/ Best Running Android apps – Updated March 2023
By Kristijan Lucic
April 10, 2023
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Spring is right around the corner, and many of you are probably already thinking about losing some weight accumulated over the winter. Well, if that is the case, it’s time to start working out again, in case you stopped in recent months. We’ve already talked about fitness applications earlier this year, so we’ll focus on a different aspect today, the very best running apps for Android.
Do note that these are only our pics, of course, there are quite a few such apps in the Play Store, so you may prefer different applications altogether, of course. Now, running is a great way of staying fit. It’s not only healthy, but it will keep your weight in check, and the best of all, you can do it outside when the weather is good, and you don’t need any extra equipment. As long as you have decent shoes for running, you’re good to go.
There are quite a few really good running apps for Android, so it wasn’t easy narrowing down our list to only 10 best ones. That’s exactly what we did, though. If you keep reading, you’ll be able to find quite a bit of info on all of these applications, including their download costs, screenshots, short descriptions, and so on. If you’re looking to get into running (again), read on.
Best Running Android apps 2023
Below is a quick overview of the best running Android apps for 2023, including any download and in-app purchase costs.
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Download Cost | In-app cost (per item) | |
Relive | ✕ | $6.99-$59.99 |
Strava | ✕ | $2.99-$79.99 |
Runkeeper | ✕ | $0.99-$49.99 |
Map My Run by Under Armour | ✕ | $5.99-$29.99 |
Running App | ✕ | $2.99-$39.99 |
adidas Running | ✕ | $0.10-$59.99 |
Nike Run Club | ✕ | ✕ |
Running to Lose Weight | ✕ | $9.99-$29.99 |
Charge Running | ✕ | ✕ |
Sportractive | ✕ | $1.49 |
Best Running Android apps 2023 Downloads
Below is a little more information on each app, and a direct link for easy downloading.
All download links go to the app’s Google Play Store listing. Users are always recommended to download apps from Google Play or an authorized app store.
Relive
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $6.99-$59.99
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Relieve is a great app for runners, though it’s not exclusive for them. This app can also serve those of you who love hiking and riding your bike, or basically any other adventure that you may get involved in that requires you to move outdoors. The app looks really nice. Its design is flat, simple, and that’s a good thing in this case. The app is consistent throughout its UI, and is one of the better-designed apps on the list.
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Now, this app is special for one reason, it allows you to create 3D video stories. That is the app’s main selling point, of sorts. All you have to do is go outside, do a run, a hike, or whatever else, but take your phone with you, and take some photos while you’re at it. Once you’re done, and at home, you can start creating your video The app will do most of the heavy lifting, of course.
The app will also show you your route in a 3D landscape, and will include the highlights from your activity, such as max speed, for example. This app works with many services out there, such as Suunto, Garmin Connect, Polar, MapMyRide, MapMyRun, MapMyHike, and MapMyWalk. You can even edit your videos after you’re done, as many times as you want. Adding music to those videos is also enabled.
Strava
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- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $2.99-$79.99
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Strava is also a really popular fitness Android app that many people use for running, even though it’s capable of doing so much more. This is probably the best app for analyzing your workouts, if not the best one. That analysis can also include heart rate data, if a heart rate monitor is a part of the picture. That analysis will be presented to you in the form of graphs and charts, so that you can keep track of everything without a problem.
I’ve mentioned earlier that Strava is not limited to running. It can also track your cycling, swimming, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, walking, gym workouts… and many more activities without a problem. It can record your routes and map them. Training challenges are also a part of this application. If you’d like to set a specific challenge for yourself, you can. Various monthly challenges are available, and you can compete with others as well.
Strava allows you to set your fitness goals, and get customized training plans based on that. The app can also provide you with live feedback. The design of the app is also quite great, one of the best available. It kind of uses the same model as Endomondo, but it combines white and orange colors, instead of green. The app is also really easy to navigate, and a joy to use.
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ASICS Runkeeper
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $0.99-$49.99
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
If you’re a runner, chances are you’ve heard of ASICS Runkeeper at some point. Well, the app has changed quite a bit over the last couple of years, but it’s still quite great. In fact, we believe that this is the best running Android app on to keep you motivated, if not, the one of the best apps for sure. The app not only offers a ton of challenges that you can choose to participate in, but it also offers exercise awards. It also pushes you to share your achievements, which is always a good feeling. ASICS Runkeeper will always find a way to keep you motivated to work out, that’s for sure.
