Comparison

Zombies, Run! 5k Training vs Simple Workout Coach

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

Head to head
About

Zombies, Run! 5k Training

This app offers an 8-week audio adventure and training program designed to help beginners run a 5km distance. It provides clear instructions for walking, jogging, running, and stretching, building stamina and confidence over 25 workouts with a gripping story delivered to your headphones.

Highlights
  • 8-week 5K training program
  • Audio adventure story
  • Beginner-friendly workouts
  • Walk, jog, run, and stretch guidance
  • Progress tracking and stats
  • Integration with music apps
  • Syncs with Apple Health
Features
Read full description

Zombies, Run! 5k Training is an 8-week training program and audio adventure for beginners that’ll improve your fitness so you can run a 5km distance. We give you clear and detailed instructions about when to walk, jog, run and stretch, building up your confidence and stamina over 25 workouts - combined with a gripping story delivered straight to your headphones. (If you already have running experience, check out our “Zombies, Run!” app with extra features including 400 more missions, Zombie Chase interval training, a base-building game, and more!) Zombies, Run! 5k Training is from the creators of Zombies, Run! (Six to Start & Naomi Alderman), the world’s most popular smartphone fitness game with 5 million players worldwide. Featured by the New York Times, BBC, Time, Wired, and Runner's World! WHAT PLAYERS SAY ABOUT ZOMBIES, RUN! “This app is amazing. It gets me wanting to go for a run, it’s not exercise anymore, it’s pure entertainment.” “Keeps me entertained and actually makes me want to stay out running longer. Love it!” “This app is a work of genius - I finally have a reason to run!! EXPERTLY-DESIGNED 5K TRAINING PROGRAM Devised by Julia Jones and Shauna Reid of Up and Running e-courses, this 8-week, 25 workout training program combines awesome storytelling with expert training know-how. Using this app isn’t just good for you - it’s also amazingly exciting! GET FIT AND BECOME A HERO You’re Runner 5, a vital member of one of the last outposts of humanity at Abel Township. During 25 workouts, you’ll be trained to help find supplies and protect the town from the ever-encroaching horde of the shambling dead, in a story written by award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman. You’ll learn about the characters, and you’ll have a vital mission of your own to train for and complete. Once your training is complete, you’ll be in the perfect place to continue the story as the hero in Zombies, Run! PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS Everything about Zombies, Run! 5k Training is designed for beginner runners: clear and detailed workout instructions, a gentle learning curve, and importantly, we don’t make any zombies chase you until you’re ready! UNLOCK THE STORY Unlock all workouts for unlimited play by subscribing to the Abel Runner's Club! YOUR OWN SOUNDTRACK Choose your own music before you start running: the story unfolds in during your tracks through a series of dynamic radio messages and voice recordings. Play your music from Spotify, Apple, Music, Pandora, Youtube Music, and we'll mix it with our story! STATS & PROGRESS REPORTS View split-time graphs and stats for your running and game progress! VIEW YOUR RUNS ONLINE WITH ZOMBIELINK Check your running stats and view and share your maps with our ZombieLink website, all in a beautiful and easy-to-use interface! SYNCS WITH APPLE HEALTH Your workouts will sync to Apple Health and your Activity Rings, and we can also use your Weight to better calculate calorie burn. ALREADY PLAYED ZOMBIES, RUN!? Zombies, Run! 5k Training takes place between Mission 1 and Mission 2 of Season 1, so it’s a fantastic way to experience 24 all-new missions about how Runner 5 first trained up with Sam, Doctor Myers, and the rest of Abel Township to become a valued Runner. Subscriptions are $5.99 USD/month or $34.99 USD/year. Subscriptions will be charged to your iTunes account after your confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. You can go to your iTunes Account Settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Cancellation of the current active subscription period is not allowed. Full terms and conditions and our privacy policy are at https://zombiesrungame.com/eula/ and https://www.zombiesrungame.com/terms respectively Requires iOS 9+. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Follow us at @zombiesrungame

About

Simple Workout Coach

Features
Read full description

Simple Workout is a no-fuss, full-body interval workout you can do anywhere. Sixteen moves — cardio, lower body, upper body, core, and yoga — back to back, with short rests in between. Press Start and follow along. A VOICE THAT COUNTS WITH YOU Keep your eyes off the screen. A clear spoken count paces every rep, calls out the time on holds, counts down the last five seconds, and tells you what's coming next: "Good job. Get ready for 15 reps of squats." SEE EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE • Big, glanceable timer ring that fills as each exercise progresses • Reps-left counter right in the middle of the ring • Progress bar across the top for the whole circuit • Each move color-coded by type, with a clear illustration STRETCH IT OUT WITH YOGA Child's Pose, Downward Dog, Cobra, and Cat-Cow are mixed into the circuit to loosen you up between the hard parts. YOUR WORKOUT HISTORY • Every finished workout is saved, with its date, time, and length • A calendar marks the days you worked out • Tap a workout to see each exercise: done, cut short, or skipped • Clear your history any time MAKE IT YOURS • Add any move, even one you want to do twice, remove the ones you skip, and drag to put them in your order • Set the length and rep target for each move, with one-tap presets • Count reps, or switch any move to time only • Adjust the rest time between exercises • Choose any installed voice, or use your system default • Restore defaults at any time THE 16 MOVES Jumping Jacks · Wall Sit · Push-Up · Cat-Cow · Ab Crunch · Step-Up · Squat · Downward Dog · Tricep Dip · Plank · High Knees Run · Cobra · Lunge · Twist Push-Up · Side Plank · Child's Pose BUILT FOR THE WORKOUT, NOT THE PHONE • Pause, go back, or skip with large controls • Screen stays on while you train • Works with your music playing • Works on iPhone and iPad • No account, no ads, no tracking — your settings and history never leave your device Consult a physician before beginning any exercise program. Stop if you feel pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

Screenshots

Zombies, Run! 5k Training4 screens
Simple Workout Coach4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simple Workout Coach at none against Zombies, Run! 5k Training's 4. Simple Workout Coach also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). Zombies, Run! 5k Training's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). 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. Zombies, Run! 5k Training sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Simple Workout Coach asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zombies, Run! 5k Training ships an update every 2 months, Simple Workout Coach every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Zombies, Run! 5k Training versus Simple Workout Coach: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZombies, Run! 5k TrainingSimple Workout Coach
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (3K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings3K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size230 MB6 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperZombies Run! LtdPeter Whiting

Bugs and requests

Zombies, Run! 5k Training

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes during runs
  • Inaccurate time and distance tracking
  • Audio prompts not working as expected
  • Syncing issues with Zombie Link website
  • Progress not saving properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Apple Watch integration
  • More customization options
  • Ability to skip ahead in training
  • Better integration with other fitness apps
  • More detailed workout tracking

Simple Workout Coach

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Zombies, Run! 5k Training

Subscriptions3
  • Zombies, Run! Membership$6.991 Month
  • Zombies, Run! Membership$49.991 Year
  • VIP Membership$89.991 Year
One-time1
  • Unlock All Workouts$3.99
None

Simple Workout Coach

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zombies, Run! 5k Training free?
Zombies, Run! 5k Training is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simple Workout Coach free?
Simple Workout Coach is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Zombies, Run! 5k Training or Simple Workout Coach have ads?
Neither Zombies, Run! 5k Training nor Simple Workout Coach shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zombies, Run! 5k Training or Simple Workout Coach?
Zombies, Run! 5k Training ships an update every 2 months, and Simple Workout Coach every 2 days. Most recently, Zombies, Run! 5k Training was updated on November 1, 2026 and Simple Workout Coach on October 31, 2026.

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