How Do These Running Apps Differ from One Another?

Nike+ Running (iOS/Android): Sleek, User-Friendly, and Cost-Free

Nike+ Running stands out as the most popular app in our review, available on both iOS and Android. Its appeal lies in its polished design, accurate tracking of time and distance, and an ad-free experience without pushy upgrade prompts. The app provides premium features like auto-pause and training programs at no cost, which competitors often reserve for paid versions.

Setting Up Your Run: Decide whether you aim to run for a specific duration, cover a set distance, or challenge yourself to surpass a personal best, such as your quickest mile.

Audio Experience: Enjoy tracks from your phone’s music library, with an optional “powersong” ready at your fingertips. iOS users can stream Spotify and design personalized radio stations by selecting an artist or genre paired with their preferred running speed. For instance, choosing Queen with a nine-minute-mile pace might play “White Wedding” by Billy Idol, while the same station at a 12:00 pace could start with Alice Cooper’s “Feed My Frankenstein.” Both music and data tracking pause automatically when you stop moving.

A voice provides updates on time, distance, and pace at each mile marker (customizable). During distance runs, it notifies you at the halfway point and when only one mile remains.

Post-Run Details: Record your mood, the type of surface you ran on (road, trail, track, or beach), and the shoes you wore. You can add a photo and view a color-coded map highlighting your fastest and slowest segments.

Social Features: Upon launching the app, a leaderboard displays your monthly mileage compared to your friends’. You can also initiate distance-based challenges for groups using Nike+. For instance, can everyone reach 100 miles by summer’s end?

Training Features: The app offers tailored training plans for various race distances, allowing you to select your goal and skill level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced). It suggests a level based on your logged runs and, optionally, asks for your race date. For example, when I set a 5K goal for October, it recommended an intermediate plan starting in August.

Limitations: Nike+ has limited compatibility with external devices, supporting only Netpulse, Garmin, TomTom, and Wahoo. It lacks features for discovering new routes or in-depth statistical analysis, focusing instead on boosting your overall mileage.

MapMyRun (iOS/Android): Ideal for Adventurers

Long before running apps existed, the MapMyRun website revolutionized route planning by letting users measure their neighborhood runs without needing to drive and check an odometer. The app now offers real-time tracking but stays true to its origins with access to a vast map database. Available for iOS and Android.

Setting Up Your Run: Choose your activity and shoes...but let’s be honest, the maps are the star. While you can start running anywhere, you can also pick from nearby routes others have used, your past runs, or bookmarked paths. For more customization, find or create a route on the MapMyRun website and send it to your phone.

Audio Experience: iOS users can play music from their local library, but Android users lack built-in music options. Voice updates on time, distance, and pace require an MVP subscription, priced at $5.99 monthly or $29.99 annually.

Post-Run Analysis: The app generates charts showing speed variations and elevation changes during your run. Heart rate data is accessible with a subscription.

Social Features: Add friends on MapMyRun to share activities. The paid version includes live tracking, allowing friends to follow your run in real-time on a map.

MapMyRun offers courses, which are similar to routes but with unique features. While routes have leaderboards for the fastest runners, courses use a point system, awarding badges for speed or frequency of completion.

Training Features: A paid subscription unlocks training plans for various race distances. You can set weekly mileage goals; for example, after logging one run, the app might suggest aiming for ten miles the following week. Goals can also be based on time or workout frequency.

The app also hosts challenges, unlike Nike’s friend-based competitions. These are sponsored contests with prizes, such as the “Michelob ULTRA Extra Mile Event” or “Brita’s 30 with SC30 Challenge.” Each challenge has a timeframe and a leaderboard to track your progress against others vying for rewards like Under Armour gift cards.

As a reminder, this app is owned by Under Armour, and it’s hard to miss—there’s even a link to shop Under Armour gear in the main menu.

Additional Features: The app includes a nutrition tracker and supports logging various workouts. While it focuses on runs, hikes, and bike rides, you can manually record time spent on other activities, such as a generic “gym workout.”

MapMyRun integrates seamlessly with numerous activity trackers, such as Fitbit, and even syncs with other running apps like Nike+. This means you can use Nike+’s interface during your run while still having your routes displayed in MapMyRun.

Drawbacks: To avoid ads or receive voice updates on your pace, you’ll need to subscribe to the MVP plan.

