By Marnie Kunz,
Certified run coach and trainer

The best running apps will help you become a better runner by tracking your training. As a certified run coach, I tested these apps based on GPS accuracy, free feature depth, and ease of use. Whether you want to know your running pace and distance, share stats with friends, or make your own running routes, these are the best free running apps, and they’re free! Some may have paid options for customized training features, but all of these running apps can be downloaded and used in their basic form without paying anything.

Category	Top Recommended Apps
Best Overall Running Apps	Strava, Garmin Connect
Best Social Running Apps	Strava, Nike Run Club
Best Free Apps for Beginners	C25K, Nike Run Club
Best for Route Planning & Navigation	MapMyRun, Relive
Best for Safety & Live Tracking	RoadID, Strava (Beacon)
Unique & Gamified Running Apps	Zombies, Run!, Charity Miles

The Best Running Apps to Make You a Better Runner

Strava

Strava is one of the best running apps for all runners, and there are many serious athletes in the Strava network. I personally love Strava because it’s easy to use and a lot of my friends are on it so we can cheer each other on when posting our workouts. Strava is a GPS running app that tracks your pace and distance, and you can share your workouts with the Strava network.

Strava allows you to track running, walking, and biking as well as enter your cross-training information if you want to post about your circuit training workouts, weightlifting, and more. I also appreciate the running safety feature called Strava Beacon, which allows you to share your location in real-time with trusted contacts so if you are doing a remote run or if you have a health condition, someone can always see where you are.

As with many of the running apps, Strava does have premium paid options for training plans and advanced training stats. But for most people, the free app version is enough. Sign up for Strava and get started using it.

Runkeeper

The ASICS Runkeeper app is one of the most popular running apps for good reason - it allows you to track your runs easily and seamlessly integrates with other tracking devices like Apple watches. Runkeeper gives you to option to add reminders to tell yourself when to run, and the notifications will pop up on your phone. If you want a boost of extra motivation and direction, you can get a subscription and join the pro version, Runkeeper Go.

Garmin Connect

Garmin Connect is my running app of choice. It allows you to set running and fitness goals and track your workouts, which can include running, cycling, strength training, walking, and more. I use the Garmin Forerunner 55 running watch and the app syncs easily with the app. After getting overwhelmed with social media and notifications, I appreciate relying on my watch more than my phone for running, and syncing the watch with my Garmin is simple.

If you have a Garmin watch, you just need to sign up for the Garmin Connect app and open the app and watch the circle go around one full loop for it to sync with your watch. You don’t have to have a Garmin watch to use the app but you will have to manually enter your workouts if you don’t have a Garmin device. (Check out my Garmin Running Workout Guide if you want more tips on using your Garmin and Garmin Connect).

Nike Run Club

Nike Run Club is one of the best running apps that’s easy to use, which I appreciate. Nike Run Club tracks your run distance and pace and your running routes. The app offers stats on your average pace, calories burned, and distance covered.

The Nike Run Club app also has challenges you can join. There is also a social aspect to the app, as you can add friends and cheer them on when you see their workout posts. Nike Run Club is a beginner-friendly app that also includes guided runs and free training plans that sync with an Apple Watch.

I use the Suunto running app synced with my Suunto watch.

Suunto App

The Suunto App is designed to pair seamlessly with Suunto GPS watches (like the Suunto Run), making it an incredible tool for runners who want clean, clutter-free data and robust navigation features. The app features a sleek interface for route planning, heatmaps, and tracking key metrics like training load, recovery, and sleep trends. For trail runners and explorers, its standout feature is Breadcrumb Navigation, which lets you build routes in the app, sync them to your watch, and retrace your steps so you never get lost. It also syncs effortlessly with third-party platforms like Strava and TrainingPeaks.

If you’re considering a dedicated GPS watch to pair with it, check out my full Suunto Running Watch Review for a breakdown of its real-world performance, battery life, and route tracking on NYC streets and trails.

MapMyRun

MapMyRun by Outside is one of the best running apps for creating running routes. I use this app a lot when I need to create routes for myself or for leading running events. I use the desktop version of the app to create routes and then bookmark the routes and pull them up easily on the app on my phone. The run tracker can also tell you your running pace and distance.

MapMyRun also has virtual challenges and social feeds so you can follow friends and keep up with each others’ workouts.

Charity Miles

CharityMiles is great for raising money for charity while you run. It is one of the simpler running apps as far as technology, with a streamlined distance and time tracker to use as you run. The best part is the charity component which allows you to choose a charity to raise money for with each mile. You can get sponsorships to raise money for the charity and some charities also have already agreed upon sponsors who donate a set amount. The main drawback of this app in my opinion is there are only large charities so many of the smaller ones are not on the app.

