Comparison

RaceJoy vs Spartan Race

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

Head to head
About

RaceJoy

Enhance your race day experience with real-time GPS tracking, progress alerts, and motivational cheers for participants and spectators. Offers live tracking for events and training, with features like progress updates and photo sharing.

Highlights
  • Live GPS phone tracking
  • Send-a-Cheer motivational audio
  • NearMe participant alerts
  • MeetUp tool for location sharing
  • Automatic progress postings
  • Scored race results
  • Official race photos
Features
Read full description

RaceJoy is created specifically for running, cycling and triathlon events with a focus on the participant and spectator experience. Features vary by event and include live phone tracking, progress alerts, results, race information, photos, Send-a-Cheer and much more! There are two distinct experiences in RaceJoy: -Featured Events -Training Days Featured Events (shown with the Event Logo): These are events that have contracted with RaceJoy to provide a premium experience for participants and spectators. Features are free and provided by the event or sponsor(s). Features included: -Live GPS, phone tracking on the course map. -Send-a-Cheer! (fun motivational audio clips). -NearMe alerts (spectators and waiting relay teams get an alert when a participant is drawing near). -MeetUp tool for seeing where you are in relation to a participant. -Automatic Progress Postings to Twitter (with your approval, of course!). The following features may be provided by the event: -Scored Race Results within moments of crossing the finish line. -Essential race information like schedules, FAQs, race news, and more. -Your official race photos. -Optional Tracking with Progress Alerts: Some events offer BIBTAG tracking in addition to PhoneTrak. For these events there is no need to carry your phone as this is based on the participant’s BIB/chip as they cross over timing points on the course. Training Days This area enables athletes to have their friends and family track their progress live on a map and send motivational cheers during long training runs or rides. All PhoneTrak features are available in Training Days, along with special motivational cheers to help you through those tough moments. Training Days is a free always available area for your long training days. Based on our privacy policy you must setup a special tracking ID (PIN) with profile name and provide that to friends and family tracking you on your Training Days. Add a Race? If you would like a race to offer the full featured experience with official race progress alerts and results, please let the race director know about RaceJoy. Battery Usage RaceJoy’s live phone tracking feature is ONLY activated during the hours of the event. When using Training Days, the athlete turns on/off tracking as needed. Use of this GPS technology running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. You may disable this under settings at anytime during the event to conserve battery life if needed. Feedback and Support We hope you enjoy using RaceJoy! Please share your experience in the App store to encourage others to try it out. If you have had any issues, or have feedback or ideas, please help us to improve the experience by contacting us at support@racejoy.com. RaceJoy is created by a small family business and is dedicated to changing the race experience.

About

Spartan Race

This app connects you to a global series of obstacle races designed to build physical and mental strength. Find and buy tickets for events, manage your race details, and access training programs to prepare for any challenge. Join a community and enjoy exclusive perks.

Highlights
  • Find and buy tickets for obstacle races
  • Manage race day details and tickets
  • Access dynamic training content
  • Prepare for specific race types
  • Connect with the Spartan community
  • Exclusive race day perks for subscribers
  • Discounts on gear and free shipping
Features
Read full description

Spartan is a series of globally held obstacle races with distances and difficulties varying from 3+ miles to marathon lengths. Spartan's mission is to empower individuals to lead lives without limits. Through the training and race events, participants can gain both physical and mental strength, enabling them to confront life's challenges with an unbreakable spirit. The Race series includes the Spartan Sprint (3+ miles of obstacle racing), the Super Spartan (6.2+ miles), the Spartan Beast (13+ miles), and the Ultra Beast (26+ miles), with challenging obstacles such as the spear throw, rope climb, barbed wire crawl and more. The Spartan App makes it easy to buy tickets, access your account, manage your race-day details and more. • Find races near and far and buy tickets for events • Manage your tickets and race day details including downloading your ticket • Don’t miss out on an event and specials - get alerts about new races, special events, sales and more. Spartan+ is the paid subscription which offers the best training, community and Spartan perks all at your fingertips. • Access to dynamic training content designed for individuals striving to become physically and mentally unbreakable including running, mobility, strength, and conditioning • Programs for specific race types that will prepare you for everything from training for you first race to setting a PR • Training and tips to help you learn to navigate and master the most challenging obstacles on the course. • Find others in your area, team up to train, discover events, and discuss with a community what challenges you need to prepare for to crush the course • Race day perks: Spartan+ member bag check, private bathrooms, changings tents, and more accommodations to bring comfort on your big day • Guaranteed start time for members in the open category • Save 20% on Gear, Free Shipping and Returns* – Enjoy new arrivals, bestsellers, and additional discounts throughout the year Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

RaceJoy2 screens
Spartan Race4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: RaceJoy at 3.9 against Spartan Race's 2.8. RaceJoy also leads on review sentiment (52% vs 24%) and ratings volume (1.6K vs 87). Spartan Race's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. RaceJoy sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Spartan Race sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RaceJoy holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RaceJoy has 1.6K ratings behind it against 87, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of RaceJoy's written reviews are positive against 24% of Spartan Race's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RaceJoy ships an update every 2 months, Spartan Race every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
RaceJoy versus Spartan Race: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRaceJoySpartan Race
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (1.6K ratings) — better2.8 (87 ratings)
Positive reviews52.2% of reviews — better24.2% of reviews
Number of ratings1.6K — better87
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTriPerta LLCSpartan Race, Inc

Customer experience

RaceJoy

All ratings1,551 ratings
Positive72.0%
Neutral4.8%
Negative23.3%
Written reviews178 reviews
Positive52.2%
Neutral7.3%
Negative40.4%

Spartan Race

All ratings86 ratings
Positive39.5%
Neutral7.0%
Negative53.5%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive24.2%
Neutral18.2%
Negative57.6%

Bugs and requests

RaceJoy

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Tracking stops working mid-race
  • App crashes frequently
  • Inaccurate distance and pace tracking
  • Notifications and updates delayed or not received

Requested features

4 requests
  • Automatic start/stop tracking
  • Ability to view cheers after the race
  • Integration with other fitness apps and devices
  • More customization options for spectators

Spartan Race

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

RaceJoy

One-time10
  • RaceJoy Phone Fun-Tracking$0.99
  • RaceJoy Phone Fun-26.2 with DONNA$0.99
  • RaceJoy Phone Fun-Cherry Blossom$0.99
Show 7 more
  • RaceJoy Phone Fun-Pittsburgh Marathon$0.99
  • RaceJoy Phone Fun-Glass City Marathon$0.99
  • RaceJoy PhoneTrak-Vermont City Marathon$0.99
  • PhoneTrak-Glass City Marathon$0.99
  • PhoneTrak-Zions Bank Ogden Marathon$0.99
  • PhoneTrak-Kentucky Derby Marathon Festival$0.99
  • PhoneTrak-Burning River$0.99
5 purchases

Spartan Race

Subscriptions3
  • Spartan Plus Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Spartan Plus Annual7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Spartan Plus Annual7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time2
  • Spartan Edge 90 Day$19.99
  • Spartan Edge 90 Days$19.99

Questions

Is RaceJoy free?
RaceJoy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Spartan Race free?
Spartan Race is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RaceJoy or Spartan Race?
RaceJoy is rated higher. RaceJoy averages 3.9 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Spartan Race averages 2.8 from 87 ratings.
Do RaceJoy or Spartan Race have ads?
Neither RaceJoy nor Spartan Race shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RaceJoy or Spartan Race?
RaceJoy ships an update every 2 months, and Spartan Race every 3 weeks. Most recently, RaceJoy was updated on November 10, 2026 and Spartan Race on November 12, 2026.

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