The 9 Best Running Apps of 2023

Your shoes are laced, your water bottle filled with the best-tasting protein powder, and you’re ready to log some miles. Whether you’re a seasoned racer, or the type of person who has to drag yourself out on a jog, running apps can help you find motivation, support your efforts, and track your progress. With features like personal coaching, route tracking, and performance analytics, runners of all levels can find an app that makes gleaning the benefits of cardio that much easier. Figuring out what’s out there and what tools you want is the first step. 

We are living in the age of the apps; anything you want, there’s probably an app (or 50) out there that does it. But, navigating this overabundance feels like a full-time job — asking friends, combing through reviews, browsing Reddit, and then two hours later, while watching a video of a dog and cheetah cuddling, wondering what you had come to Reddit for in the first place. Lucky for you, we’ve done the work. The BarBend team has tried and tested 20 of the most popular apps on the market to bring you the best running apps of 2023.

Best Running Apps

• Best Overall Running App: Strava
• Best Treadmill Running App: iFIT
• Best Running App for Personal Training: Future
• Best Free Running App: Nike Run Club
• Best App for Outdoor Runs: MapMyRun
• Best Running App with Classes: Peloton
• Best Running App for Tracking: Garmin Connect
• Best Running App for Beginners: ASICS Runkeeper
• Best Gamified Running App: Zwift

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

How We Tested the Best Running Apps

The BarBend roster is filled with endurance runners, certified personal trainers, competitive athletes, and fitness nuts who logged some serious miles with 20 apps to whittle down this list to our top 9 recommendations. Keeping in mind users of all levels, our team scored each app based on our independent testing methodology and a five-point scale in regards to ease of use, pricing, equipment demands, GPS accuracy, and standout features. 

We also made note of the availability between Android and iOS and what additional gizmos and gadgets you might need or want to get the most functionality out of the app. Did the author of this article download every running app on this list (they already had three or four of them) and use that as an excuse to go for a jog during work hours? You bet they did.

Best Overall Running App: Strava 

If you’re looking for your fix, whether from a runner’s high or that sweet dopamine hit from social validation, Strava may be the running app for you. (1) Popular amongst runners and cyclists, Strava offers tracking for nearly 50 activities — trail running, golfing, surfing, and rock climbing to name a few. 

After your run (or snowshoe, or sail, or cycle), you can add a photo and some text to share your activity with your friends. Due to the social aspect of this app, your routes are visible to others, allowing for feel-good “kudos” to be given when others support your effort with a digital thumbs up. I’ve been using Strava for a decade now, and this has been my favorite feature of the app. It’s like Instagram, but I get to show off how far I ran, plus like and comment on posts from my friends. Our testing team rated interactive features a 5 out of 5.

Because of this route-sharing social feature, privacy has been a big concern for Strava over the years. However, it’s simple to enable Privacy Zone to hide where you start and end your activity so that creepers can’t figure out where you live.

Get active in the app with group challenges, and compare your time to others on stretches of popular running segments. Strava keeps track of your time, pace, calories burned, improvement, and personal records on paths you run and repeat. Not only is Strava compatible with heart rate monitors and an assortment of the best fitness trackers, but it’s also capable of working hand in hand with other apps you may want to track your run with.

Is the subscription worth it? If you want access to more in-depth performance analytics, training plans, beacon tracking, and the ability to download routes when cell reception is poor, a subscription might be worth your hard-earned cash. However, our testers find that the free version of Strava is really impressive, fun, and worthwhile.

Best Treadmill Running App: iFIT

To run on a treadmill or not to run on a treadmill, that is the question. While running on a treadmill or outside pounding pavement are both beneficial for your cardiovascular health, choosing one over the other boils down to weather, location, comfort, and ultimately preference. If you’re an indoor cat who prefers avoiding inclement weather or you just don’t want to bump into your neighbor Dylan since you owe them money, iFIT is the app for connected indoor fitness equipment. 

