The 10 Best Running Apps to Get You Pumped to Lace Up and Head Out

Getting started running isn’t easy. Not only are you pushing yourself physically, but coming up with a training plan can drain your mental battery.

With Couch to 5K, you don’t have to think about it. According to Rodgers, the app breaks the process down into easy, manageable workout bites, giving you the clear coaching points that beginners need. In just three 30-minute sessions per week, you’ll be on your way to reaching your first running milestone in a little over two months. 

The app has plenty to keep you motivated, from quirky interactive coaches and options to share your progress on Facebook to a running support community. Track your distance and pace with GPS and sync to playlists that get you pumped to work out. 

As much as we love this app, our research has found that it can be glitchy at times; it may force-close or restart workouts randomly. Considering that the app is not free, these potential glitches are worth considering. Still, most users are happy with the app and the way it helps them effortlessly reach running milestones and have fun while doing it.

Experienced runners need a more nuanced approach to training, and Runna offers just that. From 5Ks to marathons and everything in between, pick a personalized training plan that incorporates your fitness level, experience, and goals.

We love that the app offers guidance from elite coaches, while a 24/7 support line answers your questions about the sport. Workout plans also incorporate mobility and strength training — both of which can help build the foundational strength in the legs and hips that help prevent injury, Knöbel says.

The app also offers insights and feedback on your running and health stats, like sleep quality, sleep duration, and heart rate variability. It then modifies your plan, which Knöbel notes is helpful for preventing overexertion. “Your body’s improvement will never be on a straight line, and a plan which intelligently adapts to your fatigue and life stress is a much safer way to train hard,” she explains.

That said, our research found that in some cases, the pace during the speed runs is excessive even for experienced runners, so be sure to listen to your body. Runna is also one of the pricier options on our list, so you’ll want to make use of the free trial to see whether it’s worth it for you.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more robust running app than WorkOutDoors for Apple Watch. It lets you track more than 800 metrics, like distance, pace, elevation, and heart rate. You can configure it to display stats according to your preference, such as in graphs and shortcuts. Everything is customizable from the screen layout, down to details like text size. 

Extensive maps with auto-rotation, topographic data, waypoints, GPS tracking, and turn-by-turn navigation keep you focused on the road. Set a target pace, create and track intervals, receive alerts when your heart rate gets too high or you go off-route, and set targets based on distance, time, calories burned, steps, or beating a previous workout. These are just some of the features this app offers.

Given the dizzying amount of features, WorkOutDoors, while highly customizable, is also potentially time-consuming to set up, which could make it difficult to get started. The app also doesn’t offer training plans or guided runs. You’ll need to be self-directed to use this app.

The popular app Strava integrates smoothly with Android watches like the Google Pixel and the Samsung Galaxy. It also has a wide variety of helpful features, from workout tracking to route-finding and saving to community building. It records key metrics, like pace, distance, elevation, and heart rate, while also letting you analyze training trends over time.

The standout feature is its social component: You can share runs, join virtual clubs, compete on leaderboards, and take part in challenges to stay motivated. Strava also supports multiple activities beyond running, making it a versatile choice if you like to mix up your workouts.

While the free version is solid for basic tracking and community features, most advanced tools — like detailed performance analytics, route planning, and personalized training insights — are locked behind the premium subscription. Additionally, it’s worth noting that compared with some competitors like WorkOutDoors, the customization options with this app are limited.

If you’re looking for a basic app the whole family can use, we highly recommend Nike Run Club. The app is free, which is always a bonus, especially if you’ve got a whole family getting on board. Its intuitive interface and easy-to-use features help you build community and stay on the same page with loved ones. Share your location, let them know you finished your run safely, or create group challenges, like running three miles the week after Thanksgiving. 

We love that the app offers a variety of training plans and guided runs, which, Rodgers notes, come in handy for any level of experience but are particularly helpful for new runners. The app offers solid stats, such as speed and distance, and allows you to record route information and other details, like what shoes you wore. 

