10 Best Free Running Apps for 2025: Tested & Compared
With hundreds of running apps available, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. Do you need GPS tracking, training plans, social features, or just a simple way to log your miles?
We've tested the most popular free running apps to help you choose the best one for your needs. Whether you're just starting to run, training for your first 5K, or chasing a marathon PR, there's a perfect free app for you.
Quick Navigation
Quick Comparison: Best Free Running Apps
Detailed App Reviews
1. Strava - Best for Social Runners
Price: Free (Strava Summit subscription available)
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
What It Does
Strava is the most popular social network for runners and cyclists. It tracks your runs via GPS, lets you share activities with friends, compete on segment leaderboards, and join clubs. Think of it as the Instagram of running.
Best Features (Free)
- GPS tracking with pace, distance, and elevation
- Activity feed to see what friends are running
- Segment leaderboards (compete on popular routes)
- Kudos and comments on activities
- Route planning and discovery
- Integration with most GPS watches and fitness devices
Pros
- Huge community - over 100 million athletes
- Motivating social features
- Excellent GPS accuracy
- Works with almost any running device
- Clean, intuitive interface
Cons
- Training plans require paid subscription
- Advanced analytics behind paywall
- Can feel competitive/pressured (not ideal for everyone)
- Privacy concerns with activity sharing
Best For
Runners who thrive on community motivation, like competing on segments, and want to share their progress with friends.
2. Nike Run Club - Best for Guided Runs
Price: Completely Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
What It Does
Nike Run Club (NRC) offers GPS tracking plus an impressive library of audio-guided runs coached by Nike's elite coaches. It's like having a personal running coach in your ear—completely free.
Best Features
- Audio-guided runs for all levels
- Training plans for 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon
- GPS tracking with pace, distance, elevation
- Personalized coaching based on your runs
- Speed runs, recovery runs, long runs with guidance
- Achievement badges and milestones
Pros
- Entirely free - no premium version!
- Excellent audio coaching and guidance
- Motivating and encouraging tone
- Training plans for all distances
- Clean, beautiful interface
Cons
- Limited data export options
- Smaller community compared to Strava
- Training plans less customizable
- Some users report GPS accuracy issues
Best For
Beginners and intermediate runners who want coaching, guidance, and structured training without paying for a subscription.
3. Runkeeper - Best for Goal Tracking
Price: Free with ads (Runkeeper Go subscription available)
Platforms: iOS, Android
What It Does
Runkeeper is one of the original running apps, offering comprehensive GPS tracking and goal-setting features. It's straightforward, data-focused, and great for tracking progress over time.
Best Features (Free)
- GPS tracking with detailed stats
- Goal setting (distance, duration, weight loss)
- Progress tracking and insights
- Audio cues during runs
- Route history and favorites
- Integration with other fitness apps
Pros
- Excellent goal-setting functionality
- Comprehensive activity history
- Reliable GPS tracking
- Good data export options
- Works with many fitness devices
Cons
- Ads in free version
- Training plans behind paywall
- Interface feels dated
- Limited social features
Best For
Data-driven runners who want to set goals, track progress, and see detailed statistics without social pressure.
4. Scurry - Best for Custom Training Plans
Price: Completely Free
Platforms: Web (works on all devices)
What It Does
Unlike other running apps that focus on GPS tracking, Scurry specializes in creating fully customizable training plans. In seconds, you can build a personalized plan for any race distance, timeline, and weekly schedule—then export it or follow it directly in the app.
Best Features
- Unlimited custom training plan creation
- Plans for 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon
- Customize by: race date, days per week, current fitness, mileage preference
- Export plans as PDF or to your calendar
- No download required - works in browser
- Save unlimited plans
Pros
- Completely free forever - no premium tier
- Extremely flexible plan customization
- Works on any device (web-based)
- Perfect complement to GPS tracking apps
- No ads, no data collection pressure
- Great for runners who want control over their training
Cons
- No GPS tracking (use alongside Strava, NRC, etc.)
