Comparison

SparkMove vs NihonPass

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

Head to head
About

SparkMove

Features
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Log strength, runs and walks on iPhone and Apple Watch. Your buddy grows with every workout. SparkMove turns training into a game you can keep up with. Pick a buddy (Tor for strength, Gust for cardio, Dew for flexibility), train, and watch it evolve through four stages as you earn points, gear and streaks. START FAST • One tap starts your next workout. New here? Your first workout is ready to go. • Strength and Flex programs with sets, reps, weight and rest timers, plus Digital Crown input on Apple Watch. • Run and Walk with GPS routes, pace, heart rate and splits. Pause and resume, with haptic taps at every mile or km and when you drift from your target pace. SEE YOUR PROGRESS • A muscle map shows what you trained and what you skipped. • Personal records show how much you improved, like 225 lb, up 10 lb. • Weekly streaks, workout history and shareable cards for your best lifts, runs and streaks. MADE FOR APPLE WATCH • Start and finish workouts from your wrist, even without your iPhone nearby. Everything syncs through iCloud. • An Up Next card on the Watch start screen, and a SparkMove widget for your watch face and Smart Stack. • Large, high-contrast live screens built to read mid-run. EARN SOMETHING EVERY SESSION • Buddy evolution, collectible gear, and rewards for new places you explore on outdoor runs and walks. • Training Circles: train toward a shared goal with friends. FREE AND TRAINER PASS Your buddy, its evolution and basic gear are free. New users get a 14-day trial of Trainer Pass. After that, Trainer Pass adds full report breakdowns (splits, heart rate, pace, elevation), unlimited saved programs (free plan: 3), Coach Mode (real-time weight and rep suggestions that adjust to how each set felt), and creating a Training Circle. Trainer Pass is $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year, auto-renewing. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel any time in your Apple ID settings. Privacy Policy and Terms: https://nusirichun.github.io/sparkmove-legal/ GOOD TO KNOW • SparkMove saves workouts to Apple Health and reads heart rate, distance and steps with your permission. Location is used for outdoor route tracking. • Workouts started on iPhone need iOS 26 or later. On earlier versions, start workouts from your Apple Watch.

About

NihonPass

Features
Read full description

Turn your everyday walking into an inspiring journey across Japan. Whether it’s your daily commute, a morning walk with the dog, or an evening stroll: every single step counts and moves you forward on authentic Japanese trails — with zero GPS drain on your battery. DISCOVER AUTHENTIC TRAILS Pick your path and walk at your own pace across Japan’s most iconic regions: • Kyoto (32 km / 20 mi): From vibrant red torii gates through whispering bamboo groves up to mountain summits. The perfect starter route. • Tokyo & Shōnan (78 km / 48 mi): From historic shogun gardens through the ancient samurai city of Kamakura to the beaches of Enoshima. • Okinawa (148 km / 92 mi): From royal Ryukyu castles along coral shores deep into the subtropical Yanbaru rainforest. • Kyushu (599 km / 372 mi): The grand long-distance adventure across volcanic terrain, steaming onsen hot springs, and historic castle towns. (More trails and regions will be added continuously in upcoming updates.) REAL STORIES ALONG THE WAY Reach real-life waypoints, teahouses, shrines, and scenic landmarks. Each destination unlocks a handcrafted story about local heritage and culture. COLLECT AUTHENTIC INK SEALS Just like visiting real shrines and temples in Japan, every milestone you conquer rewards you with an authentic ink stamp for your collector’s book. HABITS DESIGNED FOR REAL LIFE • Flexible Rest Days: 2 customizable rest days per week protect your active streak. Healthy movement without guilt or burnout. • Faithful Companions: Pick a companion (like Neko the lucky cat or Tanuki) to cheer you on every step of the way. • Tactile Washi Widgets: Bring Japanese train passes, step counts, and trail progress straight to your Home and Lock Screen with realistic paper textures. • Apple Watch Support: Glance at your wrist to check your distance, streak, and next station without pulling out your phone. ON-DEVICE PRIVACY Your steps are read directly from Apple Health and stay strictly on your device. No account required, no tracking, no ads. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://nihonpass.app/datenschutz.html

Screenshots

SparkMove4 screens
NihonPass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NihonPass at none against SparkMove's 5. On price, ads, device support 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

Both are free to download. SparkMove sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. NihonPass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
SparkMove versus NihonPass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSparkMoveNihonPass
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size109 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNathapon UsirichunMarius Maass

In-app purchases

5 purchases

SparkMove

Subscriptions2
  • Trainer Pass (Monthly)14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Trainer Pass (Annual)14 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time3
  • Gust: Gale Skin$2.99
  • Tor: Geode Skin$2.99
  • Dew: Riptide Skin$2.99
None

NihonPass

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SparkMove free?
SparkMove is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NihonPass free?
NihonPass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SparkMove or NihonPass have ads?
Neither SparkMove nor NihonPass shows ads.

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