RoadiD

RoadiD is a run tracking app with safety features that allow you to share your running location with trusted contacts in real-time. The app also has an emergency SOS button you can press in case of an emergency and it will notify emergency responders and your trusted contacts of your exact location and send a call for help.

Runtastic

Adidas Runtastic app is another GPS running tracking app that shows your distance and pace as you run. The app includes challenges and a social component so you can share your workouts with friends who are on the app.

Zombies, Run!

Zombies, Run! is one of the best running apps for creative people and those who love zombies. When you download the app, you can then choose your mission and beginoutrunning zombies. The app uses GPS tracking to tell you your time and pace and also has the fun/horrifying option to allow zombie noises throughout your run for extra motivation. This running app is perfect for horror fans and those that don’t get motivated by traditional methods. Download the iOS app or Android app for Zombies, Run! and start outrunning zombies today.

C25K

C25K is a 5K training app that gives you an 8-week training program to help you run a 5K. This running app is great for beginners who want to build up to running a full 5K.

Google Fit: Activity Tracker

Google Fit is a fitness tracker that works with Android and Apple devices that can be used for tracking your running, steps, and health data. You can sync Google Fit with other running apps like Strava and get advanced analytics on all your health metrics.

PUMATRAC

PUMATRAC is a GPS running app owned by Puma that allows you to track your runs. You can sync the app with your Apple or Spotify playlists for your favorite tunes on the run.

Relive

Relive is a running and hiking app for outdoor enthusiasts that lets you track your workouts and share them in beautiful visuals. The app can make 3-D videos from your running routes and can sync with tracking devices like Garmin.

iSmoothRun

iSmoothRun is a beginner-friendly running app that tracks your runs and offers a host of features, including measuring run-walk intervals. You can also track your shoe mileage so you know when is the best time to change your running shoes.

How to Pick the Best Running Apps for You

It can be overwhelming to figure out the best running apps when you have so many options to choose from. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best running app for you:

What are the main features you need in your running app? Most of them have GPS tracking capabilities but beyond that, there are a variety of variations. Some running apps sync with Apple Music and Spotify playlists, for instance, while others may have gamified features or rewards. Or you may enjoy social sharing and want to pick a running app that your friends are on so you can celebrate achievements together.

If you’re an advanced runner, you will probably appreciate the training features of Strava, while new runners can find the perfect fit with C25K. If you run with a heart rate monitor, some apps - like Garmin - can sync with your monitor.

Will you be syncing your app with a GPS device such as a Garmin or Apple Watch or Fitbit? Make sure the app you choose easily syncs with your device.

Do you need safety features? Strava and RoadiD offer location sharing with trusted contacts, and RoadiD has the most advanced safety system for signaling help when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best completely free running app without a subscription?

Nike Run Club (NRC) is widely considered the best 100% free running app. Unlike most competitors, Nike does not lock guided runs, training plans, or detailed pace analytics behind a paid paywall or premium subscription.

Do I need a GPS running watch to use apps like Suunto, Garmin, or Strava?

No, you do not strictly need a watch to use these apps. Most running apps (including Strava, Nike Run Club, and MapMyRun) can track your distance and pace using your smartphone's built-in GPS. Brand-specific apps like Suunto or Garmin Connect allow you to create routes, view heatmaps, and log workouts on your phone without a watch, though wearing a dedicated GPS watch unlocks advanced metrics like heart rate tracking, wrist navigation, and automated sync features.

Can I use running apps without cellular data or an internet connection?

Yes, most GPS tracking apps can record your pace, distance, and route offline using your phone's native GPS chip. However, loading live background maps, sharing real-time location features (like Strava Beacon or RoadID), or syncing workouts to cloud feeds usually requires an active cellular connection or Wi-Fi.

Which free app is best for beginner runners building up distance?

For absolute beginners, C25K (Couch to 5K) and Nike Run Club are the top choices. C25K uses structured run-walk intervals over 8 weeks to build endurance safely, while Nike Run Club provides audio-guided coaching runs specifically designed to help new runners manage effort and pace.

Let me know your favorite running app in the comments, or tag @Runstreet on Instagram to share your app and training progress. If you need a training plan to slay your running goals or get your fastest race time, head to the Runstreet Training Center and I’ll be happy to help you.

Happy running to you!😊

Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach, a dog lover, an Akita mom, and the founder of Runstreet. She is based in Brooklyn, New York.

15 Best Free Running Apps in 2026 (Tested by a Running Coach)