Comparison

10K Trainer by C25K® vs 5K Training Plan

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

Head to head
About

10K Trainer by C25K®

This app guides beginners from sedentary to running a 10K in 14 weeks with a structured walk/run program. It features an audio coach, progress tracking, and community support. Ideal for those new to running or graduating from a 5K program.

Highlights
  • 14-week walk/run training plan
  • Audio coach guidance
  • Progress tracking
  • Community forums
  • Integration with Health app
  • Music integration
Features
Read full description

■ The Official 10K Trainer app with millions of success stories! ■ Official partners and the ONLY C25K (Couch to 5K) app featured on FITBIT and SAMSUNG smart watches! ■ Featured on The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, Men's Fitness, Forbes, Mashable, Glamour Magazine, Popsugar Fitness, CBS News, NBC News, Macworld, Cosmopolitan, Lifehacker, WebMD and many more! "Daily programs that alternate between short bursts of walking and running until you're ready to go the distance." - Forbes "One of the highest-rated health and fitness apps... A modest, realistic workout schedule." - Men's Fitness ≈ Real-Life Inspirational Transformations ≈ ◎ Over 175,000 Likes and 1500 Success Photos at facebook.com/c25kfree ◎ Our community inspires one another (and inspires us!) everyday. Hear some of their amazing stories. "In this last year I have lost 97 lbs, gotten off insulin and 9 other medications, completed the C25K running app and started the 10k app. Life is a blessing." - Diana “I went from a size 16 to a size 7. I tell anyone I can about the app. because it was nothing short of a life changer.” - Amber 10K Trainer is the easiest program to get beginners from couch potatoes to 10K distance runners in just 14 weeks. By the same experts who created the #1 C25K® (Couch to 5K) training app! Don’t worry, if you are already a 5K graduate, you can skip ahead and pick up where C25K® app leaves off! This proven 14 week plan will allow users to slowly build strength and stamina by alternating between walking and running. The blend of walking and running together reduces the overall impact and risk of injury, keeps your body guessing, and prepares you to go the distance. By the end of the program, you will be stronger and healthier than you have ever been. You'll be a 10K runner! Turn on our award winning music and just press start! Our audio coach will guide you through your run! It's that easy! ≈ Less is More ≈ ◎ First week free! Easy to learn. Just press start! ◎ Ideal for beginners. ◎ 14 weeks total. ≈ Features ≈ ◉ Easiest 10k program at only 3 times/week ◉ Convenient audio coach and alerts ◉ Map your run at the end of your workout! ◉ Light and dark modes ◉ Integrates with the Health app ◉ Free iPad integration for indoor treadmills ◉ Integrated with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram ◉ Access to our forums with thousands of veterans and newcomers starting the app. Join the community and meet other runners! ≈ NEW Zen Unlimited Pass - Try it for free! ≈ ◉ Award winning music curated from top DJ's! ◉ Scientifically proven to increase motivation by 35% ◉ Unlimited access to all pro features across ALL Zen Labs Fitness apps ◉ Unlock calories, distance, Apple watch integration, and more ◉ One subscription unlocks all our apps! Questions/comments? Please email us at contactus@zenlabsfitness.com, or visit us at www.zenlabsfitness.com. ≈ Connect ≈ Facebook: @C25Kfree Twitter: @C25Kfree Instagram: @officialc25k Hashtag: #C25K Zen Labs is a proud supporter of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. breastcancerdeadline2020.org Subscription pricing and terms: The subscription will automatically renew unless turned off in your iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before current period ends. You can go to your iTunes Account settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Your iTunes Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. If you subscribe before your free trial ends, the rest of your free trial period will be forfeited as soon as your purchase is confirmed. Privacy Policy & Terms of Use: https://www.zenlabsfitness.com/privacy-policy/ Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it or by Zen Labs LLC are for educational purposes only. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. C25K® is a registered trademark of Zen Labs LLC

About

5K Training Plan

This 8-week program guides beginner runners from inactivity to completing a 5K race. It's designed to be effective for most users, helping them achieve their running goals.

Highlights
  • 8-week training schedule
  • Beginner-focused
  • Couch to 5K progression
  • Designed for most users
Features
Read full description

This 5K training plan was designed for beginning runners who plan to run a 5K. This plan will take you from your couch to running a 5K (3.1 miles) in just 8 weeks. We spent tons of time researching and developing a plan that will work for almost anyone.

Screenshots

10K Trainer by C25K®4 screens
5K Training Plan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: 10K Trainer by C25K® at 76% against 5K Training Plan's 0%. 10K Trainer by C25K® also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.0) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 57 months). 5K Training Plan's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. 10K Trainer by C25K® sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. 5K Training Plan asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

10K Trainer by C25K® holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 10K Trainer by C25K® has 22K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of 10K Trainer by C25K®'s written reviews are positive against 0% of 5K Training Plan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

10K Trainer by C25K® ships an update every 6 weeks, 5K Training Plan every 57 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
10K Trainer by C25K® versus 5K Training Plan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter10K Trainer by C25K®5K Training Plan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (22K ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews76.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 57 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size321 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZen Labscorey hoggard

Customer experience

10K Trainer by C25K®

All ratings21,551 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews422 reviews
Positive76.3%
Neutral6.2%
Negative17.5%

5K Training Plan

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

10K Trainer by C25K®

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Timers not syncing accurately with other devices
  • Workout data sometimes not recorded properly

Requested features

3 requests
  • Apple Watch integration for standalone use
  • More advanced training options beyond just 10K
  • Ability to customize audio prompts and volume

5K Training Plan

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

10K Trainer by C25K®

Subscriptions4
  • Zen Unlimited Pass Monthly1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Unlock Your Potential7 Days trial$29.993 Months
  • Unlock Your Potential1 Month trial$29.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Zen Unlimited Pass Annual7 Days trial$74.991 Year
One-time2
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • Go To Pro$6.99
None

5K Training Plan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 10K Trainer by C25K® free?
10K Trainer by C25K® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 5K Training Plan free?
5K Training Plan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 10K Trainer by C25K® or 5K Training Plan?
10K Trainer by C25K® is rated higher. 10K Trainer by C25K® averages 4.8 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while 5K Training Plan averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do 10K Trainer by C25K® or 5K Training Plan have ads?
Both 10K Trainer by C25K® and 5K Training Plan show ads.
Which is updated more often, 10K Trainer by C25K® or 5K Training Plan?
10K Trainer by C25K® ships an update every 6 weeks, and 5K Training Plan every 57 months. Most recently, 10K Trainer by C25K® was updated on November 8, 2026 and 5K Training Plan on November 3, 2026.

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