# Start Running For Beginners vs Running

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Running at none against Start Running For Beginners's 5. Running also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (14.1 vs 16.6). Start Running For Beginners's advantage is review sentiment (97% vs 71%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). On price, ads and device support 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. Running asks for nothing beyond the download.

Start Running For Beginners holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Running For Beginners has 2.1K ratings behind it against 170, 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 71% of Running's.

Start Running For Beginners ships an update every 3 months, Running every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Start Running For Beginners | Running |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-running-for-beginners/id1254954672/reviews)** | [4.4 (170 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/running-running-tracker/id1566469795/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 170 |
| Positive reviews | **96.8% of reviews** | 71.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 12 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **14.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Axiom Mobile LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1111094628) | [Beijing Free Calculator Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1457813265) |

## 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 | $4.99 | per 6 months |
| Full Version | $1.99 | one-time |
| Full version | $4.99 | one-time |
| Full version | $9.99 | 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 page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/running-running-tracker/id1566469795)

Track your runs with this ad-free application. It offers voice updates during your workout, supports Apple Watch integration, and syncs data with iCloud and Apple Health. Enjoy a customizable experience with various color themes.

**Highlights:** Ad-free experience, Voice updates during runs, Apple Watch support, iCloud synchronization, Apple Health integration, Customizable color themes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Start Running For Beginners free?

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

### Is Running free?

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

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

Start Running For Beginners is rated higher. Start Running For Beginners averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Running averages 4.4 from 170 ratings.

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

Neither Start Running For Beginners nor Running shows ads.

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

Start Running For Beginners ships an update every 3 months, and Running every 2 weeks. Most recently, Start Running For Beginners was updated on September 26, 2026 and Running on September 26, 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.*