Whether you are lacing up for the first time or you’re trying to hit that coveted runner’s high again, you sometimes might need a little extra something to get you through your runs.
Luckily, there’s an app—or more like a hundred—that can help. These days, apps can not only track your run, but also coach you, motivate you with music, keep you safe, and more.
To keep it simple, we rounded up our favorites from the past few years and narrowed them down to the best running apps across several categories, highlighting what makes each unique. Whether you’re just starting out as a runner or you’re a seasoned pro, this list will help you find the tools you need to get the most out of your miles.
Best Beginner Running Apps
Human
Best for: Getting motivated to be more active
Human isn’t the most advanced activity tracker on this list, but it wins points as a strong motivator. The app works in the background, tracks the time you spend being active (running, walking, and cycling), and nudges you to hit your “Daily 30,” or 30 minutes of exercise per day. But the real motivation comes from other people. Human compares your data to other nearby users to create a leaderboard of who’s exercising nearby, so you can see how you rank against your neighbors.
Couch to 5K
Best for: Building your confidence by working toward a goal
The popular Couch-to-5K app does exactly what it says: Turns you from sedentary couch potato into a runner. It guides you through three 30-minute workouts per week to get you ready for a 3.1-mile race in only nine weeks. Along the way, it tracks your time and distance via GPS, and a virtual coach gives you verbal cues about your workout. After each run, you can log your data to active.com, and you can share your achievements with friends in the app’s newsfeed.
Pacer
Best for: Starting a regular running routine
This app is centered on step-counting, but it’s a great launching point into developing a running habit, too. Like Human, Pacer works in the background, logging your steps as you move around during the day to give you a picture of your activity level. Unlike Human, you can also track runs with GPS and join group challenges, and if you opt for Premium ($5 per month), you can access training plans with video workouts.
Best Advanced Running Apps
Strava
Best for: Tracking runs and rides with a strong social element
Wildly popular among cyclists and runners, Strava is a great choice for casual milers and pros alike. It offers in-depth GPS tracking, works with a variety of GPS devices, and tracks all kinds of metrics (especially if you opt for a Summit membership). It’s also known for its popular segments feature, which shows how you stack up against other runners on the same route. Premium users also get access to Beacon, a safety option that allows three designated contacts to monitor your location while you’re out running.
Runcoach
Best for: Building an adaptive training plan that fits your needs
Check out Runcoach to create a workout schedule and stick to it. Set a running goal and input information on your schedule, and the algorithm will deliver customized guidance on how to train. Want personalized coaching? (There’s an option to upgrade for $19.95 a month.) Use the app to reach out to USATF-certified coaches for help with injuries, nutrition, and more.
MapMyRun
Best for: Finding new routes to run
Not sure where to run? Choose from one of more than 70 million routes on MapMyRun, Under Armour’s comprehensive tracker that records distance, pace, elevation, calories burned, and more. It integrates with a variety of major wearable trackers, as well as the My Fitness Pal app, so you can sync your diet and exercise info together for a clearer picture of your health.
Nike+ Run Club
Best for: Run tracking, photo sharing, and audio coaching
Engineered specifically for runners, the Nike+ Run Club app goes beyond basic tracking with several motivation and coaching features, such as end-of-run cheers from top athletes, built-in photo sharing that overlays your run stats with a photo from your route, and audio-based workouts from top Nike coaches to help guide you along the way. Plus, the audio-coached runs feature a Spotify integration so you can lay the coach’s cues over your favorite playlist—the best of both worlds.
iSmoothRun
Best for: Training with multiple tracking services
In addition to showing you information about your run—basics such as distance and time, but also steps, weather, and the name of the street you started on—the iSmoothRun app supports run/walk and interval workouts, syncs with a variety of devices, tracks shoe mileage, and can also send workout data to other training logs. We imported a slew of TCX files from Dropbox, then exported them all in one go to MapMyRun in a matter of a few seconds.
$4.99: iOS
Zwift
Best for: Feeling like you are running outside when on the treadmill.
Zwift is an online training ground inhabited up until recently by cyclists. Users log in, sync their avatar to their iPad/computer/devices and then ride or run around courses, surrounded by other virtual athletes from all over the globe doing the same thing. Download Zwift to your supported device—like your phone, iPad, or cast it to your TV—then pair up your Bluetooth enabled footpod or supported treadmill and get going.
Best Music Apps for Runners
Spotify
Best for: Making playlists for your run
The popular streaming app gives you the best music from then and now through playlists you or your friends create. You can also explore the world of Spotify to see what else people are running to, jamming to, or working out to. One of the best parts of the app is it pairs with most GPS watches and devices so once you have the app, you can take it with you just about anywhere you can take your devices. Both commercial and commercial-free options are available.
Free or monthly subscription: iOS | Android
Apple Music
Best for: Taking your favorite songs along with you on your run
Apple has dominated the portable music scene since the invention of the iPod, so it’s no wonder they have more than 50 million songs offered. Take the seemingly endless library of songs with you on your run to enjoy just about any music you could ever want on any Apple device. What’s even better is Apple offers deals for students, individuals, and families.
