# Challenges vs StepBuddy

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Challenges at none against StepBuddy's 2. Challenges also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). StepBuddy's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StepBuddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Challenges asks for nothing beyond the download.

Challenges ships an update every 3 weeks, StepBuddy every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Challenges | StepBuddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (5.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/challenges-compete-get-fit/id1051342211/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **5.7K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 51.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Size | 48 MB | 57 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FitNow](https://appshunter.io/developer/297368632) | [Shapest AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1615601634) |

## What reviewers say

### Challenges

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/challenges-compete-get-fit/id1051342211)

Compete with friends, family, and coworkers to get fit. Track your progress through stand, move, and exercise rings, earn medals, and send motivational nudges. Stay connected and motivated with real-time updates and team challenges.

**Highlights:** Team challenges, Activity ring tracking (Stand, Move, Exercise), Medal achievements, Motivational nudges and comments, Real-time team progress updates, Apple Watch integration

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app for group challenges
- 👍 Motivating and fun
- 🤝 Allows competing across platforms
- 🎯 Individualized calorie goals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Syncing issues with fitness apps
- 🕰️ Slow to update data
- 🤯 Inaccurate point tracking
- 🤖 Poor customer support
- 🔒 Privacy concerns

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Syncing issues with Apple Health
- Inability to delete account
- Challenges not working as intended

**Requested features**

- Allow rest days in challenges
- Increase maximum daily points
- Add option to set individual vs. group challenges
- Improve messaging and notifications
- Add Garmin integration


### StepBuddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbuddy-walking-challenge/id6741153413)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 month subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| 1 year subscription | $14.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Challenges free?

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

### Is StepBuddy free?

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

### Do Challenges or StepBuddy have ads?

Neither Challenges nor StepBuddy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Challenges or StepBuddy?

Challenges ships an update every 3 weeks, and StepBuddy every 2 months. Most recently, Challenges was updated on October 17, 2026 and StepBuddy on October 9, 2026.

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