# Start Running For Beginners vs Running App

The clearest difference is monetization model: Start Running For Beginners at free with in-app purchases against Running App's subscription. Start Running For Beginners also leads on review sentiment (97% vs 62%) and ads (none vs shown). Running App's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Start Running For Beginners sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Running App sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Running App holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.1K and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 97% of Start Running For Beginners's written reviews are positive against 62% of Running App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Start Running For Beginners | Running App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-running-for-beginners/id1254954672/reviews) | **[4.9 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/running-app-run-tracker/id1453356724/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 1.1K |
| Positive reviews | **96.8% of reviews** | 61.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 12 MB | 116 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Axiom Mobile LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1111094628) | [Leap Health](https://appshunter.io/developer/1687598595) |

## What reviewers say

### Start Running For Beginners

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-running-for-beginners/id1254954672)

This app guides beginners into running with a structured plan designed to increase jogging time gradually. It offers personalized coaching, detailed tracking, and voice feedback to help users achieve their fitness goals, including weight loss.

**Highlights:** Personal running coach, Couch to 5K training plan, Distance, speed, and pace tracker, GPS route tracking, Calorie counter, Voice feedback

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $1.99 | per month |
| Full Version | $9.99 | per 6 months |
| Full Version | $1.99 | one-time |
| Full version | $4.99 | one-time |
| Full version | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Gradual progression
- 💪 Helps build endurance
- 🎧 Allows listening to music
- 📈 Tracks progress

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔊 Audio prompts can be difficult to hear
- 🔒 Requires payment to unlock full features
- 🧭 No treadmill mode
- 🔄 Inability to repeat previous workouts

**Reported bugs**

- Sync issues when changing devices
- App crashes or freezes occasionally

**Requested features**

- Add more customization options
- Provide more detailed workout statistics
- Integrate with fitness trackers
- Offer more advanced training plans


### Running App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/running-app-run-tracker/id1453356724)

Track your runs with GPS, monitor key stats like distance, speed, and calories burned, and analyze your performance with detailed graphs. Offers personalized training plans and audio feedback to help you achieve your fitness goals.

**Highlights:** Real-time GPS route mapping, Detailed run statistics analysis, Personalized training plans, Audio feedback from voice coach, Performance comparison graphs, Sync with Apple Health

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Membership | $3.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $6.99 | per month |
| Yearly Membership | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy for beginners
- 👍 Keeps users on track
- 👍 Great for running/jogging/walking
- 👍 Accurate tracking
- 👍 Motivates users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate distance tracking
- 🐛 Crashes/stops working during runs
- 🐛 Doesn't work in background/when screen is off

**Reported bugs**

- Reporting issue interface not working
- Inconsistent distance tracking (miles vs. km)

**Requested features**

- Pair with Apple Watch
- Review app UI and metrics display


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Start Running For Beginners free?

Start Running For Beginners is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Running App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Start Running For Beginners or Running App?

Running App is rated higher. Start Running For Beginners averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Running App averages 4.9 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do Start Running For Beginners or Running App have ads?

Running App shows ads; Start Running For Beginners does not.

### Which is updated more often, Start Running For Beginners or Running App?

Start Running For Beginners ships an update every 3 months, and Running App every 3 months. Most recently, Start Running For Beginners was updated on October 20, 2026 and Running App on October 18, 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.*