Comparison

RaceJoy vs Friend

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

Friend

Enhance your running experience with personalized voice cheers from friends and family. This app automatically plays pre-recorded messages at each mile marker during your race, turning your loved ones into your personal cheering squad. It integrates with iMessage and uses GPS for seamless mile detection.

Highlights
  • Personalized voice cheers
  • Automatic mile marker playback
  • iMessage integration for cheer recording
  • GPS and Apple Health tracking
  • Customizable cheer assignment
  • Face ID privacy lock
Features
Read full description

Friend-a-Thon lets your friends and family record personalized voice cheers that play automatically at each mile marker during your race. Here's how it works: 1. Create a race — 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, or custom distance 2. Send invites through iMessage — friends tap the bubble and record a cheer right in the chat 3. Run your race — cheers play automatically as you hit each mile Features: • iMessage integration — friends record without downloading the app, or tap your link and record in their browser • Assign cheers to specific miles or let them shuffle randomly • Find real races through RunSignup, pick a major race like the NYC Marathon, or create your own • GPS tracking for automatic mile detection • Works with AirPods and any Bluetooth headphones • Face ID lock to keep your app private Whether it's your first 5K or your 10th marathon, hearing a familiar voice at mile 20 hits different. Friend-a-Thon turns your people into your personal cheering squad.

Screenshots

RaceJoy2 screens
Friend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Friend at 5.0 against RaceJoy's 3.9. Friend also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10). RaceJoy's advantage is ratings volume (1.6K vs 2) and chart position (#13 vs unranked). On price, 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

Both are free to download. RaceJoy sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Friend asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Friend holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RaceJoy has 1.6K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RaceJoy ships an update every 2 months, Friend every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
RaceJoy versus Friend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRaceJoyFriend
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (1.6K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#13 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTriPerta LLCZachary Schwartz

Customer experience

RaceJoy

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

Friend

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Friend

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
None

Friend

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RaceJoy free?
RaceJoy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Friend free?
Friend is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RaceJoy or Friend?
Friend is rated higher. RaceJoy averages 3.9 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Friend averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do RaceJoy or Friend have ads?
Neither RaceJoy nor Friend shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RaceJoy or Friend?
RaceJoy ships an update every 2 months, and Friend every 6 weeks. Most recently, RaceJoy was updated on November 6, 2026 and Friend on October 31, 2026.

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