# VDOT Running Calculator vs PaceMaster

The clearest difference is ratings volume: VDOT Running Calculator at 1.6K against PaceMaster's 1. On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VDOT Running Calculator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PaceMaster sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. 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 PaceMaster. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VDOT Running Calculator has 1.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

VDOT Running Calculator ships an update every 4 months, PaceMaster every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VDOT Running Calculator | PaceMaster |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vdot-running-calculator/id973571014/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pacemaster-marathon-trainer/id6449989149/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.6K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 73.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 38 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Run SMART Project, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/973571013) | [知昶 臧](https://appshunter.io/developer/1515016315) |

## 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


### PaceMaster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pacemaster-marathon-trainer/id6449989149)

This app is a comprehensive marathon training and pacing tool. It offers personalized training plans, pace calculators, and race day strategy adjustments based on environmental factors and personal performance. It also includes professional running tools to enhance efficiency.

**Highlights:** Dual-mode marathon pace calculator, Personalized training plans, Professional training algorithms, Smart race day strategy, Performance predictions, Built-in metronome

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PaceMaster Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| PaceMaster Pro | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VDOT Running Calculator free?

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

### Is PaceMaster free?

PaceMaster is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, VDOT Running Calculator or PaceMaster?

PaceMaster is rated higher. VDOT Running Calculator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while PaceMaster averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do VDOT Running Calculator or PaceMaster have ads?

Neither VDOT Running Calculator nor PaceMaster shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VDOT Running Calculator or PaceMaster?

VDOT Running Calculator ships an update every 4 months, and PaceMaster every 3 months. Most recently, VDOT Running Calculator was updated on November 1, 2026 and PaceMaster on November 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.*