# Pace It vs Smart Runner

The clearest difference is rating: Smart Runner at 5.0 against Pace It's 4.0. Smart Runner also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 11 days). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pace It sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Smart Runner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Smart Runner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Pace It's written reviews are positive against 100% of Smart Runner's.

Pace It ships an update every 11 days, Smart Runner every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pace It | Smart Runner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pace-it-running-performance/id6756121623/reviews) | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-runner-training-plans/id6760949120/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **7** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 23 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dionysis Kastellanis](https://appshunter.io/developer/1858194301) | [Dor Tal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1814312570) |

## What reviewers say

### Pace It

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pace-it-running-performance/id6756121623)

This app helps runners analyze their training progress by tracking pace improvements across heart rate zones. It provides personalized training paces that adapt to your current fitness level, ensuring your workouts remain relevant. Monitor key metrics like VO2 max and training load for a comprehensive view of your development.

**Highlights:** Track pace progression across heart rate zones, Personalized adaptive training paces, Monitor VO2 max and training load, Build and run structured workouts on Apple Watch, Integrates with Strava and Apple Health, Shoe tracking and rotation, Personal best and yearly performance summaries

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pace It Access (Monthly) | $4.99 | per month |
| Pace It Access (Yearly) | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $89.99 | one-time |


### Smart Runner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-runner-training-plans/id6760949120)

This app offers science-backed marathon and half-marathon training plans based on VDOT calculations. It provides adaptive, personalized workouts and detailed performance metrics, with a focus on user privacy and a one-time purchase model.

**Highlights:** Adaptive 2-week training plans, VDOT-based pacing zones, ATL/CTL/TSB training load tracking, HealthKit integration, Apple Watch live workout guidance, Strava sync, Post-run analysis

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Runner Annual Plan | $14.99 | per year |
| Runner Unlock | $14.99 | one-time |
| Runner Lifetime Plan | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pace It free?

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

### Is Smart Runner free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Pace It or Smart Runner?

Smart Runner is rated higher. Pace It averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Smart Runner averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.

### Do Pace It or Smart Runner have ads?

Neither Pace It nor Smart Runner shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pace It or Smart Runner?

Pace It ships an update every 11 days, and Smart Runner every 3 days. Most recently, Pace It was updated on October 13, 2026 and Smart Runner on September 23, 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.*