8 Best Running Apps (2025): Hit the Road With These Options

Strava is one of the longest-standing fitness apps and arguably the most popular one on the market for serious runners. It looks a lot different from its earliest versions in 2009, now offering some standout features that have made it one of the largest social networks for athletes available. There is both a free and paid version of Strava, both of which offer solid features, so let’s explore the difference.

To access all the awesomeness Strava offers, you will want the subscription-based membership. While the free membership allows you to post and analyze your workout stats, use the social wall, participate in group challenges, and utilize the safety feature, Beacon, those training for a hardcore race may want to opt for the paid subscription, available for less than $8 a month. So what does that get you? 

The paid version of Strava is a hub for thousands of routes and trails from around the world. It offers suggested routes for runs, rides, hikes, and more, depending on your location. You can also use the map to create your own route, an especially helpful feature when traveling. We think this is a lot, especially for only $8 per month, and give Strava 4 out of 5 stars for value.

Our tester was Amanda Capritto, CPT, CNC, CES, CF-L1, a long time Strava user, who was very impressed with the instruction provided by Strava, giving it 5 out of 5 stars for this category.

“For a running app, it’s really good,” Amanda says. “You obviously aren’t getting on-screen instruction like you do with a strength training app, because it isn’t applicable, but the premium version gives you heart rate analyses, custom interval workouts that you can create, custom split data, audio coaching, power analysis, cadence analysis, workout export options, and more.”

One of the more well-liked features of Strava is its Segments, which are popular portions of the road with associated leaderboards. With this social sharing, users record activities on their Strava feed, where friends can make comments and share their own activities. In addition, the social aspect encourages group challenges and clubs to interact with other athletes. There’s no coaching, but the social features offer extra motivation, and Strava earns 3 out of 5 for accountability.

“I think the social network-esque aspect of it is what really differentiates it from other free cycling GPS apps,” says Amanda Capritto. “You can follow people on Strava just like on Instagram or Twitter.”

For my fellow statistics lovers, the advanced performance metrics on the paid subscription are really awesome, and Strava earns 5 out of 5 stars for interactive features. You can import in-depth fitness metrics from nearly any type of device and let Strava analyze it, compare it to past efforts, and maintain a training dashboard to track progress over time. I mean, if it isn’t recorded on Strava, did it even happen? (If you know what I mean, you know what I mean)

The versatility of this app is remarkable. In addition to all the training features, there is location sharing from Garmin and Apple Watch devices, which gives your live location to three safety contacts. More recently, Strava added Personal Heatmaps, which are interactive visualizations of your runs. These are certainly not a necessity, but super fun to use. 

The biggest controversy surrounding Strava is the lack of privacy. When using Strava, a lot of your personal information is made public, including your geolocation. While there are some privacy settings, a lot is still accessible, so this is something to consider.

Read our full Strava fitness app review for more information about this app.

We think Strava is well worth the cost, but if you want to try a great running app that’s entirely free, we recommend the Nike Run Club app.

Designed by ACTIVE.com expert trainers, Couch to 5K is a running app and program specifically geared towards novice runners. It’s a gradual training plan that encourages three runs a week over nine weeks. It begins with a mix of running and walking, which builds up over the course of the nine weeks, transitioning to less walking and more running. Users can set their own goals, take breaks when necessary, and choose their own coach. 

Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, used the Couch to 5k app for several months when he wanted to start running longer distances.

Matt was impressed with the app features, giving it 5 out of 5 stars. He said, “I have this set up on my Apple Watch, so I only need to start the workout, pair my AirPods to my watch, and the app will tell me when to start and stop running as I go.”

What is a bit different about this app (and really neat if you ask me) is that not all the coaches are athletes. There are some celebrities thrown in there offering guidance throughout the run as well as tips for improvement. If you are someone who likes to listen to your favorite tunes while working out, this app has an in-app music player so you can listen to a playlist of your choice from your device. 

RELATED: Half-Marathon Training Plan

Because this is geared for newbies, the fitness stats offered are more basic (distance and pace). You can still track your progress with total distance and average pace to monitor your progression over time. This simple, yet efficient app earns a 5 out of 5 for ease of use.