- No social features
- Focused solely on training plans
Best For
Runners who want flexible, customizable training plans without rigid programs or subscription fees. Perfect to use alongside your GPS tracking app of choice.
5. Couch to 5K - Best for Complete Beginners
Price: Free version available (multiple app providers)
Platforms: iOS, Android
What It Does
Couch to 5K apps (C25K) provide a structured 8-week program to take you from zero running ability to completing a 5K. Multiple app providers offer C25K programs, including Active, Zen Labs, and the NHS.
Best Features
- Structured 8-week beginner program
- Audio cues for run/walk intervals
- Gradual progression from walking to running
- Motivational prompts and encouragement
- Integration with music
Pros
- Perfect for absolute beginners
- Proven program structure
- Takes the guesswork out of starting
- Audio guidance keeps you on track
- Multiple free versions available
Cons
- Single-purpose - only useful for C25K program
- Limited usefulness after completing the program
- Some versions have ads or premium upsells
Best For
Complete beginners who have never run before and want a proven, structured program to get started safely. See our complete Couch to 5K guide for more details.
6. MapMyRun - Best for Route Planning
Price: Free (MapMyRun MVP subscription available)
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
What It Does
MapMyRun (owned by Under Armour) focuses on route discovery and planning. It tracks your runs via GPS and has a massive database of routes created by other runners worldwide.
Best Features (Free)
- GPS tracking with standard metrics
- Route discovery (find popular routes near you)
- Route planning before runs
- Nutrition tracking integration
- Connects with Under Armour gear
Pros
- Excellent route database
- Good for exploring new running locations
- Nutrition and calorie tracking
- Integration with many devices
Cons
- Best features require paid subscription
- Interface can feel cluttered
- Frequent upsell prompts
- Community smaller than Strava
Best For
Runners who travel frequently or want to discover new routes in their area.
7-10. Other Notable Apps
7. Adidas Running (formerly Runtastic)
Best for: Comprehensive fitness tracking beyond just running
Offers GPS tracking, training plans (premium), voice coaching, and integration with broader fitness goals. Free version has ads and limited features.
8. Zombies, Run!
Best for: Gamified, story-driven running
Turns your runs into immersive zombie apocalypse stories. Each run is a mission where you collect supplies while evading zombies. Extremely fun and motivating, but limited free missions.
9. Runna
Best for: Personalized adaptive coaching
Offers AI-powered training plans that adapt based on your performance. Excellent for serious runners training for races, but free version is very limited. Subscription required for full functionality.
10. Garmin Connect
Best for: Garmin watch owners
Free companion app for Garmin devices. Provides deep data analysis, training status, recovery metrics, and performance insights. While technically free, it's designed for Garmin hardware users.
How to Choose the Right Running App
Choose Based on Your Primary Need
If you want social motivation and community:
→ Strava - The largest community, segment competitions, and activity feed make running social and competitive.
If you want coaching and guided runs:
→ Nike Run Club - Free audio-guided runs with professional coaching for every level and goal.
If you're a complete beginner:
→ Couch to 5K app - Structured program designed specifically to get non-runners to 5K safely.
If you want customizable training plans:
→ Scurry - Build unlimited personalized plans for any race distance, timeline, and schedule. Use alongside your GPS tracker.
If you want detailed data and goal tracking:
→ Runkeeper - Comprehensive stats, goal-setting, and progress tracking without social pressure.
If you want to discover new routes:
→ MapMyRun - Best route database and planning features.
If you use a GPS running watch:
→ Your watch's companion app (Garmin Connect, Coros, Polar Flow) plus Strava for social features. Most watches sync to multiple apps.
Consider Using Multiple Apps
Many runners use 2-3 apps together:
- GPS Tracker + Training Plan: Strava/NRC for tracking + Scurry for custom plans
- Watch + Social: Garmin Connect for data + Strava for sharing
- Beginner Combo: Couch to 5K for structure + Strava for tracking progress
Since most apps are free, there's no penalty for trying multiple to find your perfect combination.
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What is the best free app for running?
