Comparison

Start 2 Run vs Zero to 5K

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

Head to head
About

Start 2 Run

Achieve your running goals with personalized training plans and virtual coaching. Track your progress with heart rate monitoring and detailed analysis reports. Enjoy an intuitive interface and Apple Watch integration.

Highlights
  • Customized training plans
  • Personalized coaching
  • Heart rate monitoring
  • Analysis reports
  • Apple Watch support
  • Multiple voice options
Features
Read full description

READY FOR YOUR RUNNING ADVENTURE? Get ready to achieve your running goals with the Start 2 Run app. Whether you're just starting out or you're already experienced, our app is your ultimate partner on your road to success. All you need to do is lace up your shoes. Follow the instructions from your coach, and before you know it, you'll reach your running goal. Why Start 2 Run? • Customized training plans: Whether you're aiming for your first 5 km or challenging yourself to a marathon, our app offers over 25 training plans created by experienced coaches at Golazo Energy. Each plan is designed to help you reach your goals gradually and responsibly, minimizing the risk of injury. • Personal coaching: Your coach guides you through every step of your training. From personalized encouragements to tips on running posture and nutritional advice, she's always there to motivate and support you. • Heart rate monitoring: Train more efficiently with our heart rate functionality. Connect your heart rate monitor or sports watch, log your minimum and maximum heart rate, and let the app help you determine your heart rate zones. • Analysis report: Track your progress and improve your performance with our post-training report. • User-friendliness: Our app is intuitively designed with a beautiful layout and easy navigation, allowing you to focus on your training without distraction. • Apple Watch support: Sync your workouts with Apple's Health app and track your progress directly from your wrist with our Apple Watch version. Join the Start 2 Run family Start your free one-week trial today and discover why nearly 1 million runners worldwide rely on Start 2 Run to reach their running goals. Choice of different voices • Evy Gruyaert (NL) • Emma (EN) • Julie (FR) • Sofia (IT) Ready to join us? Start 2 Run website: www.start2run.app Start 2 Run terms and conditions: https://www.start2run.app/disclaimer

About

Zero to 5K

This program guides beginners through a 9-week plan to run a 5K. It alternates running and walking intervals, gradually increasing running time. The app provides audio cues and allows users to repeat stages if needed. An optional heart rate training feature helps optimize effort.

Highlights
  • 9-week progressive running plan
  • Alternating run/walk intervals
  • Audio cues for guidance
  • Adjustable difficulty
  • Heart rate training option
  • Background operation with notifications
Read full description

Zero to 5k is a running program designed for beginners. The plan consists of 3 activities per week, for a total of 9 weeks, where you will be alternating between running and walking. As you progress through the program, the amount of running will increase, while the amount of walking will reduce. At the end of the program, you will be able to run an entire 5km! The app will guide you through each stage, letting you know when and for how long to run or walk. While using the app in the background (i.e. your phone is closed while running outside), you will receive notifications with sound telling you how long to run or walk. If the stage you are at is too difficult, there is no problem with going back a few stages. Heart rate training is an alternative running program in Zero to 5k app that allows you to run within an optimal heart rate. Use your heart rate readings (bpm) during a workout to run within an optimal effort range. Receive notifications on your device when you reach your min and max heart rate to start running or walking. Calculating your effort range is made easy in Zero to 5K. Your age is a good estimator to calculate your optimal effort level. Your max heart rate = 220 - your age Optimal effort range is 75% - 90% of max heart rate. You can also manual adjust the min and max desired heart rate.

Screenshots

Start 2 Run4 screens
Zero to 5K4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Start 2 Run at 5.0 against Zero to 5K's 4.4. Zero to 5K's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (69% vs 55%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Start 2 Run sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Zero to 5K sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Start 2 Run holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31 and 60 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of Start 2 Run's written reviews are positive against 69% of Zero to 5K's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start 2 Run ships an update every 6 weeks, Zero to 5K every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Start 2 Run versus Zero to 5K: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart 2 RunZero to 5K
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (31 ratings) — better4.4 (60 ratings)
Positive reviews54.5% of reviews69.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3160 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB20 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperEnergy LabSebastien Gamache

Customer experience

Start 2 Run

All ratings31 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive54.5%
Neutral18.2%
Negative27.3%

Zero to 5K

All ratings60 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral10.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive69.2%
Neutral30.8%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Start 2 Run

Subscriptions10
  • Evy monthly (NL)7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Sylwina monthly (DE-CH)7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Start 2 Run Smart - Month7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Start 2 Run monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Evy yearly (NL)7 Days trial$8.991 Year
  • Premium yearly7 Days trial$9.491 Year
  • Sylwina yearly (DE-CH)7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Start 2 Run yearly7 Days trial$11.991 Year
  • Start 2 Run Smart - Year7 Days trial$25.491 Year
1 purchases

Zero to 5K

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Access$1.99

Questions

Is Start 2 Run free?
Start 2 Run is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Zero to 5K free?
Zero to 5K is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Start 2 Run or Zero to 5K?
Start 2 Run is rated higher. Start 2 Run averages 5.0 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Zero to 5K averages 4.4 from 60 ratings.
Do Start 2 Run or Zero to 5K have ads?
Start 2 Run shows ads; Zero to 5K does not.
Which is updated more often, Start 2 Run or Zero to 5K?
Start 2 Run ships an update every 6 weeks, and Zero to 5K every 3 months. Most recently, Start 2 Run was updated on September 24, 2026 and Zero to 5K on September 13, 2026.

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