11 Best Free Running Apps for Beginners to Start Training

We all have fitness goals, but sometimes getting off the couch is the hardest part. Read More

Every day, you think ‘maybe tomorrow,’ but tomorrow comes, and the gravitational pull of "just one more episode" is too strong. That internal battle between who you want to be and who you are right now is exhausting.

Today, we're bringing in a secret weapon. A tie-breaker that lives in your pocket and is designed to make the first step out the door—the hardest step of all—a hell of a lot easier (if being practical). Let's turn that ‘one day’ into ‘Day One.’

Top 11 Free Running Training Apps: A Comparison

App	Best For	Is Free?	Key Free Features
Strava	Social sharing and competition	Yes (paid premium available)	GPS activity tracking, social feed, clubs, challenges, and "kudos"
Nike Run Club	Guided runs and motivational audio	Yes (completely free)	GPS tracking, a large library of guided runs by coaches and celebrities, community features, and training plans
ASICS Runkeeper	Custom training plans and audio cues	Yes (paid premium available)	GPS tracking for various activities, goal setting, and audio cues for stats
MapMyRun	Mapping and discovering new routes	Yes (paid premium available)	GPS tracking, route mapping, and community challenges
Garmin Connect	Advanced data for Garmin device users	Yes (paid premium available)	Deep data analysis for Garmin devices, including heart rate and recovery metrics
Couch to 5K	Absolute beginners	Yes (paid premium available)	Audio coaching for a guided nine-week walk/run interval program
Adidas Running	Tracking runs and participating in virtual events	Yes (paid premium available)	GPS tracking, community challenges, and virtual events
Pacer Pedometer & Run Tracker	Casual tracking and motivation	Yes (paid premium available)	Automatic step tracking, basic run tracking with GPS, calorie counting, and group challenges
PUMATRAC	Free guided workouts (not just running)	Yes (completely free)	A wide variety of free, video-guided workouts, including running, strength, and HIIT
Charity Miles	Earning money for charity while exercising	Yes (completely free)	Converts miles walked, run, or biked into donations for your chosen charity
Runtopia	Earning rewards while running	Yes (paid premium available)	GPS tracking, community challenges, and a reward system where earned points can be converted into real-world items

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List of the Best Free Running Apps for Beginners

Table of Content

Categorizing Top Free Running Apps for Beginners

Running apps offer a diverse range of features to suit every type of user. This table organizes some of the most popular free apps into categories based on their primary function, whether you're looking to track your progress, train for a race, or connect with a community.

Category	Explanation	App Names
GPS & Performance Tracking	Apps focused on recording runs and providing key metrics like distance, pace, and time.	Strava, Nike Run Club, ASICS Runkeeper, MapMyRun, Adidas Running, PUMATRAC, Runtopia
Training & Coaching	Apps that offer structured plans, guided runs, and audio coaching to help users achieve specific goals.	Nike Run Club, Couch to 5K, ASICS Runkeeper, Adidas Running
Community & Social	Apps with a strong social component for sharing runs, joining challenges, and connecting with friends.	Strava, Nike Run Club, MapMyRun, Garmin Connect
Pedometer & General Fitness	Apps primarily for step counting and broader daily activity tracking.	Pacer Pedometer & Run Tracker
Device Integration	Apps designed to sync and analyze data from specific fitness watches and devices.	Garmin Connect
Cause-Based Running	An app that turns miles into money for charities.	Charity Miles

Also Read: Best Walking Apps

Wrapping Up!

The excuses have officially run out of road. With a personal coach, a global community, and a data analyst all living in your pocket, the only thing left to do is lace up. Your only competition is the person you were yesterday. Your only required equipment is the phone you're already holding. We've shown you the tools; the trail is now yours to conquer. Stop reading. Start running.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are these free apps truly free, or do they have hidden costs?

While all the apps on this list have a robust free version, most also offer a premium subscription. The free version provides essential features like GPS tracking and basic stats. The premium tiers typically unlock advanced features like personalized training plans, more detailed analytics, or live tracking for safety.
Which app is best for a complete beginner?

For those just starting, the Couch to 5K app is a good running app. It's designed specifically to take you from zero running experience to completing a 5K race in a structured, manageable way.
What if I want to run with friends and share my progress?

If social motivation is what you're after, the best apps to start running, like Strava and Nike Run Club, are your best bet. Strava allows you to follow friends and compete on leaderboards. Nike Run Club also has a strong community component with challenges and a supportive feed.
Can I use these apps on a treadmill?

Yes, most modern running apps have a ‘Treadmill’ or ‘Indoor Run’ mode. While they won't use GPS, they can track your time and allow you to manually input the distance from the treadmill console.
Do I need a smartwatch, or can I just use my phone?

You can absolutely use good running apps for free or with a paid plan, with just your phone. Your phone's GPS is all you need for basic tracking.

WRITTEN BY

Manish

Sr. Content Strategist

Meet Manish Chandra Srivastava, the Strategic Content Architect & Marketing Guru who turns brands into legends. Armed with a Marketer's Soul, Manish has dazzled giants like Collegedunia and Embibe before becoming a part of MobileAppDaily. His work is spotlighted on Hackernoon, Gamasutra, and Elearning Industry.

Beyond the writer’s block, Manish is often found distracted by movies, video games, artificial intelligence (AI), and other such nerdy stuff. But the point remains, if you need your brand to shine, Manish is who you need.