The best free running app depends on your needs:
- Strava is best for social features and community
- Nike Run Club offers excellent guided runs and coaching
- Runkeeper provides comprehensive tracking and goals
- Scurry specializes in customizable training plan creation
- Couch to 5K apps provide structured programs for complete beginners
Try a few to see which interface and features resonate with you.
Is there a completely free running app?
Yes, several running apps are completely free with no required subscription:
- Nike Run Club - Entirely free, no premium version
- Scurry - Completely free with unlimited training plans
- Strava - Free for basic features (social, GPS, segments)
- Runkeeper - Free with ads (no subscription required)
- Couch to 5K by Active - Free version available
These apps offer substantial functionality without payment, though some have optional premium features.
Do I need to pay for a running app?
No, you don't need to pay for a running app. Free versions of most apps provide all the essential features: GPS tracking, distance, pace, time, and basic analytics. Paid subscriptions typically add advanced analytics, personalized training plans, and deeper insights—nice to have but not necessary for most runners.
Which running app is most accurate?
Most modern running apps using GPS are similarly accurate (within 1-3% error). Accuracy depends more on your phone's GPS quality and signal strength than the app itself. Apps like Strava, Nike Run Club, and Garmin Connect are known for reliable GPS tracking.
For best accuracy: wait for GPS signal before starting, run in open areas away from tall buildings, ensure location permissions are enabled, and keep your phone in the same place each run.
What app do most runners use?
Strava is the most popular running app with over 100 million users worldwide. Its social features, segment competitions, and activity feed make it the go-to choice for many runners. Nike Run Club is also extremely popular, especially among beginners and intermediate runners.
Many serious runners use multiple apps: GPS watches sync to apps like Garmin Connect or Coros, while also sharing to Strava for social features.
Can I use running apps without a smartwatch?
Absolutely! All the apps in this guide work with just your smartphone. Simply carry your phone during runs (in a pocket, armband, or handheld) and the app uses your phone's GPS to track your run. A smartwatch is convenient but not required.
Do running apps drain phone battery?
Yes, GPS tracking uses significant battery. Most apps will drain 15-30% battery per hour of active GPS tracking. To minimize drain: reduce screen brightness, close other apps, use airplane mode with GPS enabled, or invest in a portable charger for long runs.
Should I use multiple running apps?
Many runners successfully use 2-3 apps together for different purposes. Common combinations:
- Tracking + Planning: Use Strava or Nike Run Club for GPS tracking, plus Scurry for creating training plans
- Watch + Social: Use your watch's companion app for detailed data, sync to Strava for social features
- Structure + Tracking: Follow a C25K app for your program, track with Strava to build history
Since most apps are free, there's no cost to experimenting with multiple apps.
Can running apps help me lose weight?
Running apps track your activity and calories burned, which helps with weight loss when combined with proper nutrition. Apps like Runkeeper and MapMyRun include calorie tracking features. However, weight loss primarily comes from creating a caloric deficit through diet—running apps are tools to track the activity side of the equation.
Are running apps safe? What about privacy?
Most running apps are safe, but be aware of privacy concerns:
- Apps that share your runs publicly (like Strava) can reveal your home address if you start/end runs there. Use privacy zones to hide your home location.
- Review each app's privacy settings and adjust sharing preferences
- Consider who can see your activities (public, friends only, private)
- Read privacy policies to understand how your data is used
Apps like Scurry that don't track GPS or require social sharing have fewer privacy concerns.
The Bottom Line: Choose What Works for You
There's no single "best" running app—the right choice depends on what motivates you and what features matter most. Social runners thrive on Strava, beginners love Nike Run Club's guidance, data nerds prefer Runkeeper, and plan-focused runners appreciate Scurry's flexibility.
The good news? Since most running apps are free, you can try several to find your perfect match. Many runners use 2-3 apps together: one for GPS tracking, one for training plans, and maybe one for social sharing.
Start with one app, give it a few weeks to see if it fits your style, and don't be afraid to switch or combine multiple apps. The best running app is the one that keeps you excited to lace up your shoes and hit the road.
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