Comparison

Pado vs Computa

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

Head to head
About

Pado

This app allows you to record and analyze your outdoor activities like hikes and bike tours on a map. It also features a step counter, time tracking, and location-based actions that can automate tasks or integrate with smart home systems. Data can be synced via iCloud, Dropbox, or WebDAV.

Highlights
  • Record and analyze tracks/routes
  • Automatic background recording
  • Heart rate data integration
  • Step counter and floor tracking
  • Location-based actions
  • GPX/KML export/import
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

Pado is all about geo-tracking. RECORD TRACKS Record the routes/tracks of your hikes, bike tours, excursions, trips or sporting activities and evaluate them on a map, via diagrams and statistics. You can do this manually and spontaneously, but also fully automatically in the background. The latter can be helpful on vacations if you want to automatically record your local activities so that you can retrace them later ("Where was that café again?"). To do this, you tell the app once that the recording should be started when you leave the hotel and stopped when you enter it again. From then on, you no longer have to worry about it, but you still have all the routes of all the activities saved in the app when you get home. Pado can display the heart rate data from Health-Kit together with the recorded tracks/routes. The photos from the album that were taken during the recording of the track can also be accessed via pins on the map. This makes it very easy to have all the data and photos directly available on the map if you want to retrace a hike. The exported/imported options as GPX or KML files allow data exchange with other apps. Especially for sporting activities, the app offers a voice output that provides status messages about the distance already covered, current speed, duration, altitude, direction, etc. during a track recording. This keeps you informed about your progress without having to look at your iPhone. STEP COUNTER The app offers a pedometer that can also count the floors climbed and shows how far you are from your daily steps goal. TIME TRACKING The "Time tracking" feature allows to automatically log when you are at which location and for how long. You simply define the locations to be monitored and the app does the rest. ACTIONS The heart of Pado are the location-based actions. You can define locations and what the app should do when you enter or leave these (the App will do this automatically in the background, it does not need to be active). The action can control track recording, the pedometer, the music player, notifications. The "WebHook" feature can be even used to carry out actions outside the iPhone. WebHook sends data to your own server, which can be used to link Pado to your own home automation system. APPLE WATCH Pado supports the Apple Watch and can record tracks/routes and steps autonomously (without having the iPhone with you). The Watch app can also remotele-control the iPhone app so that the iPhone can stay in your pocket. SYNCING OPTIONS - iCloud - Dropbox - WebDAV HARDWARE SUPPORT - Bluetooth Beacons, NFC Tags, AirTags (as trigger for actions) - WLAN positioning (in areas with good WLAN coverage) for devices without GPS hardware (some iPad models). NOTE Long-term use of GPS in the background can shorten the battery life. PAYMENT MODEL With Pado 3, the payment model has changed. The previously paid app is now offered free of charge. There are now three app levels: - Free: A maximum of 3 locations, 3 actions and 3 entries for time tracking can be created - Standard (one-time purchase): A maximum of 25 locations, 25 actions and 25 entries for time tracking can be created. - Pro (one-time purchase): Any number of locations, actions and entries for time tracking can be created. Everything else is available in all three levels without restrictions Users who have already purchased earlier versions of the app will automatically receive the Standard level free of charge. If restrictions have already been reached, existing actions/locations are not restricted. New users can now react more flexibly to their own needs and use one of the three options as required. An inexpensive update from the Standard to the Pro version is also available at any time, in case you need more than you initially thought. There is now also a tipping option for all those who value the app more than the small one-time payments and want to do something good for the developer.

About

Computa

Features
Read full description

Computa is a watch-only cycling recording service, you must have an Apple Watch to track a ride. Computa is designed to work without cell service relying entirely on GPS for navigation on device. No active connection to phone needed! Computa turns your Apple Watch into a powerful cycling computer with customizable metrics, live map navigation, and ride tracking. When battery power is plentiful, full map detail and many more features are also available! • Custom screens: speed, distance, HR, elevation, power & more • Turn-by-turn navigation with breadcrumb maps • Configurable map with zoom, colors, and stat overlays • Multiple settings profiles for different rides • Strava & Ride with GPS sync • Auto-pause and navigation alerts • Free — no ads, no subscriptions

Screenshots

Pado4 screens
Computa4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Computa at none against Pado's 7. Computa also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). Pado's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads and device support 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. Pado sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Computa asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pado ships an update every 2 months, Computa every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Pado versus Computa: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPadoComputa
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (18 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings18 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander ClaussAidan Weinberg

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Pado

One-time7
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Update to Pro Version$2.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
Show 4 more
  • Standard Version$3.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
  • Full Version$6.99
  • Very Large Tip$6.99
None

Computa

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pado free?
Pado is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Computa free?
Computa is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pado or Computa have ads?
Neither Pado nor Computa shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pado or Computa?
Pado ships an update every 2 months, and Computa every 5 days. Most recently, Pado was updated on November 1, 2026 and Computa on October 31, 2026.

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