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The best running apps for Android
Exercise is vastly important. Running is one of the easiest exercises. It requires little to no equipment, and there are sidewalks everywhere (depending on where you live). People are running to shed those pounds, stay in shape, and hopefully live a slightly longer, happier life.
Your mobile device is perfect for keeping track of your exercise, distance, frequency, and in some cases, even heart rate. It’s a lot easier than logging it manually, and many apps do it automatically. Of course, there are also plenty of fitness trackers and running watches if you’d like to track with a wearable. Still, it’s never been a better time to be a runner. Here are the best running apps for Android.
The best running apps for Android
Adidas Running (formerly Runtastic)
Price: Free / $9.99 per month / $49.99 per year
Adidas Running (formerly Runtastic) is one of the most feature-rich running apps out there. It can do basically anything you need it to do. That includes fitness tracking, live tracking, voice coaches, goals, support for various wearables, support for other apps, and a lot more. The only downside to this app is how Adidas handles the pro version. Some features end up behind the paywall, and others come out on a consistent basis. That’s annoying, but it happens. We also dislike its odd subscription models, but they work out to pretty cheap investments when calculated monthly.
Couch to 5K by RunDouble
Price: Free / Up to $3.20
Couch to 5K (abbreviated as C5K) is one of the best running apps for beginners. It tracks your running, gives you paces to strive for, and more. The idea is to get you from never running to 5K runs in nine weeks. Some of the other programs include Couch to 10K, 5K to 10K, half marathon training, and even a fun run section. Some other features include time and distance tracking, integration with music, and heart rate monitor support. This one is also especially great for its price. It has no subscriptions, only a pro version for a very reasonable price.
Google Fit
Price: Free
Google Fit is among the best free running apps on mobile. It keeps track of a variety of things, including exercise, calories burned, and more. It also supports most wearable exercise trackers. Some of the big names are Wear OS, Nike+, Runkeeper, Strava, MyFitnessPal, Lifesum, and even Sleep As Android for sleep tracking. It has its flaws, though the app is entirely free. It’s kind of hard to criticize a free app too much. It’s also a little bit simpler than some runners might like. Still, it’s a good jumping-off point and a decent free fitness tracker.
Nike Run Club
Price: Free
Nike Run Club is another decent free running app. It covers the basics pretty well. The features include a run tracker for both time and distance. Additionally, you get weekly and monthly challenges to help you stay motivated along with achievements, leaderboards, and other social fun stuff. You can easily keep track of things like distance, pace, duration, and estimated calories burned. It even includes support for Wear OS. The app gets frequent updates. However, those updates can occasionally break stuff in the app. It requires a little patience, but free is free.
Map My Run
Price: Free / $5.99 per month / $29.99 per year
Map My Run is another popular option for running apps. It boasts a community of 40 million people. This one helps map running routes, track stats, track goals, and more. The pro version adds better analysis, heart rate support, live tracking, and other tools. Thankfully, the free version works great for beginner and intermediate runners. The app also includes tracking for over 600 other activities. Like Endomondo, it’s great for exercise in general. The MVP version of the app goes for $5.99 per month or $29.99 per year. That’s a bit expensive but still less so than most subscription workout apps.
See also: The best weight loss apps for Android
Peloton
Price: From $12.99 per month
Peloton is well known in the cycling world, but it’s also an excellent app to have for runners. The app provides live and pre-recorded classes published by instructors. This effectively allows users to transform the road or their living room into a makeshift studio. Speaking of which, Peloton packs programs for treadmill running, outdoor activities, HIIT, and walking. These features aren’t cheap, though. Peloton will set users back around $13 a month, but those who are keen to take their runs to the next level will likely find value in this fee. Finally, Peloton now has a Wear OS app for all you Galaxy and Pixel watch owners out there.
See also: The best weight loss apps for Android
Runkeeper
Price: Free / $9.99 per month / $39.99 per year
Runkeeper is easily among the most popular running apps, and for good reason. It works really well. The app features various training regimes, tracking tools, goals, progress reports, and more. That includes support for wearables like Wear OS, Garmin watches, and some other Bluetooth devices. The free version gives you tracking and logging as well as basic stats. The pro version has all of the fun stuff. The monthly subscription is absurdly expensive, and we don’t recommend it. Those who go pro should probably pay by the year. It’s vastly cheaper that way. Strava is another good app that does a lot of the same stuff as Runkeeper.
Runmore 5K Trainer
Price: Free / $1.49 per month / $3.99 once
Runmore 5K Trainer is a simple, easy running app with native Wear OS support. It works like other running apps in this space. You start out easy with 60 seconds of running followed by 90 seconds of walking and work your way up to running a 5K. The UI is super simple, and there aren’t a ton of extras. The premium version adds Google Fit support and a dark theme along with ad-free usage. This is an excellent option for people who like to keep it simple. We also really appreciate there being a subscription option or a one-off payment model.
See also: The best health apps for Android
Run With Hal
Price: Free / $6.99 per month / $59.99 per year
This goal-based app uses your current fitness level and future ambitions to develop a personalized run plan. These plans are developed by former runner and writer Hal Higdon and promise to adapt to your schedule. You tell the app when you can or can’t run, and it’ll take these days into account. Effectively, Run With Hal is a great app for those trying to squeeze 5K or 50K training into a busy life. Pricing isn’t too bad, either.
See also: The best health apps for Android
Strava
Price: Free / $7.99 per month / $59.99 per year
Strava is best known for its ability to track running and cycling. The app lets you record your route, pace, speed, elevation gained (if running uphill), and calories burned. Plus, there is a strong social element so you can share your runs and keep track of your friends. What makes Strava nice is that you can track basically any aerobic exercise, so you’re not limited to just one form.
Zombies, Run!
Price: Free / $5.99 per month / $39.99 per year or $89.99 per year
Zombies, Run! is one of the most unique running apps. It motivates you by telling you a story. The longer you go, the more of the story you unlock. The free version comes with some basic stuff. However, you need the pro version to get all of the stories along with some additional features. That includes over 200 story missions. Zombie Chases is a fun game mode. Basically, you speed up when you hear zombies behind you or drop supplies to distract them. It isn’t easy to put the experience into words. There is a free version to try out, though!
Wearable apps
Price: Free (usually)
In some cases, downloading another app isn’t necessary. Like smartwatches and fitness trackers, their companion wearable apps come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the more popular apps include:
They are generally pretty good for basic stats like steps taken, heart rate (when applicable), distance traveled, stairs climbed, calories burned, and others. For instance, Fitbit (linked) has an excellent app for basic stat tracking. It won’t get you where the others do. However, not everyone wants such an in-depth experience. In that case, these running apps work just fine.
See also: The best fitness tracker apps for Android
That’s it for our list of the best running apps. Below are some related articles you might want to check out. You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists.