Runtastic vs Runkeeper?

I recently started using Runkeeper to track my walks. I see MFP now links with Runtastic. Anyone using either of these? Prefer one or the other? Runkeeper is free and it looks like Runtastic will cost after free trial. Just curious.
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Replies

  • czmmom
    czmmom Posts: 236 Member
    I use runtastic and like it. However I downloaded runtastic almost 2 years ago when it was a free app of the day. I have heard good things about adidas micoach and it is free.
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    A lot of the "Pro" features in Runtastic (The ones you need to pay to get) that I was interested in are already included for free in Runkeeper. Voice feedback during a workout, auto-pause, routes, heart rate support.
  • naculp
    naculp Posts: 225 Member
    Personally I use RunKeeper, but I have never tried Runtastic. I try not to be a biased reviewer, but RK has given me everything I've ever wanted in a running app. I'm sticking with the proverb "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."

    I would say go with RunKeeper, and hopefully MFP will work on getting it integrated soon. RK already syncs well with Fitocracy, another fun fitness app.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    I use RunKeeper and love it!
  • adam1885282
    adam1885282 Posts: 135 Member
    I'm firmly in the runkeeper camp, having tried runtastic for a few days once it was linked up with MFP. I'm sure MFP linked the apps that were willing to pay, and of course I don't blame them. But, Runkeeper offers the ability to other app makers to link Runkeeper, MFP just won't/hasn't done so. I hope they do!

    Ultimately, I decided that linking apps wasn't essential enough to make me abandon runkeeper. It only takes me a minute to enter my activity. I've even considered paying for Runkeeper, I like it so much.
  • brookea87
    brookea87 Posts: 47 Member
    I've never used RunKeeper but I love Runtastic. I love that it posts to MFP automatically. It is very detaied too! I used to use Map My Run until MFP linked with Runtastic.
  • I use Runkeeper and could swear by it. Main reasons are:-
    Links to the :-

    Iphone 4s (GPS)
    Withings Scales(weight, lean mass & BMI)
    Polar H7 Heart Monitor (Calorie Burning Zone)
    MFP (Food intake)

    I cycle up to 100 miles per week so want to keep all my activities accurate and together as they work hand in hand. Kinda motivational too and I can hear my progress or current speeds/pace etc verbally even on dark early morning or late night commutes home. I've not tried Runtastic so no opinion on the benefits of that.
  • Broejen
    Broejen Posts: 414 Member
    I use Runkeeper and Endomondo (which links to MFP too). I tried Runtastic but didn't like it.
  • lois4468
    lois4468 Posts: 166 Member
    Thanks for the input! So far using RunKeeper and love it. Set up the Runtastic but after I did it said it was a trial versionl. I don't plan on paying for anything I don't have to.
  • stone2cut
    stone2cut Posts: 15 Member
    I'm a happy runtastic user. I use the regular app and pedometer. The pedometer app tracks walking so you can track your steps all day. It's low battery, runs in the background and a great way to gauge daily calorie count. There is a free version that you can use.
  • AggieSigner
    AggieSigner Posts: 23 Member
    I use both Runtastic & Runkeeper, mainly because both of them have free versions and I can use either one or both of them on my Android smartphone. Both have pros and cons that come with each.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    I've never used Runtastic before, I use Runkeeper as my main app. I love it! It's easy to use, I get feedback as I'm running and it was free(the reason i tried it to begin with lol)
  • SeanJohnsonCI
    SeanJohnsonCI Posts: 2 Member
    I use RunKeeper and it is brilliant.

    I am on a 1000 mile challenge for the year and is great for tracking and uploading to my facebook page.

    I wish myfitnesspal would use some intergration with it.

    http://runkeeper.com/user/seanpjohnson

    https://www.facebook.com/challengesean
  • If you want free with good features that you don't have to pay for, while also connected with MFP, try endomondo
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 1,163 Member
    Just use runkeeper, then you'll be another voice screaming for MFP integration :D

    I'm quite a heavy RK user, if anyone would like to add me I'm Pyrowill there http://runkeeper.com/user/pyrowill/profile
  • laurieagain09
    laurieagain09 Posts: 183 Member
    I love runkeeper, but I haven't tried runtastic. Maybe I will check it out.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I liked runkeeper, but Endomodo linking to mfp just makes it a breeze to sync to mfp.
  • Obeg
    Obeg Posts: 49 Member
    First of all - let me get on my soap box to start! :-) (I am a software developer by trade so bear with me!)
    If you like and use the App - pony up the $3-10 and pay for it for god's sake! Geez! Listen to yourselves! You have no issue in paying $180 for a pair of shoes, $75 for a Quick Dry shirt, $15 for a pair of socks, $2 a workout for Gatorade, $55 - 100 to enter a race, but to have someone ask for $5 for something they have 8000 hours in - WHAT!? Are you crazy!?