This app can track your running, walking, jogging, biking, and a ton of other activities. That is something it has in common with the two apps we’ve talked about before it. The main focus is on running though, as its name suggests. ASICS Runkeeper allows you to set goals for yourself, in case you’d like to be able to finish a particular race, or reach a certain weight, for example. Based on that, the app will offer you a personalized workout plan that you can follow.
v even allows you to create custom challenges, and invite your friends to participate. That way you’ll basically create your own, small group of people who will compete one against the other. Audio cues are a part of this application as well, in case you’d like to stay informed during your workout. You can save your running routes, while social sharing is also supported in this app. There are a ton more features that you can discover here.
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- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $5.99-$29.99
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Map My Run by Under Armour is yet another great Android app for running. This app does a lot of things really well, and mapping your workouts is its highlight. Like many other apps out there, it maps your workouts using GPS, and it does a great job in the process. The app provides a ton of details when it comes to workouts, including details analysis. It will show you various graphs and tables to show you exactly what was going on.
This app is really good for both beginners, and advanced runners. It will provide you with customizable training plans, which are adapted for your current abilities. You can choose to push yourself a bit harder if you want, of course. This app also has a huge community of runners, with whom you can communicate and see what they’re up to. You can even connect this app with MyFitnessPal in order to have an outlook at your calorie intake and burn.
Real-time audio coaching on GPS-tracked runs is also a feature that is available in this application. You can log over 600+ activities using this app, so even though it’s adapted to runners, it’s not limited to that activity. You can sync this app with most wearables, including Google Fit, Wear OS, Garmin, Fitbit, Jawbone, and so on. The design of this app is also quite simplistic, and not many people will have complaints.
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Download Map My Run by Under Armour
Running App
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $2.99-$39.99
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
The Running App is completely focused on running, and that’s not a bad thing. This app also comes with a minimalistic UI, and really well-executed design. The app’s UI is predominantly white, with various different colors thrown into the mix. There is one thing that this app shines at, and that is training plans. It does a lot of things really well, though, but it puts a lot of focus on training plans, and it shows.
Inside of this app, you’ll find various training plans which are nicely highlighted and explained. No matter if you’re a beginner, intermediate, or really experienced runner, this app has you covered. You can run for weight loss, aim to increase your pace, or perhaps you’re looking to run your first 5K and you need help with that. No matter what your goals are, and on what level you are currently, this app has a training plan for that.
Training plans aside, this app also does a great job at tracking your runs, and providing you with useful information. You can even set more detailed goals for running in this app, if you want. Audio feedback is available here as well, as it is in other apps on this list. It’s not as detailed as in some other apps, but that may actually be an advantage for some people. All in all, this is a really great running app for both men and women, especially if you have a specific goal you’d like to achieve.
adidas Running
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $0.10-$59.99
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Back in 2015, Runtastic got acquired by Adidas, and now both names are in name of this app. The app improved quite a bit since 2015, of course, and it’s quite a compelling option. Do note that this app is not just for runners, same as the vast majority of other apps on this list. This app can track various types of fitness activities, but we’ll focus on the running aspect, of course.
This application can track your mileage, distance, time, speed, elevation, calories burned, and various other stats. This app does a great job when it comes to analyzing your workouts, and it shines at training guidance. You can even let your friends know what you’re doing via this app, and get some support on that side as well, with custom cheers. They can even provide you with audio feedback from the customizable Voice Coach, which is your companion for guidance and motivation.
The app allows you to set personal workout goals. You can simply set a goal, and the app will guide you to reaching that goal. The community aspect is also quite valuable in this app. You can create a group, and run with friends, or join one of the already-existing groups if you want. The app is also fully optimized for Wear OS, not to mention that it looks quite sleek.
Nike Run Club
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: No
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Same as Adidas, Nike has its very own horse for the race in the Play Store. The Nike Run Club is available in the Play Store, and it’s probably one of the best Android running apps to use if you’re using a Wear OS watch. This app is fully optimized for it, it looks great on it. That being said, this app is filled with options, and unlike many other apps on this list, this app is fully focused on runners.
Just like pretty much every app on this list, the Nike Run Club allows you to track and store runs. On top of that, the app offers audio-guided runs with Nike coaches and athletes. This feature is exclusive for this application, of course. You can get Mo Farah or Kevin Hart to guide you through your workout. Global and custom challenges are a part of this app as well, the app will keep you at your toes at all times.
Personalized coaching plans are also a part of the offering here, and you can also collect various trophies and badges to celebrate your achievements. The sharing function is included, and in case you need some extra motivation, your friends can back you up. The design of this app is not earth-shattering, but the app does look nice, it’s quite simplistic.