Runkeeper (iOS/Android): The Comprehensive Choice

Runkeeper has been a long-standing favorite on iOS and Android. It boasts a wide range of features, though some require a paid subscription. These include adaptive workout plans and performance analysis tools that let you track progress by comparing similar workouts.

Setting Up Your Run: The interface for starting a run varies between iOS and Android, though both offer similar features. On iOS, you can select a distance, time, or pace-based run, similar to Nike+. Android lacks these options but allows you to create interval workouts with voice prompts for speed changes. Both platforms let you start a run freely or follow a route created from past activities or on the Runkeeper website.

Audio Experience: Runkeeper supports playing music or podcasts of your choice. You can also configure voice updates to hear your stats at intervals like every mile.

Social Features: You can share your runs with other Runkeeper users. A leaderboard lets you compare workout totals with friends, and you can view each other’s activities.

Training Features: Paid accounts unlock training plans, including pre-built and adaptive options that adjust weekly. Challenges, like the “May 10K” or “Global 5K,” reward badges for completion. The latter pits countries against each other to determine the best average pace, with the Netherlands winning last year.

Additional Features: Paid users can compare total distance and exercise time with friends. If you frequently run the same route, you can analyze performance trends over time.

Drawbacks: Runkeeper is a reliable app with few downsides. However, some features require a paid subscription ($9.99/month or $39.99/year). It integrates with some devices, like Fitbit, but has limited compatibility with others.

Runtastic (iOS/Android): Designed for the Adventurous Athlete

At first glance, Runtastic resembles Runkeeper with its extensive features, including training plans and premium options. However, it stands out with unique offerings like à la carte Story Runs. Available on iOS and Android.

Setting Up Your Run: Choose your music, select a route (for paid users), and start running. You can also pair a bluetooth heart rate monitor. Runtastic supports various gadgets, including its own activity trackers and stylish Moment watches.

Audio Experience: Runtastic seamlessly integrates with music apps like Spotify or your phone’s library, offering easy-to-access music controls during your run. It also includes a powersong feature, similar to Nike+.

Post-Run Details: Record your mood, the type of terrain (city, mixed, trail, off-road, or beach), and add a photo.

Social Features: Track your friends’ progress on the leaderboard. Premium users can send and receive audio cheers during runs, adding a fun, interactive element.

Training Features: Access training plans for various race distances through à la carte purchases or a paid subscription ($9.99/month or $49.99/year).

Unique Features: Runtastic’s standout offering is its Story Runs. These include imaginative narratives, like a dystopian adventure in the Tetradome Run, where you play a slave escaping New Rome. Each story costs 99 cents individually, or you can unlock unlimited access with a subscription. There are seven sci-fi stories and several fitness-focused options.

Drawbacks: Access to routes, intervals, and many features requires a paid subscription. Additionally, Runtastic offers a confusing array of apps for various sports and functions, such as cycling and Butt Trainer. While part of the “runtastic ecosystem,” navigating these options can be overwhelming for newcomers.

Strava (iOS/Android): Perfect for Competitive Spirits

Strava, popular among cyclists, also caters to runners. Its standout feature, segments, lets you compete against others or your past performances on informal race courses. Available on iOS and Android.

Setting Up Your Run: The only challenge is locating the start button, hidden in the top-left menu. Once found, simply load a route (optional) and press the large red record button to begin.

Audio Experience: By default, Strava is quiet, but you can enable a voice to announce your stats every mile or half-mile. Music, however, is entirely up to you.

Post-Run Details: Add a photo, specify the activity type, and optionally share it on Facebook.

Social and Training Features: Strava excels here with its “segments,” which are specific routes for runners and cyclists. If your run covers a segment, your time is recorded and added to a leaderboard. You can search for segments beforehand to strategize your run. Segments range from long loops to short sprints, often featuring hill climbs. Compete for course records or track your progress over time.

Additional Features: The free app offers split times, while the paid version ($5.99/month or $59.99/year) provides detailed analytics like pace, heart rate, and elevation graphs. Subscribers also gain access to cyclist-specific features, training videos, and live workout feedback.

Drawbacks: Strava stands out from other apps by focusing on segment competition, catering more to cyclists than runners. Ensure you switch the icon from a bicycle to a shoe on the Record Activity and Segment Explorer screens if you’re a runner. While its dual focus may feel odd for runners, it’s ideal for those who enjoy both activities.

Illustration by Angelica Alzona. Screenshot backgrounds courtesy of Dean Hochman.