Comparison

WODbanger vs RunningBuds

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

Head to head
About

WODbanger

Read full description

Gym Workouts, WODs, Intervals, HIIT, Circuit Training, Workout Timer, Weight training. Running, Cycling, Walking: Just write down the exercises as plain text on your iPhone. Then perform and track the workouts with your Apple Watch. Move from exercise to another with a tap of the screen or double tap hand gesture if supported by your Apple Watch. Or automatically based on time, heart rate value, calories consumed or distance.  Set target time ("AMRAP", as many rounds as possible within given time) or choose number of rounds ("Rounds For Time" mode), or choose "Open" mode. Then on your Apple Watch choose the workout from the list and tap "Start Workout". Get detailed statistics afterwards. Statistics saved also to workout log. *WODbanger key features include - Write exercises of the workout as plain text on your iPhone - Set a time for the workout (AMRAP mode), or define number of rounds ("For Time" mode), or choose Open mode - Workout library gets automatically replicated to your Apple Watch - Launch the workout on the watch, move from exercise to another with a tap on the watch screen... - ...or let WODbanger control that based on exercise time, heart rate limits, calories consumed or distance - Use WODbanger solely as a timer for e.g. Tabata workouts, or program any time-based workout you like - Use WODbanger just to pace your runs or cycling, based on distance, time and heart rate - Dynamically change reps round by round, up or down - For weightlifting type of exercise steps, capture reps and load before moving on - Detailed statistics regarding each workout round and individual exercise within: Time, heart rate and when applicable, distance and pace - Workouts stored to the workout log, which is also replicated from Apple Watch to iPhone - Share workouts and statistics over iMessage, email and more - Plenty of settings allowing customization of app behavior - Stores key characteristics of your workout also to HealthKit (Activity Rings etc.) - Supported workout activity types include Cross Training (often best for "WODs"), functional and traditional strength training, running, walking, cycling, rowing and HIIT, both indoors and outdoors *Examples how to define the workouts with WODbanger* (Yes, you just *write* them like this!) #Cindy workout 5 Pull-ups 10 Push-ups 15 Squats //Set mode as AMRAP and time to 20:00 minutes - that's the 'Cindy' workout #Jog-Sprint-Walk Jog 03:00 minutes Sprint 200 m Walk until HR -100 bpm //WODbanger moves on automatically after 3 minutes of jogging, 200 m of sprinting and when heart rate goes below 100 bpm //Choose "For time" mode and set rounds to six - you have a nice interval workout set up #Deadlifting Deadlift @ 8 x 100 kg Rest 03:00 //Do the deadlifts and tap the screen. WODbanger asks you the reps and load before moving on to three minute rest //This a way to capture individual lifts and their results! #Swing & Push 40 (-10) Kettlebell Swings 5 (+2) Push-ups //Set rounds to 4 and you get a workout where there are 40-30-20-10 swings and 5-7-9-11 push-ups #Burn some calories Air squats for 15 cal Burpees for 10 cal Rest 01:00 //WODbanger counts active calories during squats and burpees and once the defined calories is consumed, moves on to one minute of rest *Yes - it is that simple to define workouts mixing rep-based, time based, calorie, hr and distance based exercise steps.

About

RunningBuds

This app allows you to talk with a friend over your AirPods while listening to your own music. It uses advanced audio technology for high-quality conversations and music playback, with end-to-end encryption for privacy. Only the host needs a subscription to start a call.

Highlights
  • Listen to music and talk simultaneously
  • High-quality conversation audio
  • End-to-end encrypted calls
  • Voice activity detection
  • No account sign-up required
  • Host subscription model
Read full description

Please note that RunningBuds requires an iPhone running iOS 26 or later and Apple AirPods with the H2 chip (for example, AirPods 4 or 5, or AirPods Pro 2 or 3). It will also work with most wired headphones that have a mic. Your friend needs the same setup - an iPhone on iOS 26 and H2-chip AirPods or wired headphones with a mic. WHAT DOES IT DO? Have you ever been out for a run, a ski day, or a ride with a friend and had to make a choice between talking to each other or listening to music? Maybe you just find it hard to hear what your friend is saying because you're not right next to each other. RunningBuds is the answer! With RunningBuds you simply put in your AirPods, pair your phones, fire up your music, and start chatting! RunningBuds is private. There are no accounts to sign up for, and your conversation is encrypted between you and your buddy's phones. RunningBuds uses the latest audio technology to provide a high-quality conversation experience. It provides an on-phone voice activity detection system to only send your voice when you're talking, so your buddy doesn't hear background noises or heavy breathing as you run up that hill. If you've ever tried doing something like this over a phone call or with other apps, you've probably noticed that your music goes from high quality to sounding like hold music. RunningBuds fixes this with its custom audio engine, so your music and conversation remain at full quality! RunningBuds works online and offline. Whether you’re within cell coverage or out in the wilds, you can keep the conversation going. WHAT IT DOESN'T DO Please note that RunningBuds is NOT a music-sharing service. You listen to your music on your phone, and your buddy listens to their music on their phone. The only thing that gets shared between phones is your conversation. SUBSCRIPTION RunningBuds offers a one-week free trial, a monthly subscription, and an annual subscription. Only the host (the person that creates the call) requires a subscription. Anyone joining a call can use it for free. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. You can manage or cancel your subscription through the app or your App Store account. Privacy Policy: https://www.runningbuds.app/privacy.html Terms of Service: https://www.runningbuds.app/terms.html

Screenshots

WODbanger4 screens
RunningBuds4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WODbanger at none against RunningBuds's 2. RunningBuds's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. RunningBuds sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. WODbanger asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WODbanger ships an update monthly, RunningBuds every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
WODbanger versus RunningBuds: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWODbangerRunningBuds
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB20 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTapio KuusistoCodelous, LLC

In-app purchases

None

WODbanger

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

RunningBuds

Subscriptions2
  • RunningBuds Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • RunningBuds Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is WODbanger free?
WODbanger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RunningBuds free?
RunningBuds is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do WODbanger or RunningBuds have ads?
Neither WODbanger nor RunningBuds shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WODbanger or RunningBuds?
WODbanger ships an update monthly, and RunningBuds every 4 days. Most recently, WODbanger was updated on September 11, 2026 and RunningBuds on September 21, 2026.

Other comparisons