Running to Lose Weight
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $9.99-$29.99
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Running to lose weight is yet another great option for runners. This app focuses on running specifically, and it’s extremely easy to use. The moment you fire it up, you’ll be asked to enter your gender, height, and weight. From that point on, you’ll be able to access various training plans. Those training plans will help you achieve your goals, especially if those goals include weight loss.
This app is great for achieving weight loss by running. There are quite a few training plans available, no matter if you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced runner. Simply decide what your goal is, choose a training plan, and you’re good to go. This app even includes an interval walking plan, if running is too intense for you, or you can’t do it for health reasons of some kind.
The app also provides detailed workout tracking, and will track your calorie loss, distance, time, and pace with precision. You can also track your weight trend via a provided chart. The app includes workout reminders, which you can customize. A voice coach is also included in the package, and its goal is to keep you motivated. The app also looks really nice, thanks to a simplistic UI design.
Download Running to Lose Weight
Charge Running
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: No
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
If you like running, but think you could benefit from live coaching, or you simply need some extra motivation… Charge Running is a great app to use. Charge Running app hosts live running classes. Each of those runs brings runners from all over the world together, so that they can run together, chat, and compete via a Live Leaderboards chart. That way, you can run with them even from the comfort of your home’s treadmill.
Each of those classes is hosted and DJ’s by a live, certified running coach. That coach’s goal is to motivate and encourage you to do your best, and thus reach your goals. There are tons of classes hosted throughout the day, so you should find it easy to fit in your schedule. If you don’t prefer to run on a treadmill, or you don’t have one, it doesn’t matter, you can participate from anywhere.
This app will also track your runs, of course, and provide you with analysis afterwards. You can check out this app for free, but it’s based on a subscription model, like some other apps on this list. The Charge Running app comes with a really nicely-designed UI, so it’s a joy to use. This is a great app for runners, as long as you’re willing to subscribe.
Sportractive
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $1.49
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Sportractive is yet another app that is focused mainly on running, but it supports some other sports as well. This app comes with support for walking, jogging, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and so on. There are more than 28 indoor and outdoor activities that you can choose from. It is probably one of the best-designed Android apps for running that we’ve seen. It is predominantly white, but it combines that with various other colors, and it’s really easy to use.
You can customize your workout screen inside this app, and choose between time, speed, pace, elevation changes, heart rate info, burned calories, and so on. The app also gives you a chance to review your workout speed by the colored track on the back. The diagram for displaying speed, pace, heart rate, and so on… is also customizable.
If you have a heart rate sensor of some sort, you can monitor your heart rate using Sportractive. Setting personal goals for duration, distance, calories, or interval training is also not out of the question. The app will also keep a history of your past workouts, so that you can compare them with your newer workout sessions. Statistical analysis is also available, and some other, interesting features.
FAQs
What apps do I have running in the background right now? ›
To open Quick Settings, from the top of the screen, swipe down twice. To see the number of active apps running in the background: At the bottom left, tap # active apps. Or, at the bottom right, tap the number next to Settings and Power .
Which running app is most accurate? ›As one of the most popular and tried-and-true running apps out there, Runkeeper gets our top ranking for its wide array of features, accuracy, and ease of use. Whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced marathoner, this app has something for everyone.
What are at least 5 applications and programs that run on today's Android devices? ›- Google app No. 1: Voice Access. ...
- Google app No. 2: Sound Amplifier. ...
- Google app No. 3: Lens. ...
- Google app No. 4: PhotoScan. ...
- Google app No. 5: Action Blocks. ...
- Google app No. 6: Google Phone. ...
- Google app No. 7: Files by Google. ...
- Google app No. 8: Google One.
- Step 2: Download the APK Editor app from Google Play Store.
- Step 3: Open Google Play Store and search for the app. ...
- Step 4: Now open APK Editor App and click on ”Select APK from APP”.
- Step 6: Here change the Version name with the latest one you noticed in Google Play Store.
Click on the home screen settings. It will navigate you to the Hide apps menu; tap on it. Here, you will see the hidden apps that are not showing in the app list. If the hidden screen doesn't show any apps or the Hide apps menu is missing, it means no apps are hidden in your device.
What apps are draining my battery? ›- Open Settings. Log in to your Android device and pull down the Notification Shade twice. Click the gear icon to open the Settings app. ...
- Access the Battery details. Once in Settings, tap Battery. ...
- Open Battery Usage. In the resulting screen, tap Battery Usage.
