Comparison

RunBuddy vs Ailsa

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

Head to head
About

RunBuddy

This app acts as a safety companion for outdoor activities like running or cycling. It allows trusted contacts to track your location in real-time and sends alerts if you encounter trouble. A subscription unlocks advanced safety features and activity tracking.

Highlights
  • Real-time location tracking for buddies
  • Automated and manual alert system
  • Panic button alerts (subscription)
  • Stationary and overspeed alerts (subscription)
  • Activity history log (subscription)
  • Invite friends and family to track
Features
Read full description

What is RunBuddy? Have you ever been out for a walk, run, or ride and suddenly found yourself in an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation? All of us have. That’s why we built RunBuddy – a smartphone application that acts as your “buddy” while you’re out for a walk, run, or ride. RunBuddy is a safety tool for the endurance sport community. The app is designed to advocate for you, to get attention to your situation, when you may not be able to. How Does RunBuddy Work? Using cellular connectivity, RunBuddy: - Allows your “buddies” to see your location on a map in real time. - Sends both automated and manually activated in-app alerts to your buddies if you sense or the app senses that you could be in trouble. RunBuddy is free to download. This way, anyone can be a "buddy". The free "buddy" version must be downloaded and set up in your phone or your buddy's phone in order to receive the in-app alerts. To view your friend's activity, click on the "Buddy Activities" tab in the menu. The fully functional version of RunBuddy requires a subscription - which you can sign up for in the Settings tab in the menu. About RunBuddy Subscription features: - Panic button alerts - Automatic stationary and overspeed alerts - Log and keep track of your activity history - Invite others to watch your activity and receive alerts To invite your friends and family to download RunBuddy so they can be your "buddy" while you are out for your walk, run, or ride, go to the Invite Friends tab in the menu - where you can invite them via text message, Facebook, etc. Billing information: Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Please view our terms and conditions (https://getrunbuddy.app/terms-conditions/) and our privacy policy (https://getrunbuddy.app/privacy-policy/).

About

Ailsa

Track your curling games with detailed end-by-end scores, team positions, and opponent information. Analyze your performance with interactive charts and earn awards to stay motivated. Sync your data securely and access features offline.

Highlights
  • End-by-end game scoring
  • Team position and opponent tracking
  • Seasonal statistics and trend analysis
  • Performance awards and achievements
  • iCloud backup and sync
  • Offline support
Features
Read full description

Ailsa is for people who play the sport curling. Record your games, view statistics, and earn awards! • Games – document your curling throughout the season. Include end-by-end scores, team position, opponent, notes, and more. Games can be organized by competition, shared with others, and synced securely over iCloud. • Statistics* – view your statistics for a single game and track progress across the whole season. Clear, interactive charts help you to discover trends and spot areas for improvement. • Awards* – motivate yourself to improve your game. Get congratulated for scoring high ends and winning games. Share your achievements with others. All Features and Technologies: • Designed natively for Apple platforms • iCloud backup and sync • No personal data collection • Offline support • Light and dark appearance • Multiple windows, optimized for all device sizes • Customizable toolbar • Touch, pointer, and keyboard support • VoiceOver • Dynamic Type Ailsa Premium: An in-app subscription to Ailsa Premium is required to unlock access to advanced statistics and awards. One subscription can be shared with the entire family. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/. * Feature requires Ailsa Premium

Screenshots

RunBuddy4 screens
Ailsa4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ailsa at 100% against RunBuddy's 57%. Ailsa also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and device support (5 vs 3). RunBuddy's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 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. RunBuddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Ailsa sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RunBuddy ships an update every 5 weeks, Ailsa weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
RunBuddy versus Ailsa: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRunBuddyAilsa
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (18 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings18 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStrategic Risk Transfers, Inc.Nicholas Baughan

Customer experience

RunBuddy

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

Ailsa

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

RunBuddy

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription14 Days trial$9.991 Year
2 purchases

Ailsa

Subscriptions2
  • Ailsa Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Ailsa Premium (Annual)7 Days trial$4.991 Year

Questions

Is RunBuddy free?
RunBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ailsa free?
Ailsa is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RunBuddy or Ailsa have ads?
Neither RunBuddy nor Ailsa shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RunBuddy or Ailsa?
RunBuddy ships an update every 5 weeks, and Ailsa weekly. Most recently, RunBuddy was updated on September 19, 2026 and Ailsa on June 10, 2026.

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