Comparison

Runance vs TrueEffort

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

Head to head
About

Runance

Easily track your runs with this privacy-focused app designed exclusively for Apple Watch. Monitor live metrics, view workout history on your iPhone, and store your data securely in Apple Health. No account or ads required.

Highlights
  • Live workout metrics (heart rate, distance, tempo)
  • Always-On display support
  • Auto-pause and resume workouts
  • Music control via media player
  • Workout history browsing
  • Workout route mapping
  • Privacy-focused data storage in Apple Health
Read full description

EXCLUSIVE FOR APPLE WATCH Looking for an easy and privacy-focused way to track your runs? Look no further than Runance for Apple Watch. This simple app lets you record your runs through your watch and gets detailed information about your workouts through the iOS app. Runance is free and requires no account registration. With its easy-to-use interface and privacy-focused design, Runance is the perfect app to help you record and monitor your progress. And best of all, it's free! So why not give it a try today? WHY YOU WILL LOVE RUNANCE - Runance is completely free. No hidden in-app purchases. - No Ads. No annoyances. - No Membership. No registration. - Privacy Focused: Your data will be stored in securely in Health. RUNANCE FOR APPLE WATCH: FEATURES - View live metrics during your workout, such as: heart rate, training zone, distance, tempo, and elapsed time. - Never miss out on relevant information using the Always-On display on newer watch models. - Switch between rolling and average tempos by tapping on the metric. - Pause and resume workouts. Runance also supports auto-pause. - Control your music with the media player. - Browse the most recent workouts FEATURES OF THE IOS APP - Browse your workout history. - Get information about your workouts, such as heart-rate, pace-splits, and energy burned. - Take a look back at your workout route through the map. NO LOGIN REQUIRED Tired of creating an account for everything? You can use Runance right away without having to create a membership. PRIVACY FIRST Runance is designed for privacy. Your data will only be stored in Apple Health, which securely stores all your health and fitness data you already have on your device. No data will be shared with 3rd party services. So, what are you waiting for? Put your shoes on and start your journey to a healthier you! SUPPORT Any questions or feature requests? Contact me at josh@runanceapp.com

About

TrueEffort

Features
Read full description

Race the course, not the clock. TrueEffort calculates effort-adjusted splits — splits that actually account for the hills. Instead of dividing your goal time evenly by distance, it uses a scientifically-validated grade-adjusted pace model to tell you exactly how fast to run each segment, so you arrive at the finish on target feeling like you gave the same effort the whole way. Just import your route and set a goal: • Drop in a GPX, FIT, TCX, or KML file from Strava, Garmin, or any GPS watch • Set a target finish time or pace, and choose your pacing strategy • Get a precise, effort-adjusted split for every kilometre or mile • See the elevation profile, gradient, and climbs at a glance TrueEffort Pro — plan smarter races: • Race-day weather for your exact route and start time: temperature, wind, rain, and a 0–100 conditions score • Weather-adjusted pacing, with per-split wind showing where you'll fight a headwind or get a push • Multiple race goals (A/B/C) to compare side by side • Save your race plans and export them as a clean PDF to carry on race day Free for everyone: • Grade-adjusted, effort-based splits • Elevation, gradient, and route analysis • Famous courses and your recent imports Whether it's a hilly trail ultra or a fast road marathon, TrueEffort helps you pace it right. EULA https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Runance4 screens
TrueEffort4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Runance at none against TrueEffort's 3. Runance also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). TrueEffort's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 months). 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. TrueEffort sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Runance asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Runance ships an update every 4 months, TrueEffort every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Runance versus TrueEffort: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRunanceTrueEffort
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoshua BrunhuberLuis Machado

In-app purchases

None

Runance

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

TrueEffort

Subscriptions2
  • TrueEffort Pro – Monthly$0.991 Month
  • TrueEffort Pro – Yearly7 Days trial$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • TrueEffort Pro – Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is Runance free?
Runance is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TrueEffort free?
TrueEffort is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Runance or TrueEffort have ads?
Neither Runance nor TrueEffort shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Runance or TrueEffort?
Runance ships an update every 4 months, and TrueEffort every 9 days. Most recently, Runance was updated on September 10, 2026 and TrueEffort on September 18, 2026.

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