# Start Running For Beginners vs Run Joy

The clearest difference is rating: Start Running For Beginners at 4.7 against Run Joy's 1.0. Start Running For Beginners also leads on ratings volume (2.1K vs 2) and review sentiment (97% vs 85%). Run Joy's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Run Joy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. 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 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Running For Beginners has 2.1K ratings behind it against 2, 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 85% of Run Joy's.

Start Running For Beginners ships an update every 3 months, Run Joy every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Start Running For Beginners | Run Joy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-running-for-beginners/id1254954672/reviews)** | [1.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/run-joy-running-tracker/id6738649450/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **96.8% of reviews** | 85.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 12 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Axiom Mobile LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1111094628) | [Alexander Senin](https://appshunter.io/developer/697788524) |

## 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


### Run Joy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/run-joy-running-tracker/id6738649450)

This app helps you plan and track your running workouts to achieve your fitness goals. It offers personalized training plans, interval training support, and detailed analysis of your pace, distance, and calories burned. Ideal for both beginners and experienced runners preparing for races or maintaining fitness.

**Highlights:** GPS running tracker, Interval training support, Personalized training plans, Pace, distance, and calorie analysis, Half-Marathon preparation tools, Intuitive analytics

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Run PRO for a Month | $4.99 | per month |
| Run PRO for a Year | $29.99 | per year |
| Tip developer | $0.99 | 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 Run Joy free?

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

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

Start Running For Beginners is rated higher. Start Running For Beginners averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Run Joy averages 1.0 from 2 ratings.

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

Neither Start Running For Beginners nor Run Joy shows ads.

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

Start Running For Beginners ships an update every 3 months, and Run Joy every 3 weeks. Most recently, Start Running For Beginners was updated on October 24, 2026 and Run Joy on October 20, 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.*