A front runner in the tech cardio space, one of BarBend’s expert product testers says that “iFIT has emerged as a true Peloton competitor.” However, with the loss of iFIT’s previous live classes, can this still be true? If not having the option to run in live sessions is a deal breaker, know that there are occasional live races that occur. However, we’ve noticed that the frequency of these has lessened drastically over the years. But, if you’re someone who’s looking for on-demand classes, iFIT might be the right fit for you.

Guided runs take users to some of the most exotic running trails on the planet. From Bolivia to New Zealand, you can even go on safari in Kenya and meet some elephants. Or, if you’re looking for exploration without the aid of a running coach, make your own routes with Google Maps and find yourself anywhere you want with Street View images. When on an iFIT compatible treadmill, immerse yourself in your workout by selecting AutoAdjust which will tune your incline and speed settings based on your coach’s instructions. 

Over the years customers have occasionally complained about the organization of content in the app and the abundance of information on screen, such as workout history, milestones, and series suggestions. Our product tester could relate, “Within a few uses the app was easy to navigate, although I found it slightly less intuitive than something like the Peloton App.” Ease of use scored a 4.5 out of 5 with our tester.

While having an iFIT-compatible treadmill enhances the user experience, it’s not entirely necessary for the app. One tester appreciated having access to compatible equipment during testing, but also said, “It’s still a useful app that I can take with me on the go.” With the app’s sea of personal trainers, you can find the right coach, with the right energy, style, and stories, to keep you committed to creating and crushing your fitness goals. 

Series and challenges can help your running improve over time while the selection of workout training styles, locations, and coaching tips and stories could help keep things feeling fresh and fun. 

Best Running App for Personal Training: Future

Finding the right personal trainer can give you the type of accountability that propels your running to the next level. Having someone in your corner takes the guesswork out of what you should be doing so that you can just do it.

The Future app pairs you with a trainer of your liking who takes your experience, time, equipment, and goals into consideration when creating your roadmap for success. Unlike other apps on this list, Future allows you the ability to text your coach, “I don’t want to do this!” and get back messages like, “You say that every week.” It’s a one-on-one relationship. Users are working with a real coach, a real person, getting weekly workouts, feedback, and motivation that helps them stay consistent no matter where they are. Our tester gave a 5 out of 5 rating when it came to accountability.

The price may leave you a little woozy, but with the Future app you’ve got a personal trainer right in the palm of your hand, fine-tuning your running plans. Due to the monthly cost, our testing team gave an average rating of 3.75 out of 5 for value. However, Future has teamed up with Truemed to help users save. After a brief 2-minute survey users can see if they’re eligible to use their Health Savings Account or Flexible Savings Account toward a membership. 

Multiple members of our product testing team have been using this app for multiple years (and they won’t shut up about it. We get it, you and your yacht money love the app.) One tester appreciated how easy the app was to navigate, while also being able to use their Apple Watch to go through their workout. She noted, “It’s super easy for me to communicate with my trainer, and how clean and seamless everything operates is what sets this app apart.”

We believe the most enticing feature is the quality of coaches with elite backgrounds ranging from former D1 collegiate athletes, MLB strength and conditioning coaches, college strength and conditioning coaches, olympic national team head coaches, to competitive runners. If the price doesn’t scare you away, this is one way to train like a pro.

Best Free Running App: Nike Run Club

After beating a stomach bug likely caused by the cheap all-you-can-eat seafood buffet you knew was too good to be true, you learned your lesson: You get what you pay for. But that’s not the case with the Nike Run Club app. The free app gives you access to run tracking, training plans for all levels, leaderboards so you can see how you stack up against the competition, and a social aspect where you can share achievements with friends.

This app was simple to use and easy to navigate. You can set a distance, time, or speed goal, stream music from either Apple Music or Spotify in the app, and take off running (or jogging). For more structured programming, choose a beginner, 5k, half marathon, or full marathon training program that sets you up over multiple weeks to tackle your ambition.

My favorite aspect of the app was the coach-guided runs, talking me through how much effort I should exert in various portions of the work while also sharing the benefits of what I was doing and why — whether I was warming up, attempting speed intervals, working on endurance, or simply picking up my pace. However, there have been times when I’ve recorded a run with this app and it didn’t save. Is there anything worse than that?!

