Comparison

McRun vs VDOT Running Calculator

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

Head to head
About

McRun

Calculate your running potential across various distances using your best race time. Get personalized training paces for different workout types and discover motivational tips to optimize your performance. This tool helps you target and train for peak running achievements.

Highlights
  • Calculate equivalent race times
  • Suggest optimal training paces
  • Target peak performance
  • Motivational quotes and tips
  • Supports distances from 100 yards to 100 miles
Features
Read full description

** Runner's World selected McRun "Must Have Running Apps - Top Tool" McRun is the official app version of the well-known McMillan Running Calculator. Created by internationally recognized coach Greg McMillan, this calculator allows you to compute your running potential across different distances. You only need to input your best time from one distance and McRun does the rest. The app will tell you how fast you are capable of running from 100 yards to 100 miles. It also suggests optimal training paces based on both your fitness level and the type of runner you are. McRun is a great way to target and train for peak performance. Feedback? Suggestions? Sore legs? Send us an email: peter@freestylestudios.com Quick start guide: - From Calculator screen enter your best time in any distance and press “calculate” - View your equivalent race times - Press “Workout Paces” to see recommended paces for tempo runs, long runs, easy runs, and speed workouts - Select “Recalculate” to return to the Calculator screen - Turn your iPhone sideways to see motivational quotes and training tips

About

VDOT Running Calculator

This app helps runners and coaches calculate training paces, equate race performances, and adjust for environmental factors. Based on decades of scientific research, it provides a VDOT score to measure running ability and compare performances across different distances.

Highlights
  • Calculate time, distance, and race paces
  • Determine current training paces
  • Equate race performances across distances
  • Adjust paces for heat and altitude
  • Measure running ability with VDOT score
Features
Read full description

The official VDOT Running Calculator, designed by Dr. Jack Daniels - named World's Best Running Coach by Runner's World Magazine - and the team at VDOT O2. Thanks to over 50 years of scientific research conducted by legendary coach Dr. Jack Daniels, runners and coaches can quickly determine appropriate training paces, equate race performances and adjust for heat and altitude. Features: • Calculate time, distance and race paces • Calculate your current training paces • Calculate and compare the equivalent performances of a race result at other distances • Calculate the effect of temperature or altitude on training and race paces What's Your VDOT? VDOT is a measure of your current running ability. It assigns a score to all running performances, let's you determine your current training paces, and equates a race time in one distance to another. For instance, you can compare your VDOT score from a recent 5k result to a friend's score who just ran a half marathon. Who won? What VDOT Level Have You Reached? Input a race result or estimated performance and learn what score it reaches on the VDOT scale. Enter all your past performances to see which race result scores the highest. There are 10 levels starting at Beginner - White (Female: 34.3, Male: 36.8) all the way up to Professional - Gold (Female: 71, Male: 80).

Screenshots

McRun4 screens
VDOT Running Calculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VDOT Running Calculator at Free against McRun's $4.99. VDOT Running Calculator also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (73% vs 60%). McRun's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (7.1 vs 15.0). On update cadence, 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

VDOT Running Calculator is free to download; McRun costs $4.99 up front. VDOT Running Calculator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. McRun asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VDOT Running Calculator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VDOT Running Calculator has 1.6K ratings behind it against 144, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of McRun's written reviews are positive against 73% of VDOT Running Calculator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

McRun ships an update every 3 months, VDOT Running Calculator every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
McRun versus VDOT Running Calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMcRunVDOT Running Calculator
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (144 ratings)4.9 (1.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews59.6% of reviews73.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1441.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS7.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerjohn abrahamThe Run SMART Project, LLC

Customer experience

McRun

All ratings144 ratings
Positive81.9%
Neutral2.1%
Negative16.0%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive59.6%
Neutral5.3%
Negative35.1%

VDOT Running Calculator

All ratings1,581 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral0.9%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive73.1%
Neutral7.7%
Negative19.2%

User reviews

McRun

From 144 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 🎯 Accurate pace calculations
  • ⚡ Quick workout pace suggestions
  • 📊 Helpful race predictor tool
  • 🏃 Great training aid for runners

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes on startup
  • 💰 Expensive for limited functionality
  • ❌ Less capable than free website version
  • ⚠️ Lacks detailed workout descriptions
  • 🚫 Missing key features from website

VDOT Running Calculator

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great tool
  • 👍 Simplicity of use
  • 👍 Extremely helpful
  • 👍 Does its job well
  • 👍 Good calculator

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes
  • 🐛 Limits calculations without premium
  • 🐛 Doesn't remember previous data
  • 🐛 Bugs with custom distances
  • 🐛 Can't see definitions

Bugs and requests

McRun

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • App crashes immediately upon opening
  • Crashes on iPhone 6, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 5s, iPad Pro
  • Incompatible with iOS 8.3, iOS 9.1, iOS 10
  • App closes itself within 3-6 seconds of launch
  • Crashes after recent iOS updates
Show 2 more
  • Inconsistent pace calculations vs website version
  • App won't stay open for extended use

Requested features

9 requests
  • Display vLT and vVO2 data like website
  • Add 600m distance to speed paces
  • Include VO2 max calculation function
  • Show pace for different race distances
  • Add workout descriptions and explanations
Show 4 more
  • Customize distance options
  • Provide km/mile pace conversions for treadmill
  • Support goal-based training (not just race-based)
  • Include training plan integration

VDOT Running Calculator

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when upgrading to premium
  • Can't scroll beyond 200/400m results
  • Custom distance doesn't support metric

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand time field to support ultras
  • Add 6k and 8k distances
  • Allow inputting VDOT score directly
  • Allow typing in times instead of scrolling

In-app purchases

None

McRun

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

VDOT Running Calculator

One-time1
  • VDOT Calculator Premium2 variants$8.99

Questions

Is McRun free?
McRun costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VDOT Running Calculator free?
VDOT Running Calculator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, McRun or VDOT Running Calculator?
VDOT Running Calculator is rated higher. McRun averages 4.2 out of 5 from 144 ratings, while VDOT Running Calculator averages 4.9 from 1.6K ratings.
Do McRun or VDOT Running Calculator have ads?
Neither McRun nor VDOT Running Calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, McRun or VDOT Running Calculator?
McRun ships an update every 3 months, and VDOT Running Calculator every 4 months. Most recently, McRun was updated on October 15, 2026 and VDOT Running Calculator on October 13, 2026.

Other comparisons