Comparison

RunSmart vs Runners Roost

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

Runners Roost

Earn rewards and exclusive perks by shopping locally and staying active. Track your spending and sync your runs to redeem points for gift cards and unlock achievements. Stay informed about store news and events.

Highlights
  • Earn points for purchases
  • Redeem points for gift cards
  • Sync runs with Strava
  • Sync Apple Fitness workouts
  • Unlock achievements
  • Track lifetime points
  • Stay updated on store news
Features
Read full description

You're loyal. You shop local, stay active, and should get rewarded for it. We want you to be part of the Runner’s Roost Rewards Program. It's simple and free, just download the app and login. Shop in the app or in our stores and you'll earn reward points for every dollar you spend. You'll also get reward points for checking in at Runner’s Roost Events. Then redeem those points for Runner’s Roost digital gift cards. Plus, track your lifetime point total to level up with reward achievements, bragging rights, and other perks. Feel like going the extra mile? Take your loyalty a step further by syncing your runs or walks with Strava. Track your mileage to achieve new levels, receive acclaim, or maybe even prizes. The Runner’s Roost Rewards app makes it easy to stay up to date on store news, events, sales, and more. It's easy and free! Simply download the Runner’s Roost app, log in, and start earning. Runner’s Roost - Rewards Program • Earn points for every dollar spent pre-tax both in-store and online • Check-in at participating events to earn extra points • Points will appear on your account the day after a purchase is made • Redeem Points for Runner’s Roost digital gift cards redeemable both in-store and online • Easily keep track of your points and redemptions right in your app Runner’s Roost – Miles Program • Sync your Strava Runs and walks to track your mileage in the app • Sync your Apple Fitness Workouts to track your mileage in the app. Works with Apple Health. • Stay motivated by unlocking achievements when distance milestones are reached *Rewards Program Subject to change

Screenshots

RunSmart4 screens
Runners Roost4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Runners Roost at none against RunSmart's 7. Runners Roost 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 14 months) and ratings volume (118 vs 1). On price 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. Runners Roost asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Runners Roost holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RunSmart has 118 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RunSmart ships an update every 2 days, Runners Roost every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
RunSmart versus Runners Roost: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRunSmartRunners Roost
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (118 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews97.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings118 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 14 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB13 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperRunSmart Online, LLCThe Runners Roost

Customer experience

RunSmart

All ratings118 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral0.8%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews80 reviews
Positive97.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative0.0%

Runners Roost

All ratings1 ratings
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

Runners Roost

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RunSmart free?
RunSmart is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Runners Roost free?
Runners Roost is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RunSmart or Runners Roost?
Runners Roost is rated higher. RunSmart averages 4.8 out of 5 from 118 ratings, while Runners Roost averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do RunSmart or Runners Roost have ads?
RunSmart shows ads; Runners Roost does not.
Which is updated more often, RunSmart or Runners Roost?
RunSmart ships an update every 2 days, and Runners Roost every 14 months. Most recently, RunSmart was updated on October 15, 2026 and Runners Roost on October 7, 2026.

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