While the Couch to 5K app doesn’t host its own social network, you can share your progress and check in on others via their Facebook community. This isn’t quite the same as having a coach, but it can help you stay motivated, helps Couch to 5K earn a 3 out of 5 for accountability.

Users really appreciate the ease-of-use of this app and its progressive plan. It enables people of any fitness level to get moving and stay motivated. Matt said, “I love that I don’t have to think about it. As someone who hasn’t regularly run in years, it’s nice to be able to follow a simple plan that I know will work well if I follow it.”

To read more about this training plan, which can be followed with or without the app, be sure to check out our Couch to 5k Planning Guide.

Once you’re past the beginner stage and need an app with advanced plans, you can’t go wrong with our pick for the best overall running app, Strava.

The iFIT app is more than just a running app found on any old basic treadmill. It is an interactive, immersive training platform with thousands of live and on-demand classes led by world-class instructors. Classes take place all over the world, and with the amazing graphics provided, you can get your run in virtually anywhere you choose (thanks to the Google Maps integration).

What is particularly great about iFIT is that it is also a mobile and TV app, so you can literally work out anywhere. Your paid membership allows you to log into as many iFIT treadmills and other cardio equipment that support the app. iFIT easily earns 4 out of 5 for interactive features.

When using iFIT on a NordicTrack, ProForm, or FreeMotion treadmill that has an integrated touchscreen, you’ll likely find automatic trainer controls, which have real-time trainer adjustments and terrain-matching. This connected experience allows you to interact with the trainer to keep you motivated.

If fitness metrics are your jam, then you’re in luck. iFIT tracks your workouts and maintains a detailed history of advanced training stats. It charts your progress for any workout, which is a great way to ensure you’re making strides towards your fitness goals. 

One small callout from our tester is the equipment demands, which earns 4 out of 5 stars.

“Most of the classes require equipment (whether it is a cardio machine, weights, or a mat), but not all of them need things,” says our tester. “They aren’t great about telling you what you’ll need ahead of time before the class starts, which can lead to some scrambling.”

The instruction itself is great, and earns 4 out of 5 stars. Our tester said, “I believe this has emerged as a true competitor to Peloton, and I thought the instructors were great.”

Classes include treadmill running, indoor cycling, rowing, elliptical, strength training, yoga, pilates, meditation, general cardio, as well as mindfulness classes on topics like cooking, and TED Talks related to health and wellbeing. There are live events, progressive series running plans for everything from a 5K to an ultramarathon, challenges, and more to keep you moving.

This is one of the more expensive fitness apps on the market, and if you’re also buying a new treadmill, the cost will add up fast. But given the variety and quality of features offered, it’s not unreasonable. 

Read our comprehensive iFIT reviews to learn all about what this app has to offer.

iFIT is one of the best apps for treadmill running, especially if you have an iFIT-compatible treadmill. If you’re an outdoor runner looking for something that may be better for outdoor use, MapMyRun is another good option.

Unless you’ve been living on a deserted island for the past few years, you’ve heard of Peloton and its cult-like following. Although its reputation is often associated with the Peloton Bike, the Peloton app itself is a whole lot more, offering runners some attractive features. It is the mecca for just about any fitness class you could hope for. On it, you will find thousands of live and on-demand classes, expert instructors, curated music, training programs, and personalized coaching. 

The best part? You do not have to own a piece of Peloton equipment (or any equipment for that matter) to use the app. It has Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, LG, and Airplay functionality so you can stream the class of your choice on virtually any smart device. Training for a marathon? Simply choose a class or training program, stream it on your smart device, pop in your headphones, lace up your shoes, and get moving with the guidance of experts.

With so much versatility, the Peloton app earns 4.5 out of 5 for equipment demands.

If you’re worried that a trainer in your ear may be distracting, don’t be. Our tester, Caroline Lubinsky, CF-L1, used the app for her runs and gave the instruction 5 out of 5, saying, “If you’re worried about the instructors mindlessly blabbering the entire time, they don’t. Well-chosen music is combined with helpful cues to pick up the pace or slow it down.”

