# StepsWatch vs StepDog

The clearest difference is rating: StepDog at 4.3 against StepsWatch's 2.8. StepDog also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 11 months). StepsWatch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (8.2 vs 17.6). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StepDog sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. StepsWatch asks for nothing beyond the download.

StepDog holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StepDog has 1.3K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of StepsWatch's written reviews are positive against 48% of StepDog's.

StepsWatch ships an update every 11 months, StepDog monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | StepsWatch | StepDog |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepswatch/id1035221988/reviews) | **[4.3 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepdog-step-counter-with-dog/id1474625303/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **1.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **48.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 12 MB | 122 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.2** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Airwire products.](https://appshunter.io/developer/471910489) | [Yingchi Wang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1114289020) |

## What reviewers say

### StepsWatch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepswatch/id1035221988)

This app displays your daily step count directly on your smartwatch. It syncs with your phone's health data to provide real-time activity tracking. View your progress at a glance without needing to open your phone.

**Highlights:** Displays today's step count on watch, Syncs with Health App data, Real-time activity tracking, Glanceable progress view

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


### StepDog

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepdog-step-counter-with-dog/id1474625303)

This app combines step tracking with a virtual pet experience. Your daily steps keep a virtual dog healthy and happy, turning fitness into a rewarding game. It's designed to motivate you to build a consistent walking habit.

**Highlights:** Automatic step tracking via HealthKit, Virtual dog care and happiness meter, Apple Watch complications and watch face integration, Gamified fitness with goals and rewards, Unlockable dog breeds and animations, Premium weather and home screen widgets

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium pack | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Pack Annual | $17.99 | per year |
| Set of all dogs | $1.99 | one-time |
| Accessories for your dog | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Helpful customer service
- 👍 Motivating to reach step goals
- 👍 Fun and cute way to track steps
- 👍 Customizable dog breeds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitches and bugs
- 🐛 Step tracking issues
- 🔒 Paid subscription required for customization
- 🔒 Limited free dog breed options
- 🔋 Compatibility issues with older Apple Watches

**Reported bugs**

- Dog not showing up on watch face
- Step count not updating correctly
- App crashes or won't open
- Incompatibility with certain Apple Watch models

**Requested features**

- More dog breed options (Bernese mountain dog, Dachshund, Schnauzer, etc.)
- Add cat option
- Ability to use own pet photo
- Leaderboard with friends
- History of previous step data


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StepsWatch free?

StepsWatch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is StepDog free?

StepDog is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, StepsWatch or StepDog?

StepDog is rated higher. StepsWatch averages 2.8 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while StepDog averages 4.3 from 1.3K ratings.

### Do StepsWatch or StepDog have ads?

StepsWatch shows ads; StepDog does not.

### Which is updated more often, StepsWatch or StepDog?

StepsWatch ships an update every 11 months, and StepDog monthly. Most recently, StepsWatch was updated on November 2, 2026 and StepDog on November 6, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*