Smartphone running apps

kshadows

Hi all, which app do you use for running? I was using RunDouble which was great when I was doing the C25K but I've progressed into my own program and RunDouble just doesn't cut it. I'd really like something that has the option to announce miles (RunDouble only tells you when you are half way and only has a few pre-set distances for fun runs) OR lets you program a custom distance to run. Bonus points if it's free, but I'd pay for something that works really well. Android.

Thanks!

aneary1980

Hi all, which app do you use for running? I was using RunDouble which was great when I was doing the C25K but I've progressed into my own program and RunDouble just doesn't cut it. I'd really like something that has the option to announce miles (RunDouble only tells you when you are half way and only has a few pre-set distances for fun runs) OR lets you program a custom distance to run. Bonus points if it's free, but I'd pay for something that works really well. Android.

Thanks!

Runkeeper is free I have it announce every km and every 5 minutes you can program it to miles and no time if you like.

I has an pay for upgrade but I haven't done that as I don't really need it.

danielssmith

Endomondo. I've tried a few but keep coming back to this.

DETarch

I like MapMyRun. It's free, you can set voice reminders at whatever interval you choose (e.g. every mile it tells you total time, pace, split pace, etc.). It can also sync with MyFitnessPal and log workouts automatically, which is awesome. You can pre-plan routes beforehand and then use it as "navigation" during a run or bike ride.

erockem

Endomondo. I've tried a few but keep coming back to this.

Ditto.

cryptonyt

Runkeeper is the best one that I have used. Once you get it set up, you can set your own routes online, and then choose the route that you are running for the day, as well as what playlist to play as you are running, and set it to announce whatever you want, as often as you want, based on time or distance.

rsclause

Runtastic for me but Runkeeper is used a lot. If you like whatever you get it will probably be a good idea to get the paid version. They tend to cobble something if you don't. It also helps me decide when I need new shoes. I can go into my log to see how many miles I have on them from date of purchase.

Unknown

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JustSomeEm

For fun running I use 'Zombies, Run!' You can download the app and try it for free (I think - might be 5 dollars), but have to pay to access the series. Right now it has 3 seasons of runs (I think there are approximately 30 runs per season), it has race runs and a few other fun things. It puts you in a scenario where you're a runner for a town after the zombie apocolypse. I love it - its neat to listen to and be part of the story line. It can be set to track kilometers as well as miles, and will tell you at each mile/kilometer how far you've run and the time you've taken to run the distance. It also keeps track of your runs and distance and at the end of the run, will tell you your overall pace. For now, its all I've been using to track runs (aside from my Jawbone Up). Once I'm through the three seasons, I'll probably switch to Endomondo or Runtastic, if I don't repeat the episodes of Zombies, Run.

chetvr

I use Nike+. It announces every mile, tracks with GPS, and it's free. It syncs with it's site to keep stats for the day, week, month, years and includes your times and also how many miles on your running shoes. You can add friends, set up challenges, and link to FB if that's something you want to do.

brianpperkins

There are several options that all do basically the same thing. It comes down to personal preference (just take note of how many "I like ..." comments accompany all of these types of threads) on the interface, free vs pay options, challenges/contests, shoe mileage tracking, how much of a data geek you are, auto sync with MFP, etc.

In no particular order and in no way all inclusive (full disclosure, I have four out of the following apps on my phone, accounts with five of them ... and have my data populated to each of them) :
Runkeeper
Endomondo
MapMyRun
Strava
Runtastic
Digifit


Try the free versions, see which one(s) you like best. Pick one and go run.

eganita

I like MapMyRun. It notifies you of the pace every mile. I believe if you becoming a paying member, you can get the info every half mile. I really like their site... easy to review the elevation, distance, courses later on. I don't have too much experience with any other running app, as I've just been happy w MapMyRun. I have an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy S5).

mirki002

I use Nike+. It announces every mile, tracks with GPS, and it's free. It syncs with it's site to keep stats for the day, week, month, years and includes your times and also how many miles on your running shoes. You can add friends, set up challenges, and link to FB if that's something you want to do.

Me too, love Nike+

JenniDaisy

I love runkeeper! It's free, it has options to announce various things; Pace, Distance, Time etc. and the GPS is very, very accurate.

jkwolly

I like MapMyRun. It notifies you of the pace every mile. I believe if you becoming a paying member, you can get the info every half mile. I really like their site... easy to review the elevation, distance, courses later on. I don't have too much experience with any other running app, as I've just been happy w MapMyRun.

Same here.

Looove it! And it;s not just for running, you can switch to walking, biking, hiking, etc!

KimJohnsonsmile

I love runkeeper! It's free, it has options to announce various things; Pace, Distance, Time etc. and the GPS is very, very accurate.

Me too. I've used Runtastic and like that too, but I've found that Runkeeper's GPS is more accurate.

brneyedgirl73

I started using Runtastic 4 months ago and love it!

Warren_Abrey

Endomondo. I've tried a few but keep coming back to this.

Ditto.

Same

Tammy_1971

I use Nike+. It announces every mile, tracks with GPS, and it's free. It syncs with it's site to keep stats for the day, week, month, years and includes your times and also how many miles on your running shoes. You can add friends, set up challenges, and link to FB if that's something you want to do.