We also love the ability to tag and track mileage you’re incurring on your favorite running shoes, so you’ll know when it’s time to retire an old pair. This free app packs a mighty punch, and we recommend it for casual runners or those looking for a simple place to start.

Best App for Outdoor Runs: MapMyRun

Running outdoors can often be the most accessible form of cardio. When more people can access this, more people can experience the wealth of benefits the activity provides such as stronger hearts, lowered body fat, longer lifespans, and mental and emotional improvements.(2) While hitting the pavement, Under Armour’s MapMyRun app can help you stay consistent while reaping all those good things.

MapMyRun’s free version is a solid basic running app that brings to mind some characteristics of Strava, perhaps the most popular running and cycling app on the market. With a social component to share your effort, text, and photos with those in your network, and GPS tracking with pace, calories, duration, elevation, and distance metrics. You can also view your weekly analytics, comparing how you fared from one week to another in total miles and calories tackled. 

Much like Strava, MapMyRun also allows you to track various types of workouts from “Dog Walking” to the very specific “Lunge with Rotation” or “Deep Tissue Massage.” We love the specificity and abundance of options in this area, but I found the placement of where to select a change in your workout tracking to be less intuitive than other apps. Users have also complained about an inability to filter their stats based on activity.

Continuing to compare MapMyRun to Strava, because when we get on a tangent it’s hard to course correct, hidden behind both apps’ membership paywalls is the safety feature to share your live location with others. It’s like a safety blanket when you’re running alone outdoors. If this is the feature you’re hankering for, keep in mind that MapMyRun’s membership is less than half the cost of Strava’s. Rating value a 5 out of 5, Amanda Capritto, CPT, CNC, CES, CF-L1, agreed, “Out of all the running apps I tried, this is the best. Especially for the price.” 

Membership provides you with training programs no matter your level, whether you’re looking to get off the couch and train for a 5k, interested in weight loss, or preparing for a marathon. If you’re just looking to do your own thing, search for user-created routes to add some spice to your routine or create your own routes to follow in the desktop app. Although some users complained about not being able to create routes on their phones, Capritto scored ease of use a 5 out of 5, saying, “I like how easy it is to find what I want.”

Overall, we found this to be the best app to support your outdoor runs. The free option has all of the basic data tracking found in other apps on this list, and the affordable MVP membership provides your outdoor run with training modes, map creation, mobile coaching, and live tracking. 

Best Running App with Classes: Peloton

Peloton was the Pandemic breakout star who brought us entertaining classes filled with the social interaction and physical fitness we were missing. The year was 2020. We stayed inside. Our gyms closed their doors. It was a dark time. But then there were classes we could take at home. A trend that has continued even now that the world has opened back up.

Peloton offers a huge assortment of live and on-demand running classes based on your level, such as beginner runs, advanced runs, interval runs, tempo, HIIT and hills. You can choose a class based on what playlists you want to hear, with themes like punk rock, 80s music, and musicals like “Rent” and “Wicked.” There are also running classes where you can join celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Kenny Chesney, and Natalie Portman as Peloton fuses entertainment and training.

Most widely known for their Peloton Bike, the Peloton app also offers indoor and outdoor running, walking, strength training, yoga, HIIT, and more. But, you don’t need to own Peloton equipment to enjoy the benefits of the app. With Peloton App One you can take up to three cardio equipment classes a month, unlimited Live classes, and participate in programs and challenges. For the more expensive Peloton App + you get all of that plus unlimited access to cardio equipment classes and cadence tracking.

The Peloton app also keeps track of your training metrics when paired with wearables, can be used all over the world, and is compatible with Android, iOS, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, LG, and Airplay so that you can stream your workout anywhere you need to. 

Our tester’s favorite aspect is the entertaining personalities, “I love the app. The coaches are awesome.” However, Cody Rigsby, one of the most popular instructors due to his unfiltered musings and humorous anecdotes, won’t be found teaching any tread classes. Our tester’s least favorite aspect was that they couldn’t participate on the leaderboard without the pricey Peloton Tread which will cost you between $3k and $5k. They noted, “With just the app I can’t interact with anyone, I’m just viewing the programming.”

