# Runner's World vs V.O2

The clearest difference is review sentiment: V.O2 at 71% against Runner's World's 20%. V.O2 also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). Runner's World's advantage is chart position (#206 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Runner's World sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and V.O2 sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

V.O2 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.4K and 6.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Runner's World's written reviews are positive against 71% of V.O2's.

Runner's World ships an update every 2 months, V.O2 weekly. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Runner's World | V.O2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runners-world/id470601468/reviews) | **[4.9 (6.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vo2-running-coach/id977666802/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.4K | **6.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 20.3% of reviews | **71.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#206** | — |
| Size | 60 MB | 142 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hearst Communications, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/342026653) | [The Run SMART Project, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/973571013) |

## What reviewers say

### Runner's World

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runners-world/id470601468)

**Currently charting:** #206 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

This app serves as a comprehensive guide for runners of all levels, offering inspiration and advice to improve performance and enjoyment. It allows users to access magazine content, share articles, and manage subscriptions.

**Highlights:** Running inspiration and advice, Content for all runner levels, Magazine issue access, Social sharing of content, Subscription management, Timed issue previews

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| RW 1 Month Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Runner's World 1 Year Renewable Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| The Trail 2012 | $0.99 | one-time |
| January 2012 | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2012 | $5.99 | one-time |
| April 2012 | $5.99 | one-time |
| January 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| April 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| August 2014 | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and smooth app experience
- 📰 Excellent magazine content
- 🌟 Helpful running-related information

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 🔒 Subscription and login issues
- 📥 Difficulty downloading and accessing content
- 💰 Expensive subscription cost

**Reported bugs**

- App not recognizing valid subscriptions
- Inability to download or read magazine issues
- Frequent crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- Ability to save reading progress
- Offline content access
- Improved navigation and user interface


### V.O2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vo2-running-coach/id977666802)

This app provides adaptive training plans and personalized coaching for runners of all levels. It assesses your fitness, offers custom paces, and syncs with popular devices. Train intelligently to achieve measurable improvements and become your best runner.

**Highlights:** Adaptive training plans, VDOT fitness assessment, Personalized training paces, Sync with Apple Health, Coros, Garmin, Strava, Real-time guidance on Apple Watch, Coros, Garmin, Training adaptation based on improvement, Coach communication and training adjustments

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adaptive Training Subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| Adaptive Training - Annual | $99.99 | per year |
| Base/Fitness - 8 weeks | $44.99 | one-time |
| Half Marathon - 12 weeks | $54.99 | one-time |
| 10 Km - 12 weeks | $54.99 | one-time |
| 5 Km - 12 weeks | $54.99 | one-time |
| 1500m - 12 weeks | $54.99 | one-time |
| 3 Km - 12 weeks | $54.99 | one-time |
| Marathon - 15 weeks | $69.99 | one-time |
| Half Marathon - 15 weeks | $69.99 | one-time |
| Marathon - 18 weeks | $79.99 | one-time |
| Half Marathon - 18 weeks | $79.99 | one-time |
| Jack's Elite Marathon - 18wks | $79.99 | one-time |
| Jack's First Marathon - 18wks | $79.99 | one-time |
| Jack's Boston Marathon - 18wks | $94.99 | one-time |
| Marathon - 24 weeks | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Great integration with Garmin watches
- 💡 Excellent for coaching and athlete communication
- 👍 Fantastic adaptive programming and training plans
- 👍 Seamless sync with Garmin and other platforms

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Issues with syncing to Garmin and other platforms
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance and bugs
- 🐛 Difficulty editing or moving workouts
- 🐛 Inaccurate elevation and GPS tracking
- 🔍 Limited customization and preset workout options

**Reported bugs**

- Apple Watch app issues and lack of functionality
- Problems with syncing Garmin runs to the correct workouts
- Inconsistent elevation and GPS data
- Bugs and crashes when using the app

**Requested features**

- Ability to duplicate and edit workouts
- Improved Apple Watch and Health app integration
- More advanced adaptive training and automation
- Expanded cross-training and workout modalities
- Better user interface and workflow for coaches


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Runner's World free?

Runner's World is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is V.O2 free?

V.O2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Runner's World or V.O2?

V.O2 is rated higher. Runner's World averages 4.4 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while V.O2 averages 4.9 from 6.3K ratings.

### Do Runner's World or V.O2 have ads?

Neither Runner's World nor V.O2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Runner's World or V.O2?

Runner's World ships an update every 2 months, and V.O2 weekly. Most recently, Runner's World was updated on October 26, 2026 and V.O2 on October 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*