Comparison

Fartlek vs Interval Running

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

Head to head
About

Fartlek

Features
Read full description

Tell your AI coach your goal and the days you can run, and get a training plan that adapts every week to how your runs go. Need a single workout? Describe it or paste a screenshot, and it's ready in seconds. Then just run: voice and haptic cues guide every interval, even with your screen off. 25 workouts runners actually love — HIIT, fartlek, tempo, hills, Yasso 800s. On iPhone and Apple Watch. Because running the same pace every day only makes you better at running the same pace. Break the plateau. EVERY RUN IS A NEW CHALLENGE Every workout here has a specific goal and a different feel — so you actually train different muscles, systems, and skills instead of just logging miles. Your running workout is fun now :) Speed: 200m pops, ladders, strides, sprint finishers Strength: Hill repeats, power builders, switchbacks Stamina: HIIT, Cruise intervals, tempo waves, Yasso 800s Endurance: Progressive aerobic, negative splits, scenic cruises Fun: Fartlek games, stoplight play, music flow runs Each workout has a warm-up, main set, and cooldown — with clear effort guidance through every phase. AI WORKOUT GENERATOR Tell the AI coach what you want — "30 minutes, hill repeats, moderate" or "a fartlek that doesn't bore me" — and get a runnable workout in seconds. Paste a screenshot of a workout you saw online and we'll convert it into intervals. TRAIN BY EFFORT, NOT NUMBERS Every interval shows a target effort (80% for work, 30% for recovery). No heart rate monitor needed. GPS pace lies anyway — effort just works better. AUTO-LAP BY DISTANCE OR TIME Distance intervals auto-complete when you hit 200m, 400m, 800m, or whatever target you set. Time intervals count down with precision. No fumbling with lap buttons mid-stride. AUDIO & HAPTIC CUES Get notified at interval start, halfway, and end. Works with your screen off, works on Apple Watch. Built for running outside, where you can't keep glancing at a screen. APPLE WATCH COMPANION Run straight from your wrist. Leave your phone behind for track sessions — the Watch app handles everything on its own. CLEAN, GET-OUT-OF-THE-WAY DESIGN Big, glove-friendly controls. Dark mode. One-screen run view with your current interval front and center, and what's next right there too. AFTER YOUR RUN Review every completed interval — distance, time, pace. Auto-syncs to Apple Health. WORKOUT TYPES Tempo: Sustained-effort training Intervals: Structured speed work Fartlek: Mixed-pace playful running Hills: Uphill repeat sessions Long Run: Extended endurance efforts 3 DURATION OPTIONS Quick (10–15 min): Short, sharp sessions Standard (20–35 min): Complete workouts Long (40–60+ min): Extended training WHO IT'S FOR - Runners looking to improve their times - Runners who like variety and fun - Amateur athletes who want to gain leg strength and power - Anyone looking to improve overall fitness and health - Anyone looking to lose weight with HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) - Anyone who wants to run intervals without 10 minutes of setup - Anyone tired of complex running apps that feel more like Instagram No social feeds. No data mining. Just running. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Interval Running

Create personalized running routines that adapt to your daily energy levels. Mix walking, jogging, running, and sprinting with custom intervals and voice coaching. Track progress and set goals without comparison.

Highlights
  • Customizable interval plans
  • Voice coaching for hands-free use
  • Goal-based running themes
  • Detailed phase analysis
  • Daily, weekly, and monthly reporting
  • Shareable run cards
Features
Read full description

Some days you want to run fast. Other days, a light walk feels just right. Instead of comparing yourself with others, combine walking, jogging, running, and sprint intervals around today's goal and how you feel. Interval Running helps everyone create and continue a running flow that works for them, from first-time runners to experienced runners looking for a stronger workout. On a beginner day, running for one minute and walking for three is more than enough. Choose a gentle recovery plan when you want to take it easy, or alternate sprints and recovery phases when you are ready for a challenge. Once you start, the voice coach announces the next phase and countdown. Keep your phone in your pocket and focus on your breathing and movement instead of the screen. If you are new to running, build a habit by comfortably alternating walking and running. If your goal is weight management, choose a sustainable routine instead of pushing too hard. If you run for fitness, train regularly at an intensity that suits how you feel that day. If you already enjoy running, combine walks, jogs, runs, and sprints to create the workout you want. KEY FEATURES ■ Recommended plans for your goal Choose from six themes designed for different goals: Beginner, Fat Burn, Balanced, Performance, Endurance, and Recovery. ■ Custom intervals, built your way Arrange warm-up, walking, jogging, running, sprinting, and cool-down phases in any order and duration. Adjust repetitions and intensity to suit you. ■ Voice coaching without watching the screen Hear the next phase, time remaining, and countdown. Keep moving without repeatedly checking your phone. ■ Time, distance, pace, and estimated calories Review your workout time, distance, average pace, and estimated calories. Your record is not a score against others; it is proof that you kept moving. ■ Analysis for every running phase Compare time, distance, and speed across walking, jogging, running, and sprint phases. See how the flow you designed played out in your workout. ■ Daily, weekly, and monthly goals and reports Set a daily time, distance, or calorie goal and weekly or monthly workout-day goals. Review the progress and changes you build over time. ■ Share your run card and plan Turn today's run into a shareable card. Friends can scan its QR code to save the interval plan you created. Running does not have to mean going faster, longer, or farther. It is okay to start gently, walk along the way, or challenge yourself when you feel ready. Take care of yourself, listen to your body's rhythm, and gradually create a flow that is your own. Start a run made for who you are today with Interval Running.

Screenshots

Fartlek4 screens
Interval Running4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Interval Running at none against Fartlek's 3. Interval Running also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.5). Fartlek's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 9 days). On price, 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. Fartlek sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Interval Running asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fartlek ships an update every 4 days, Interval Running every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Fartlek versus Interval Running: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFartlekInterval Running
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.516.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAxis SARYNYUL

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Fartlek

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Plan$1.997 Days
  • Monthly premium$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year
None

Interval Running

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fartlek free?
Fartlek is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Interval Running free?
Interval Running is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Fartlek or Interval Running have ads?
Neither Fartlek nor Interval Running shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fartlek or Interval Running?
Fartlek ships an update every 4 days, and Interval Running every 9 days. Most recently, Fartlek was updated on October 26, 2026 and Interval Running on October 12, 2026.

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