# The Running Algorithm vs Sympathetic

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Running Algorithm at none against Sympathetic's 2. Sympathetic's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sympathetic sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.00 per month. The Running Algorithm asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Running Algorithm ships an update every 3 weeks, Sympathetic every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Running Algorithm | Sympathetic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Size | 5 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **18.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [TRA Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/6774933597) | [Lucas Paulo de Lima Camillo](https://appshunter.io/developer/6812214728) |

## What reviewers say

### The Running Algorithm

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-running-algorithm/id6774933595)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sympathetic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sympathetic/id6812214726)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| H10 monthly | $3.00 | per month |
| H10 annual | $20.00 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Running Algorithm free?

The Running Algorithm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sympathetic free?

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

### Do The Running Algorithm or Sympathetic have ads?

Neither The Running Algorithm nor Sympathetic shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Running Algorithm or Sympathetic?

The Running Algorithm ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sympathetic every 3 days. Most recently, The Running Algorithm was updated on October 8, 2026 and Sympathetic on October 29, 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.*