Comparison

Run Trainer vs Start Running For Beginners

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

Head to head
About

Run Trainer

This app serves as a personal running coach and GPS tracker, offering guided training plans for various distances from Couch to 5K to half marathons. It provides audio coaching, detailed performance statistics, and seamless integration with Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Personalized training plans (Couch to 5K, 10K, Half Marathon)
  • Customizable training schedules (MyPlan)
  • Audio coaching with voice cues
  • Integrated music control
  • Free Run mode for untracked runs
  • Accurate GPS tracking with Apple Maps
  • Detailed performance statistics (SpeedMap, pace overview)
  • Apple Watch app for hands-free training
Features
Read full description

Get ready to hit your running goals, maybe even smash them, with Run Trainer, your personal running coach and GPS run tracker. Whether you’re a beginner dreaming of your first 5K with Start to Run (Couch to 5K) or an experienced runner training for a faster 10K or half marathon, our iOS app with Apple Watch support is built to guide you every step of the way. Improve your health, lose weight or simply stay in top shape with our built-in training plans, or build your own in minutes. Why runners choose Run Trainer Personalized training plans for every level - From Couch to 5K for absolute beginners to advanced plans for 10K, 15K and even a half marathon. - With MyPlan, you can easily create custom training schedules, perfect for recovery blocks or specific goals. - Our plans use a clear, effective 3-step approach: Walk, Jog, Run. Smart training with audio coaching - Get clear voice cues during every workout to guide your pace and structure so you stay on rhythm and motivated. - Enjoy your own music from Apple Music, Spotify, Podcasts or other apps. Run Trainer automatically lowers the volume for instructions so you stay focused. - Prefer running freely with tracking? Free Run lets you head out without a plan while still tracking your performance. Accurate GPS tracking & detailed stats - Record your route with live GPS using Apple Maps. - See distance, time, pace and calories at a glance. During and after your run. - Dig into performance details with the unique SpeedMap, showing exactly where you sped up or slowed down and where you can optimize your pace for better results. - Review a clear pace overview (min/km) across all your workouts to monitor progress and set targets. Seamless with your Apple devices - Leave your iPhone in your pocket or in the holder. The Apple Watch app shows live running data on your wrist so you can train hands-free. - Sync your training data effortlessly with our free cloud service and Apple Health for a complete view of your fitness and health metrics. Your progress, always within reach - Your stats sync automatically with your free account. - Never worry about losing progress. Log in and pick up where you left off, even on a new phone or after reinstalling the app. Run Trainer: by runners, for runners We believe in simplicity and effectiveness. Run Trainer is built by runners for runners, delivering an intuitive, motivating coaching experience. See why so many runners have appreciated its clarity and functionality for over 10 years. Try Run Trainer risk-free today. Enjoy a generous free period with access to all features, without automatic subscription renewal. Explore everything first, then decide if you want to become a member. Start your running journey now, improve your fitness and discover your full potential! Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Start Running For Beginners

This app guides beginners into running with a structured plan designed to increase jogging time gradually. It offers personalized coaching, detailed tracking, and voice feedback to help users achieve their fitness goals, including weight loss.

Highlights
  • Personal running coach
  • Couch to 5K training plan
  • Distance, speed, and pace tracker
  • GPS route tracking
  • Calorie counter
  • Voice feedback
Features
Read full description

