Comparison

5K Run vs Run Joy

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

Run Joy

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
Read full description

RunJoy — Your Perfect Running Companion! Plan your workouts, track your runs, and achieve your best results with RunJoy. The app supports interval training, provides tailored plans for beginners and advanced runners, and helps you monitor pace, distance, calories, and progress. Perfect for marathon preparation or maintaining top physical shape. Key Features: • GPS running tracker • Interval training support • Personalized training plans • Pace, distance, and calorie analysis • Half-Marathon preparation tools • Simple and intuitive analytics Should you choose to upgrade to a Premium Membership, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription prices are shown in the app before purchase and may vary by location. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period and cancellation of the current active subscription period is not allowed. Auto-renewal may be turned off in your Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. You can also manage your subscriptions in Account Settings after purchase. Terms of use: http://appbysnap.tilda.ws/terms The application supports Health app: At your request, the data on completed training will be automatically added to the Health app. Start running with RunJoy today!

Screenshots

5K Run4 screens
Run Joy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Run Joy at 85% against 5K Run's 24%. 5K Run's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (2.2K vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

5K Run holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 5K Run has 2.2K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 24% of 5K Run's written reviews are positive against 85% of Run Joy's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

5K Run ships an update every 10 days, Run Joy every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
5K Run versus Run Joy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter5K RunRun Joy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (2.2K ratings) — better1.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews24.3% of reviews85.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.2K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarlos Fernandez MayorAlexander Senin

Customer experience

5K Run

All ratings2,168 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews115 reviews
Positive24.3%
Neutral16.5%
Negative59.1%

Run Joy

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive85.2%
Neutral7.4%
Negative7.4%

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

Run Joy

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

Run Joy

Subscriptions2
  • Run PRO for a Month7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Run PRO for a Year7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Tip developer$0.99

Questions

Is 5K Run free?
5K Run 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, 5K Run or Run Joy?
5K Run is rated higher. 5K Run averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Run Joy averages 1.0 from 2 ratings.
Do 5K Run or Run Joy have ads?
Neither 5K Run nor Run Joy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 5K Run or Run Joy?
5K Run ships an update every 10 days, and Run Joy every 3 weeks. Most recently, 5K Run was updated on October 15, 2026 and Run Joy on October 16, 2026.

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