Interval Runner Basic vs Fartlek
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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".
Fartlek
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Tell your AI coach your goal and the days you can run, and get a training plan that adapts every week to how your runs go. Need a single workout? Describe it or paste a screenshot, and it's ready in seconds. Then just run: voice and haptic cues guide every interval, even with your screen off. 50+ workouts runners actually love — HIIT, fartlek, tempo, hills, Yasso 800s. On iPhone and Apple Watch. Because running the same pace every day only makes you better at running the same pace. Break the plateau. EVERY RUN IS A NEW CHALLENGE Every workout here has a specific goal and a different feel — so you actually train different muscles, systems, and skills instead of just logging miles. Your running workout is fun now :) Speed: 200m pops, ladders, strides, sprint finishers Strength: Hill repeats, power builders, switchbacks Stamina: HIIT, Cruise intervals, tempo waves, Yasso 800s Endurance: Progressive aerobic, negative splits, scenic cruises Fun: Fartlek games, stoplight play, music flow runs Each workout has a warm-up, main set, and cooldown — with clear effort guidance through every phase. AI WORKOUT GENERATOR Tell the AI coach what you want — "30 minutes, hill repeats, moderate" or "a fartlek that doesn't bore me" — and get a runnable workout in seconds. Paste a screenshot of a workout you saw online and we'll convert it into intervals. TRAIN BY EFFORT, NOT NUMBERS Every interval shows a target effort (80% for work, 30% for recovery). No heart rate monitor needed. GPS pace lies anyway — effort just works better. AUTO-LAP BY DISTANCE OR TIME Distance intervals auto-complete when you hit 200m, 400m, 800m, or whatever target you set. Time intervals count down with precision. No fumbling with lap buttons mid-stride. AUDIO & HAPTIC CUES Get notified at interval start, halfway, and end. Works with your screen off, works on Apple Watch. Built for running outside, where you can't keep glancing at a screen. APPLE WATCH COMPANION Run straight from your wrist. Leave your phone behind for track sessions — the Watch app handles everything on its own. CLEAN, GET-OUT-OF-THE-WAY DESIGN Big, glove-friendly controls. Dark mode. One-screen run view with your current interval front and center, and what's next right there too. AFTER YOUR RUN Review every completed interval — distance, time, pace. Auto-syncs to Apple Health. WORKOUT TYPES Tempo: Sustained-effort training Intervals: Structured speed work Fartlek: Mixed-pace playful running Hills: Uphill repeat sessions Long Run: Extended endurance efforts 3 DURATION OPTIONS Quick (10–15 min): Short, sharp sessions Standard (20–35 min): Complete workouts Long (40–60+ min): Extended training WHO IT'S FOR - Runners looking to improve their times - Runners who like variety and fun - Amateur athletes who want to gain leg strength and power - Anyone looking to improve overall fitness and health - Anyone looking to lose weight with HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) - Anyone who wants to run intervals without 10 minutes of setup - Anyone tired of complex running apps that feel more like Instagram No social feeds. No data mining. Just running. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Interval Runner Basic at none against Fartlek's 2. Interval Runner Basic also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.5). Fartlek's advantage is update cadence (every 4 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
Both are free to download. Fartlek sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Interval Runner Basic asks for nothing beyond the download.
Interval Runner Basic ships an update every 5 months, Fartlek every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Interval Runner Basic | Fartlek |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 18.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jane Brown | Axis SA |
In-app purchases
Interval Runner Basic
No in-app purchases
Fartlek
- Monthly plan$4.991 Month
- Yearly Premium$29.991 Year
Questions
Is Interval Runner Basic free?
Is Fartlek free?
Do Interval Runner Basic or Fartlek have ads?
Which is updated more often, Interval Runner Basic or Fartlek?
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