Comparison

Smart Runner vs Dark Logger

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

Head to head
About

Smart Runner

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
Read full description

Training plans that adapt after every run, from your first 5K to the marathon. Pay once and own it, or try a year with 7 days free. Both plans unlock every feature. Smart Runner is a science-backed running coach for runners who want real results, without paying every month for the privilege. YOUR DATA STAYS YOURS No account. No email. No password. No cloud sync. Your workouts live in Apple Health and on your device. We only collect anonymous usage data to improve the app, never linked to you. ADAPTIVE TRAINING THAT ACTUALLY WORKS Smart Runner uses VDOT, the system from Jack Daniels' Running Formula, to measure your fitness from a recent race result and build a rolling plan around it. - Adaptive 2-week plan that rebuilds after every run - VDOT pace zones: easy, tempo, interval and race pace - Beginner-friendly starting paces, so easy runs feel easy from week one - ATL / CTL / TSB load tracking, the metrics elite coaches use - Post-run analysis: see what each session actually built - Apple Watch: structured workouts with haptic cues on your wrist - HealthKit: every run imported automatically - Garmin supported - Strava sync: pull in runs you've already logged - Daily reminder at the time you choose BUILT FOR - First-timers building toward a 5K or 10K - Half and full marathoners chasing a time goal - Runners coming back from a break who need a structured rebuild - Anyone who wants coaching-grade metrics without coaching prices PRICING Start free. Then choose: - Lifetime: pay once, train for life - Annual: 7 days free, then billed yearly Annual renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Dark Logger

This app is a specialized tool for tracking migraines and headaches, designed with a dark, low-saturation interface to minimize visual strain. It allows for quick logging of symptoms, medications, and triggers, automatically records weather and barometric pressure, and generates exportable reports for medical professionals. All data is stored locally for maximum privacy.

Highlights
  • Dark, low-saturation UI for visual comfort
  • 1-tap quick log for symptoms and notes
  • Automatic weather and barometric pressure logging
  • Fully offline and private data storage
  • Exportable 30/90-day PDF reports
  • No account creation or cloud sync
Features
Read full description

When a migraine hits, your phone becomes an enemy. Bright interfaces. Multi-step menus. 12 taps to log one symptom. Dark Logger was built for that exact moment. One tap starts the clock. You log the details when the pain passes. BUILT FOR PHOTOPHOBIA The UI stays dark — deep charcoal, no flash, no white screens, no blue light. Every touch target is oversized. There's nothing to read during an attack. AUTO-CAPTURES CONTEXT Logs barometric pressure at the exact moment of every attack. No manual input. Tracks medications with effectiveness ratings. Daily sleep and stress check-ins help surface patterns. After 7 logged attacks, the daily risk score activates. REPORTS FOR YOUR NEUROLOGIST Generate clean 30-day or 90-day PDF reports formatted for clinical review. Bring structured, timestamped data to your neurologist or headache specialist — not a screenshot. WHAT DARK LOGGER IS NOT · Not a subscription service · Not a cloud-connected database · Not a bloated wellness app with a step counter · Not a social platform Dark Logger is a focused, high-performance utility for one job: helping you track, understand, and communicate your migraine patterns — without the app making things worse. 100% offline. No account. No sign-up. Your medical data never leaves your device.

Screenshots

Smart Runner4 screens
Dark Logger4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Smart Runner at every 3 days against Dark Logger's fortnightly. Dark Logger's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Smart Runner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year and Dark Logger sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Smart Runner against 5.0 for Dark Logger. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart Runner ships an update every 3 days, Dark Logger fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Smart Runner versus Dark Logger: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart RunnerDark Logger
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDor TalZeph

Customer experience

Smart Runner

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Dark Logger

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Smart Runner

Subscriptions1
  • Runner Annual Plan7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time2
  • Runner Unlock$14.99
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
2 purchases

Dark Logger

One-time2
  • Lifetime Unlock$9.99
  • Download Unlock$19.99

Questions

Is Smart Runner free?
Smart Runner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dark Logger free?
Dark Logger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smart Runner or Dark Logger?
Smart Runner and Dark Logger are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Smart Runner or Dark Logger have ads?
Neither Smart Runner nor Dark Logger shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smart Runner or Dark Logger?
Smart Runner ships an update every 3 days, and Dark Logger fortnightly. Most recently, Smart Runner was updated on November 7, 2026 and Dark Logger on November 5, 2026.

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