    Ok - that's out of the way. :)

    I use both Runtastic and Sports Tracker Pro. I almost love both of them but both are missing elements. I wish I could combine them and then I would have an application that fits 85% of my wants. Even combined they would both miss key elements. I use both of them linked to a Polar Heart Rate monitor as well.

    Sports Tracker Pro: (This, I believe might be Android only. )
    Pros:
    - Fairly Accurate on distance when the gps stays connected. In past versions - it would sometimes lose gps connections - but in the last year or so it has gotten much better. When it does stay connected - it is very accurate. I ran a half marathon in December and it was dead on.

    - Calculates total calories burned based on formula that includes your personal information, activity performing, performance during activity, and heart rate. If you are doing an indoor exercise like spinning, then it calculates HR based on heart rate and length of activity.

    - Nice website, data metrics, voice feedback

    Cons:
    - App nor website break down run by splits. I find this MOST annoying. It will show you the best "1 mile" or "10 minute" - but not exactly where/which mile and location you achieved this. This is a big con to me.

    - Does not have an option to start track upon initial exceeding the minimum speed threshold (would be very useful for tracking a race when you don't know exactly when it will start and you want to have your phone in your arm band and ready). It has a count down - but this is not very useful for starting a race.



    Runtastic:
    Pros:

    - Love the application GUI, voice feedback, interface with Facebook and MFP.

    - Nice website with very good data metrics including the splits that I miss in Sports Tracker

    Cons:
    - Inaccurate GPS. In the same half as above - it was .2 off (12.9 at finish). It consistently loses .1 miles every 6 miles. This to me is befuddling as you would think this would be a parameter of the phone's gps and not the application.

    - Same issue as Sports Tracker listed above regarding starting the track for a race.

    - Calorie calculations do not take in to account HR at all which makes this application useless for any activity that cannot use a GPS (spinning, treadmill, etc)


    I used to use both at the same time but recently an update to one or another or my phone has caused it to not allow both to access the HRM at the same time for some reason. As a result I have been using Sports Tracker this calendar year. I think I would switch back to Runtastic if they would fix the calculations based on HR and either fix the GPS issue or at least provide me a way to enter an offset parameter so that the mileage is more accurate.
  • hey_everyday
    hey_everyday Posts: 19 Member
    Does anyone have any further thoughts on Endomondo vs Runtastic. I like that they link up automatically but I have been getting very different results from each app. The calories burned on Endomondo seem very high. From what I've read above I might stick to Runtastic or Runkeeper, unless anyone can help!?
  • I've not used Runtatsic or Endomondo -- despite looking into both. I have have been pretty happy with RunKeeper for a few years. I use a BodyMedia activity tracker, so I rely on calorie burn from BodyMedia to be fed into MFP as opposed to direct feed of specific activities. Different approach, but it has worked for me.

    As for run loggers, I have looked at a few over the years and the latest one I'm using (in addition to RK is Smashrun (www.smashrun.com). Interface and run stats are awesome. Takes data feed from Nike+ and soon also Garmin. Worth a look. Likely that I'll continue to use RunKeeper as I log more than runs there, such as my weight training workouts, skiing, etc. But the run stats don't compare to Smashrun.

    Steve
  • I've used runkeeper for a while. VERY easy to use but I recently switched to Endomondo b/c it syncs with MFP. I haven't used runtastic. I will tell you so far, Endomondo is too cumbersome to exit out of (will stay active even if you close out the app). It is too many steps just to manually enter workouts. Runkeeper just has GPS or Manual on the 1st page. And some of the features on runkeeper are free vs paid add-ons for endomondo.
    Hopefully, MFP will connect with runkeeper soon.
  • Interesting to see this debate has been running for such a long time. I wish MFP would just link up with Runkeeper and make it easier for all of us. I have been using Runkeeper for a long time and like to use it for setting goals and tracking my total distances. I've been tracking with Runkeeper for so long now that I don't want to switch and lose all my history. I also sometimes use ismoothrun, which syncs nicely with Runkeeper and automatically adds in distances and times. It doesn't sync with MFP either though. Sigh.
  • i 've been using endomondo for months but made the mistake of updating to the latest version. now, i'm getting inaccurate results & one time the distance even stopped at 1km despite good GPS coverage. i will be trying runkeeper & runtastic this week.
  • Froody2
    Froody2 Posts: 338 Member
    Does anyone have any further thoughts on Endomondo vs Runtastic. I like that they link up automatically but I have been getting very different results from each app. The calories burned on Endomondo seem very high. From what I've read above I might stick to Runtastic or Runkeeper, unless anyone can help!?


