Comparison

Interval Runner Basic vs Fartlek Interval Trainer

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

Head to head
About

Interval Runner Basic

This app provides a versatile training tool for runners, offering various workout routines like Run-Walk and Fartlek. It tracks progress, displays workouts on a map, and allows pace goal setting. Users can listen to music during workouts and export data for platforms like Strava.

Highlights
  • Multiple running routines (Run-Walk, Fartlek, Pyramid)
  • Workout tracking and mapping
  • Pace goal setting and feedback
  • Warm-up and cool-down timers
  • Music integration
  • Exportable workout data
  • Supports kilometers and miles
Features
Read full description

Interval Runner is a general purpose training and workout App for runners that want to use a variety of running techniques like Run-Walk or Always Running. Interval Runner remembers all workouts, can show them on a map and totals them on a weekly or monthly basis. Interval Runner has eight routines allowing a runner to choose a technique that is the most useful for their current running situation. For example, when training for a short race like a 5K, workouts with Fartlek routine help a runner buildup their speed. Another example, when running long races, the Pyramid routine is useful on the day before the long race for a short shakeout run. And Interval Runner has a familiarize mode that simulates running and allows the runner to understanding a routine before using it in a workout. All routines allows the runner to set a one-time Warm-up time before the workout and a one-time Cool-down after the workout finishes. Interval Runner Basic has two general-purpose, AlwaysRun and RunWalk, and six special routines; Fartlek, Mile, LongTraining, Progression, Pyramid, and Breakdown. Got a pace goal? Set a pace and hear periodically during the workout if your are better or worse than that pace and by how much time. Saved workouts can be viewed on a map and exported to file that can be uploaded into Strava. During the workout, the runner can listen to music, Spotify for example, while they hear routine instructions. Interval Runner works both in kilometers and miles and can easily toggles between English and Spanish. It does not use a website, contain advertisements or collect data on the runner -- only requires you and your phone. More information at www.intervalrunner.com or on Facebook "Interval Runner".

About

Fartlek Interval Trainer

This running app automatically detects spontaneous intervals during Fartlek runs, providing live color-coded feedback on your effort. It also functions as a powerful timer for structured workouts like HIIT and Tabata, offering detailed metrics and syncing with Strava and Apple Health.

Highlights
  • Auto-detection of Fartlek intervals
  • Live color-coded effort feedback
  • Structured workout timer (HIIT, Tabata)
  • Detailed interval metrics
  • Strava and Apple Health integration
  • Advanced effort level detection
Features
Read full description

Build the interval workout you want. Stay on target while you train. Then learn from every session. FiT is an interval timer and training companion for runners on Apple Watch and iPhone. Create classic intervals, HIIT and Tabata workouts—or run freely with automatic Fartlek interval detection. CREATE WORKOUTS YOUR WAY Build simple work-and-rest sessions or advanced workouts with warm-ups, cooldowns, repeated sets and multiple effort levels. FiT makes even complex sessions clear and easy to follow. STAY ON TARGET Color-coded feedback shows whether you’re on pace. Spoken coaching, audio and haptic alerts help you respond without constantly checking your device—and spoken cues automatically match your chosen language. The Dual Progress Ring shows both your current interval and your overall workout progress at a glance. FARTLEK WITHOUT THE BUTTONS Switch to Fartlek mode and run by feel. FiT detects changes in your speed and automatically converts them into recorded intervals. No reaching for your device. No tapping between efforts. Just run. LEARN FROM EVERY WORKOUT See how each interval performed with detailed pace, heart rate, cadence and distance metrics. Compare workouts to understand how your performance changes over time. Personalized coaching insights use your workout data to highlight meaningful patterns and offer practical recommendations for future sessions. ADVANCED EFFORT TRACKING Advanced workouts can distinguish between sprint, hard, moderate and easy efforts, helping you create more varied sessions and analyze every effort afterwards. APPLE WATCH, IPHONE AND YOUR FITNESS APPS Train in your chosen language on Apple Watch or iPhone. Create and edit interval workouts directly on your watch, with controls for inserting, reordering and deleting interval groups. Save completed workouts to Apple Health and sync your sessions with Strava. KEY FEATURES • Flexible interval timer for running, HIIT and Tabata • Automatic Fartlek interval detection • Dual-ring live workout progress • Color-coded pace and effort feedback • Localized spoken coaching, plus audio and haptic alerts • Create and edit interval workouts on Apple Watch • Detailed pace, heart rate, cadence and distance metrics • Performance tracking for every interval • Workout comparisons and personalized insights • Sprint, hard, moderate and easy effort levels • Apple Health and Strava integration • Light and dark appearance Run free. Train smart. Learn from every session. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS FiT offers an optional auto-renewable subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your Apple ID account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/39192677

Screenshots

Interval Runner Basic4 screens
Fartlek Interval Trainer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Interval Runner Basic at none against Fartlek Interval Trainer's 4. Interval Runner Basic also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 75%) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 26.0). Fartlek Interval Trainer's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months). On price, ads and device support 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. Fartlek Interval Trainer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Interval Runner Basic asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Runner Basic ships an update every 5 months, Fartlek Interval Trainer every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Interval Runner Basic versus Fartlek Interval Trainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval Runner BasicFartlek Interval Trainer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS9.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB84 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJane BrownRichard English

Customer experience

Interval Runner Basic

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Fartlek Interval Trainer

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Interval Runner Basic

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Fartlek Interval Trainer

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$6.991 Year
One-time2
  • RemoveAds$0.99
  • Lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is Interval Runner Basic free?
Interval Runner Basic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fartlek Interval Trainer free?
Fartlek Interval Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Interval Runner Basic or Fartlek Interval Trainer have ads?
Neither Interval Runner Basic nor Fartlek Interval Trainer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Interval Runner Basic or Fartlek Interval Trainer?
Interval Runner Basic ships an update every 5 months, and Fartlek Interval Trainer every 9 days. Most recently, Interval Runner Basic was updated on September 18, 2026 and Fartlek Interval Trainer on September 22, 2026.

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