With GPS tracking and basic outdoor running data like distance, elevation gain, average and current pace, and heart rate tracking when connected to a Bluetooth HR monitor or the Peloton watch app, you can run on your own or with the aid of a trainer. The music is fun, the coaches are inspiring and hilarious, and the hype over Peloton is well-deserved. 

Best Running App for Tracking: Garmin Connect

The Garmin watch is popular amongst marathon runners, and with the watch, you have access to Garmin Connect. This app is top of our list when it comes to tracking your run due to the wide assortment of data collection, GPS tracking, and analysis. The first thing that pops up in the app is My Day which keeps track of your activities, calories, heart rate, steps, and sleep over the last 24 hours so that you have an idea of what work needs to be done and how capable you are of doing it.

The virtual pacer is like having a personal coach right there with you helping you run faster. If you slow down, it’ll let you know to pick it up, taking into account elevation gain so that when the hills hit the pacer knows to adjust.

If you’re wanting to track specific sport activities like basketball or frisbee, Garmin Connect’s limited categories for activity tracking might be frustrating. Your only options for tracking are running, cycling, swimming, walking, multi-sport, or gym equipment. So again, another reason why we recommend this app (and watch) for serious runners. 

Navigating the app can be tricky at first. Our tester Kate Meier NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, agrees, “Understanding where things are and what options I had took some getting used to.” But our team found the app easy to navigate once they’d gotten comfortable with everything.

Another tester noticed that accuracy with their Garmin watch and Garmin Connect didn’t always prove reliable, “A few times I’ve run the exact same route and Garmin will tell me that the distance is different by a quarter mile.” Flaws in tracking can be a headache and this is something you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing an app based on GPS tracking ability.

Similar but at a lower rating to Strava, Garmin Connect offers you a social component so you can share your mileage and effort with friends. However, we found that Garmin Connect reigns supreme when it comes to the stats and data analysis from your training session. There’s just way more information you can get from your run when using Garmin. And we believe the more you know, the better you can be.

Best Running App for Beginners: ASICS Runkeeper

Beginners starting on their running quests will need to set goals. Creating fitness goals is the best way to know what you’re working towards, and ASICS Runkeeper had that mentality front and center when creating their app. In addition to social components where you can join running groups or follow your friends, this app supports your efforts with audio cues, goal setting, GPS tracking, pace, mile splits, distance, and elapsed time data. 

New runners, or those just getting back into it after some time away, may need some extra motivation to get going. Within the Runkeeper app there are fun challenges you can join where every mile you tackle will show up as a percentage of the challenge completed. As you log time running and make progress on these challenges, the bar fills up until you’ve completed the challenge. Who doesn’t like a little motivation to keep moving?

What our tester liked about the free app was the various personal notes and info you could log after your run: How you felt, who you ran with, a place to add a photo, any additional notes you might have, and a workout reminder you can set for the next time you want to make sure you get your run in. You can also toggle whether or not you want your friends and followers to see a posting, which is useful when you’ve lied and said, “Sorry! I can’t hang out because I have to visit my grandmother” but you’re actually on a run.

I like the comparisons on my profile of distance and pace from this week/month/year to last. Seeing my progress over chunks of time helps me feel good about myself and the effort I’ve put in. But my favorite feature in the free app is the workout section — having the ability to choose how I want my run to look based on desired pace, duration, how often I want audio cues, which stats would be relayed, or if I want varying intervals. For ease of use, I give this app a 4.5 out of 5.

A main pain point with the app would be the seemingly common user-reported issue of bugs and glitches. One user wrote, “The app does seem to come off the rails sometimes — not often, but enough to mention it here. Today it auto-stopped rather than auto-paused, which was a bit of a drag to deal with on an 18-mile run.”

With a premium subscription to Runkeeper Go, you get deeper insight into data analytics, live tracking to let friends and family see your run location in real time, and goal insights so you can see how your effort is affecting the goals that you’ve set within the app. You’ll also receive suggested training plans which are perfect for beginners who are unsure of what to do from day to day. 

A simple, free running app with some worthwhile considerations for purchasing a premium subscription. This app would be perfect for runners of all levels who enjoy looking through their data and need a little extra support in setting smart goals and reaching them. 

