Comparison

runo vs RunBeat

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

Head to head
About

runo

This app helps runners improve their cadence and maintain consistent pacing through rhythmic audio cues. It supports background operation, allowing users to listen to other audio content without interruption, and offers features for injury prevention and improved running efficiency.

Highlights
  • Customizable steps per minute (SPM)
  • Cadence training for improved form
  • Injury prevention through optimal stride
  • Distraction-free interface
  • Supports interval, tempo, and long runs
  • Apple Watch integration
Features
Read full description

Improve your running cadence, maintain consistent pacing, and reduce the risk of injury with Runo. Whether you’re a beginner or marathon runner, Runo helps you run smarter with rhythmic audio tailored to your pace. Listen to your favorite podcasts, or audiobooks while keeping perfect cadence: Runo runs in the background and blends into your workout, no interruptions, just better performance. WHY YOU’LL BE THRILLED WITH RUNO: 1) Customize your steps per minute (SPM), find your rythm! 2) Improve form and efficiency with cadence training 3) Prevent overstriding and reduce fatigue 4) Minimal, distraction free interface 5) Perfect for interval training, tempo runs, and long distance workouts 6) Apple Watch Support WHY CADENCE MATTERS FOR RUNNERS: Studies show that an optimal cadence can improve your running economy, help prevent injuries, and make you a more efficient runner. Runo makes it simple. Download Runo — your go to cadence trainer — and experience the rhythm of better running. Privacy Policy: https://runoapp.com/privacy-policy.html Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Lovingly created by two runners, for runners everywhere.

About

RunBeat

This app provides real-time audio coaching for heart rate zone training and interval workouts. It guides you to stay in your target zone or complete specific interval structures without needing to look at your screen. Compatible with various Bluetooth heart rate monitors and smartwatches.

Highlights
  • Real-time heart rate zone audio coaching
  • Supports Zone 2 and VO₂ Max intervals
  • Customizable interval training programs
  • Automatic music playlist switching
  • Works with Bluetooth HR monitors and smartwatches
  • Training log with session history
Features
Read full description

Nail every session. Just listen and run. Train Zone 2, race pace, and VO2 max with RunBeat, your audio running coach. Real-time voice guidance keeps you in zone or on pace. Add intervals like Norwegian 4×4 or 1 km repeats, and it calls every rep. ZONE TRAINING Pick your target heart rate zone. RunBeat monitors live heart rate and coaches you to speed up or slow down to stay in zone. PACE TRAINING Train the pace you’ll need on race day, whether that’s a 5K, a marathon, or the runs between HYROX stations. RunBeat monitors your live pace and coaches you to speed up or slow down to stay on target. DISTANCE INTERVALS Speedwork. 1 km repeats or build your own, measured by GPS. Voice callouts at every rep. Apple Music playlists switch between work and rest. TIMED INTERVALS VO2 Max work. Norwegian 4×4 or build your own. Voice callouts at every transition. Apple Music playlists switch between work and rest. WORKS WITH YOUR GEAR Apple Watch, AirPods Pro 3, or any Bluetooth HR monitor, including Google Fitbit Air, Whoop, Polar, Garmin, Coros, Amazfit, and Wahoo. Auto-reconnects. Watch app shows live zone on wrist. ACTIVITY Time in each zone, HR over time chart, work/rest breakdowns, rep splits, session history, plus distance, pace, and your route on the map. Saves every workout to Apple Health. WHY RUNBEAT Eyes forward. Train by ear. Audio coaching handles zones, pace, intervals, and reps, so you can focus on running. RUNBEAT PRO First training free. Then a 7-day free trial. Cancel anytime. Privacy: https://runbeat.app/privacy Terms: https://runbeat.app/terms

Screenshots

runo4 screens
RunBeat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RunBeat at 100% against runo's 65%. RunBeat also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.5). runo's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly) and ratings volume (157 vs 15). 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. runo sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and RunBeat sells 2 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

RunBeat holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: runo has 157 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of runo's written reviews are positive against 100% of RunBeat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

runo ships an update every 2 days, RunBeat weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
runo versus RunBeat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterrunoRunBeat
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (157 ratings)4.9 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings157 — better15
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size129 MB34 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperKaseguMushin Labs, LLC

Customer experience

runo

All ratings152 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral3.3%
Negative8.6%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral3.2%
Negative32.3%

RunBeat

All ratings15 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

runo

Subscriptions10
  • Unlimited Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Unlimited Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Unlimited Monthly$3.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Unlimited Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited Annual3 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
2 purchases

RunBeat

Subscriptions2
  • RunBeat Pro7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • RunBeat Pro7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is runo free?
runo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RunBeat free?
RunBeat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, runo or RunBeat?
RunBeat is rated higher. runo averages 4.5 out of 5 from 157 ratings, while RunBeat averages 4.9 from 15 ratings.
Do runo or RunBeat have ads?
Neither runo nor RunBeat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, runo or RunBeat?
runo ships an update every 2 days, and RunBeat weekly. Most recently, runo was updated on November 8, 2026 and RunBeat on November 9, 2026.

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