Comparison

Start 2 Run vs VRT PodWalks

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

VRT PodWalks

Explore Belgium and the Netherlands with location-based audio stories. Discover historical intrigue, romance, and tragedy as you walk through stunning landscapes and centuries-old structures. Audio segments begin automatically based on your GPS.

Highlights
  • GPS-triggered audio stories
  • Explore historical locations
  • Discover local history and culture
  • Audio content based on location
  • Suitable for walking tours
Read full description

Discover stunning locations across Belgium and the Netherlands during the VRT PodWalks. Step into an era filled with intrigue, romance and tragedy as you walk past centuries‑old structures and beautiful landscapes. Along the way, we tell you the stories of the people who shaped these places into what they are today. A podwalk is all about listening while you walk. Based on your GPS location, the audio segments start at exactly the right moment. Bring your earbuds or headphones — or use your smartphone’s speaker — and you’re ready to go!

Screenshots

Start 2 Run4 screens
VRT PodWalks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VRT PodWalks at none against Start 2 Run's 10. VRT PodWalks also leads on ads (none vs shown). Start 2 Run's advantage is review sentiment (55% vs 46%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and update cadence 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. VRT PodWalks asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start 2 Run ships an update every 6 weeks, VRT PodWalks monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Start 2 Run versus VRT PodWalks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart 2 RunVRT PodWalks
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (31 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews54.5% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings31 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB44 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperEnergy LabVRT

Customer experience

Start 2 Run

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

VRT PodWalks

Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative53.8%

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
None

VRT PodWalks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Start 2 Run free?
Start 2 Run is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VRT PodWalks free?
VRT PodWalks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Start 2 Run or VRT PodWalks have ads?
Start 2 Run shows ads; VRT PodWalks does not.
Which is updated more often, Start 2 Run or VRT PodWalks?
Start 2 Run ships an update every 6 weeks, and VRT PodWalks monthly. Most recently, Start 2 Run was updated on October 8, 2026 and VRT PodWalks on October 1, 2026.

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