Best Gamified Running App: Zwift 

Zwift and Zwift’s Companion app are most popular for cyclists and triathletes. With virtual rides, races, and courses all over the world users can absorb the benefits of cycling while feeling like they’re in a video game. But, runners can jump in on the fun and explore these race courses, too. An experience that our testers found incredibly entertaining as their avatar moved throughout this world.

Getting started with Zwift for runners can be a little tricky for those of us who shake pieces of technology and shout, “Why aren’t you working?!” If you don’t have a Zwift-compatible Bluetooth-enabled treadmill, you’ll have to figure out what piece of technology you want to use to track your speed since that will be how Zwift controls your avatar. The most popular options are a belt speed sensor which attaches to your treadmill, smart shoes, or a FootPod running sensor which tracks your speed and cadence and hooks onto the laces of your running shoes. 

We think the Zwift RunPod running sensor is the simplest option, although there has been some commentary from users about problems with the device. But with a price tag of $19.99, it’s the most affordable means to get things going. There’s also an option to use the $4.99 Treadmill Smart Speed app where you can manually input your treadmill’s speed and it’ll tell your avatar in Zwift how fast to run. Most importantly, you’ll need a PC, Mac, iPad, Apple TV, iPhone, Android tablet, or phone to run the Zwift app.

Most of the cycling routes are available for runners, but if you’re looking for fame and glory, only specific running routes give out badges. On your Heads Up Display, you’ll find loads of information like heart rate, speed, distance, calories burned, pace, etc. This is also where you can choose a goal for your run, track experience points, see what other runners are nearby, and even more options when you use the Zwift Companion app such as sending messages, flipping a U-turn, or even teleporting elsewhere in the game — course — whatever you call it.

There’s a lot to explore in Zwift and if you have the patience to figure out how to get it up and running, it’s technology that’ll give your run a boost of fun. Gabby Sansosti NASM-CPT, former Tonal coach and fitness app entrepreneur, recognizes the need for entertainment in the fitness space, “anything that helps keep me distracted while I’m running is a win.”

How We Chose the Best Running Apps

Runners come in all shapes and sizes and have goals equally as diverse. When testing out running apps, we wanted to be thorough in our criticism and praise so that no matter who you are, this list would help you find the perfect fit. When choosing our top picks we took into account things like ease of use, data tracking, GPS capabilities, social aspects, and available training modalities.

Equipment Requirements

Running is an incredibly accessible activity because of the limited requirements for entry. Sometimes all you need is to just get yourself out the front door with your running shoes on and maybe a sports bra for those who need some support. However, some of the apps we came across had requirements or suggestions for additional pieces of equipment. We went over everything you need to get started.

We covered the basic app compatibility for iOS and Android, and impressively all of the apps allowed for users of both. In addition to operating system needs, we highlighted if the apps were more suitable for outdoor runs or inside on a treadmill, and what additional gadgets you may need.

Price

There are a good amount of free running apps, and we’ve touched on our favorites in this list. However, for the runner looking for more features, the price for premium membership ranges from $5.99/month to $199/month. 

But even when an app is free, you’ll still have to take into consideration what other equipment you may or may not need and the cost of these items. Will you need a specific smartwatch, smart shoes, treadmill, FootPod, HR monitor, cadence tracker, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices? Or can you simply download the app and hit the trail? We’ve made sure to touch on the cost of additional needs to get the most out of each app.

It all boils down to what you’re looking for from your running app. If you’re content with GPS tracking, basic data points, and some social components, you’re set for an affordable running app that’ll help you track your miles.

Training Variety

“I’m going on a run” can mean many different things: tempo run, recovery run, hill sprints, long distance, fartlek training, and more. It can also mean you’re going to go sit in your car for 20 minutes of peace before splashing your face with water and walking back inside. We’re no fools to believe that everyone is looking for the same type of running training, so while putting this list together we took into account each app’s ability to provide varied training.

We also made sure to mention what apps allow you to track workouts and training outside of running, in case that feature is one you’d benefit from. 

