Comparison

Run Trainer vs Interval Timer

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

Interval Timer

Organize your running and high-intensity interval training sessions with ease. Quickly set up custom time intervals for running, walking, warm-ups, and cool-downs. Receive voice and vibration notifications for interval changes, and enjoy background music playback.

Highlights
  • Intuitive design
  • Customizable time intervals
  • Warm-up and cool-down timers
  • Voice and vibration notifications
  • Background music support
  • Foreground/background operation
Features
Read full description

Interval Run is a running interval timer for iPhone and Apple Watch. Create run/walk intervals, sprint sessions, and HIIT workouts in seconds. Train with voice announcements and haptic cues, control workouts from Apple Watch, save sessions to Apple Health, and track your workout history. Choose from 25+ ready-made running workouts or build your own. Follow intervals from the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island, and focus on your run. 25+ READY-MADE RUNNING WORKOUTS • Explore run/walk workouts, running intervals, sprints, hill repeats, tempo runs, fartlek sessions, ladders, pyramids, and more • Find workouts for speed, endurance, recovery, and different training goals • Start any workout immediately or customize it to match your training • Save your favorites to My Workouts for quick access BUILD YOUR OWN INTERVAL WORKOUT • Create simple run/walk intervals or advanced multi-step workouts • Add warm-up, running, walking, recovery, rest, and cool-down sections • Set a custom duration for every step • Repeat intervals and complete workout blocks • Add custom cues to guide you through each workout step • Build sprint, HIIT, cardio, and structured running sessions • Save multiple workouts and reuse them anytime • Preview the complete workout before you start VOICE & HAPTIC INTERVAL CUES • Hear clear voice announcements at every interval transition • Feel haptic cues when it’s time to run, walk, recover, or rest • Keep your workout active while your iPhone is locked or the app is in the background • Follow your current interval from the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island with Live Activities • Listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while you train RUN WITH APPLE WATCH • Sync workouts to Apple Watch • Start, pause, and control workouts directly from your wrist • Run phone-free with your workouts ready on Apple Watch • Follow interval progress without repeatedly checking your phone • Track heart rate, distance, and active energy during your workout • Get haptic interval cues directly on your Watch • Save completed workouts to Apple Health TRACK YOUR TRAINING • Browse completed workouts in calendar and history views • Review workout duration, intervals, distance, and active energy • Look back at your running and interval training over time • Share your workout results • Export and restore backups of your workout data MADE FOR RUNNERS WHO TRAIN WITH INTERVALS Whether you’re starting with beginner run/walk intervals, adding speed work to your weekly training, preparing for a 5K or another race, or creating a challenging HIIT session, Interval Run keeps every interval clear from start to finish. Use it as a simple run/walk timer, a running interval timer for speed training, an Apple Watch interval timer for phone-free workouts, or a flexible workout builder for more advanced structured sessions. From beginner run/walk workouts to sprints, tempo runs, hill repeats, fartlek training, and custom multi-step sessions, Interval Run adapts to the way you train. Start with one of 25+ ready-made workouts or create your own. Interval Run handles the timing so you can focus on your training. Some features shown, including the full workout library, advanced workout creation, multiple saved workouts, and full workout history, require Interval Run Pro. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Run Trainer4 screens
Interval Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

Run Trainer and Interval Timer both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 53% of Run Trainer's written reviews are positive against 21% of Interval Timer's. Run Trainer also leads on iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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 Interval Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 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 — 4.4 for Run Trainer against 4.5 for Interval Timer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 199 and 538 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of Run Trainer's written reviews are positive against 21% of Interval Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Run Trainer versus Interval Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRun TrainerInterval Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (199 ratings)4.5 (538 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.9% of reviews — better21.1% of reviews
Number of ratings199538 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRun Trainer B.V.Roma Sosnovsky

Customer experience

Run Trainer

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

Interval Timer

All ratings536 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews95 reviews
Positive21.1%
Neutral8.4%
Negative70.5%

User reviews

Run Trainer

From 199 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

Interval Timer

From 538 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Simple and easy to use
  • 👍 Customizable intervals
  • 🚀 Straightforward app
  • 👍 Works as advertised
  • 👍 Great for getting back into running

Room to improve

  • 🔇 No audio prompts when screen is locked
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔒 Limited free version
  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance
  • 🔇 Voice prompts not loud enough

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

Interval Timer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Timer resets or freezes during workout
  • Prompts not working when phone is locked or in pocket
  • Unexpected interval changes or duration changes
  • Compatibility issues with music playback

Requested features

6 requests
  • Option to pause/resume timer
  • Larger time remaining display
  • Apple Watch app
  • Ability to play audio prompts even with screen off
  • More interval options (run/walk/jog)
Show 1 more
  • Congratulatory audio cue at the end

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

Interval Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Interval Run Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Interval Run Pro Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full Version$2.99

Questions

Is Run Trainer free?
Run Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Run Trainer or Interval Timer?
Interval Timer is rated higher. Run Trainer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 199 ratings, while Interval Timer averages 4.5 from 538 ratings.
Do Run Trainer or Interval Timer have ads?
Neither Run Trainer nor Interval Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Run Trainer or Interval Timer?
Run Trainer ships an update monthly, and Interval Timer monthly. Most recently, Run Trainer was updated on November 1, 2026 and Interval Timer on November 1, 2026.

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