What runners will especially like is that Peloton’s app tracks your fitness stats and charts progress to keep you focused on your next health goal. For just $12.99 per month per user profile, you can access all that this app has to offer and become part of the ever-evolving Peloton community, and the Peloton app earns 5 out of 5 for value. Just know that if you have a Peloton Bike or Tread, you’ll need to purchase a more expensive membership, as this price is for the standalone app.

And, should you want more than just a running workout, you can choose from one of the 14 class types and filter by class length, instructor, music type, or intensity. Unfortunately, you cannot access live leaderboards unless you have an associated Peloton Bike or Peloton Tread—a feature that keeps many athletes motivated. This isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, but worth noting. 

Overall, Caroline loved this app, saying, “I really can’t say enough good things about the Peloton app. I know some people prefer to work with a barbell 24/7 (I can’t blame you) or want to program their own workouts, but if you’re in a bit of a fitness rut, I encourage you to give this app a try.”

Our Peloton app review has even more info on this app, plus our take on it all.

If you want an app that’s more focused on running and tracking your stats, rather than following along with an instructor, we recommend giving Strava a try.

I think it’s fair to say that whatever Apple does, it generally does very well, and the Apple Fitness+ app is no exception. Apple watches overall are impressive, but for runners, the Apple Fitness+ app via your Apple Watch will take your workouts to the next level. Before we dive into the specifics of the running features, it would be remiss not to take a glimpse at what the app offers overall.

The Apple Fitness+ app offers 11 different types of training, meditations, and audio-guided workouts (walks and runs), all of which come with curated playlists. Fitness+ houses a huge library of 4K ultra HD fitness videos, and new workouts are added weekly with options for every fitness level, so we give this a 5 out of 5 for exercise options. To keep you on track, you can view personalized metrics on screen. 

There are plenty of treadmill-based workouts on this platform that can be streamed on your smart device and are led by highly skilled coaches. Ready to hit the road? Fitness+ offers audio-guided walks and runs. All you need is your Apple Watch and Bluetooth headphones to utilize the Time to Run on Fitness+. This relatively new feature tells stories through places you virtually visit (ie. London). Users report that these episodes, focused on popular running routes of some of the most well-known locations, keep them motivated, and we give this a 5 out of 5 for technology benefits and conveniences.

If you’re a “techie” or love metrics, you will appreciate the amount of detailed information the Fitness+ app provides on your Apple Watch. Data recorded includes vertical oscillation, running stride length, ground contact time, heart rate, heart rate zones, elevation, power, and progress towards your predetermined goal via the activity rings. Truthfully, unless you are really focused on improving your running form, some of this information won’t mean much. It can be a bit overwhelming.

It’s not the cheapest app, but it’s packed with features, and at $9.99, we give this 4 out of 5 for value. If you’re part of the Apple ecosystem, we think this is well worth the cost.

For those who aren’t Apple users, Strava is another great app that allows you to track nearly any sort of activity.

MapMyRun is a fitness tracking app that uses the built-in GPS of your mobile device to track your runs. As the name suggests, the app allows users to create a map of a given route they’d like to run, send it to your phone, and run. It will calculate how long the run is, so you can plan ahead—a feature that is especially awesome if you are in a new place and not sure where to run. You can also search and filter through thousands of routes that have been created by other users. 

This app is part of the Under Armour Connected Fitness family of apps and is available for free to download. With this app, you can record details of your run, including duration, distance, pace, speed, elevation, calories burned, and route traveled. The amount of data is rather impressive with charts and graphs to show your progress over time. 

Bojana Galic, CNC, used MapMyRun and gave it a 5 out of 5 for ease of use.

“This app is incredibly easy to use and essentially just maps the run that you do, kind of like Strava,” says Bojana. “It gives you a breakdown of your distance, times, and splits.”

She also loved the audio guidance, saying, “One thing that I love is that the app also verbally tells you your mile and split time every time you reach a new mile. I hate constantly glancing down at my watch, so this helps me stay on my goal pace and time.”

