# Runbuds vs Shape

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Runbuds at none against Shape's 2. Runbuds also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 11 days). Shape's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shape sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Runbuds asks for nothing beyond the download.

Runbuds ships an update every 2 days, Shape every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Runbuds | Shape |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runbuds/id6744413545/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **64** | — |
| Positive reviews | 96.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 56 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Light Nudge](https://appshunter.io/developer/1731016560) | [Samuel Christoffer Kraft](https://appshunter.io/developer/1826569823) |

## What reviewers say

### Runbuds

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runbuds/id6744413545)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun interface
- 👍 Seamless performance
- 👍 Actively updated with new features
- 👍 Motivating community
- 👍 Social and engaging


### Shape

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shape-training-planner/id6748612810)

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shape Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Runbuds free?

Runbuds is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Shape free?

Shape is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Runbuds or Shape have ads?

Neither Runbuds nor Shape shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Runbuds or Shape?

Runbuds ships an update every 2 days, and Shape every 11 days. Most recently, Runbuds was updated on October 1, 2026 and Shape on October 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*