Comparison

RunBetter vs CIAPO

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

Head to head
About

RunBetter

This app helps runners prepare for race day by simulating course inclines on any treadmill. It offers a library of over 50 race courses and allows users to track progress and customize training. Expert coaching plans are also available for purchase.

Highlights
  • Simulates race course inclines
  • Library of 50+ race courses
  • Progress tracking for runs
  • Customizable training programs
  • Works with any incline treadmill
  • No Bluetooth required
Features
Read full description

WHY USE RUNBETTER Hassle Free, Easy to Use All you need is an Apple device and a treadmill with an incline function. As you run, the RunBetter app lets you know when to adjust your incline to mimic actual race course terrain. No special treadmill or Bluetooth connection required. Course-Specific Training Train for the elevation changes of popular race courses. Run the entire race course or a specific segment depending on your needs. Eliminate surprise hills and ascend strong and confident no matter how steep the terrain. Arrive on race day knowing you’ve already run the course virtually. Track Your Progress Run History allows you to record completed runs by date, segments run, average pace, distance, and time. Identify segments most challenging for you and adjust your training as needed to prepare for race day. Achieve Race Goals Don’t let unexpected hills along the course impact your goal race pace or finish time. Train to hit your goal time despite challenging inclines along the race course. Let RunBetter supplement your training so you know what’s coming on race day and train smart to achieve your goal. You can conquer those hills! Expert Customized Training Programs Available Further elevate your training with customized, course-specific training programs designed by two-time marathon Olympic Trials qualifier, Chris Wehrman. Each program incorporates treadmill and outdoor running that is race-specific and designed to prepare you for the actual terrain of your event. Arrive excited and ready to run your best race yet! HOW to RUNBETTER at YOUR RACE Download the RunBetter app to your Apple device. Select your race from our 50+ course library and incorporate segments into your training regimen. Record your runs within the app to track your progress and identify challenging segments. Revisit as needed to prepare for race day. Toe the line confident on race day knowing that you prepared virtually to conquer race course challenges. RACE COURSE LIBRARY Find your race among more than 50 road races and triathlons of all distances. Train for all the World Marathon Majors. Conquer the run portions of popular 140.6 and 70.3 tris, including Kona, Wisconsin, and Oceanside. New race courses added regularly. Don’t see your race? Contact us! RUN ON ANY TREADMILL, ANYWHERE Use the RunBetter app on any treadmill with an incline function. No other special equipment or Bluetooth connection needed. Just lace up your running shoes, choose your course, pick your speed and go! Never let inclement weather or living in flat terrain prevent you from maximizing your training to achieve your running and triathlon goals. You can run smarter, stronger, faster and better. EXPERT COACHING PLANS Expert course specific training programs developed by two-time marathon Olympic Trials qualifier Chris Wehrman are available for purchase within the app. Each program is unique and course-specific to prepare you for the elevation changes of the race you plan to run. JOIN the RUNBETTER COMMUNITY Follow the RunBetter community for running tips, product recommendations, race updates, give-aways, inspiration, motivation and encouragement! PAYMENTS and RENEWAL Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your iTunes account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription period and will identify the renewal fee. You can manage auto-renew preferences in your Account settings at any time after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription is purchased, where applicable. Terms of use: https://runbetterapp.com/terms-conditions/ Privacy policy: https://runbetterapp.com/privacy-policy/

About

CIAPO

This interactive indoor training app supports walking, running, cycling, and rowing. It seamlessly connects with various fitness equipment like treadmills, bikes, and rowers.

Highlights
  • Interactive indoor training
  • Supports walking, running, cycling, rowing
  • Compatible with treadmills
  • Compatible with exercise bikes
  • Compatible with rowing machines
  • Compatible with ellipticals
Features
Read full description

CIAPO is an interactive indoor training application, perfect for activities like walking, running, cycling, and rowing. It is highly compatible with a variety of fitness equipment, including treadmills, exercise bikes, home trainers, ellipticals, and rowing machines.

Screenshots

RunBetter4 screens
CIAPO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CIAPO at none against RunBetter's 10. CIAPO also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). RunBetter's advantage is ratings volume (23 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement 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. RunBetter sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. CIAPO asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CIAPO holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RunBetter has 23 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of RunBetter's written reviews are positive against 100% of CIAPO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RunBetter ships an update every 5 weeks, CIAPO every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RunBetter versus CIAPO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRunBetterCIAPO
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (23 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings23 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB250 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperRunBetter LLCFitshow (Xiamen) Infomation Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

RunBetter

All ratings22 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral4.5%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative5.9%

CIAPO

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

RunBetter

Subscriptions2
  • Course Builder - Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Course Builder - Yearly1 Month trial$49.991 Year
One-time8
  • Big Sur Course$19.99
  • Tokyo Course$19.99
  • Mad Marathon Course$19.99
Show 5 more
  • Cincinnati Course$19.99
  • Big Sur - Coaching$119.99
  • Boston - Coaching$119.99
  • Chicago - Coaching$119.99
  • New York - Coaching$119.99
None

CIAPO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RunBetter free?
RunBetter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CIAPO free?
CIAPO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RunBetter or CIAPO?
CIAPO is rated higher. RunBetter averages 4.7 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while CIAPO averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do RunBetter or CIAPO have ads?
Neither RunBetter nor CIAPO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RunBetter or CIAPO?
RunBetter ships an update every 5 weeks, and CIAPO every 2 months. Most recently, RunBetter was updated on November 4, 2026 and CIAPO on October 30, 2026.

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