MayMyRun also has an MVP, or premium version, membership as well. This unlocks even more features such as training plans, audio coaching, form coaching, weather, and live tracking that allows you to share your exact location and route with other MapMyRun members. Even more specific metrics are available on this version, including custom splits and heart rate zones. Perhaps the most attractive feature for those who love mapping routes is that with the MVP version, you unlock access to unlimited printable maps as well as advanced mapping tools.

Even with so many upgraded features, the MVP version only costs $5.99 per month or $29.99 when you pay for a year up front, and earns 5 out of 5 for value.

There are some reviews that reported that the GPS accuracy is questionable. But the vast majority of users really enjoy the mapping capabilities offered through this app. 

If MapMyRun isn’t your cup of tea, our pick for the best overall running app, Strava, will also provide extremely detailed exercise tracking for all of your outdoor runs.

Every runner has experienced a day (or days) when they just do not feel like running. These days happen to the best of us, and sometimes we need that extra motivation to get moving. 

The Runkeeper app from Asics is a fantastic training tool that provides encouragement and more. It is also a solid choice for new runners or even those who think they hate running. There are lots of reviewers out there who stated that they thought they hated running until they found this app. It eases you in with easy-to-follow routines and motivation along the way. 

So let’s dive in. First off, this app is free. There is a paid version, but the free one offers more than enough features for most runners, which is why it earns 5 out of 5 for the value. With Runkeeper, you can set your own goals with the help of the training features and get tailor-made guidance on how to reach them. Audio cues along the way help monitor your pace and distance.

Does seeing your progress keep you pumped? Runkeeper’s running tracker provides insights on your progress to help keep you motivated. If you prefer to train with a tribe, Runkeeper also has a solid community that provides a lot of encouragement amongst its users. There are also a bunch of resources on Runkeeper’s website designed to keep you inspired and on track, so Runkeeper earns 4 out of 5 for community. 

To upgrade, the paid app is less than $40 a year. With this, you are able to get customized running plans, live tracking, more detailed metrics, coaching, and real-time information to guide your training each day. 

If you don’t want the community, and instead want a motivating instructor who coaches you through your runs, we also love the Peloton app.

Bringing together expert coaches, a running community, and music, the Nike Run Club app snagged the top spot as the best running app for training plans. This free app promises to help you start running, get better at it, and enjoy it more. Featuring training plans that can be personalized with guided runs, you can get the coaching you need to tackle your next race. The running coach’s guidance along each run helps to keep you on track with all of your goals and motivated with in-run audio cheers from those you’ve connected with via the Nike Run Club community. 

GGR staff writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, tried this app a few times when he was first getting into running. Overall, he enjoyed using it, but had a few small issues. The first is the ease of use, which he gave 4 out of 5 stars, with one small callout.

“As someone who hadn’t tried to do any distance running since college, I wanted a beginner’s plan,” Matt says. “I like the Nike Run Club app, but I wasn’t sure which was the best training plan, as there were so many options, and it wasn’t exactly clear where I should start.”

There seems to be a training plan for just about any race distance as well as a variety of run workouts (tempo, interval, endurance, speed). As part of the Nike Run Club, you can take part in running challenges shared through social media to get your sweat on with a crew that motivates.

Fitness metrics are tracked in detail. Running speed, distance, GPS route, elevation, heart rate, and mile splits are tracked and stored so you can monitor progress. If you are working with a coach, metrics will be used to guide your training. Nike Run Club works with Apple Health to sync workouts and record heart-rate data. Love to run to your favorite tunes? With this app, you can listen to your playlists from your Apple Music app.

With so many features, this easily earns 5 out of 5 for technology benefits. Matt said, “I loved using this on my Apple Watch, and it integrates perfectly. It’s very easy to follow the training plans without having to carry my phone on a run.”

Something to consider: Some users found this app to be a bit glitchy and the measurements to be off at times. 

However, keep in mind that this app is completely free. Not only does this help it earn 5 out of 5 stars for value, but we can’t complain about small issues in an app that’s completely free and provides incredible value to runners.

If you don’t mind paying a little more for an app that’s focused on all sorts of outdoor activities, not just running, we suggest trying Strava instead.