Comparison

Runbuds vs Steps

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

Head to head
About

Runbuds

This app allows you to run with friends in real-time, seeing each other's avatars on a virtual track. It includes a run tracker with lock screen support, group relay challenges, and detailed performance statistics with shareable visualizations.

Highlights
  • Real-time avatar tracking
  • Live lock screen activities
  • Group relay challenges
  • Detailed run statistics
  • Shareable run visualizations
Read full description

Runbuds is the social running app that is truly built for your friends first. /// THE TRACK /// ・ Your avatar moves around a physical track ・ Your friends move around the track with you ・ Pass (or get passed oh no !!!) by your friends /// LOG RUNS /// Our run tracker lets you choose between: ・ An in-app full screen view ・ Live activities on your lock screen /// GROUP RELAYS /// Run towards a shared goal: ・ Set a total distance target ・ Set a timeframe ・ Add your friends to the Relay ・ Run run run run run !!! /// BEAUTIFUL STATS & VISUALS /// ・ See beautiful visualizations of your past runs ・ Sort by date, pace, distance, or difficulty ・ Share images of your runs with your friends /// GET IN TOUCH /// ・ Hit us up with ANY feedback or requests !!! ・ Contact support@runbuds.app

About

Steps

This app helps you track your daily steps and workouts with precise counting and goal setting. It offers features to block distracting apps, compete globally, and visualize your progress with detailed charts and insights. Personalize your experience with custom themes and widgets.

Highlights
  • Precise step counting via HealthKit
  • Customizable daily step goals
  • App blocking for focus
  • Global step leaderboard
  • 23+ workout types with live tracking
  • Interactive charts and visualizations
  • Yearly insights and personal records
Features
Read full description

Steps is your complete fitness companion that turns every step into progress. Track steps, compete on the global leaderboard, block distracting apps until you hit your goal, and visualize your journey with beautiful charts and widgets. AS SEEN AT WWDC 2026 Steps is featured in "Appreciation," the music video starring Erick the Architect, shown during Apple's WWDC 2026. STEP TRACKING & GOALS - Precise step counting powered by Apple HealthKit - Customizable daily step goals with visual progress - Streak tracking with rest days — never lose progress unfairly - Goal achievement notifications and celebrations AI COACH — CHAT WITH YOUR WORKOUTS - Ask anything about your workouts and get personalized AI feedback - Runs fully on device — your health data never leaves your iPhone - Smart suggestions to help you train better and recover smarter APP LOCK — STAY FOCUSED - Block distracting apps until you reach your daily step goal - Powered by Screen Time — apps auto-unlock when you hit your target - The perfect motivation to get moving every day STEPBOARD — GLOBAL LEADERBOARD - Compete with walkers worldwide on the daily step leaderboard - See your rank update in real-time as you walk - Join or leave anytime — your choice 23+ WORKOUT TYPES - Running, Walking, Cycling, Swimming, Hiking, HIIT, Yoga, and more - Live tracking with real-time pace, distance, heart rate, and elevation - Interactive route maps with GPS and GPX export - 3D Route Playback — replay any run or ride as a cinematic 3D flyover - Share workouts with customizable snapshot styles BEAUTIFUL VISUALIZATIONS - Hourly, weekly, and monthly interactive charts - Calendar heatmaps to explore your activity history - 8 color themes to personalize your experience - Weather-integrated home dashboard YEARLY INSIGHTS & RECORDS - Year-end recap with personal bests and milestones - 8 personal records: fastest pace, longest distance, most calories, and more - Creative formats: yearly receipts, passport stamps - Workout breakdown by type APPLE WATCH & WIDGETS - Native Watch app with real-time step tracking - 3 watch complications for instant step counts - 8 home screen widgets: steps, charts, calendar, streak, workouts - Live Activity during active workouts PERSONALIZATION - Multiple custom app icons - Light, dark, and system appearance modes - Metric, imperial, or nautical units - Configurable daily reminders PRIVACY FIRST - Health data stays on your device - No ads, no selling your data - Transparent privacy controls Steps Pro unlocks the full experience with a free trial: widgets, Watch app, route maps, 3D Route Playback, AI Coach, advanced analytics, App Lock, yearly insights, and all color themes. # Contact and Support Website: https://getsteps.app Terms of Use: https://getsteps.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://getsteps.app/privacy

Screenshots

Runbuds3 screens
Steps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Runbuds at none against Steps's 12. Runbuds also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 10 days) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, 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. Steps sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Runbuds asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Runbuds holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64 and 47 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 96% of Runbuds's written reviews are positive against 81% of Steps's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Runbuds ships an update every 2 days, Steps every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on July 4, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Runbuds versus Steps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRunbudsSteps
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (64 ratings) — better4.6 (47 ratings)
Positive reviews96.3% of reviews — better81.0% of reviews
Number of ratings64 — better47
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLight NudgeHieu Dinh

Customer experience

Runbuds

All ratings64 ratings
Positive98.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive96.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.7%

Steps

All ratings47 ratings
Positive85.1%
Neutral8.5%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral4.8%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

None

Runbuds

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Steps

Subscriptions8
  • Pro Monthly (1 Month)7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro Monthly (1 Month)$2.991 Month
  • Pro Monthly - Family (1 Month)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Pro Monthly - Family (1 Month)$5.991 Month
  • 1-Year Subscription (1 Year)$19.991 Year
  • 1-Year Subscription (1 Year)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Pro Yearly - Family (1 Year)$19.991 Year
  • Pro Yearly - Family (1 Year)7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • Steps Pro Lifetime2 variants$39.99
  • Steps Pro Family - Lifetime2 variants$79.99

Questions

Is Runbuds free?
Runbuds is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Steps free?
Steps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Runbuds or Steps?
Runbuds is rated higher. Runbuds averages 4.9 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while Steps averages 4.6 from 47 ratings.
Do Runbuds or Steps have ads?
Neither Runbuds nor Steps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Runbuds or Steps?
Runbuds ships an update every 2 days, and Steps every 10 days. Most recently, Runbuds was updated on July 4, 2026 and Steps on September 22, 2026.

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