- ASICS Runkeeper. ...
- Map My Run. ...
- Adidas Running App by Runtastic. ...
- PUMATRAC. ...
- Nike Run Club. ...
- Strava: Run, Ride, Swim. ...
- Couch to 5K. ...
- Pacer Pedometer & Step Tracker.
Running Trainer:Tracker & Coach is the most accurate running app available on the market, packed into the simplest & most gorgeous interface. It tracks your pace, calories, heart rate, distance and more.
How many miles should I jog a day? ›The typical weekly mileage for average runners training for the 10k is 20-30 miles per week, so a daily mileage of 4-8 is reasonable with a weekly long run closer to 10-12 miles.
What is the most used app for Android? ›- TikTok.
- Instagram.
- Facebook.
- WhatsApp.
- Telegram.
- Zoom.
- Snapchat.
- Facebook Messenger.
Which Android version is outdated? ›
Starting September 27, devices running Android 2.3. 7 and lower will no longer be able to log in to Google services, effectively killing a big portion of the on-rails Android experience.
How do I know if my Android is outdated? ›You can find your device's Android version number, security update level, and Google Play system level in your Settings app. You'll get notifications when updates are available for you. You can also check for updates.
Does Android get outdated? ›As a result, Google and the phone-makers eventually have to cut off support for older handsets, usually once a device gets to be two or three years old. Those handsets then will no longer receive security updates, meaning that when a threat is detected on that phone, it simply won't be fixed.
What are disguised apps? ›A decoy app is a sneaky on-device tool that lets anybody hide secret photos, videos and messages, under the cover of an innocent-looking icon.
What is the hidden menu app on Android? ›It's called the System UI Tuner and it can be used for customizing an Android gadget's status bar, clock and app notification settings. Introduced in Android Marshmallow, this experimental menu is hidden but it's not difficult to find. Once you get to it, you'll wish you knew about it sooner.
What kills phone battery most? ›Avoid situations where your phone can overheat, especially when your battery is fully charged. Your battery drains much faster when it's hot, even when not in use. This kind of drain can damage your battery. You don't need to teach your phone the battery's capacity by going from full charge to zero, or zero to full.
What uses most battery on Android? ›- Google.
- Facebook.
- Messenger.
- WhatsApp Messenger.
- Amazon Alexa.
- Gmail.
- Uber.
- Waze.
Reach your running goals with the ASICS Runkeeper™ app. Track exercise, set measurable goals and see progress along the way—whether you're just getting into running, training for a race or trying to reach a new personal record, we can help.
Is there any offline running app? ›Runkeeper is in high demand among runners, thanks to its array of useful features, accurate readings, and easy to learn. The app will appeal to you whether you're a novice runner or a seasoned marathon winner. The app is available for iOS and Android platforms.
Can I track a run on my phone? ›If you have an Android Wear watch with Google Fit preinstalled, you can track your walk or run strictly on your wrist. You get the most from Google Fit when the app is installed on your mobile device, including advanced graphs, maps, and fitness data like calories burned.
How many minutes is a 1 mile walk? ›
According to data gathered in a 2019 scientific study, it takes the average person 15-22 minutes to walk one mile. Remember that the weather, your age, the terrain you're walking on, and how fast you're walking are all factors that can impact your mile time.
What is the running app that tells you to speed up? ›PaceSetter keeps you aware of your speed to ensure you maintain intensity throughout your run. Don't start too fast, don't slow down, finish strong. Suitable for all running abilities. Use PaceSetter for pace guidance, motivation and to structure your training runs to get faster.
How many hours should you run a day? ›Studies show that running just 5 to 10 minutes each day at a moderate pace may help reduce your risk of death from heart attacks, strokes, and other common diseases. But the same research also shows that these benefits top off at 4.5 hours a week, meaning there's no need to run for hours each day.
Can you lose belly fat by jogging? ›However, the good news is that running is one of the best forms of exercise to lose belly fat, and there are even a few small tweaks you can make to your regular running schedule to deliver a sustained fat burning boost.
What is a good distance to run to lose weight? ›Running one mile burns (on average) 100 calories. If you want to lose one pound of fat – then, you should run 35 miles. If you were to run 7 days a week, you would need to run 5 miles each day in order to lose one pound of fat in a week.
Does running reduce belly fat? ›Studies have found that moderate-to-high aerobic exercise like running can reduce belly fat, even without changing your diet ( 12 , 13 , 14 ). An analysis of 15 studies and 852 participants found that aerobic exercise reduced belly fat without any change in diet.
