Comparison

5K Run vs Start Running

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

5K Run

This app guides beginners from inactivity to running a 5K with a flexible, adaptive training plan. It offers audio cues during runs and integrates with HealthKit to track progress and Apple Watch activity.

Highlights
  • Adaptive 5K training plan
  • Voice trainer for run/walk intervals
  • Flexible workout scheduling
  • HealthKit integration
  • Motivation and progress tracking
Features
Read full description

5K RUN is the easiest way to get you from couch potato to 5k. Our training plan will help you keep motivated and give your best in every workout. Don't give up, you can do it! 5K PLAN The training plan is design to help you keep motivated. It will let you know when you need to take a break and when it's time for another run. Run whenever you want, you don't need to set up a schedule of specific days for running, we all have busy days, or it's raining outside, or we're just tired. That's why our training plan adapts to you, giving you a time window to complete your workouts. Take your training to the next level! VOICE TRAINER During the runs, listen to your music and the voice trainier will tell you when it's time for you to run or walk. Set your goal and work to get there in a healthy way. HEALTHKIT INTEGRATION Run 5K integrates nicely with HealthKit, meaning that all your workout data will be available for you inside Run 5K and the Apple Health App. On top of that, all the races you save using Run 5K will contribute to filling the Activity rings on your Apple Watch. Isn't that cool?

About

Start Running

Beginner-friendly running plans to improve fitness, strength, and calorie burn. Offers guided workouts for various goals, from introductory runs to 5K training, with progress tracking and health app integration.

Highlights
  • Multi-week training plans
  • Beginner to advanced levels
  • Step-by-step workout guidance
  • Audio coach
  • Workout logging and progress tracking
  • Apple Health integration
Features
Read full description

Start Running without any previous experience required. Get fitter, stronger and burn more calories. Our running app’s workout routines will train you for the next stage in your running journey. Never ran before? Start with our Intro To Running plan. In 4 weeks you’ll be comfortable running without needing to stop. Looking to train for a 5k race? Give the 5K Race Builder plan a go. It’ll have you running 5k in a competitive time. Start Running will give you step by step instructions to guide you through your workout. You’ll know when to walk, jog or run and when to rest so you can steadily improve with minimal risk of injury. Each plan is designed to gradually become more challenging so your body can adapt and grow, without you burning out. Spend under an hour a day, a few times a week. You’ll be fitter, healthier and a much stronger runner! Features - Choose a multi week training plan to suit your fitness level. - Challenger workouts to work your whole body. - Audio coach to guide you through your running workouts. - Log your workouts and keep track of your overall progress. - APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION: Connect your workouts to Health App to track your daily activity. Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it are for educational purposes only. They are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. If you upgrade to a premium Start Running subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. There is no increase in cost when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, the current period cannot be cancelled. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited if you choose to purchase a premium subscription. Find the full terms and conditions at https://www.startfitness.life/start-running-terms.html, and our privacy policy at https://www.startfitness.life/start-running-privacy.html.

Screenshots

5K Run4 screens
Start Running4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: 5K Run at 2.2K against Start Running's 24. 5K Run also leads on review sentiment (24% vs 0%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Start Running's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. 5K Run sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Start Running sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

5K Run holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 5K Run has 2.2K ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of 5K Run's written reviews are positive against 0% of Start Running's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

5K Run ships an update every 10 days, Start Running every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
5K Run versus Start Running: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter5K RunStart Running
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.2K ratings) — better4.4 (24 ratings)
Positive reviews24.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2.2K — better24
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarlos Fernandez MayorVigour Group Ltd

Customer experience

5K Run

All ratings2,170 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews115 reviews
Positive24.3%
Neutral16.5%
Negative59.1%

Start Running

All ratings24 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

5K Run

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes and loses user progress
  • Inconsistent tracking of distance and pace
  • Issues with treadmill workouts

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to manually adjust training program
  • More detailed workout information
  • Integration with other fitness apps
  • Audio cues for run/walk transitions

Start Running

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

5K Run

One-time1
  • Plan de entrenamiento 5K$4.99
3 purchases

Start Running

Subscriptions3
  • Start Running Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is 5K Run free?
5K Run is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Start Running free?
Start Running is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 5K Run or Start Running?
5K Run is rated higher. 5K Run averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Start Running averages 4.4 from 24 ratings.
Do 5K Run or Start Running have ads?
Neither 5K Run nor Start Running shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 5K Run or Start Running?
5K Run ships an update every 10 days, and Start Running every 3 weeks. Most recently, 5K Run was updated on November 6, 2026 and Start Running on November 7, 2026.

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