Lastly, coaching capabilities within apps were a big selling point for our testers, so we made sure to highlight which apps provided audio coaching and cues, trainer-led running sessions, tailored training, and personal one-on-one coaching.

Benefits of the Best Running Apps

Running apps can help racers of all levels track their runs, connect with others, and set themselves up to reach their goals. Depending on user experience and what motivates you, running apps can be incredible resources to help you feel accomplished, compare your stats from week to week, and stay committed to your routine.

Data Insights

Perhaps the most popular aspect of running apps is the data insights into your training. Most of these apps provide the basics such as distance traveled, allotted time, current pace and average pace, calories burned, and mile splits. But if you’re a data junkie, some apps and premium memberships (often with the help of wearable aid) give you insight into heart rate, elevation gain, muscle recovery info, sleep analysis, your progress compared to previous runs, and how you stack up against others.

Knowing what data you want from your app will help you navigate our list and pinpoint exactly what is right for you.

Social Network

Praise and acknowledgment for your hard work can feel good, and it can also be the fuel you need to continue running. A handful of our top-selected apps offer their own social networks where users can follow and be followed by friends, family members, and others in the community. 

Some apps even offer the ability to send messages, share your live location, and set up or take part in group runs. If engaging with others helps keep you motivated, consider which social networks you’d like to be a part of. If you have friends who are already members of one app with a social feature, that might be the best place to check out first.

How to Choose the Right Running App

Do you want data analytics? Do you want training programs that’ll make you better? What about an entertaining experience, so that you hardly notice you’ve been running for — oh wow, it’s already been 20 minutes? Figure out your top three must-haves and then choose the app that best provides what you’re looking for.

Ease of Use

There’s nothing worse than the excitement of using a new app fizzling out when you struggle to get the whole thing working. Consider how much time and effort you want to put into getting everything set up. If you want to take off in your sneakers and get started with a running app ASAP, look at our recommendations for beginners or choices that don’t require accessories.

But, customer service is a wonderful thing. So choose whichever app excites you, because there are resources out there to help you get up and running, after a brief warm-up of course.

App Compatibility

All of the apps on this list are available for iOS and Android. If you find your search for the best running app takes you to an app we didn’t touch on here, be sure to check your device’s app store to see if it’s available for your operating system. 

Personal Goals

You just need an app to support you and your goals. But what goals, exactly? Creating clear tangible goals will not only lead to greater performance, but it will also help you decide on which app to download. (3)

If you’re wanting to pick up running, or are unsure what cardio is and how to get started, there are apps for tackling your first 5k. If you’re more experienced and looking to find more varied training modalities to increase your speed or endurance, other apps will do just that. 

Final Word

Running apps can be exactly the tool you need to kick your training into gear. When figuring out the perfect fit, remember that many of the apps have similar qualities so you really can’t go wrong with a selection off our list.

Check out the equipment needs of the app you’re most interested in to make sure you have what’s necessary, figure out your budget if you’re looking at a membership with more premium features, and make sure the app is suitable to support you in reaching the goals that you want to tackle. Use this roundup as a resource to help you cross-check various apps that you might be considering, and when you’re ready, get the app and get to work.

FAQs

References

1. Pedrouzo SB, Krynski L. Hyperconnected: children and adolescents on social media. The TikTok phenomenon. Arch Argent Pediatr. 2023 Aug 1;121(4):e202202674. English, Spanish. doi: 10.5546/aap.2022-02674.eng. Epub 2023 Jan 26. PMID: 36692353.
2. Markotić V, Pokrajčić V, Babić M, Radančević D, Grle M, Miljko M, Kosović V, Jurić I, Karlović Vidaković M. The Positive Effects of Running on Mental Health. Psychiatr Danub. 2020 Sep;32(Suppl 2):233-235. PMID: 32970641.
3. Strecher VJ, Seijts GH, Kok GJ, Latham GP, Glasgow R, DeVellis B, Meertens RM, Bulger DW. Goal setting as a strategy for health behavior change. Health Educ Q. 1995 May;22(2):190-200. doi: 10.1177/109019819502200207. Erratum in: Health Educ Q 1995 Aug;22(3):410. PMID: 7622387.

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