Runna vs. Pacing (2025)
Runna vs. Pacing (2025)
If you’re choosing a training app in 2025, Runna will likely be on your shortlist. We think Pacing should be too. Both promise smart plans and on-the-run guidance — but they take very different approaches.
This review breaks down Runna’s latest feature set and pricing (with sources), then stacks it up against Pacing’s “truly customisable” model so you can decide what fits your running and your life.
💡 Key takeaway on price: Pacing is significantly cheaper than Runna. That’s intentional: its local‑first design and lightweight team keep costs down, avoid bloat, and focus on delivering core features exceptionally well. See the Price and value section for details.
🏃 Runna at a glance
Runna positions itself as a personal running coach that builds a plan for your goal race, syncs it to your watch, and talks you through workouts.
What Runna offers in 2025
- Structured training plans: 5K to ultra, with “fast-track” and hilly variants.
- Device integrations: Apple Watch, Garmin, COROS, Suunto, Fitbit; syncs with Strava.
- In-run guidance: Audio cues + on-watch prompts (“speed up/slow down”).
- Post-run features: Race predictions, Runna Score, PB tracking, basic AI insights (beta).
- Extras: Strength, mobility, Pilates sessions; community feed; articles; flexible calendar; “Instant Workouts” in V3.
- Pricing (2025): $19.99/month or $119.99/year (free trial).
2025 context: Strava acquisition
- Strava acquired Runna in April 2025.
- Runna remains standalone but with deeper Strava integrations.
- Strava removed its own training plans in favor of Runna.
- A Strava + Runna bundle appeared (~$149.99/year, annual-only).
Where Runna shines
✅ Frictionless onboarding (quick survey → instant plan) ✅ Strong watch experience (structured workouts + audio cues) ✅ Comprehensive plan library (5K to ultras, plus “return to running”) ✅ Polished UX and community features
Common critiques
⚠️ Cost vs. depth: Premium price, but AI analysis is still light ⚠️ Pace anchoring: Relies on recent race times (confusing if you don’t have one) ⚠️ Limited editing: You can reschedule, but not deeply rewrite workouts
⚡ Meet Pacing
Pacing is built for runners who want both smart starting points and total control. The AI generates a plan based on your training time available (down to the hour) and five personalised pace zones — and then you can change anything.
Core features
- Personalised pace zones: Five zones calibrated from your history.
- Instant tailored workouts: Tempo, intervals, hills, long runs — auto-generated.
- Adaptive plans: Goal-based, updating as you train. Inputs accept natural language, allowing you to give specific guidance, e.g. “I have to do 1 run with backpack when I go to work”.
- Deep customisation:
- Full interval editor (durations, distances, intensities, repeats, rests).
- Edit any AI-created workout.
- Organise into shareable Collections (sync for teams/friends).
- Real-time audio coaching: Pace + HR guidance, interval progress, next-step prompts.
- Flexible scheduling: Drag-and-drop calendar.
- Community & sharing: Share workouts/Collections with live-sync updates.
- Strava integration: Auto-post workouts; detailed interval-level analysis.
Data model & privacy
- Local-first: All data stays on your device.
- No sign-up required.
- No cloud sync (privacy-first trade-off).
Why it’s cheaper
- No costly cloud infrastructure.
- Small, focused team.
- Core features only — no bloat.
🔍 Runna vs. Pacing: Head-to-head
Onboarding & setup
| Feature | Runna | Pacing |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Quick survey (race time, goal, days) → instant plan | Survey + 5-zone calibration → AI plan or build from scratch |
| Account required? | Yes | No |
| Cost barrier | Higher | Lower |
Training plans
| Feature | Runna | Pacing |
|---|---|---|
| Plan library | Large catalog (5K–ultra, hilly, fast-track, return to running) | Goal-based adaptive plans |
| Adaptability | Adjusts to schedule & progress | Fully editable at any level |
| Race predictions | Yes | No (focus on training detail, results will follow) |
Workout creation & editing
| Feature | Runna | Pacing |
|---|---|---|
| Editing | Limited (reschedule, re-adapt) | Full builder + editor (nested repeats, rests, intensities) |
| Flexibility | Follow-the-plan model | Total control (AI or manual) |
Real-time guidance
| Feature | Runna | Pacing |
|---|---|---|
| Audio cues | Yes (watch-native) | Yes (phone-based) |
| Watch-native execution | Yes (Garmin, Apple, COROS, etc.) | Not yet (phone-first) |
Integrations & devices
| Feature | Runna | Pacing |
|---|---|---|
| Watches | Apple, Garmin, COROS, Suunto, Fitbit | Not yet |
| Strava sync | Yes | Yes |
| Treadmill integration | Yes (highlighted in 2025) | No |
Community & sharing
| Feature | Runna | Pacing |
|---|---|---|
| Community | In-app feed, content, coach tips | Shareable workouts & Collections (with live-sync) |
| Collaboration | Limited | Strong (ideal for clubs/coaches) |
Data & analysis
| Feature | Runna | Pacing |
|---|---|---|
| Metrics | Race predictions, Runna Score, PBs, AI insights (beta) | Interval-level pace, HR, cadence graphs |
| Data storage | Cloud | Local-only (privacy-first) |
💰 Price and value
Runna (2025)
- $19.99/month
- $119.99/year
- Strava + Runna bundle: ~$149.99/year (annual-only)
Pacing (2025)
- £4.99/month
- £32.99/year
- £79.99 lifetime
🔑 Value insight: Even Pacing’s annual plan is cheaper than Runna’s monthly price. The lifetime plan removes recurring costs entirely.
🧭 Which runners fit which app?
Choose Runna if you want:
- A polished “coach-in-your-pocket” with minimal setup.
- Clear audio pacing guidance on your watch.
- A ready-made plan library (5K–ultra, hilly, fast-track).
- Optional strength & mobility sessions.
Choose Pacing if you want:
- To customise everything (AI plan + full editing).
- Adaptive plans you can override without breaking.
- Local-first privacy (no sign-up, no cloud).
- To share programs with teammates or athletes.
- Excellent value: low monthly/annual cost or lifetime plan.
⚠️ Limitations to consider
Runna
- Premium price for a mostly “follow-the-plan” model.
- Limited interval editing.
- AI analysis still basic.
- Subscription/bundle details evolving.
Pacing
- No watch-native execution (phone required). Native Apple Watch integration is aimed for early 2026.
- No cloud sync (privacy-first trade-off).
✅ Bottom line
- Prefer a pre-packaged plan that drops neatly onto your watch with high-quality audio cues and minimal configuration? → Runna is your app.
- Want the power to sculpt your training — down to the interval, rest, and intensity — while still benefiting from AI-generated starting points? → Pacing is built for you.
With private-by-default data and a notably lower price (including lifetime), Pacing is a compelling choice for runners who want to structure their running and train for life.
🔗 Want the Pacing experience? Explore the philosophy and full feature set: pacing.run
📚 References (accessed on 18th August 2025)
- Runna homepage
- Runna “Return to Running” page
- Lifehacker review of Runna (2025-04-17)
- Lifehacker: Strava buys Runna (2025-04-17)
- Lifehacker: Changes since Strava bought Runna (2025-07-16)
- The Verge: Strava acquires Runna (2025-04-17)
- DC Rainmaker: Strava acquires Runna (2025-04-17)
- SportsPro: Strava acquires Runna (2025-04-22)
- Mostly Media: Runna premium value critique (2025-06-02)
- Running Industry Alliance: Runna V3 features
- Running Industry Alliance: Treadmill connectivity
