Onyx Coach vs RunningBuds
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Onyx Coach
This app provides structured workout plans and a fast lifting tracker to help users achieve progressive overload and visualize strength gains. It offers pre-built routines and a custom workout builder, acting as a digital replacement for paper logs.
- Structured workout program library
- Fast and flexible lifting tracker
- Custom workout builder
- Progressive overload visualization
- Rest timer and plate calculator
- Gym set tracking
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Onyx Coach is the hybrid strength routine planner that combines a professional program library with a fast, flexible lifting tracker. Most apps force you to guess what to lift or give you random exercises. Onyx gives you proven structured training. • Need a Plan? Choose from 20+ prebuilt gym routines (5x5, PPL, Upper/Lower, Bodybuilding) designed for progressive overload. • Have a Plan? Use our custom workout builder to digitize your routine in seconds. TRACK WORKOUTS IN 30 SECONDS: We built the fastest gym planner on the store. No distractions, no useless videos. • Simple Logger: Record reps, sets, RPE, and weight effortlessly. • Smart History: See exactly what you lifted last time so you can beat it. • Gym Notebook Feel: The perfect replacement for spreadsheets and paper journals. PROVEN WORKOUT PROGRAMS INCLUDED Access a library of ready-to-go plans for every goal: • Strength Training: Starting Strength style progressions and 5x5. • Hypertrophy (Muscle): Push Pull Legs (PPL), Arnold Splits, and Bodybuilding focuses. • Powerlifting: Peaking programs and 1RM strength focus. MASTER PROGRESSIVE OVERLOAD: The key to growth is consistency. Onyx is a dedicated progressive overload tracker that visualizes your volume and strength gains automatically. TOOLS FOR SERIOUS LIFTERS: • Gym Set Tracker: Warm-up sets, drop sets, and failure tags. • Rest Timer: Auto-timers to keep your intensity high. • Plate Calculator: Never do gym math again. ONYX COACH PREMIUM: Unlock the full potential of your training with a Premium subscription. Onyx Coach is free to download and use, but upgrading to Premium gives you full access to all features: • Unlimited Routine Access: Unlock all 20+ specialized programs. • Advanced Analytics: Visualize your progress with detailed charts. • Unlimited Customization: Create and save unlimited custom routines. • Exclusive Tools: Full access to advanced logger settings and history. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Onyx Coach at 16.4 against RunningBuds's 26.0. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Onyx Coach sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and RunningBuds sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Onyx Coach against 5.0 for RunningBuds. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Onyx Coach ships an update every 9 days, RunningBuds weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Onyx Coach | RunningBuds |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 153 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Coachito LLC | Codelous, LLC |
Customer experience
Onyx Coach
RunningBuds
In-app purchases
Onyx Coach
- Onyx Coach Premium (Monthly)3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Onyx Coach Premium (Monthly)1 Month trial$9.991 Month
- Premium Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
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- Onyx Coach Premium (Six months)14 Days trial$64.996 Months
- Onyx Coach Premium (Yearly)3 Days trial$79.001 Year
- Premium Yearly14 Days trial$79.001 Year
RunningBuds
- RunningBuds Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- RunningBuds Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year









