ASICS Runkeeper
8.8
StrongLifts
7.8ASICS Runkeeper vs StrongLifts
ASICS Runkeeper and StrongLifts are paid-or-free fitness apps with different jobs. Runkeeper records GPS activities such as running, walking and biking, while StrongLifts plans barbell workouts with sets, reps and weights.
Someone choosing between them should start with the training they want to track. Runkeeper suits activity recording and running plans. StrongLifts suits structured strength sessions, progression and lifting calculations.
| ASICS Runkeeper | StrongLifts | |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist score | 8.8 | 7.8 |
| Works with a watch | Yes | Yes |
| Watch families named | Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, Polar, Suunto, Coros, Amazfit | Apple Watch |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Paid from | $3.33/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Platforms | Android, iPhone, Web | Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Paid from | $11.99/mo | $11.99/user/mo |
| Workout programming | Adaptive | Adaptive |
| Progress tracking | Analytics | Analytics |
| Exercise library | Extensive | Extensive |
| Coach tools | None | None |
| Wearable sync | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile platforms | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
ASICS Runkeeper
Runkeeper suits people who want phone-based logging, a web history and many named wearable connections. Its free entry level handles the basic record, while Go targets runners seeking structured plans, audio coaching, deeper reports or Live Tracking. Apple Watch support is listed for iPhone users with Series 3 or newer, and Android does not provide coaching or target pace. The discontinued developer API is relevant if outside software needs to read or write Runkeeper data.
- Phone GPS captures distance, duration, pace or speed, calories and route maps.
- Runkeeper names Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, Coros, Suunto, Polar and Amazfit as supported wearables.
- Free Basic plan is available.
StrongLifts
StrongLifts suits someone who wants a prescribed barbell routine with progression handled inside the app. The beginner and intermediate templates give a clear starting point, while exercise substitutions and custom programs leave room to adjust the plan. Apple Watch users get set logging, rest alerts, and calculation tools on the watch. Budget for a subscription: there is no free plan, and only the yearly option carries a 7-day trial. Check platform needs carefully if you use a watch other than Apple Watch.
- Automatic progression responds to successful and failed sets.
- More than 100 exercises include videos and form guidance.
- Apple Watch logs sets and provides rest notifications.
Round by round
Published pricing
Runkeeper has a free Basic plan and Runkeeper Go at $39.99 a year; its pricing note says paid plans start at $11.99 a month. StrongLifts requires a subscription, with Pro Monthly at $11.99 a month, Pro Yearly at $59.99 a year, Pro Weekly at $4.99 a month and Pro Quarterly at $29.99 a month. StrongLifts also lists a five-year purchase for $199.99. At the comparable monthly starting price they are equal, but Runkeeper publishes the lower annual price and offers a free plan, so it wins on published cost.
ASICS Runkeeper takes this round
Free access
Runkeeper offers a Basic plan billed at $0 per month. It includes activity tracking and logging, basic stats, progress insights, workout comparisons, prescribed workouts, premium training plans, weather insights and Live Tracking. StrongLifts is free to download but requires a subscription to use. Its yearly plan has a seven-day free trial, while monthly and quarterly plans have no trial. Because Runkeeper provides ongoing access without payment and StrongLifts does not, Runkeeper wins this round.
ASICS Runkeeper takes this round
Training focus and tools
Runkeeper uses phone GPS to record distance, duration, pace or speed, calories and route maps. It supports running, walking, biking, hiking, indoor activities and manual entries, with race plans, guided audio workouts, routes and progress reports. StrongLifts plans scheduled barbell workouts and chooses exercises, sets, reps and weights. It offers 5×5 and Madcow programs, automatic progression and deloads, assistance work, exercise replacement, calculators, a rest timer and more than 100 exercises. Each has the stronger toolset for its own training focus, so the round is a tie.
Device and platform coverage
Runkeeper is available on Android, iOS and the web. Its current Apple listing identifies iPhone and Apple Watch support, and tracked activity history is available at Runkeeper.com. StrongLifts supports Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, with stated system requirements for current Apple platforms and watchOS 10. The two products cover different device choices: Runkeeper adds browser access, while StrongLifts lists desktop applications for macOS and Windows. The facts do not establish that one platform set is better for every chooser, so this round is a tie.
Health and wearable connections
Runkeeper lists support for Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, Coros, Suunto, Polar and Amazfit. It can import from Apple Health, connect with Google Health/Fitbit, Health Connect and MyFitnessPal, and integrates with Apple Music and Spotify on iOS. StrongLifts syncs workouts, duration, calories and body weight with Apple Health on iOS and Health Connect on Android, and offers Apple Watch logging with rest notifications and calculations. Runkeeper documents more wearable and service connections, so it wins this round.
ASICS Runkeeper takes this round
Privacy and security controls
Runkeeper provides settings for who can view activities and maps, lets users control connected-app access and syncing, and says it uses security measures to protect information. It explains permission reasons but does not identify a compliance certification. StrongLifts says Google Play reports no data shared with third parties, encryption in transit and deletion requests. Apple’s listing says some data may be collected without being linked to the user, while noting Apple has not verified that report. The facts do not settle an overall winner, so this is a tie.
API availability
Runkeeper’s former Health Graph API was discontinued, and a 2022 notice says new registrations were no longer accepted except for selected partners. A report says the former developer documentation URL redirected to the Runkeeper home page. StrongLifts’ official product and support pages document no public API or SDK. Neither product presents a generally available developer interface in these facts. Since both lack a documented public API for ordinary developers, the round is a tie.
Pick ASICS Runkeeper if
- You want GPS records for running, walking, biking or other activities.
- You need a free ongoing plan or broad wearable connections.
- You want route maps, running plans and guided audio workouts.
Pick StrongLifts if
- You want scheduled barbell workouts with sets, reps and weights.
- You need automatic progression, deloads and lifting calculators.
- You prefer a subscription app with desktop platform support.
The short of it
Choose Runkeeper for GPS activity records, running plans, route maps, guided audio and a continuing free plan. Its listed wearable and health connections are broader, and its annual Go price is lower than StrongLifts’ annual plan. Choose StrongLifts for planned barbell training. It selects exercises, sets, reps and weights, adjusts progression after success or failure, and includes warmup, plate and rest tools. Both support Android and iOS and both have wearable or health syncing. Their purposes differ enough that the right choice follows the workout you want to organize.
What buyers ask
Is either app free to use?
Runkeeper has a free Basic plan. StrongLifts is free to download but requires a subscription; its yearly plan includes a seven-day trial.
Which app tracks running routes?
Runkeeper uses phone GPS to record routes, distance, duration, pace or speed and calories, then syncs activity history to Runkeeper.com.
Which app is for weightlifting progression?
StrongLifts plans barbell workouts and automatically increases, repeats or reduces weight based on completed sets, failures and breaks.
Do they work with Apple Health?
Runkeeper can import from Apple Health and separately control syncing. StrongLifts can send workouts, duration, calories and body weight to Apple Health.
Which has more wearable integrations?
Runkeeper lists Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, Coros, Suunto, Polar and Amazfit. StrongLifts lists Apple Watch and health-platform syncing.
Listed together on Best Workout Tracking Apps in 2026.