Plans start at $4.99/month: iOS
Amazon Music Unlimited & Amazon Prime Music
Best for: Prime members and music lovers who want to jam out
There are two options here that both offer millions of song options from playlists and stations tailored to your favorite genres from past and present artists. For Prime members, that includes more than 2 million songs, while you can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited which includes tens of millions of songs for hours of commercial free-listening.
Prime Music free with Prime membership, Music Unlimited plans start at $7.99/month: iOS | Android
WeavRun
Best for: Finding music to match your stride
Although it’s always good to pay attention to the sound of your feet, listening to music is a great way to up your energy level on a run. WeavRun will help with that. It remixes pop songs to match your pace, so you can run to music without worrying about a slow song messing up your stride.
Free: iOS
Aaptiv
Best for: Making treadmill workouts a little easier.
Treadmill workouts are the top class category on Aaptiv and range in skill levels so newbie runners have just as many options as marathoners. Some trainers push technical form, others are popular among those people who are race training, and some just like to have fun. Before you choose a run, you can check out all the details in the app, including estimated distance, peak speed, peak incline, and music style, so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Free 7-day trial, $14.99 per month: iOS | Android
Best Podcast & Audiobook Apps for Runners
Audible
Best for: Catching up on the latest books.
Sometimes you don’t want to get lost in the music or have the beat mess up your stride. Sometimes you just want to get lost in a story or show. That’s where Audible can help you out. The audio app offers audiobooks, shows, and podcasts from your favorite writers and personalities with a massive library of content for whatever you’re in the mood for.
Plans start at $14.95/month: iOS | Android
Apple Podcasts
Best for: Keeping track of your favorite podcasts
There are literally thousands of podcasts out there for you to discover and listen to, and the one place most of them can be found is on Apple Podcasts. It’s home feed will always keep you updated on the latest show trends, the top selections in your favorite categories, and biggest names to launch their own podcast. Just subscribe to your favorite shows, and they will be waiting for you the next time you plug in for a run. (Looking for some of the best pods out there? Here are our picks for the best podcasts for runners.)
Free: iOS
Google Podcasts
Best for: Discovering new podcasts
Similar to Apple Podcasts in that pretty much all of your favorite shows live in the Google ecosystem, but our podcast fanatics on staff love that the app always shows you when a new episode is ready to be downloaded. If you’re bored with your current allotment of shows, the app is also very useful in finding shows that will likely match your tastes.
Free: Android
Stitcher
Best for: Curating all your favorite shows by category.
Yes, Stitcher provides thousands of free podcasts to download and stream, but you can also sign up for Stitcher Premium to get exclusive content, full comedy albums, and ad-free versions of some of your favorite shows. (And a lot of hard to access archived episodes of uber-popular shows are fully available if you are a member.) One of the best features is you can create your own podcasts playlists, meaning you can batch all your comedy/true crime/sports podcasts all in one place so your favorite shows don’t get lost.
TuneIn Radio
Best for: Listening to live radio
Never miss breaking news or the big game for your run again. TuneIn Radio has all the sports and news radio stations you need. You’d also have access to all your favorite podcasts all in one app.
Free with ads, $10 per month without most ads: iOS | Android
Best Motivation Running Apps
Runtastic
Best for: Keeping your mind occupied while running
Runtastic is a full-fledged run tracker, but it also stands out for its unique “Story Running” feature. Download stories ($1 a piece) in the app to listen to podcast-style tracks as you run. Each story is roughly 35 to 40 minutes long—just about the same duration as your typical daily workout.
Charity Miles
Best for: Running for a cause
Charity Miles is a great way to add some altruism to your workout. It tracks your distance and donates 25 cents to a preselected participating charity for every mile you cover. Your runner’s high just got even better.
Zombies, Run!
Best for: Turning your run into a video game
If lacing up for a run sounds daunting, try adding a little primal fear to your routine with Zombies, Run! This app puts you in the middle of a zombie apocalypse by providing a series audio stories and missions for you to listen to as you run, mixed in with your own music. Follow the audio prompts to collect supplies, fortify your zombie-proof base, and save humanity—what’s better motivation than that?
Runner Safety Apps
RoadID
Best for: Automatically getting help in case of an accident
Road ID is better known for its bracelets that identify you to first responders after an accident (if it unfortunately happens). But the company also has a handy app that lets you share your location with friends and family, and it sends them an SOS message with your location if you stop moving for five minutes and don’t respond to the app’s alert. Better yet, your contacts don’t even need the RoadID app to use it—they get alerts via text or email.
Citizen
Best for: Keeping an eye on safety in your area
Citizen shows a map of your area that’s updated in real-time by users when something isn’t safe. You’ll get access to real-time 911 alerts, instant help from crisis responders, and safety tracking for friends and families. You can even play a part in helping your local community by reporting anything unsafe that you see.
