In the digital age we're living in, mobile apps have become indispensable allies for many of our daily tasks and activities. And when it comes to sports, there is no doubt that running apps have revolutionized the way people track, improve, and enjoy their workouts. Whether you're a beginner looking to start a jogging routine or an experienced runner training for a marathon, these apps provide essential features that can help you reach your goals, while making your running session a little more engaging.
Beyond being a simple tool, many of these apps contribute to gamify the running experience, promoting interactions between users and offering challenges and rewards to keep them in the app and motivate them to run more often. According to research1, when we are praised or recognized by others, we tend to work harder to achieve new goals. Additionally, following the recent advancements in artificial intelligence, running apps have also become smarter, acting as a coach and providing tailored recommendations based on past workouts and future goals. Plenty of benefits, right?
still use them after six months of starting. The key is therefore to chose an app that doesn't overwhelm you with data and only gives you what you need.
However, not everyone is a fan of the running apps. The amount of data and information can be overwhelming (especially for beginners), some subscriptions are costly and there are privacy concerns that should not be dismissed. So before you rush to download the first running app you come across with, let's go through the pros and cons of these tools.
Pros and Cons
As technology continues to evolve, running apps today play a crucial role in helping its users stay active, healthy, and engaged on their fitness journeys. But while running apps offer many benefits, some people still hesitate to use them for various valid reasons. If you're unsure whether or not to choose to use an app for your running sessions, the following arguments may help you make a decision:
📈 Motivation & Accountability – Features like streaks and goal setting help keep you consistent.
📱 Social Features – Some apps allow you to share your runs, join challenges, and compete with friends.
👣 Detailed Tracking & Progress – Ability to record distance, pace, calories burned, heart rate, etc.
📋 Personalized Coaching – Some apps offer professional or even AI-guided training plans, for different levels.
📍 GPS Navigation – Great for exploring new routes and avoiding getting lost.
🎧 Music & Audio Cues – Many apps provide real-time coaching updates and sync with music playlists.
🏃🏼♀️➡️ Distractions & Interruptions – Notifications and ads can interrupt your focus mid-run.
📊 Over-Reliance on Data – Some runners might become way too dependent on numbers rather than listening to their bodies.
💰 Subscription Costs – Important premium features often require monthly payments.
🕵🏼 Privacy Concerns – Apps collect all sorts of data, which can be a security risk if shared publicly.
🧭 GPS Inaccuracy – Some factors might cause distance and pace errors, leading you into making mistakes.
📉 Inconsistent Calorie Estimates – Apps use general formulas that may not be accurate for every individual.
In addition to these points, practical issues can also make running apps more or less appealing. It's true that not everyone wants to carry their phone (or any other gadget) while running, and some apps may require constant internet access, which isn’t always available in remote areas. Others might find that using an app drains the battery of their phone quickly, making it even less convenient for long runs.
Ultimately, whether or not to use a running app comes down to personal preference. Some runners thrive with digital tools, while others prefer the simplicity of running without them. If you're looking to start a running routine, check out our guide first!
The Best App For You
If after weighing up the pros and cons of running apps you decided to try them out, the next step should be to figure out which one suits you best. Since there are plenty of options out there, here are our 5 recommendations for different running profiles:
Regardless of your preferences, in order to get the more accurate data and make the most out of your running app of choice, it is recommended to pair it with a fitness tracker. These wearable devices provide accurate real-time data not only for runners but for any individuals looking to improve their health.
Although they're more popular in the form of a (smart) watch or wrist band, fitness trackers also come as chest straps, wearable rings or clips. But they all work roughly in the same way: thanks to an accelerometer, gyroscope and other sensors they are able to monitor movement, heart rate, and other health metrics. As with mobile apps, there are plenty of options out there.
All in all, unless you're an experienced runner, most trackers will be good enough for your needs, as long as they are compatible with your phone and can sync with your running app of choice.
If you're not convinced about these options but you still want to improve your performance, check out our article about sports nutrition.
Not A Substitute for a Real Coach, but...
Let's be clear: a running app is not a substitute for a real coach (at least not in 2025). Nonetheless, when used right, they can provide valuable guidance for athletes of all levels.
Using the data entered by the user and data gathered through the phone/fitness tracker, these apps can propose structured training plans based on your levels and goals. On top of that, they can provide real-time feedback and personalized insights. In fact, many running apps provide audio coaching, where a virtual coach gives instructions during the running session. These instructions can go from pace guidance (telling you when to speed up or slow down), form and breathing tips (improving efficiency and preventing injury) and motivation and encouragement to help push through tough moments.
Additionally, the safety features included in most running apps - live tracking, emergency alerts, or route recommendations for safer runs - are usually highly valued by runners.
There are multiple stories of people crediting running watches and fitness trackers for detecting heart problems early and alerting them to seek medical attention.
Following the recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), some running and fitness apps now use AI-powered personal coaches that provide predictive analytics based on past data and analyze your form, adjusting workouts dynamically.
Conclusion
Regardless of the features of each app or the nature of your running journey, the need for a running app or a fitness tracker comes down to how much you're willing to invest on your training sessions. At the end of the day, if you're a beginner or you're on a small budget, we cannot stress this enough: the most important piece of equipment is a good pair of running shoes.
To answer the initial question: when used with no clear purpose in mind, running apps can, in fact, become more of a distraction than an useful tool. However, for those wanting to take their running sessions to the next level, using the right app can really provide the guidance necessary to boost their performance and make their running sessions a little more entertaining.
References:
- Zhang Sun, Dong Liang, Cong Yin, Zeming Lu (2022). Research on the Mechanism of the Function of Running App and Sports Achievement: The Mediating Effect of Personal Effort. Pp. 1828, Atlantis Press.
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