Which app is No 1 in the world? ›- 8 Facebook. ...
- 7 Subway Surfers. ...
- 6 Telegram. ...
- 5 Snapchat. Number of downloads: 330 million. ...
- 4 CapCut. Number of downloads: 357 million. ...
- 3 Whatsapp. Number of downloads: 424 million. ...
- 2 Instagram. Number of downloads: 548 million. ...
- 1 TikTok. Number of downloads: 672 million.
Facebook still leads the world in monthly active users, with all four of the top four apps, followed by TikTok, Amazon, Twitter, and others.
What is taking up so much space on my Android? ›On an Android Phone, Go to Settings > Storage
There, you'll see exactly how much space you're using and how much is being devoted to categories such as apps, images, and videos. Tapping on one of those categories provides more detail, such as which apps are using the most space.
Which Android apps do I need? ›
- Adobe apps.
- AirDroid.
- CamScanner.
- Google Assistant / Google Search.
- IFTTT.
- Google Drive suite.
- Google Translate.
- LastPass Password Manager.
1 versions, the limit is ninety thousand user apps and for 4.1. 1 and after it is ten thousand user apps. That is of course the limit that Android accepts. But in most cases, your storage will be full before you can reach such numbers.
What is the new Android UI called? ›One UI 4.0, based on Android 12, is the fourth generation of One UI. It was released to the Galaxy S21 Series on 15 November 2021. One UI 4.0 focuses on customization, privacy, and access to Samsung's expanding ecosystem. One UI 4.1, a minor update for One UI 4.0, was first released with the Samsung Galaxy S22 series.
What is the latest Android UI? ›One UI 1 was based on Android 9, the One UI 2 update was based on Android 10, and so on. One UI 5 was based on Android 13, and One UI 5.1 is a minor update on that foundation, but still based on Android 13. The update is available on many Samsung phones, including the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 series, and more.
Which smartphone UI is most secure? ›- Bittium Tough Mobile 2C. ...
- K-iPhone – One of the most secure Phones. ...
- Most secure Phones – Solarin From Sirin Labs. ...
- Among the most secure Phones – Purism Librem 5. ...
- Sirin Labs Finney U1.
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Select an app you want to stop, then tap Force Stop. The app will relaunch when you restart your phone. ...
- The app clears battery or memory issues only until you restart your phone.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen without removing your finger.
- Select the desired app.
- Swipe left or right to find the app you want to use.
- Swipe up on the desired app you wish to close.
- Open your device's Settings app .
- Tap Data usage. Cellular data usage.
- Make sure you're viewing the network for which you want to view or restrict app data usage.
- Scroll down and tap the Google Play Store .
- Tap Background data. Unrestricted data usage.
- Open Settings.
- Click on Privacy.
- Click on Background apps.
- Under the "Choose which apps can run in the background" section, turn off the toggle switch for the apps you want to restrict.
While background apps refreshing don't drain your resources as much as screen brightness and cellular connection, stopping apps from refreshing can help conserve your battery and data for when you really need them.
What happens when you restrict background data? ›
If you restrict background data, apps will pull the most recent updates or send notifications only if you're connected to Wi-Fi or actually launch the app. When background data usage is restricted, apps do not use mobile data if you're not using them.
How do you check if there is something running in the background? ›Select Start , then select Settings > Privacy > Background apps.
How to check apps running in background Android programmatically? ›- Go to your Android's “Settings”
- Scroll down. ...
- Scroll down to the "Build number" heading.
- Tap the "Build number" heading seven times – Content write.
- Tap the "Back" button.
- Tap "Developer Options"
- Tap "Running Services"
Letting apps run in the background means that they can stay up to date – with news headlines or weather reports, for instance – and provide you with useful notifications. How do you control it? Most apps are set to run in the background by default.
Can you see what apps you use on mobile data? ›1. Start the Settings app and tap "Network & Internet." 2. Tap "Data Usage."
How to check if activity is in background Android? ›In your finish() method, you want to use isActivityVisible() to check if the activity is visible or not. There you can also check if the user has selected an option or not. Continue when both conditions are met.
What happens when you force stop an app? ›'Force stopping' an app shuts it down entirely. This means that the app is unable to carry out any background tasks or processes and becomes entirely dormant until your start it again. A forced stop will also clear up the RAM space that was assigned to the app and its background tasks.
What is waiting for background programs to close? ›"Waiting for Background Programs to close" isn't really an error, it's a notification that asks you if you want to go ahead and "force" a shutdown. It also lists the tasks that are causing this condition so you'll know the cause.