# VDOT Running Calculator vs The Program by Bandit Running

The clearest difference is rating: VDOT Running Calculator at 4.9 against The Program by Bandit Running's 3.9. VDOT Running Calculator also leads on ratings volume (1.6K vs 115) and device support (3 vs 1). The Program by Bandit Running's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VDOT Running Calculator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. The Program by Bandit Running asks for nothing beyond the download.

VDOT Running Calculator holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VDOT Running Calculator has 1.6K ratings behind it against 115, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of VDOT Running Calculator's written reviews are positive against 73% of The Program by Bandit Running's.

VDOT Running Calculator ships an update every 4 months, The Program by Bandit Running every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VDOT Running Calculator | The Program by Bandit Running |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vdot-running-calculator/id973571014/reviews)** | [3.9 (115 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-program-by-bandit-running/id6505125026/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.6K** | 115 |
| Positive reviews | **73.8% of reviews** | 72.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 38 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Run SMART Project, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/973571013) | [Bandit Running](https://appshunter.io/developer/1755262308) |

## 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


### The Program by Bandit Running

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-program-by-bandit-running/id6505125026)

This app offers a free guided training experience for marathon and half marathon runners. It generates personalized training plans based on your race, goal time, and weekly mileage. Get instant answers to training questions with the integrated coach feature.

**Highlights:** Free guided training plans, Marathon and half marathon focus, Personalized plan generation, Interactive training schedule, Instant coach answers

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent training program
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🎉 Customizable to user goals
- 🎉 Helpful insights and advice
- 👍 Clean and simple interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Account creation issues
- 🐛 Blank screen on launch

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Account creation problems

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VDOT Running Calculator free?

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

### Is The Program by Bandit Running free?

The Program by Bandit Running is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, VDOT Running Calculator or The Program by Bandit Running?

VDOT Running Calculator is rated higher. VDOT Running Calculator averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while The Program by Bandit Running averages 3.9 from 115 ratings.

### Do VDOT Running Calculator or The Program by Bandit Running have ads?

Neither VDOT Running Calculator nor The Program by Bandit Running shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VDOT Running Calculator or The Program by Bandit Running?

VDOT Running Calculator ships an update every 4 months, and The Program by Bandit Running every 2 weeks. Most recently, VDOT Running Calculator was updated on November 11, 2026 and The Program by Bandit Running on November 4, 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.*