Comparison

Start Stretching vs StretchBuddy

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

Head to head
About

Start Stretching

Improve your physical flexibility with guided stretches designed for beginners. This app offers simple instructions and a built-in timer to make daily stretching convenient. Track your progress and integrate with your health app to monitor your fitness journey.

Highlights
  • Beginner-level stretches
  • Easy-to-follow graphics and instructions
  • Configurable stretch durations
  • Built-in timer
  • Health app integration
  • Statistics tracking
  • Automatic stretch cycling
Read full description

Start Stretching is a stretching coach intended for healthy individuals who are seeking to improve their physical flexibility. The app is an entry point into the world of flexibility training for anyone with the capability to perform a few basic movements. The app features a routine of beginner level stretches designed to help people improve their health and mobility, whether you have a minute or 10 to spare each day. Simple graphics with easy to follow instructions and a built-in timer make stretching convenient. Integration with the Health app allows tracking stretching time as a workout. ---------------------------------------- Why Stretch With Start Stretching? ---------------------------------------- - Basic stretches, clearly described – both textually and graphically - Configurable stretch durations for difficulty adjustment - Integration with the Health app to record your stretching workouts - Statistics tracking - Stretch hold length timing - Automatic cycling through the stretch routine

About

StretchBuddy

This app provides expert-backed, 7-minute stretching routines designed to relieve pain, improve posture, and increase flexibility. It offers focused sessions for various needs, including pain relief, aesthetic enhancement, and body development, with progress tracking and long-term challenges.

Highlights
  • Expert-backed stretching routines
  • 7-minute focused sessions
  • Pain relief and mobility focus
  • Aesthetic enhancement routines
  • Body development programs
  • Daily routine tracking
  • Unlockable bonus exercises
Features
Read full description

Relieve Pain. Move Freely. Feel Better in 7 Minutes a Day. For years, I sat eight hours a day chasing deadlines. I ignored the ache building in my neck and shoulders — until it wasn't just an ache anymore. Sitting, standing, even sleeping got hard. I spent thousands on treatments that helped for a day, maybe two. What actually worked wasn't a treatment. It was rebuilding the mobility I'd lost from years of poor posture and neglected muscles. That routine became StretchBuddy — built so you don't have to spend years and thousands of dollars figuring it out yourself. Your Personal Stretching Coach StretchBuddy improves flexibility, reduces everyday aches, fixes posture, and helps you move better. In as little as 7 minutes a day. Choose Your Focus — Upper Body: neck, shoulders, chest & back — Lower Body: hips, glutes, hamstrings & calves Or follow a guided program for: Back pain · Shoulder pain · Better posture · Sleep & relaxation · Constipation relief · Daily mobility And if you want to go further, train toward your front and middle splits with our progressive flexibility challenges. Why StretchBuddy — Guided routines for every level — Personalized flexibility programs built around your goals — Progressive training toward your front & middle splits — 4 exclusive 1-year flexibility challenges — Workout length that fits your schedule, not the other way around — Calendar tracking that builds the habit Whether you're in pain right now or just want to stay ahead of it, StretchBuddy helps you build a stronger, more flexible body — one session at a time. What People Are Saying "This app made my flexibility the best it's ever been. Thanks!" — Egor Panchenko "A convenient and effective solution for prioritizing health through stretching." — Softonic "No gimmicks, just stretching exercises that work." — Mdgrieve Your body is your most valuable investment. A few minutes a day is all it takes to feel the difference — and keep feeling it for years. Try StretchBuddy Pro Free for 3 Days Unlimited routines. Personalized programs. All 4 flexibility challenges. Full progress tracking. Early Bird: 50% Off After Your Trial Start free. Cancel anytime in the first 3 days and pay nothing. After that, lock in 50% off Pro for signing up this month. This offer ends soon.

Screenshots

Start Stretching4 screens
StretchBuddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: StretchBuddy at none against Start Stretching's shown. StretchBuddy also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 4 months). Start Stretching's advantage is ratings volume (3.5K vs 54) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). On price, rating, review sentiment 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 Stretching sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and StretchBuddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Start Stretching against 4.6 for StretchBuddy. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Stretching has 3.5K ratings behind it against 54, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 79% of Start Stretching's written reviews are positive against 73% of StretchBuddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Stretching ships an update every 4 months, StretchBuddy every 3 days. Both last shipped on September 20, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Start Stretching versus StretchBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart StretchingStretchBuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (3.5K ratings) — better4.6 (54 ratings)
Positive reviews79.2% of reviews — better72.7% of reviews
Number of ratings3.5K — better54
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB369 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYogasoft ApplicationsYoungsang Doh

Customer experience

Start Stretching

All ratings3,509 ratings
Positive90.7%
Neutral4.3%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews202 reviews
Positive79.2%
Neutral4.5%
Negative16.3%

StretchBuddy

All ratings54 ratings
Positive90.7%
Neutral3.7%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.3%

Bugs and requests

Start Stretching

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional freezing or looping issues
  • Inconsistent behavior with left/right stretch variations

Requested features

4 requests
  • More stretching exercises and routines
  • Ability to create custom stretching programs
  • Guided audio or video instructions
  • Integration with fitness tracking apps

StretchBuddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Start Stretching

One-time1
  • Start Stretching Premium$1.99
2 purchases

StretchBuddy

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Start Stretching free?
Start Stretching is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StretchBuddy free?
StretchBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Start Stretching or StretchBuddy?
Start Stretching is rated higher. Start Stretching averages 4.6 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while StretchBuddy averages 4.6 from 54 ratings.
Do Start Stretching or StretchBuddy have ads?
Start Stretching shows ads; StretchBuddy does not.
Which is updated more often, Start Stretching or StretchBuddy?
Start Stretching ships an update every 4 months, and StretchBuddy every 3 days. Most recently, Start Stretching was updated on September 20, 2026 and StretchBuddy on September 20, 2026.

Other comparisons