# Start Running For Beginners vs Zero to 5K

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Start Running For Beginners at 97% against Zero to 5K's 69%. Start Running For Beginners also leads on ratings volume (2.1K vs 70) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Zero to 5K's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Start Running For Beginners sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Zero to 5K sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Start Running For Beginners holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Running For Beginners has 2.1K ratings behind it against 70, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 97% of Start Running For Beginners's written reviews are positive against 69% of Zero to 5K's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Start Running For Beginners | Zero to 5K |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-running-for-beginners/id1254954672/reviews)** | [4.5 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zero-to-5k/id1531984184/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 70 |
| Positive reviews | **96.8% of reviews** | 69.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 12 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Axiom Mobile LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1111094628) | [Sebastien Gamache](https://appshunter.io/developer/1520645415) |

## What reviewers say

### Start Running For Beginners

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

This app guides beginners through a structured running program to build endurance and achieve fitness goals. It offers personalized coaching, progress tracking, and custom workouts, focusing on increasing jogging time without initial emphasis on pace or distance.

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

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $1.99 | per month |
| Full Version | $9.99 | per 6 months |
| 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


### Zero to 5K

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zero-to-5k/id1531984184)

This program guides beginners through a 9-week plan to run a 5K. It alternates running and walking intervals, gradually increasing running time. The app provides audio cues and allows users to repeat stages if needed. An optional heart rate training feature helps optimize effort.

**Highlights:** 9-week progressive running plan, Alternating run/walk intervals, Audio cues for guidance, Adjustable difficulty, Heart rate training option, Background operation with notifications

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Full Access | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Start Running For Beginners free?

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

### Is Zero to 5K free?

Zero to 5K is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Start Running For Beginners or Zero to 5K?

Start Running For Beginners is rated higher. Start Running For Beginners averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Zero to 5K averages 4.5 from 70 ratings.

### Do Start Running For Beginners or Zero to 5K have ads?

Neither Start Running For Beginners nor Zero to 5K shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Start Running For Beginners or Zero to 5K?

Start Running For Beginners ships an update every 3 months, and Zero to 5K every 3 months. Most recently, Start Running For Beginners was updated on October 31, 2026 and Zero to 5K on October 29, 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.*