I like Nike+Run as well. You can also play your music list if you like. And although I haven't used it, you can apparently get cheers during your run when you link it to Facebook. I've tried others, but I always go back to Nike+Run

MeanderingMammal

Hi all, which app do you use for running?

There are about 5 main options, plus a slack handful of other apps with much lower market penetration. The most popular have cross application integration, social functionality and embedded training plans:

Strava - Used by the more hardcore, very deep analysis functionality and extensive competition amongst users; segments, groups, regular challenges etc. I find this most acurate on the phone but the premium subscription is quite pricey for the casual user.

Endomondo - Good analysis tools on the website, generally solid GPS exploitation although the calorie extimations do appear to be higher. Social integration is good and the training plans are the better of those available as they can be modified and tailored. Premium version is quite reasonably priced

Runkeeper - Good social functionality and solid tracking, although they have had some issues around software upgrades with performance issues. Haven't seen that in a year when I've been on Android but it used to hit a little with iPhone. Premium version is reasonably priced

Runtastic - Adequate, but I've found serious battery drain issues and the upselling to add ons is aggressive. This is really a portfolio of apps for different activities, so I'm less keen from that perspective. Premium pricing is quite complex and becomes quite expensive.

MapMyFitness - Again a portfolio of apps tailored to different activities. Personally I've never found it worked well for me, with website synch issues quite regularly.

I'm not keen on the latter two, tending to use Endomondo training plans alongside Strava at the moment. I have a lot of history in Runkeeper so keep that going as well.

BuddhaMom74

I was using MapMyFitness, which I really like; it announces each km, the time and my pace. I recently bought a Vivofit with HRM, so I'm using the Garmin Connect / Garmin Fit apps and it syncs automatically, but I don't like it anywhere near as much as MapMyFitness as it doesn't announce anything. Still syncs well with MFP (as does MapMyFitness) but I miss the audio updates.

lamps1303

Runkeeper FTW. Although I turn off the 5minute alerts - they just annoy me!

ryblueeyes

Hi all, which app do you use for running? I was using RunDouble which was great when I was doing the C25K but I've progressed into my own program and RunDouble just doesn't cut it. I'd really like something that has the option to announce miles (RunDouble only tells you when you are half way and only has a few pre-set distances for fun runs) OR lets you program a custom distance to run. Bonus points if it's free, but I'd pay for something that works really well. Android.

Thanks!

Runkeeper is free I have it announce every km and every 5 minutes you can program it to miles and no time if you like.

I has an pay for upgrade but I haven't done that as I don't really need it.

Ditto. Love Runkeeper.

melaniecheeks

MapMyRun for me - you can set the vocal feedback to all sorts of intervals, right down to every 0.25 km.

LoraF83

I use Nike+. It announces every mile, tracks with GPS, and it's free. It syncs with it's site to keep stats for the day, week, month, years and includes your times and also how many miles on your running shoes. You can add friends, set up challenges, and link to FB if that's something you want to do.

Me too, love Nike+

I like Nike+. Mostly for the facebook part. I'm an attention *kitten* like that.

xcalygrl

I use MapMyRun, which will also track walking, biking, swimming, and gym classes for you.

kshadows

I think I'm going to try MMR. I'm actually a member but I only use it online because it has the handy route-planning tool so I plan my route and then track with RunDouble.

Thank you all for the feedback, I will check out a few of the others too!

rueruechika

Runtastic

yc4king

I use RunKeeper and have been very happy with it, however it was the first running app I used so I can't compare, it has just never fallen short so I never felt any desire to try a different one. GPS seems pretty accurate, announcements are very configurable, keeps track of how many runs i've gone on and how many km, etc etc, and auto syncs to MFP.

mommyrunning

I use Nike+. It announces every mile, tracks with GPS, and it's free. It syncs with it's site to keep stats for the day, week, month, years and includes your times and also how many miles on your running shoes. You can add friends, set up challenges, and link to FB if that's something you want to do.

Me too, love Nike+

Same here. I've used Nike+ for years. I buy the shoes that you allow you to add the sensor to the inside of the shoe but you can also attached a sensor to the outside of your shoe. There's an app to go with it and they also sell other gear like wristbands with a USB and sport watches. It gives you lots of positive feed back. It will announce things like "you just ran for fastest mile", "That was your longest run", "you've run 3 days in row". They also have levels based on how many miles you've accumulated.

Nike+ Levels are assigned to the following kilometer-based achievements:

Yellow: 0-49 kilometers or 0-30 miles
Orange: 50-249 kilometers or 31-154 miles
Green: 250-999 kilometers or 155-620 miles
Blue: 1,000-2,499 kilometers or 621-1,552 miles
Purple: 2,500-4,999kilometers or 1,553-3,106 miles
Black: 5,000-14,999 kilometers or 3,107-9,319 miles
Volt: More than 15,000 kilometers or 9,320 miles

lmr0528

I really like the Nike+ app. Mainly because I can add friends from FB and it keeps track everyone's total distance. It motivates me to try and get ahead of them. I also like that during the run, it announces when you hit each mile, your time and average pace.