10 Best Running Apps for Apple Watch in 2023

Taking your phone with you on runs isn’t always convenient. Even a cell phone armband can feel awkward. That’s where the Apple Watch comes in.

Whether you have the Apple Watch SE, Series 8, or Ultra, your watch can be the perfect running companion. Apple Watch apps for runners come as extensions of iOS running apps.

They provide tracking features for distance, pace, and calories and make these easy to follow during a run. Some apps offer additional features like audio coaching, challenges, and leaderboards. 

So, what are the best running apps you can use across your Apple Watch series?

Summary of the Best Running Apps for Apple Watch

• Best overall Apple Watch app – Joggo
• Best for the social aspect – Strava
• Best for beginners – Apple Workout
• Best for integration with other fitness apps – Runtastic
• Best for audio coaching – Nike Run Club
• Best for basic workouts – Runkeeper
• Best for mapping routes – MapMyRun
• Best for offline running – RunGo
• Best for interval training – iSmoothRun
• Best for getting ready for 5k – Couch to 5k

Discover more:

The best running apps on the market

Choosing the Best Running App: Our Top 10 Picks for Apple Watch Users

The right mix of features in an intuitive interface. A smooth overall experience without glitches. And a competitive dose of motivation. The best apps for runners using the Apple Watch offer these and more.

#1 Joggo running app – Best overall 

The Joggo app on Apple Watch presents run data clearly and intuitively. It makes it easy to track your average pace, distance, duration, heart rate, and calories burned. You can also switch with ease between different run modes, including Free Run, and it works great for both indoor and outdoor running.

Whether you’re aiming to lose weight or just get into the habit of running, Joggo can help you get there. The app syncs data with fitness trackers for accurate tracking of your in-run performance. 

Following a personalized running and diet plan is the easiest way to lose weight and reach your running goals. You can follow these on the phone app while relying on the Apple Watch Joggo app to keep track of your data. 

The best part? You don’t have to take your phone with you to use the Joggo app. Ultimately, Joggo makes you focus on your run experience. It tracks your metrics accurately so you reach your training plan targets.

Its user-friendly interface, fluid navigation, and simplicity place it as the best overall running app for Apple Watch. The only disadvantage is that you must subscribe to continue using it after the first run.

Cost: First run free. After that – a Premium subscription starts at $33/3 months, $46/6 months, and $66/year.

Learn more:

A personal Joggo review

#2 Strava – Best social running app 

The Strava app is one of the most popular running apps around, and for a good reason. It has accurate tracking, performance insights, and a neat interface. 

With the Strava Apple Watch app, you can keep an eye on key stats like calories burned, speed, distance, and average pace. You can also discover some of the world’s most enjoyable trail runs. Monthly challenges add fun to the experience, while following fellow runners can motivate you to get out there and run. 

The Strava Apple Watch running app offers in-app purchases, including custom workout plans and live feedback. But the free app packs enough features for a good run, too. 

Some users complain of connection issues. Still, you’re looking at one of the most polished running apps for Apple Watch. 

With its compact data screens and seamless activity controls, it’s an Apple workout app you’ll enjoy using. 

Cost: Free with limited features. A Premium subscription starting at $11.99/month or $79.99/year is needed for goal setting, advanced metrics, route planning, and other features.

#3 Apple Workout – Best basic app for beginners

The Apple Workout app comes preinstalled on the Apple Watch, so you don’t have to go through extra trouble to get it. You can expect from it the same fluid and polished experience that most Apple apps provide. 

This app can automatically detect your type of exercise and track pace and cadence, heart rate, duration, and calories. If you need essential tracking for your runs, it can be right for you. 

Furthermore, you can control the exact data displayed on the main screen of the Workout app using your iPhone. This is useful if you run for performance rather than weight loss. 

Apple’s Workout app is a good start for most people who choose Apple Watch as their running companion. But serious runners may look toward apps with additional features. 

Cost: Free for simple tracking. For activity classes, you need to sign up for Fitness+ starting at $9.99 a month or $79.99 annually.

#4 Runtastic – Best integration with other fitness apps

Running in a pair of Adidas shoes? Runtastic may be the app for you as it’s owned by the three stripes brand. 

Runtastic features a colorful and streamlined interface that’s easy to follow. It tracks distance, time, average pace, and heart rate. 

In addition to tracking, Runtastic offers virtual races in which you compete with other runners worldwide. You can also join regular challenges across running and other activities and sports. 

This Apple Watch running app stands out thanks to its integration with many other fitness apps, including the REBO Smart Bottle, Garmin Connect, MyFitnessPal, and more. 

Cost: Free with limited features. A Premium subscription to unlock all features starts at $9.99 a month or $49.99 a year.

#5 Nike Run Club – Best free Apple Watch app for audio coaching

Nike Run Club is another completely free running tracker and fitness app. It’s one of the best-known running apps on mobile. The Nike Run Club for Apple Watch, with its GPS-based tracking features, won’t disappoint you either. 

Nike Run Club features audio-guided runs and turn-by-turn directions. Delivered by famous Nike coaches like Mo Farah, the audio instructions can motivate you to keep pounding the pavement or the trail. 

Another cool feature is route visualization, which renders your route graphically. The Apple Watch version of the Nike Run Club also displays social notifications, like when another runner cheers you. This can keep you engaged. 

