Comparison

Start Running vs Core

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

Head to head
About

Start Running

Beginner-friendly running plans to improve fitness, strength, and calorie burn. Offers guided workouts for various goals, from introductory runs to 5K training, with progress tracking and health app integration.

Highlights
  • Multi-week training plans
  • Beginner to advanced levels
  • Step-by-step workout guidance
  • Audio coach
  • Workout logging and progress tracking
  • Apple Health integration
Features
Read full description

Start Running without any previous experience required. Get fitter, stronger and burn more calories. Our running app’s workout routines will train you for the next stage in your running journey. Never ran before? Start with our Intro To Running plan. In 4 weeks you’ll be comfortable running without needing to stop. Looking to train for a 5k race? Give the 5K Race Builder plan a go. It’ll have you running 5k in a competitive time. Start Running will give you step by step instructions to guide you through your workout. You’ll know when to walk, jog or run and when to rest so you can steadily improve with minimal risk of injury. Each plan is designed to gradually become more challenging so your body can adapt and grow, without you burning out. Spend under an hour a day, a few times a week. You’ll be fitter, healthier and a much stronger runner! Features - Choose a multi week training plan to suit your fitness level. - Challenger workouts to work your whole body. - Audio coach to guide you through your running workouts. - Log your workouts and keep track of your overall progress. - APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION: Connect your workouts to Health App to track your daily activity. Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it are for educational purposes only. They are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. If you upgrade to a premium Start Running subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. There is no increase in cost when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, the current period cannot be cancelled. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited if you choose to purchase a premium subscription. Find the full terms and conditions at https://www.startfitness.life/start-running-terms.html, and our privacy policy at https://www.startfitness.life/start-running-privacy.html.

About

Core

This app aims to make fitness spaces less intimidating by using visual communication systems. It offers workout tracking and fitness advice, designed to be accessible for all experience levels.

Highlights
  • Visual communication for gym accessibility
  • Fitness advice
  • Workout routine tracking
  • Habit building
  • Accessible for all levels
Features
Read full description

Welcome to the Core app! The Core brand has the mission of using visual communication systems to reduce psychological barriers to fitness participation. It integrates insights from environmental psychology, exercise science, and graphic design to make gym spaces more accessible and easier to understand, particularly to people new to those spaces, though it is designed to benefit users of all experience levels. Core provides users with fitness advice in and out of workouts, workout routine and split tracking in a way that builds a habit out of it, and more. Being a product of a college capstone project with the goal of making fitness tools as accessible as possible, all features are permanently free. No subscriptions, no purchases, no ads. Forever.

Screenshots

Start Running4 screens
Core4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Core at 100% against Start Running's 0%. Core also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). Start Running's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Start Running sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Core asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Running ships an update every 3 weeks, Core every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Start Running versus Core: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart RunningCore
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (24 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB2 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperVigour Group LtdBen Treybal

Customer experience

Start Running

All ratings24 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Core

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

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Start Running

Subscriptions3
  • Start Running Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
None

Core

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Start Running free?
Start Running is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Core free?
Core is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Start Running or Core have ads?
Neither Start Running nor Core shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start Running or Core?
Start Running ships an update every 3 weeks, and Core every 5 days. Most recently, Start Running was updated on October 10, 2026 and Core on September 20, 2026.

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