Comparison

Run Trainer vs Run Roster

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

Run Roster

This app helps you achieve your running goals by providing training plans for various race distances. Track your progress, record finish times, and store race day photos. It also offers Apple Watch integration and syncs with Apple Health for comprehensive fitness tracking.

Highlights
  • Customizable training plans
  • Race event recording
  • Finish time tracking
  • Finish line photo storage
  • Home and lock screen widgets
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Apple Health data sync
Features
Read full description

Run Roster is your path to achieve your running goals for any upcoming 5k, 10k, 1/2 or Full Marathon races. If you have registered for a race in the future, or just want to train for your first 5k on any date from home, Run Roster will keep you motivated and on track. With Run Roster you can; - Record all your past and future running events - Monitor progress and stay accountable by keeping up with the provided training plan - Record your finish time when you complete a race, then look back and set a new goal for your next run - Keep a finish line photo to remember race day - Add the Run Roster Widget to your home screen and lock screen to display the current training run for each day With Run Roster for Apple Watch you'll see all your runs right on your wrist. - Races and training progress will sync between iPhone and Apple Watch through iCloud - Run Roster complications provide quick access right on your watch face - Almost anything you can do on Run Roster for iOS can be done right on your wrist. * photos do not sync * run events created on Apple Watch will default to the current date, date can then be edited on iPhone. Run Roster requests permission to access Apple Health data. This allows the app to track your heart rate and activity calories, which will update your activity rings. The app also requests motion data and location information to measure and display running route and pace data. All data is measured and stored on device and is not shared with the developer in any way. If you've read this far thank you for your interest in Run Roster. I am an independent iOS developer and welcome any and all feedback as to how you're using Run Roster. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: https://impulsecoupled.com/privacy-policy As of version 2.0 Run Roster now offers Annual or Monthly subscriptions to unlock the ability to view current weather and 5-day forecast for your local area. If you choose to buy an Apple Weather subscription, payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. All purchases are final. Impulse Coupled Development cannot issue refunds for purchases charged to your Apple ID. See you running! - Dan

Screenshots

Run Trainer4 screens
Run Roster4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Run Trainer at Free against Run Roster's $1.99. Run Trainer also leads on ratings volume (198 vs 1) and iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). Run Roster's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.4). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Run Trainer is free to download; Run Roster costs $1.99 up front. Run Trainer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Run Roster sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Run Roster holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Run Trainer has 198 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of Run Trainer's written reviews are positive against 50% of Run Roster's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Run Trainer ships an update monthly, Run Roster every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Run Trainer versus Run Roster: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRun TrainerRun Roster
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.4 (198 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings198 — better1
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRun Trainer B.V.Dan O'Leary

Customer experience

Run Trainer

All ratings198 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive52.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative38.0%

Run Roster

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

Run Roster

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
3 purchases

Run Roster

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Yearly$5.991 Year
One-time1
  • Run Roster Premium$2.99

Questions

Is Run Trainer free?
Run Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Run Roster free?
Run Roster costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Run Trainer or Run Roster?
Run Roster is rated higher. Run Trainer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 198 ratings, while Run Roster averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Run Trainer or Run Roster have ads?
Neither Run Trainer nor Run Roster shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Run Trainer or Run Roster?
Run Trainer ships an update monthly, and Run Roster every 6 weeks. Most recently, Run Trainer was updated on September 25, 2026 and Run Roster on August 18, 2026.

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