Taking up running? What could be easier! Don’t worry about distance, pace, or speed. Let's think about all this later. Listen to the instructions and run as you like. Don't focus on your running technique. The most important thing now is to get out and start running. Your goal is to increase the jogging time. Nothing else matters right now. Features: + Personal running coach + Couch to 5K (c25k) alternative training plan + Detailed statistics of each training + Distance, speed and pace tracker + GPS-route of every session + Built-in pedometer + Calorie counter + Custom workouts + Voice feedback + Sync with Apple Health The workout plan is split into 4 levels. Each level has a specific goal for jogging duration: • Level 1 goal is 20 minutes. • Level 2 goal is 30 minutes. • Level 3 goal is 40 minutes. • Level 4 goal is 60 minutes of running. Each level has a 4-weeks duration, and 3 workouts per week. Join us running! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Run Trainer4 screens
Start Running For Beginners4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Start Running For Beginners at 97% against Run Trainer's 53%. Start Running For Beginners also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 198). Run Trainer's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Run Trainer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Start Running For Beginners sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Start Running For Beginners holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Running For Beginners has 2.1K ratings behind it against 198, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Run Trainer's written reviews are positive against 97% of Start Running For Beginners's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Run Trainer ships an update monthly, Start Running For Beginners every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Run Trainer versus Start Running For Beginners: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRun TrainerStart Running For Beginners
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (198 ratings)4.7 (2.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.9% of reviews96.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1982.1K — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.616.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRun Trainer B.V.Axiom Mobile LLC

Customer experience

Run Trainer

All ratings198 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive52.9%
Neutral8.7%
Negative38.5%

Start Running For Beginners

All ratings2,063 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral2.9%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews1,322 reviews
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.1%
Negative1.1%

User reviews

Run Trainer

From 198 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Excellent for beginner runners
  • 🎯 Effective interval training structure
  • 🎵 Works with music in background
  • 📊 Good progress tracking and statistics
  • ⚡ Simple and easy to use interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and glitches
  • 🔐 Difficult to cancel subscriptions
  • 💰 Misleading free trial/freemium model
  • 📱 Login issues and authentication problems
  • 🌐 WiFi-only connectivity requirement

Start Running For Beginners

From 2.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Gradual progression
  • 💪 Helps build endurance
  • 🎧 Allows listening to music
  • 📈 Tracks progress

Room to improve

  • 🔊 Audio prompts can be difficult to hear
  • 🔒 Requires payment to unlock full features
  • 🧭 No treadmill mode
  • 🔄 Inability to repeat previous workouts

Bugs and requests

Run Trainer

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App crashes mid-run and loses recording
  • Pausing workout causes progress restart
  • Login freezes and authentication failures
  • Sign-up form stuck on DOB slider
  • App won't open or keeps crashing
Show 9 more
  • Cellular connectivity not working
  • GPS not recording distance accurately
  • Voice command timing off by seconds
  • Text overlapping and display corruption
  • Music playlist won't save between runs
  • App logs out unexpectedly
  • Marathon pack programs inaccessible
  • Interface buttons showing incorrect text
  • Non-English content in settings

Requested features

10 requests
  • Apple Watch standalone functionality without phone
  • Integration with Fitbit and MyFitnessPal
  • Integration with native Fitness app
  • Weight loss tracking integration
  • Treadmill mode improvements
Show 5 more
  • More detailed feature documentation
  • Voice-only coaching option
  • Continued distance tracking after workout completion
  • Better music playlist management
  • Indoor running options

Start Running For Beginners

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Sync issues when changing devices
  • App crashes or freezes occasionally

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more customization options
  • Provide more detailed workout statistics
  • Integrate with fitness trackers
  • Offer more advanced training plans

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Run Trainer

Subscriptions3
  • All features per month1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • All features per 3 months3 Months trial$15.493 Months
  • All features per month year1 Year trial$43.991 Year
5 purchases

Start Running For Beginners

Subscriptions2
  • Full Version$1.991 Month
  • Full Version$4.996 Months
One-time3
  • Full Version$1.99
  • Full version$4.99
  • Full version$9.99

Questions

Is Run Trainer free?
Run Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Start Running For Beginners free?
Start Running For Beginners is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Run Trainer or Start Running For Beginners?
Start Running For Beginners is rated higher. Run Trainer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 198 ratings, while Start Running For Beginners averages 4.7 from 2.1K ratings.
Do Run Trainer or Start Running For Beginners have ads?
Neither Run Trainer nor Start Running For Beginners shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Run Trainer or Start Running For Beginners?
Run Trainer ships an update monthly, and Start Running For Beginners every 3 months. Most recently, Run Trainer was updated on September 14, 2026 and Start Running For Beginners on September 24, 2026.

Other comparisons