Comparison

Canter vs Stepaw

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

Head to head
About

Canter

This app helps users build endurance through guided run-walk intervals with audible cues. It offers customizable timers, distance presets, and works with the screen locked. It also supports standalone Apple Watch use with GPS tracking and detailed statistics.

Highlights
  • Customizable run-walk intervals
  • Audible cues and haptic feedback
  • Works with screen locked
  • Standalone Apple Watch app
  • GPS route tracking and mapping
  • Workout statistics and progress charts
Features
Read full description

Canter. Run-Walk Interval Timer Build endurance the way coaches recommend: alternate running and walking, with audible cues at every transition. Whether you're going from zero to your first 5K, training for a marathon, or coming back from injury, Canter keeps the rhythm so you can keep your phone in your pocket. THE ESSENTIALS - 6 time-based presets (20 sec to 5 min) and custom intervals from 10 seconds to 30 minutes - 6 distance presets, with custom values up to 5 km / 3 miles - Voice announcements ("Run!", "Walk!"), bell sounds, and haptic feedback - Works with the screen locked - Home Screen widget for one-tap starts, plus a Control Center button on iOS 18 or newer - Optional daily training reminder - Dark theme that's easy on outdoor eyes - Pay once, yours forever. No subscription, no account, no ads, no tracking ZERO TO 5K TRAINING PLANS - Two guided plans: the standard 10 weeks, or a gentler 13-week progression - Three sessions a week, each one scripted for you: warm-up, run/walk intervals, cool-down - A week-by-week ladder that tracks every completed session - The finale is a real 5K, measured by distance, not time - A short questionnaire helps you pick the plan that fits - Start sessions from iPhone or Apple Watch; progress stays in sync PAY ONCE. YOURS FOREVER. Most running apps charge $40 to $80 per year. Canter is a single purchase. Every feature included, forever. Less than one month of a typical subscription. METRIC OR IMPERIAL, YOUR CALL Pick the units you train in, or follow your iPhone's locale. Distances, pace, and milestones update automatically. - Metric: 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 500 m, 800 m, 1 km - Imperial: 300 ft, 600 ft, 0.25 mi, 0.50 mi, 0.75 mi, 1 mile - Custom up to 5 km / 3 miles - Voice countdowns and bell + haptic at every interval boundary APPLE WATCH, STANDALONE Run from your wrist alone, no iPhone required. Same warm voice coaching as the iPhone app. Distinct haptics for run vs. walk transitions. Live heart rate display with the 5-zone system Apple Workout uses. Workouts count toward your Activity Rings automatically, and finished watch workouts sync to the iPhone app on their own. MILE MARKERS Cross a mile and know it: a voice cue for the distance and a card on screen with your split, plus a haptic tap on Apple Watch. Works on iPhone and Apple Watch, in miles or kilometers. GPS & ROUTE TRACKING - Live map shows your route as you run - Pace calculated from distance and time - "GPS signal lost" / "GPS signal found" voice cues at the Full voice coaching level, so you know your route is being tracked - Route maps saved with workout history STATISTICS & PROGRESS - Workout streaks - Weekly chart - All-time totals - Progress over time SIRI & SHORTCUTS - "Hey Siri, start a run walk workout with Canter" - Custom Shortcuts automations supported DESIGNED FOR RUNNERS Large, easy-to-read display. Works with screen locked. Dark theme reduces glare outdoors. Haptic feedback for silent alerts. No account required. No ads, no tracking.

About

Stepaw

Features
Read full description

Stepaw is a step tracker and walking app that helps you stay active while supporting shelter animals. Track your daily steps, build healthy habits, reach your fitness goals, and make every walk more meaningful. Whether you're walking for fitness, weight loss, or daily health, Stepaw keeps you motivated with goals, streaks, achievements, and challenges. Every step contributes towards helping cats and dogs through our shelter partners. Features: • Accurate step tracker & pedometer • Daily step counter • Walking tracker with detailed statistics • Walking challenges and streaks • Friend leaderboard • Personal step goals • Apple Health integration • Clean and easy-to-use interface Stepaw works seamlessly with Apple Health to track your daily activity and help you build lasting healthy habits. Walk every day. Track your progress. Help shelter animals - one step at a time.

Screenshots

Canter4 screens
Stepaw4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Stepaw at Free against Canter's $4.99. Stepaw also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). Canter's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#49 vs unranked). On in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Stepaw is free to download; Canter costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Canter ships an update weekly, Stepaw every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Canter versus Stepaw: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCanterStepaw
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#49 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVishut DharAli Mirzayev

In-app purchases

None

Canter

No in-app purchases

None

Stepaw

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Canter free?
Canter costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Stepaw free?
Stepaw is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Canter or Stepaw have ads?
Stepaw shows ads; Canter does not.
Which is updated more often, Canter or Stepaw?
Canter ships an update weekly, and Stepaw every 2 days. Most recently, Canter was updated on October 11, 2026 and Stepaw on October 6, 2026.

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