Cost: Free. 

#6 Runkeeper – Best running app for basic workouts

Runkeeper on Apple Watch lets you create and follow basic set workouts. Aiming for a target pace or optimal heart rate? You can set these up before taking Runkeeper with you for a run. 

The run mode displays duration, distance, pace, and heart rate. With an easy swipe left, you can check splits. You also get audio cues through your Apple Watch. But you may find these to be a bit too far in between. 

Don’t expect to see your previous run history in the app, though. For that, you’ll have to switch to your phone. But then this is true for most running apps used on Apple Watch. 

Do you love listening to music when you run? Runkeeper integrates with both Apple Music and Spotify. The quick and easy music integration wins it extra points. 

Cost: Free with limited features. For personalized coaches, premium training plans, and in-depth stats, you need to upgrade to a paid plan starting at $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year.

#7 MapMyRun – Best running app for mapping routes

Another popular running app in the App Store, MapMyRun is also available on Apple Watch. The summary screen shows duration, distance, current pace, and heart rate (HR). 

If you want to reach a certain HR during your runs and maintain it, this watch app can help you. The HR screen is especially intuitive, showing current HR as well as average and peak HR. 

With this runner app, you can also find race courses in the area. You can choose from hundreds of activities and sports to track. This makes MapMyRun useful for cross-training. 

However, bear in mind that some features are limited to the premium version of the iOS app. This includes live tracking, which shares your location with your friends and family. 

This Apple Watch running app doesn’t have built-in nutrition features, but it connects with MyFitnessPal. The downside is that it can eat a lot of battery. 

Cost: Free with limited features. For all the features, you need a paid subscription starting at $5.99 a month or $29.99 a year.

#8 RunGo – Best running app for offline running

RunGo is a running app that makes it easy to create running routes and follow them even offline. You just have to make sure you download them before you head for the run. 

You can also pick from one of over 600,000 supported routes. It shows route difficulty, a map of the route, and elevation. Step-by-step directions combining voice and haptic notifications. You can also join running groups. 

RunGo has a Just Run mode that tracks your distance, pace, and other key stays for free runs. The interface may not be as glossy as that of other apps. 

Also, off-route voice notifications may get on your nerves at times. But if you like creating your very own run tour with custom or pre-made routes, you’ll probably like it. 

Cost: Free with limited functionality. To access all features, you need to subscribe at $3.99 a month or $29.99 a year.

#9 iSmoothRun – Best running app for interval training

iSmoothRun is a running tracker available on Apple Watch that makes it easy to run laps and intervals. Dedicated screens for each of these run modes can simplify training. You also get essential running stats, including heart rate, distance, and cadence. 

Extensive sensor support, including footpods and data exporting, is a nice feature. Plus, you can easily share running workouts with the app. 

iSmoothRun displays the run history for each day of the week as a simple graph. This enables you to check your effort and progress at a glance.                             

The app also offers good customization options. You can set up your watch screen just as you like it. 

Cost: Free with limited features. The Premium version starts at $4.99 a month or $24.99 a year. 

#10 Couch to 5K – Best for getting ready for a 5K race

Our list ends with the popular Couch to 5K training program. This running app promises to get you ready for a 5K race in just 9 weeks.

It guides you through your warm-up, runs, and cool-down, tracking your distance and pace every step of the way.

The app also features basic audio coaching. However, you may not find this as smooth or motivating as in the Nike Run Club and other similar apps. 

The Couch to 5K Apple Watch app doesn’t provide as many running stats as other apps. You may also find the interface a bit drab.

But if you’ve set your sights on a 5K race, it can help you get to the finish line. Provided you’re willing to pay the subscription plan.

Cost: Subscription costs $4.99 a month.

Comparing the Running Apps for Apple Watch

How to Choose the Best Running App for Apple Watch

Running apps often look similar, but looking beyond appearance brings to light important differences. Here are the key factors we focused on when drawing our list for the best app. 

Quality

Does the app run smoothly? Does it track distance, pace, and heart rate accurately? Are there any glitches and connectivity problems? Quality build is a feature that all the apps on our list share. 

Price

Many running apps for Apple Watch are available for free. So when an app comes with a price tag, it needs to provide real value. Think personalized plans, live tracker, and other premium features. We also consider how flexible in-app purchases are. 

Brand reputation

Brand reputation is important in a world where the best running apps include a social component. It can act as a glue, holding together a community of users who provide feedback on the app’s development and improvement.

Effectiveness

An effective running app helps you set and follow your running goals. It keeps you on track, helps you train smarter, and motivates you to reach your targets. 

The apps that made it on our list don’t just provide a list of features. Each of them works as an effective training tool. 

Conclusion

The best app for Apple Watch works as a natural extension of its counterpart phone app for runners. It tracks your key running stats and lets you check them at a glance. It can also show you your current pace and heart rate.

By doing so, it supports your running goals and motivates you to keep logging those miles. Above all, it’s accurate and reliable, so you don’t have to worry about tracking issues.

In the end, the best Apple Watch running apps support your training goals without getting in the way of your running experience. Joggo, Strava, and Apple Workout were the top contenders on our list, but you may also consider other great running apps to meet your needs best.