VDOT Running Calculator vs Runner's Tools
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VDOT Running Calculator
This app helps runners and coaches calculate training paces, equate race performances, and adjust for environmental factors. Based on decades of scientific research, it provides a VDOT score to measure running ability and compare performances across different distances.
- Calculate time, distance, and race paces
- Determine current training paces
- Equate race performances across distances
- Adjust paces for heat and altitude
- Measure running ability with VDOT score
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The official VDOT Running Calculator, designed by Dr. Jack Daniels - named World's Best Running Coach by Runner's World Magazine - and the team at VDOT O2. Thanks to over 50 years of scientific research conducted by legendary coach Dr. Jack Daniels, runners and coaches can quickly determine appropriate training paces, equate race performances and adjust for heat and altitude. Features: • Calculate time, distance and race paces • Calculate your current training paces • Calculate and compare the equivalent performances of a race result at other distances • Calculate the effect of temperature or altitude on training and race paces What's Your VDOT? VDOT is a measure of your current running ability. It assigns a score to all running performances, let's you determine your current training paces, and equates a race time in one distance to another. For instance, you can compare your VDOT score from a recent 5k result to a friend's score who just ran a half marathon. Who won? What VDOT Level Have You Reached? Input a race result or estimated performance and learn what score it reaches on the VDOT scale. Enter all your past performances to see which race result scores the highest. There are 10 levels starting at Beginner - White (Female: 34.3, Male: 36.8) all the way up to Professional - Gold (Female: 71, Male: 80).
Runner's Tools
This app helps runners plan and analyze their training and races. It offers features like race predictors, training pace calculators, and split planners. It also accounts for environmental factors and converts between metric and imperial units.
- Race Predictor
- Training Pace Calculator
- Track Split Conversion
- Race Split Planning
- Environmental Factor Analysis
- Pace Conversion
- Age Graded Performance Calculation
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Features: - Race Predictor: Will predict your potential on the most common race distances based on a given one. The automatic calculation uses a dynamic scale but we also made it possible to use your own (single Riegel factor) value. The default gives a realistic prediction, not assuming everyone is a trained high mileage athlete! - Training paces: Based on a (planned or recent) race performance, will calculate both the appropriate splits and paces for interval and tempo training - Track splits: Using GPS for track training is not great. This tool will convert a given pace to the target split of a full lap for each lane of a standard (IAAF) 400m track - Race Splits: Plan any race by breaking the distance and target race time down by kilometer or mile markers - Evaluate or plan a race by factoring in elevation, elevation gain/loss, temperature and humidity (dew point) - Convert any pace from minutes per mile to minutes per km and vice versa - Calculate the right speeds to set treadmills to, based on pace - Calculate age graded performance Works in both metric and imperial system.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: VDOT Running Calculator at every 4 months against Runner's Tools's every 38 months. VDOT Running Calculator also leads on ratings volume (1.6K vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Runner's Tools's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 74%) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, rating, ads 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
Both are free to download. VDOT Running Calculator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Runner's Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for VDOT Running Calculator against 5.0 for Runner's Tools. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VDOT Running Calculator has 1.6K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of VDOT Running Calculator's written reviews are positive against 100% of Runner's Tools's.
VDOT Running Calculator ships an update every 4 months, Runner's Tools every 38 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VDOT Running Calculator | Runner's Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (1.6K ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 73.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.6K — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 38 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | The Run SMART Project, LLC | Frederic Bacro |
Customer experience
VDOT Running Calculator
Runner's Tools
Bugs and requests
VDOT Running Calculator
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when upgrading to premium
- Can't scroll beyond 200/400m results
- Custom distance doesn't support metric
Requested features
4 requests- Expand time field to support ultras
- Add 6k and 8k distances
- Allow inputting VDOT score directly
- Allow typing in times instead of scrolling
Runner's Tools
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
VDOT Running Calculator
- VDOT Calculator Premium2 variants$8.99
Runner's Tools
- No Ads$0.99
Questions
Is VDOT Running Calculator free?
Is Runner's Tools free?
Which has better reviews, VDOT Running Calculator or Runner's Tools?
Do VDOT Running Calculator or Runner's Tools have ads?
Which is updated more often, VDOT Running Calculator or Runner's Tools?
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