    That was my experience with Endomondo, too. HUGELY overestimated calories burnt which played merry hell with MFP calculations. I unlinked them and now use Runkeeper almost exclusively. Also, it's probably just me being a dill but once I start Endomondo it's really difficult to turn it off. Eventually I usually have to restart my (Android) phone to get rid of the open application.
  • i just recently tried some apps to replace the malfunctioning endomondo & it is confusing regarding their calories burned. for my usual bike route w/c endomondo always logged around 150 cal, i got a whopping 400+ on runkeeper, a slightly lower 130+ on runtastic, & a slightly higher 200+ on cardiotrainer. i double -checked my weight input on each one & it checks out right.

    hoping endomondo gets fixed, as it links to both other apps i use - MFP & earndit.

    for RT & RK, RK has more available for its free version, though the calories log is really something to be skeptical about.
  • karebear111
    karebear111 Posts: 33 Member
    So I got the Runtastic Pro - it was a free app of the day for my iphone a few weeks ago. Has anyone used the training plans? I've been trying to find some reviews, but haven't really found anything specifically on the training plans themselves. They have several (for purchase - which is okay) but I don't want to purchase something that I can't find detailed information about. If you've tried the training apps, how did you like them? Did you use the beginner plan(s) or one of the other options. So far, I like the app, but just am looking for a little more info.
  • shafzzzz
    shafzzzz Posts: 1
    I have been using Runkeeper Pro for a while. My Husband started using Endomondo. When we compared notes for the distance travelled and the time we took, he burned double the calories for running the same distance as me.
    This made me inquisitive ;) so i tried both the apps simultaneously.
    Both apps showed a difference of few seconds in completion time and distance covered but a endomondo showed i had burnt 450 cals while runkeeper showed 275!!!
    So i tested endomondo again. If you just start the endomondo app, even without any movement the calorie counter starts whereas runkeeper starts the calorie counter only when some distance has been covered.
    Endomondo doesnt seem too accurate to me therefore my conclusion is to stick to Runkeeper ;)
  • xstephiejadex
    xstephiejadex Posts: 13 Member
    Hello, i wonder if people who use both can help! I used runtastic and run keeper on my workout today to see which one i liked more and came upon a huge problem. Runtastic told me i burned 310 calories where as run keeper said i burned 193??? It was a 40 minute interval training session ( day 2 week 1 of couch to 5k) which one is more reliable to log?
  • forestplay
    forestplay Posts: 63 Member
    Hello, i wonder if people who use both can help! I used runtastic and run keeper on my workout today to see which one i liked more and came upon a huge problem. Runtastic told me i burned 310 calories where as run keeper said i burned 193??? It was a 40 minute interval training session ( day 2 week 1 of couch to 5k) which one is more reliable to log?

    Seems every app has it's own formula for calculating calories burned when exercising. They depend much on the setting you enter regarding your fitness, weight, etc. Most come up with values that are reasonably close, if you don't look to hard. Double check your settings. There might be a problem with one or the other.

    I use Runtastic when running as I think it does a fine job and most of the time the calories match within 10% of the number that MFP calculates.

    BTW, I also did C25K earlier this year - keep it going, it really worked for me. I ran my first 5K at the end of March and now I'm running more than 4 miles as well as doing lots of other exercise, all part of training for my first Triathlon in June.

    -Bob
  • caiu5
    caiu5 Posts: 1
    i see no one takes into account the Live Tracking, here i think runtastic has a plus as it seams it updates more frequently and it also draws the track as u go...
    another point (subjective) for me at least is how many of my friends or ppl from my town use it, so that we can compare or compete against each other
    creating a race and inviting friends is another feature which would be nice to have (i think runkeeper has it already)
    another feature (optional) to get notifcations in the phone app about friends that are live tracking, and maybe are also near you

    i use both RT and RK, i like RT more because of the live tracking