# VDOT Running Calculator vs Runner's Tools

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | VDOT Running Calculator | Runner's Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vdot-running-calculator/id973571014/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runners-tools/id1491073558/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.6K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 73.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 38 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 38 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Run SMART Project, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/973571013) | [Frederic Bacro](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482824795) |

## What reviewers say

### VDOT Running Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vdot-running-calculator/id973571014)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VDOT Calculator Premium | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great tool
- 👍 Simplicity of use
- 👍 Extremely helpful
- 👍 Does its job well
- 👍 Good calculator

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes
- 🐛 Limits calculations without premium
- 🐛 Doesn't remember previous data
- 🐛 Bugs with custom distances
- 🐛 Can't see definitions

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when upgrading to premium
- Can't scroll beyond 200/400m results
- Custom distance doesn't support metric

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runners-tools/id1491073558)

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.

**Highlights:** Race Predictor, Training Pace Calculator, Track Split Conversion, Race Split Planning, Environmental Factor Analysis, Pace Conversion, Age Graded Performance Calculation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VDOT Running Calculator free?

VDOT Running Calculator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Runner's Tools free?

Runner's Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, VDOT Running Calculator or Runner's Tools?

Runner's Tools is rated higher. VDOT Running Calculator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Runner's Tools averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do VDOT Running Calculator or Runner's Tools have ads?

Neither VDOT Running Calculator nor Runner's Tools shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VDOT Running Calculator or Runner's Tools?

VDOT Running Calculator ships an update every 4 months, and Runner's Tools every 38 months. Most recently, VDOT Running Calculator was updated on October 29, 2026 and Runner's Tools on October 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*