one support through custom-made training plans designed to fit your schedule, goals, available equipment, and day-to-day obligations. By asking you a series of questions about your fitness regimen, Future matches you with the best coach. We also like that there’s an option to override Future's suggested coach and choose your own from any of the highly-qualified experts.
Coaches track your biometrics to monitor progress and make adjustments to your plan. Each week you receive a new weekly training plan based on the information you have provided. During each workout, you’re guided with audio cues and provided with on-screen demos. Need some help with your running form? Record yourself and simply send it over to your coach for feedback. For Apple Watch users, the best part is being able to control a workout from your watch (no need to run over to your phone throughout the workout).
What We Like
- Personalized training
- Flexibility
- Ongoing communication with coach
- Expert coaches keep you accountable
What We Don't Like
- On the expensive side (about $150 a month)
- Not Android-compatible
Best Running Tracking App - Garmin Connect+
SPECS
- Price: Free for Garmin users
- Free trial: N/A
- Platform: Apple iOS 14.0 or higher, iPhone and iPod touch, 7.0 Android Operating System or higher
SHOP GARMINIf you own a Garmin watch, Garmin Connect+ may be the app for you as it displays all the fitness data you could want on both the app and its website. In fact, you can customize what stats you want to see and the order in which you want to see them. Detailed analysis of your treadmill workout stats are then available to view weekly, monthly, and even yearly to help you stay on track.
With Garmin Connect, you also have access to a Garmin Coach who customizes workouts and offers personalized guidance throughout. This opens up a lot of options for many who own basic treadmills that lack a variety of pre-programmed workouts. We also like that you can connect with other users and compete in challenges as well as comment on one another's performance for motivation (or to spice up your competitive edge).
What We Like
- Import and export data and workouts
- Coaching
- Tons of stats
- Historical data
- Social network
What We Don't Like
- Requires network connection to sync devices
- Chromebook users report problems with the app
Best Running App for Apple Watch - Future
SPECS
- Price: $150 annually
- Free trial: None
- Platform: Apple
We’ve already expressed our deep appreciation for Future. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, the fact that it pairs you with actual trainers to ensure personalized workouts and ongoing accountability is a pretty big deal. For runners who need that personal connection to stay motivated, Future is the best of the best.
It’s an especially good option if you happen to have an Apple Watch. That’s because you can control all of your workouts directly from the watch, without the need to scramble over to your phone every time you want to input a change. That’s an incredible convenience, and yet another reason to consider Future for your fitness needs.
What We Like
- Can be controlled directly from Apple Watch
- Personalized training
- Ongoing communication with coach
- Expert coaches keep you accountable
What We Don't Like
- On the expensive side (about $150 a month)
- Not Android-compatible
Best Running Training App - Joggo
SPECS
- Price: 2 months – $66, 4 months – $92, 6 months – $132
- Free trial: None
- Platform: Apple, Google
DOWNLOADMaybe running is just your hobby, or maybe it’s part of a more comprehensive personal fitness plan. If you’re an athlete looking to get fit and stay fit, we recommend Joggo. It’s not just a running app, even if that is its primary focus. It also provides a range of other features, from meal plans to no-equipment workouts, that are all intended to augment your runs. With this app, you can get a holistic and completely individualized fitness plan.
Again, Joggo isn’t the most affordable solution out there, and we don’t necessarily recommend it for beginners. But if you’re committed to developing a personal fitness plan, we think Joggo is the way to go.
What We Like
- Personalized fitness plans
- Tons of GPS tracking features
- Meal plans and no-equipment workouts included
What We Don't Like
- Pretty expensive
- Not recommended for beginners
Best Free Running App - MapMyRun
SPECS
- Price: $5.99/month
- Free trial: The basic version of the app is completely free
- Platform: Apple Watch/iOS, Android (GoogleFit and Android Wear). Partner apps - MyFitnessPal, S Health Integration, Importing TCX, GPX, HRM, and FIT files, Garmin Connect, Polar, Suunto
If you like to run a variety of routes, and if you’re looking to maximize your bang for buck, we think you’ll enjoy the MapMyRun app. This run tracker app uses a built-in GPS so you can create your own run route, calculate that distance, send it to your mobile device, and get moving. This is an especially great feature If you are in a new place or simply looking for different scenery for your next run. Or, sift through the thousands of routes already housed in the app.
There is a free and paid version of MapMyRun. The free version records duration, distance, pace, speed, elevation, calories burned, and route traveled in addition to the mapping features. These metrics are analyzed with charts and graphs to help monitor progress over time. In addition to these stats, the paid subscription tracks custom splits and heart rate zones. The paid subscription also unlocks access to training plans, audio coaching, form coaching, weather, and live tracking which allows you to share your exact location and route with other MapMyRun members.
What We Like
- Mapping capabilities
- Connect with others
- Lots of fitness metrics available
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- GPS may be inaccurate at times
- Have to pay for the more detailed metrics
Best Running App for Beginners - MyFitnessPal
SPECS
- Price: $9.99/month
- Free trial: Basic version is totally free; premium version has a free 30-day trial
- Platform: Windows smartphone; Android smartphone or tablet using Android OS 2.1 or higher; iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad using iOS 7.0 or later
If you’re new to running apps, or even if you’re new to running, you may find MyFitnessPal to be an incredible asset. With an easy-to-use and intuitive interface, MyFitnessPal provides a range of personalized tools: You can record your runs and your food intake in one simple location, and you can easily visualize your progress toward all your fitness goals. Social features are also included to motivate and to include accountability, both of which are invaluable to novices.
