Comparison

Sketchy Run vs Strider

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

Head to head
About

Sketchy Run

This app transforms your running routes into simple, hand-drawn sketches, focusing on distance and the unique path taken. It tracks essential metrics like pace, time, and heart rate, syncing with Apple Health. Gamified achievements encourage long-term progress and turn every run into an adventure.

Highlights
  • Generates hand-drawn route sketches
  • Focuses on distance as primary metric
  • Tracks pace, time, and heart rate
  • Syncs with Apple Health
  • Offers journey achievements
  • Works with Apple Watch
Features
Read full description

Sketchy Run turns your running routes into simple, hand-drawn sketches and focuses on distance as your primary metric. Instead of complicated maps and overwhelming statistics, Sketchy Run tracks what really matters: how far you've gone and the unique path you've taken.  Of course other important metrics like pace, time and heart rate are tracked as well and synced with Apple Health. Sketchy Run is for runners who love seeing their cumulative distance grow over time. Track your progress with epic journey achievements and transform each run into part of a larger adventure - from a lap around Indy Speedway to completing Frodo's quest or circumnavigating the moon. The app works with your Apple Watch to track your runs, and the iPhone companion app lets you review your collection of running sketches anytime.

About

Strider

This app offers a clean and private way to track your runs using GPS. It focuses on essential data like pace, distance, and route history, with voice updates and lock screen live activities. Enjoy a clutter-free experience with no ads or subscriptions.

Highlights
  • GPS run tracking
  • Private data storage
  • Voice progress updates
  • Live Activity on Lock Screen
  • Widgets for stats
  • Visual route sharing
Features
Read full description

Track every run in a clean, private GPS app with pace, routes, history, voice updates, and zero ads or subscriptions. Strider is built for runners who want the essentials without clutter. Tap Start, follow your progress, and finish with a simple history of the data that matters. Why Strider - GPS run tracking with distance, duration, pace, route, and run history - Private by default: location and activity data stay on your device, are collected only when you run, and are never sold or shared - No subscription, no ads, no social pressure, and no bloated coaching plans - Voice progress updates so you can stay informed without stopping - Live Activity on the Lock Screen for at-a-glance tracking - Widgets to keep your stats visible anytime - Visual route sharing with photo overlays and track animations Apple Watch support coming soon Strider is the private, lightweight alternative to bloated running apps.

Screenshots

Sketchy Run3 screens
Strider4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sketchy Run at 5.0 against Strider's 4.2. Sketchy Run also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Strider's advantage is ratings volume (5 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Strider sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sketchy Run asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sketchy Run holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Strider has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sketchy Run ships an update every 2 weeks, Strider fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Sketchy Run versus Strider: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSketchy RunStrider
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.2 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid PflueglTrung Luong

In-app purchases

None

Sketchy Run

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Strider

One-time1
  • STRIDER BOSS$4.99

Questions

Is Sketchy Run free?
Sketchy Run is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Strider free?
Strider is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sketchy Run or Strider?
Sketchy Run is rated higher. Sketchy Run averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Strider averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Sketchy Run or Strider have ads?
Neither Sketchy Run nor Strider shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sketchy Run or Strider?
Sketchy Run ships an update every 2 weeks, and Strider fortnightly. Most recently, Sketchy Run was updated on October 30, 2026 and Strider on November 5, 2026.

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