Comparison

Singletrack Studio vs Ascend

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

Head to head
About

Singletrack Studio

Access South Africa's premier online gym anytime, anywhere. Offers a wide range of fitness classes like cycling, yoga, and pilates to help you build sustainable healthy habits.

Highlights
  • Unlimited workout access
  • Cycling classes
  • Yoga classes
  • Pilates classes
  • 24/7 availability
  • Habit formation focus
Read full description

Introducing South Africa's leading online gym, available 24/7 on your mobile device. Enjoy unlimited access to a variety of workouts including cycling, yoga, pilates, and more. Our goal is to help you make lasting changes in your daily routine. Join us today and start your journey on the right track with Singletrack. Read more about our terms and privacy policy here: https://www.singletrack.online/terms-and-conditions/ https://www.singletrack.online/privacy-policy/

About

Ascend

This app offers intelligent, adaptive training plans for trail runners. It focuses on running impact and provides a comprehensive toolkit including cross-training, strength routines, and strategy sessions. Get personalized guidance to become a faster, stronger trail runner.

Highlights
  • Adaptive training plans
  • Running Impact metric
  • Trail-specific metrics
  • Cross-training options
  • Strength routines
  • Fueling guidance
  • Personalized coaching
Features
Read full description

AlbonApp is now Ascend. The app designed for trail runners and shaped by the trails. Become a faster, stronger trail runner with intelligent training that adapts to you. Whether you're preparing for a vertical kilometer, a rugged mountain ultra, or your next weekend adventure, Ascend creates a plan tailored to your current fitness level and future goals. Train smart and run strong with trail-specific coaching, metrics, and tools. Sign up risk-free for 14 days! Developed by elite trail runners, Ascend was born from a real need: training that truly works for the trails. Our groundbreaking Running Impact tool eliminates the guesswork from load management by measuring how each run mechanically affects your body – not just how far you went. Beyond just a running plan, you'll get cross-training options, strength routines, strategy sessions, prehab protocols, fueling guidance, and more. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all program – it’s a complete toolkit for trail runners who want to train with purpose and arrive at the start line ready. Why trail runners choose Ascend Built Around Running Impact, Not Just Distance Trail running isn’t flat or predictable, and neither is your training load. That’s why our unique Running Impact metric tracks the mechanical stress of each run, helping you train smarter, lower your injury risk, and measure real progress based on what truly matters. Adaptive Training That Evolves With You Forget one-size-fits-all. Ascend delivers personalised training plans that adapt in real time to your evolving fitness level and goals. By analysing your workout history and integrating insights from Running Impact, Speed, and Cardio, our multidimensional model creates a truly tailored plan. Build Cardio Without Compromising Your Running Cross-training matters, but it shouldn’t skew your running goals. Ascend plans and tracks cardio training separately from running, ensuring your run progress stays visible, focused, and realistic. Trail-Smart Metrics & Insights Train with purpose using trail-specific analytics. Monitor your vert ratio, grade-adjusted pace, effort zones, and training progression over time. No fluff – just clear, actionable insights built specifically for trail runners. Fully Adaptable. Fully Yours. Plans should flex with your life. Move workouts, adjust your weekly training load, or add bonus sessions. Ascend comes with expert-backed recommendations, but you stay in control. Every Piece of the Trail Puzzle From strength training and prehab to fueling guidance and session tips, Ascend goes beyond a running plan. It’s a complete trail training toolkit designed to support you every step of the way. The Human Touch Questions? We’ve got answers – from real trail runners and world-class athletes, not bots. Whether it’s a training tweak or a race-day strategy, get guidance from people who’ve been there before. Because real advice beats algorithms. COMPATIBLE DEVICES Ascend syncs seamlessly with Strava (no premium account required), so your workouts and metrics are logged automatically – no extra steps needed. GET STARTED WITH YOUR 14-DAY FREE TRIAL Download Ascend and train with a plan that adapts to every climb and descent. Start your 14-day free trial today!

Screenshots

Singletrack Studio4 screens
Ascend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Singletrack Studio at free with in-app purchases against Ascend's subscription. Singletrack Studio also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 88%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). Ascend's advantage is ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Singletrack Studio sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Ascend sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Singletrack Studio against 5.0 for Ascend. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Singletrack Studio's written reviews are positive against 88% of Ascend's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Singletrack Studio ships an update every 3 weeks, Ascend every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Singletrack Studio versus Ascend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSingletrack StudioAscend
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSingletrackAlbon App AS

Customer experience

Singletrack Studio

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Ascend

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative6.3%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Singletrack Studio

Subscriptions3
  • Singletrack Corporate 100$4.991 Month
  • Digital Classes7 Days trial$21.991 Month
  • Digital Classes & Bike Rental$81.991 Month
3 purchases

Ascend

Subscriptions3
  • One month subscription14 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription14 Days trial$149.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription14 Days trial$209.001 Year

Questions

Is Singletrack Studio free?
Singletrack Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ascend free?
Ascend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Singletrack Studio or Ascend?
Singletrack Studio and Ascend are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 4 ratings respectively.
Do Singletrack Studio or Ascend have ads?
Neither Singletrack Studio nor Ascend shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Singletrack Studio or Ascend?
Singletrack Studio ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ascend every 2 weeks. Most recently, Singletrack Studio was updated on October 24, 2026 and Ascend on October 24, 2026.

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