MyFitnessPal connects with outside fitness apps including VeSync, Strava, MapMyRun, RunKeeper, Garmin Connect, Renpho Health, and FitBit. You can also manually input your run or search through their database of workouts to match your activity and an associated calorie burn estimate. This allows you to record your physical activity and then calculate this into your daily caloric intake. In fact, MyFitnessPal updates your nutritional balance for the day which is based on your specific health goals.
What We Like
- Integrates with a lot of popular running apps
- Record food and fitness in one place
- Will keep you on track toward goals
- Large social network through the app
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Caloric estimations may be off
- Free version only allows basic features
Best Running App for Android - Garmin Connect+
SPECS
- Price: Free for Garmin users
- Free trial: N/A
- Platform: Apple iOS 14.0 or higher, iPhone and iPod touch, 7.0 Android Operating System or higher
Not every running app is available on the Android platform, which is one of many reasons why we like Garmin Connect+. Android users will find that this is a robust and feature-rich app that works well in a range of digital ecosystems. You’ll get access to personalized coaching, a treasure trove of stats, and social tools to build in motivation and accountability.
Garmin Connect+ works best if you happen to have a Garmin watch, and it can sometimes pose problems when you pair it with Chromebooks. With that said, this is a broadly useful and accessible app that should provide plenty of real-time and historic data to help you get the most out of each run.
What We Like
- Import and export data and workouts
- Historical data
- Social network
What We Don't Like
- Requires network connection to sync devices
- Chromebook users report problems with the app
Best Running App for Treadmill - NordicTrack Fit
SPECS
- Price: $15/month
- Free trial: 30 days
- Platform: Apple, Google
DOWNLOADRunning on the treadmill can sometimes be challenging, physically as well as mentally. A good app will keep mind and body engaged, helping you get the most out of each workout. Enter NordicTrack Fit, our pick for the best running app for treadmill users. The app will connect you with live trainers, providing you with unfettered access to hundreds of fitness professionals as well as a vast library of prerecorded workouts.
There are plenty of options for running, but also workouts focused on walking, cross-training, and more. And, when you pair your device with a compatible treadmill, you can enjoy automatic, hands-free adjustments throughout your workout.
What We Like
- Access to hundreds of trainers and workouts
- Options for running, walking, cross-training, and more
- Automatic adjustments for compatible treadmills
- Free trial available
What We Don't Like
- Won’t work with all treadmills
- Only useful if you run primarily inside
Best Running App for iPhone - Nike Run Club
SPECS
- Price: Free
- Free trial: N/A
- Platform: Apple Health, iOS, Android
The Nike Run Club app brings together professional coaches, a running community, training plans, and music into one free app that seamlessly integrates with Apple Health Although free, this running app does not cut any corners when it comes to function which is why it's our pick for best overall. The Nike Run Club app allows users to monitor detailed fitness metrics including running speed, distance, GPS route, elevation, heart rate, and mile splits to help guide your training.
You also get access to expert coaching with personalized training programs. The guidance from these experts is specific to your goals and can help keep you on track. Stay motivated with in-run audio cheers from other Nike Run Club members. We also like that Nike Run Club features run workouts with warm-ups and cool-downs in each as well as running challenges accessed through the Nike Run Club social media network.
What We Like
- Free
- Solid community of runners
- Personalized coaching
- Integration with Apple Health and Music
- Run workouts
What We Don't Like
- May be glitchy at times
How We Chose the Best Running Apps
We tried out several well-regarded running apps, using a few criteria to determine which ones are most worthy of a recommendation. Here’s a quick summary of our methodology:
- First, we were sure to compare the free version of each app with its subscription or premium version, ensuring that even base-level users got some decent tools and metrics.
- We also looked specifically for running tools and metrics, as opposed to more generic fitness tools.
- We sought to prioritize apps that come with a strong community focus, such as social sharing and virtual connection.
Based on this methodology, we arrived at our choices for the best running apps on the market today.
How to Choose the Best Running App
Platform Compatibility
Unfortunately, most running apps do not work universally with every platform. In fact, it can be downright confusing with all the updates and changes in technology. You have to narrow down your search based on the device or platform on which you plan to use it.
Community
Most running apps have an associated running community where you can connect with others, stay motivated, and feel like you are part of something more. Some apps have very active social networks whereas some may lack this level of community. If being part of a community is important to you, make sure to choose a running app that offers a large network.
Features
The range of features offered by running apps varies greatly. From virtual training worlds to metric tracking and coaching, running apps provide runners with a ton of tools. We suggest making a list of what the most important features are to you (i.e. training plans or statistical analysis) and evaluating running apps against this list of must-have features.
Our Final Takeaway
Even the most disciplined runners can benefit from encouragement, accountability, and data, all of which are available in the best running apps. We hope these recommendations help fuel your next run and power you toward your personal fitness goals.
FAQs About Running Apps
Which running app is most accurate?
The best running apps have become more and more accurate as technology and GPS capabilities evolve. Many times, their accuracy depends on connection to a network. Which one is most accurate, though, depends on the platform you are using and the location where you’re running.
Can running apps help with weight loss?
Yes! Running apps can help with weight loss. In addition to all fitness metrics tracked via running apps, many offer a community that helps with both accountability and motivation. The information you receive on your running metrics (i.e. calories burned and power) can be used to appropriately plan nutrition.
How far should I run?
How far you should run depends on your goal. Are you training for a 5K? Marathon? 400-meter sprint? Just to stay fit? Your goal will dictate mileage. If you are searching for a more customized fit, consider a personal training app.
Is it OK to run every day?
Most experts recommend at least one full rest day a week to allow your muscles to properly recover from previous runs. Additionally, because running is a high-impact sport, daily runs may increase your risk for associated injury.
About the Author
Kristine has been immersed in the fitness world for nearly 20 years. She has competed in marathons and Ironman races and earned a spot to compete in the 2012 Age Group National Championship Olympic Triathlon.
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