All that said, Nike doesn’t offer the same level of personalization as some competitors, such as adaptive training plans. Experienced runners may want a more nuanced app, but if you’re new to mid-level running and want to stay on the same page as your family or friends, this app is for you.

If you’re committed to reaching your personal running best, Runcoach can help you get there. Short of hiring a coach in real life, it’s the best option you can find for receiving custom training plans and feedback to help you hit your most lofty targets. 

Runcoach’s pool of professionals includes award-winning, Olympic-trial qualifying champs. After matching with someone, you receive a detailed training plan that will continue to be refined as your performance data rolls in. Audio cues and a scorecard for every workout give you direction and keep you focused and motivated. You also get unlimited access to your coach for questions and feedback.

At about $400 per year for an annual membership (or $40 per month for a monthly membership), Runcoach is the most expensive app on this list. But you get a 14-day free trial to see whether it’s worth it.

Additionally, while we love the one-on-one feel of this app, our research found that some coaches’ guidance can be somewhat generic. Still, most users report being satisfied with the app and their overall experience. 

Whether you’re on a work trip in a far-off city or just moved into a new neighborhood, MapMyRun ensures that being in unfamiliar territory isn’t an excuse to miss your workout. The app gives you access to a massive database of user-created routes around the world. You can also search for bike routes, hikes, swimming routes, commutes, and more.

MapMyRun allows you to create your own custom routes and receive mileage and elevation information about them. These features come with the free version, alongside access to challenges, personal goal tracking, an exercise video library, workout logging and saving, and more. 

If you want an upgrade, the premium version gets you advanced features, like heart rate analysis, cadence analysis, training plans, weather conditions, and live tracking for safety. It would be nice to see more of these features in the free version.

In our research, we also found that some users experienced issues with GPS tracking accuracy, runs not being saved, or the app force-closing. These are considerable issues — we recommend trying the free version first.

Nothing beats running outside in nature. Trail Run Project can get you on beautiful routes via its worldwide database of options. Just do a location search to find everything from tough mountain routes to city runs and more. Routes come complete with topographical data, elevation information, difficulty level, features, ratings, weather conditions, pictures, and notes from other runners to give you more details about what to expect.

We love that you can download route maps ahead of time and then track your location with GPS when running offline, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. And once you’ve completed a route, you can upload your own comments and pictures to help other runners in the community.

The app is simple to use and a game changer for finding great trails and running them safely. Just note that you won’t get any training plans or have health or performance tracking metrics.

Accidents, medical emergencies, and other safety issues can strike when you least expect them. Road ID helps you be prepared for these possibilities by keeping you connected to loved ones while you run.

The app sends email or SMS “breadcrumbs” indicating your location and route to up to five chosen guardians. Loved ones do not need the app to receive these alerts. If you don’t move for longer than 30 seconds — indicating a potential accident — guardians receive an alert. You can cancel this alert if needed. 

Should you find yourself in trouble, pressing an SOS button immediately notifies your guardians that you’re in distress. This button also takes you to a shortcut for calling 911 and gives you location information that you can convey to first responders.

Still, considering that it’s a safety app, we’re disappointed it costs money. We also found that the app can drain your phone’s battery, so be sure to charge up before your runs.

RockMyRun helps you maximize the power of music through playlists curated by professional DJs covering a wide range of genres. These include ’90s, R&B, house, metal, reggae, country, and many more. Plus, the app also tracks your pace and adjusts the music tempo to match. You also have the option to select your preferred music speed.

Beyond music, the app offers basic metrics, like distance, step count, and calorie count. Finally, iOS users can select to match music to their heart rates, creating a cool synchronistic experience.

We wish that Android users could access the heart rate matching feature, too. Also, subscribers have a limited number of “skips” available when listening to the DJ-curated playlists. We see no reason for that feature and would love to see this limitation go.