Couch to 5K® vs Second Sun
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Couch to 5K®
This app guides new runners from a sedentary lifestyle to completing a 5K race. It offers a structured nine-week training plan with virtual coaches and audio cues. Track your progress, map routes, and log workouts to achieve your running goals.
- Structured 9-week training plan
- Choice of 4 virtual coaches
- Audio cues for workouts
- GPS route mapping and distance tracking
- Workout logging and progress sharing
- Treadmill support with manual entry
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Get off the couch and get running with the OFFICIAL Couch to 5K® training app! This oft-imitated program has helped thousands of new runners move from the couch to the finish line. Spend just 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week, for nine weeks, and you’ll be ready to finish your first 5K (3.1-mile) race! Get more information about the Couch to 5K app here: http://www.active.com/mobile/couch-to-5k-app Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. The Couch to 5K coach you select talks to you during your workouts. To save your battery, Couch to 5K sends audio notifications when your screen is locked or another app is in use. To be sure you hear the coach during your workout, please do the following: • Turn on Notifications permissions • Turn on the hardware ring/silent switch (no red showing) • Turn your ringer volume up • Turn off Do Not Disturb (swipe up for Control Panel and the moon button should not be white) • Within the app, in Settings > Workout Options, be sure the Trainer Volume is up Without granting notification permissions, during a workout you can click the lock icon at the top left to keep the app active and still hear the coach. For support please contact us at: MobileSupport@activenetwork.com We would love to hear from you. WINNER of the 2012 Appy Award for best Healthcare & Fitness App! Features • Training plan designed by Active.com trainers • Choose from 4 different motivating virtual coaches—Johnny Dead, Constance, Billie or Sergeant Block • Hear human audio cues to guide you through each workout • Listen to your favorite playlists with in-app music player • Calculate your distance & pace and map your routes with FREE GPS support* • Log your workouts and share your progress on Facebook • Get support from the largest running community on Active.com Trainer • Repeat workouts and track your best performance • Treadmill support allows manual entry of workouts • Track your progress with total distance and average pace • Graphs for workouts to compare distance and pace Finished the Couch to 5K program and ready to take your running program to the next level? Check out our 5K to 10K app to prep for your first 10K race here. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/5k-to-10k/id526458735! Praise "The popular Couch to 5K app helps new runners avoid injury from doing too much, too soon." —Runners World, June 2012 "It's ridiculously easy to use (it's hard not to, as you just do what you're told) and it's fantastic that you have an encouraging voice talking you through things." —Engadget, June 2012 "Active.com’s Couch to 5K is one of my favorite… apps. With its customizable features, interactivity, and well-rounded interface, I may actually stay off the couch this time." —148Apps, October 2011 "I knew as soon as I decided to start the Couch to 5K program that I would need something to keep me accountable—not just to showing up for my training, but to actually doing it properly. Of course there’s an app for that." —CalorieLab, April 2012 "If you have been struggling to get your buns off the couch and somewhat in shape before the summer hits, training for a 5K is not a bad way to start. If you are looking for a program to help get you there, then the “Couch to 5K” running plan by CoolRunning is probably your best bet if you haven’t done an ounce of athletic activity for a number of years." —Droid Life, April 2012 FAQ • Once you purchase the app, it is yours to keep. It does not expire after 9 weeks.
Second Sun
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Second Sun was built by a stroke survivor, for survivors. At 22, Shawn Springs had a stroke. After 7 months of therapy, he rebuilt his life — but he did it without the tools, community, or companion he needed. Second Sun is the app he wished had existed. YOUR RECOVERY COMPANION Meet Sol — an AI companion built specifically for stroke and brain injury recovery. Sol isn't a generic chatbot. She knows your story, understands your journey, and shows up for you every single time. • Free: 10 Sol conversations per day • Plus: Unlimited conversations + Sol remembers your history across every session DAILY CHECK-IN Start every day with a simple mood check-in. Track how you feel over time and watch your recovery story unfold — one day at a time. MILESTONES Your wins deserve to be celebrated. Earn badges for 7-day streaks, 30 days, 90 days, and more. Every step counts and Second Sun sees it. CHAIR YOGA Adaptive yoga sessions designed for stroke survivors — led by Shawn himself, a certified yoga instructor and 12-year survivor. SECOND SUN PLUS Unlock your full recovery toolkit: • Unlimited Sol conversations • Sol remembers your conversations across sessions • Daily Recovery Journal — write, reflect, and grow • Goal tracking — set and celebrate recovery milestones • Curated Resource Library — vetted tools for survivors and caregivers CAREGIVER SUPPORT When stroke happens, it happens to the whole family. Caregivers get their own dedicated account — with Sol support, a personal journal, and resources made for them. Because you cannot pour from an empty cup. RESILIENT MINDS COMMUNITY Join our weekly virtual support group — Thursdays at 6:30 PM Central live on YouTube. Real people. Real stories. Real support. BUILT ON LIVED EXPERIENCE Second Sun was created by someone who has lived every hard day of stroke recovery. This isn't a wellness app repurposed for survivors — it was built from the ground up, for this community, by one of your own. You are not alone in this. Your second sun is rising. Second Sun Plus is available as a monthly subscription ($9.99/month). Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple ID Account Settings. Privacy Policy: https://secondsunapp.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Second Sun at Free against Couch to 5K®'s $4.99. Second Sun also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 months). Couch to 5K®'s advantage is chart position (#8 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Second Sun is free to download; Couch to 5K® costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Couch to 5K® ships an update every 4 months, Second Sun every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Couch to 5K® | Second Sun |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (4.7K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4.7K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #8 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 141 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Active Network, LLC | MELVIN SHAWN SPRINGS |
Bugs and requests
Couch to 5K®
Reported bugs
3 issues- Timer freezing during runs
- Workout data not saving properly
- Inability to adjust completed workouts
Requested features
6 requests- Ability to preview upcoming workouts
- Option to customize intervals
- Integration with Apple Health/Fitness
- Standalone Apple Watch app
- Shuffle option for music playlists
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- More detailed workout data and analytics
Second Sun
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Couch to 5K®
No in-app purchases
Second Sun
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Couch to 5K® free?
Is Second Sun free?
Do Couch to 5K® or Second Sun have ads?
Which is updated more often, Couch to 5K® or Second Sun?
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