McRun vs VDOT Running Calculator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Calculate equivalent race times
- Suggest optimal training paces
- Target peak performance
- Motivational quotes and tips
- Supports distances from 100 yards to 100 miles
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** 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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | McRun | VDOT Running Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (144 ratings) | 4.9 (1.6K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 59.6% of reviews | 73.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 144 | 1.6K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 7.1 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | john abraham | The Run SMART Project, LLC |
Customer experience
McRun
VDOT Running Calculator
User reviews
McRun
From 144 App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
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- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
McRun
No in-app purchases
VDOT Running Calculator
- VDOT Calculator Premium2 variants$8.99
Questions
Is McRun free?
Is VDOT Running Calculator free?
Which has better reviews, McRun or VDOT Running Calculator?
Do McRun or VDOT Running Calculator have ads?
Which is updated more often, McRun or VDOT Running Calculator?
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