Running Achievements (Smadges) vs Parcode
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Running Achievements (Smadges)
Track your progress and unlock achievements for your 5k runs. This app uses your parkrun athlete number to display completed badges, identify upcoming goals, and showcase detailed statistics. Explore various badge types including club, challenge, and volunteer roles.
- Track achievement progress
- Parkrun athlete number integration
- Club, Challenge, and Volunteer badges
- Statistics screen
- Event summary and analysis
- Location map of runs
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A simple app to track your achievement progress and stats for those Saturday morning 5k runs. Uses your parkrun athlete number to get stats on what achievements you have completed, how far you are from completing others and any new ones you might want to aim for. Featuring: - Club Badges - Challenge Badges - Volunteer Badges: Each role has levels to unlock, the more you do the better badge you will get! - World Tourist Badges - Statistics Screen: Showing many stats for those who love the figures - Event Summary Screen: Listing all the events and number of times completed - Event Analysis Screen: Showing all run dates and times for runs at the same event, includes an event pb split time for those interested! - Location map with each run completed, incomplete and even your NENDY! What Badges will you unlock next? Will you get your Alphabet badge? Can you complete the Stopwatch challenge? How many Volunteer Roles have you completed? ....plus many more club, challenge and volunteer badges to collect! This is in no way associated, approved or in collaboration with parkrun, this is an unofficial app.
Parcode
This app displays your parkrun barcode directly on your Apple Watch for easy check-ins after your run. Choose from QR code or traditional barcode formats, manage multiple family members' barcodes, and personalize them with color themes. A watch face complication and weekly notification help you find it quickly.
- Display parkrun barcode on Apple Watch
- QR code and traditional barcode options
- Manage multiple family barcodes
- Customizable color themes
- Weekly notification reminder
- Watch face complication
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Elevate your 'weekly timed run' experience with Parcode, exclusively on Apple Watch! • Effortlessly display your unique barcode post-run for quick check-in. • Choose between the easily readable QR Code, the traditional barcode, or rotated barcode. • Manage multiple family barcodes with ease. • Personalize each barcode with a delightful array of vibrant colour themes. • Set a convenient weekly notification simplify locating the app after the run. • Simplify barcode display with the Parcode complication on your watch face. Revamp your weekly run routine with both style and convenience – download now! ———————————————————————————————————————————— This third party app is in no way associated with the parkrun Group. parkrun is a registered trademark of parkrun Limited.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Running Achievements (Smadges) at Free against Parcode's $2.99. Running Achievements (Smadges) also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Parcode's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On update cadence, 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
Running Achievements (Smadges) is free to download; Parcode costs $2.99 up front. Parcode sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Running Achievements (Smadges) asks for nothing beyond the download.
Running Achievements (Smadges) ships an update every 2 months, Parcode every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Running Achievements (Smadges) | Parcode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 94 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ford Hollett | Whisk Mobile Development Pty Ltd |
Customer experience
Running Achievements (Smadges)
Parcode
Bugs and requests
Running Achievements (Smadges)
Reported bugs
22 issues- Unable to open app after update
- App crashing on load after update v1.9.20
- App won't proceed beyond initial entry
- App no longer works
- App not working, error code after reinstall
Show 17 moreShow fewer
- App no longer works since upgrade
- Woodlands parkrun missing from Yorkshire and Humberside Region list (now sorted)
- Swinoujscie parkrun in Poland not qualifying for Islands of Europe
- Channel Islands included in UK in some challenges
- 100% CPU use
- New Zealand courses not appearing in Alphabeteer (Otaki River)
- App breaking Apple's access policy (VoiceOver unusable)
- Syncing data issues, apps showing different data
- Ross-on-Wye parkrun not in West Midlands
- Missing runs on calendar (Ginninderra, Varsity Lakes)
- Stones Corner Queensland Australia not showing on map
- Portsea Island not included in Islands of Europe challenge
- Home run showing as NENDY
- Failed to load data, loader spins
- Update leaves app hanging on step 5
- Font size too tiny
- UI feels dated, name blocked by iPhone notch
Requested features
23 requests- Add County based achievements
- Include Swinoujscie parkrun in Islands of Europe
- Add 'LonDone' achievement
- Allow users to suggest new challenges
- Separate average run time from walk time
Show 18 moreShow fewer
- Add Aber fields parkrun to Bjorn to run challenge
- Add streak statistic or last time not run on Saturday
- Add friends to compare badges
- Add Queanbeyan to Beehive challenge
- Add Aussie Tourist and ANZ Tourist challenges
- Show state/city location for US parkruns on map
- Include junior parkrun stats
- Link to parkrun website from region list
- Add volunteer to club menu
- Add 'Kingdom Conquered' badge for completing all events in a country
- Implement 'find a friend' feature
- Add Wilson index map and nearest event maps
- Add badge for each volunteer role
- Add new challenges for storm Saturdays
- Option to keep multiple athlete IDs saved
- Break down regionnaire challenges to county conquers
- Add new up and coming events feature
- Add Event Directors icon/badge
Parcode
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Running Achievements (Smadges)
No in-app purchases
Parcode
- Multi-Runner$0.99
Questions
Is Running Achievements (Smadges) free?
Is Parcode free?
Do Running Achievements (Smadges) or Parcode have ads?
Which is updated more often, Running Achievements (Smadges) or Parcode?
Other comparisons
