Comparison

Stepwise Pedometer vs Marathon Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Stepwise Pedometer

This app is a modern pedometer that tracks your daily activity, including steps, calories, distance, and active time. It helps you set and achieve fitness goals with progress visualization and optional motivational messages. Integrates with Apple Watch and HealthKit for enhanced accuracy.

Highlights
  • Set fitness goals
  • Track steps, calories, distance, active time
  • Visualize progress
  • Start and track trips
  • Share activity with friends
  • Apple Watch and HealthKit integration
  • Today Widget
Features
Read full description

A powerful yet simple pedometer that tracks your activity and motivates you to achieve your fitness goals. Stepwise is a modern, fully featured pedometer with many useful features in a simple, intuitive interface: - Set your goal. - Track your steps, calories, distance, active time, speed and more. - See your progress. - Start a trip. - Share with friends. - Optional motivational messages. - Apple Watch app merges data for better accuracy. - Today Widget. - HealthKit integration. Stepwise is ad-supported. If you choose to purchase Stepwise Premium annual subscription to remove ads and export your data, payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews at the same cost unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period and account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Stepwise requires motion and location access to accurately track your activity. Stepwise privacy policy and terms of use: https://www.stepwiseapp.com/privacy https://www.stepwiseapp.com/termsofuse

About

Marathon Buddy

Features
Read full description

Train smarter, run faster, and finish strong with Marathon Buddy – the intelligent running coach powered by the proven Jack Daniels' VDOT formula. Are you tired of generic "one-size-fits-all" PDF plans? Do you train hard but don't see results? Marathon Buddy brings elite-level coaching methodology to your pocket, adapting specifically to your current fitness level and goals. Whether you are targeting your first 5K finish or aiming for a Boston Qualifier marathon time, our scientific approach ensures every mile has a purpose. WHY MARATHON BUDDY? 1. The Science of VDOT We don't guess your pace; we calculate it. Based on your recent race performance, we determine your "VDOT" (running economy score). This allows us to prescribe the exact paces you need to hit for Easy runs, Threshold intervals, and Repetitions to maximize physiological adaptation without overtraining. 2. Adaptive Race Plans Our training engine builds a complete periodized schedule leading up to your race day: • Base Phase: Build your aerobic foundation and injury resistance. • Quality Phase: Introduce threshold and interval work to boost your lactate threshold and VO2 max. • Peak Phase: Sharpen your speed and simulate race conditions. • Taper Phase: Scientifically reduce volume to ensure you arrive at the start line fresh and ready. CORE FEATURES Dynamic Audio Coach Leave your phone in your pocket. Our audio coach guides you through complex interval workouts, announcing pace targets, rest periods, and splits. • "Run 2 minutes at 4:30/km" • "Recover for 1 minute" • "You are on pace!" Advanced VDOT Calculator • Pace Zones: Instantly see your Easy (E), Marathon (M), Threshold (T), Interval (I), and Repetition (R) paces. • Race Potential: Predicting your marathon time based on a fresh 5K result has never been this accurate. Know exactly what you are capable of before race day. • Equivalent Times: See how your 10K time translates to other distances. Precision Tracking (Dual-Mode) • Outdoor GPS: High-accuracy GPS tracking with real-time map visualization, pace charts, and mile/km splits. • Treadmill Mode: A dedicated interface for indoor runners. Manually log your treadmill metrics or connect to compatible Bluetooth FTMS stride sensors (coming soon) to keep your digital logbook complete. Health & Progress Monitoring • Weekly Check-ins: Log your fatigue levels, sleep quality, and soreness. The app learns from you. • Volume Analysis: Track your weekly mileage trends to prevent the "Too Much, Too Soon" injury trap. • Personal Bests: Automatically detect and celebrate your fastest efforts from 1K to Full Marathon. Designed for Focus • Dark Mode: Easy on the eyes for those early morning or late night runs. • Privacy First: Your GPS data and training history live on your device. We don't sell your data to advertisers. • Battery Efficient: Optimized to track long runs without draining your battery. WHO IS THIS FOR? • Beginners: Who need structure and guidance to finish their first race safely. • Intermediates: Stuck at a plateau? Use structured interval training to break through. • Serious Runners: Who want a digital tool that respects the serious methodology of Daniel's Running Formula. SUBSCRIPTION PRICING & TERMS Marathon Buddy offers a free trial for all new users to experience the full power of adaptive training. • Free Version: Access to the VDOT Calculator, basic GPS tracking, and single-run logging. • Premium: Unlocks the full adaptive Training Plan, advanced workout analysis, and future plan adjustments. Subscriptions are available as a monthly or annual auto-renewable subscription. Subscription Options: - Monthly: $14.99/month - Annual: $99.99/year (equivalent to $8.33/month, save 44%) Privacy Policy: https://services.treadmillbuddy.com/marathon/static/privacy-policy.html Support: https://services.treadmillbuddy.com/marathon/static/support.html Website: https://services.treadmillbuddy.com/marathon/static/index.html

Screenshots

Stepwise Pedometer4 screens
Marathon Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Marathon Buddy at none against Stepwise Pedometer's shown. Marathon Buddy also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases 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. Stepwise Pedometer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per year and Marathon Buddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stepwise Pedometer ships an update every 2 months, Marathon Buddy every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Stepwise Pedometer versus Marathon Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStepwise PedometerMarathon Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3.7K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.7K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB97 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperProgress Concepts Limited群 谢

Bugs and requests

Stepwise Pedometer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Steps not recording properly on some days
  • App crashes or freezes for some users

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add GPS functionality to track routes and elevation
  • Improve graphs and data visualization
  • Allow manual entry of steps for days when phone is not carried

Marathon Buddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Stepwise Pedometer

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$5.491 Year
One-time3
  • Nice Tip$0.99
  • Great Tip$1.99
  • Awesome Tip$4.99
2 purchases

Marathon Buddy

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Plan14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Annual Plan14 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Stepwise Pedometer free?
Stepwise Pedometer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Marathon Buddy free?
Marathon Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Stepwise Pedometer or Marathon Buddy have ads?
Stepwise Pedometer shows ads; Marathon Buddy does not.
Which is updated more often, Stepwise Pedometer or Marathon Buddy?
Stepwise Pedometer ships an update every 2 months, and Marathon Buddy every 3 days. Most recently, Stepwise Pedometer was updated on October 20, 2026 and Marathon Buddy on October 4, 2026.

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