# Empace vs Smart Runner

The clearest difference is update cadence: Smart Runner at every 3 days against Empace's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Empace sells 4 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.

Empace ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart Runner every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Empace | Smart Runner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-runner-training-plans/id6760949120/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **7** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 55 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Marcus Hojvall](https://appshunter.io/developer/1882678194) | [Dor Tal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1814312570) |

## What reviewers say

### Empace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empace/id6760107278)

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Pro Plus Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Pro Plus Yearly | $99.99 | per year |


### 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 Empace free?

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

### Is Smart Runner free?

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

### Do Empace or Smart Runner have ads?

Neither Empace nor Smart Runner shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Empace or Smart Runner?

Empace ships an update every 3 weeks, and Smart Runner every 3 days. Most recently, Empace was updated on September 10, 2026 and Smart Runner on September 7, 2026.

---

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