Comparison

RunSmart vs AIM Virtual

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

Head to head
About

RunSmart

This app provides personalized running plans adapted by AI and physical therapists to meet your unique goals and schedule. It offers expert-designed strength training, yoga, and stretching routines to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Track your progress with detailed analytics and integrate with popular fitness devices.

Highlights
  • Personalized training plans
  • Expert-designed workouts
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Progress tracking
  • Strength training
  • Yoga and stretching routines
  • Device integrations
Features
Read full description

Four training days aren't a limitation. It's a choice — and a legitimate one. RunSmart is built by Steve Gonser, PT DPT, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, who started the platform after watching runners consistently get hurt doing what other apps told them to do. The goal here isn't to turn you into an elite athlete. It's to keep you running next year, and the year after that. HOW YOUR PLAN IS BUILT → Your current mileage, not a generic starting point → Your race date and goal, not a one-size schedule → PT-informed load progression that builds fitness without stacking risk WHAT'S IN YOUR PLAN → Running workouts with paces tied to your current fitness → Strength training built for runners, not the gym floor → Mobility work that addresses what runners actually tighten up → Run Club — share runs, see what your training community is doing 4.8 stars. Used by runners who've been hurt before and can't afford to be again. "What a great day! Thanks for keeping me running strong and injury-free!" - Tammy "I can’t say THANK YOU enough. The training plans and strength training has kept me injury free and running strong!" - Sheila "I followed it exactly as Steve has it written out and I’m happy to report I’ve been running a whole month now with no pain." - Charlotte Distances: 5K · 8K · 10K · Half Marathon · Full Marathon · Maintenance Integrations: Apple Watch · Garmin · COROS Free to start. No credit card. No expiry. Still running in year five. That's the point. Terms of Use: https://runsmartonline.com/terms-of-use/ Privacy Policy: https://runsmartonline.com/privacy-policy

About

AIM Virtual

This app helps users achieve their running, fitness, and life goals with personalized programs. It offers workouts, habit tracking, meal ideas, and community support to keep you motivated.

Highlights
  • Running and strength workouts
  • Goal setting and habit tracking
  • Milestone badges
  • Recipe and meal library
  • Virtual communities and chats
  • Wearable device integration
Features
Read full description

The AIM app was designed to help you reach your goals in running, fitness, and life. The AIM programs each provide a variety of features that best fit your unique needs and goals - so you can AIM for more no matter which season you're in. FEATURES: - Running and strength workouts - Challenges and weekly giveaways - Goal setting and habit tracking for steps, workouts, sleep, and more - Milestone badges for achieving new personal bests and maintaining habit streaks - Recipe and meal library - Virtual communities and chats to meet people with similar health goals and stay motivated - Ability to connect to other wearable devices including Apple Watch (synced to HealthKit), Apple Health App, Garmin, Fitbit, MyFitnessPal, and Withings devices Download the app today!

Screenshots

RunSmart4 screens
AIM Virtual4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AIM Virtual at none against RunSmart's 7. AIM Virtual also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). RunSmart's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (117 vs 23). On price, review sentiment, device support 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. RunSmart sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $15.00 per month. AIM Virtual asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AIM Virtual holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RunSmart has 117 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 98% of RunSmart's written reviews are positive against 100% of AIM Virtual's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RunSmart ships an update every 2 days, AIM Virtual every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RunSmart versus AIM Virtual: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRunSmartAIM Virtual
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (117 ratings)5.0 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews97.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings117 — better23
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.1 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB159 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperRunSmart Online, LLCRun with Aim, LLC

Customer experience

RunSmart

All ratings117 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral0.9%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews80 reviews
Positive97.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative0.0%

AIM Virtual

All ratings23 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

7 purchases

RunSmart

Subscriptions7
  • Monthly Renew - $15$15.001 Month
  • Free Trial + Monthly7 Days trial$15.001 Month
  • RunSmart Pro - Monthly$15.001 Month
Show 4 more
  • Annual Membership - $99/year7 Days trial$99.001 Year
  • Annual Renew - $119$119.001 Year
  • Free Trial + Annual Membership7 Days trial$119.001 Year
  • RunSmart Pro - Yearly$119.001 Year
None

AIM Virtual

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RunSmart free?
RunSmart is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AIM Virtual free?
AIM Virtual is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RunSmart or AIM Virtual?
AIM Virtual is rated higher. RunSmart averages 4.8 out of 5 from 117 ratings, while AIM Virtual averages 5.0 from 23 ratings.
Do RunSmart or AIM Virtual have ads?
RunSmart shows ads; AIM Virtual does not.
Which is updated more often, RunSmart or AIM Virtual?
RunSmart ships an update every 2 days, and AIM Virtual every 6 weeks. Most recently, RunSmart was updated on September 29, 2026 and AIM Virtual on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons