Every sports lover out there already know that Strava is one of the, if not the best cycling and running app. However, if you’ve already used Strava for years, you’re bound to get bored. So, what apps are the best Strava alternatives? Are they as good as Strava?
Why don’t we look at what Strava has to offer
Despite protests that Strava is becoming more like a social connection app rather than a sporty app, you can’t deny that the Strava app has its pros. What is Strava offering to you?
Tracking feature Syncs with your devices to measure your performance Share experiences with photos and status on the Strava app
The million-dollar question: is Strava free? Yes, you can download it for free on Google Play or App Store. But, there are some features that you have to pay to enjoy. You can call it a freemium app. So, you see that Strava is good. Now, are you ready for the best running and bicycling app similar to Strava? Let’s find out!
Best Strava Alternatives You Should Try
1. Map My Ride
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store Map My Ride is the best free Strava alternative for sharing your biking route with your connections. No matter what you use, IOS, Android, Windows, or Mac, the Map My Ride app is available to all. After you download the app, you can choose to use the free or paid version. Don’t worry; the free version is enough to satisfy you! It comes with a basic tracking system, goal tracking, lifetime stats, and mapped routes for you to download. But, you have to deal with the ads. The paid version is free of ads, including cadence analysis, live tracking, and printing maps. Pros:
You can connect it to other apps, such as MyFitnessPal Unlimited mapped routes Easy to use Personal goal tracking Audio feedback such as calories burnt and pace Can connect to heart rate monitor Can connect to social media and share routes
Cons:
The free version has ads No live tracking on the free version
2. Cyclemeter
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store If you want to schedule your rides before you go, Cyclemeter is the best free Strava alternative for it. Complete with a calendar to plan your personal workout training, Cyclemeter is the perfect app to motivate you. It also gives you comments to encourage you to work out more. So, Cyclemeter vs. Strava, which one would win? One thing that is convenient for you is that Cyclemaster doesn’t need you to log in every time you want to use the app. As for the features, Cyclemeter has maps, splits, intervals, and charts of your rides. It’s an easy app to use, so don’t worry if you’re a beginner. It supports skiing, running, skating, and walking as well. Pros:
Can schedule rides Calendar for a personal workout plan Have trail maps, split intervals Detailed personal stats graphs Suitable for every type of cyclist Can stop or start by pressing the earbuds button Announcements about your stats Can connect to many social media apps, including Strava
Cons:
You have to scrutinize each feature to understand fully what they mean.
3. CycleStreets
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store For personalized routes suitable to your tastes, Cyclestreets is the best free Strava alternative for you. If you want to choose a quiet route, find safe ways for yourself, choose the Cyclestreets app. Like a GPS, it has a live tracking system to tell you where exactly you should go, where you should turn, etc. It provides how many distances you’ve covered as well. Tracking your journey wouldn’t be a problem, too. Pros:
Simple to use compared to other apps Easy route planning for a personal journey Live tracking system to tell you where you should go
Cons:
Not as sophisticated as other apps Not many features for training
4. TrainingPeaks
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store Setting a goal and be ready to finish it is the primary purpose of this Strava alternative. It tracks your gradual progress and plans your training to reach the goals in a particular way. TrainingPeaks app is like your biking coach. Training Peaks offers more than adequate tools for workouts. However, it’s not an app where you can share your experiences with friends. It’s strictly for your training. Pros:
Comprehensive training tools Coach-like app Goal-oriented Can you plan your workout
Cons:
No social connections
5. Runkeeper
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store Runkeeper is one of the most popular apps for running in this Strava alternative list. It’s easy to use and utilize. While you’re running, it gives you audio updates on your time, distance, calories burnt, and pace. Runkeeper is also suitable for those who like working out indoors. It provides a stopwatch for you to track your treadmill time. The app connects to Google Maps as well. Many are wondering why people compare RunKeeper vs. Strava. Why is it? Both are popular with runners, but RunKeeper is chosen as the best because of its flexible running logs where you could add your runs manually. Pros:
Easy to use Tracks pace, calories burnt, time, and distance Manually add runs Connects to Google Map
Cons:
Runkeeper doesn’t have as many users as Strava, so the community is much smaller.
6. Komoot
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store Komoot is more suitable for those who like the outdoors and remote locations. It gives complete insights into elevation, trail type, and road type. If you encountered a new route, you could enter it into Komoot’s system for other users to use. It also gives complete data for users to plan their trip to certain terrains that needs more preparation, like hiking terrain. Komoot vs. Strava is asked many times. They aren’t competing in many aspects because Komoot has a different purpose: to assist those who like to go off-grid or offline. Pros:
Suitable to use in the outdoors Map new route Complete terrain data Excellent for offline use
Cons:
Not suitable for sharing with a community The free version only provides one region
7. Garmin Connect
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store This free Strava alternative is for you who resents that Strava has turned into a social networking app rather than a sporty app. Garmin Connect mobile app is designed for people who are experienced with cycling. It gives you a trainer-approved training package that you can plan weekly, monthly, and yearly. But, it doesn’t mean that Garmin Connect doesn’t have a social networking system. You can share your stats, but it mainly compares your results with others on a leaderboard. Pros:
Veterans cyclist using the app Trainer-approved exercising plan Plan weekly, monthly, and yearly workout Activity tracking feature and annual statistics Leaderboard for comparing results Connects to MyFitnessPal and Strava
Cons:
GPS Drains battery quickly
8. RideWithGPS
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store RideWithGPS is one of the most popular apps for cyclists as of now. It has a mode with a feature which you can actively map your route. Another mode is to search for a specific area by elevation and distance. Unlike any other app, RideWithGPS is browser-based. You can use it on smartphones, but navigation is quite complicated because of its web-based nature. It also has a fitness tracking feature, which can track calories burnt and heart rate. Ride with GPS vs. Strava: which will win? They’re both great in their ways. The free version of RideWithGPS gives you a complete enough package, including all the aforementioned features. Other features available for free are weekly and monthly schedules and gear functionality and durability. The paid version gives you more fitness tools and shapes your body, such as hydration levels and body fat tracking. Pros:
Detailed route Can connect to Garmin GPS Tracks gear durability after certain miles Fitness support Search function to find routes
Cons:
Navigation is complicated Offline routes are limited There is no undo function if you accidentally delete a route
9. Zombies, Run!
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store Unlike the other Strava alternatives, Zombies, Run! is more lighthearted and designed to motivate you to run. It is thick with game elements where you are given missions to complete each time you run. Zombies Run app is heavy with the audio element, so you’ll have to use headphones or earbuds for audio cues. You’ll be instructed to run faster when you’re ‘chased’ by zombies. The app enables you to share your achievements and create your training missions. Pros:
Like a game with a storyline to motivate you to run Fun Can be used outdoors or indoors Fitness training like 5k run
Cons:
App size is large, and it needs a constant internet connection
10. RGT Cycling
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store Now, this app is the obvious Strava alternative in this pandemic. RGT Cycling is the rising star app of indoor cycling. So, if you’re looking for riding indoor with the authentic feel of riding in the open, RGT Cycling is your solution. The best point of this app is that it’s free! However, you can choose to subscribe to the premium version for $10 each month. RGT Cycling app is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, iPad, and Apple TV. For the controller, IOS and Android will do. There’s a library of training programs for you to choose from, and you can add your own custom training, too! The app can track your power, cadence, and heart rate as well. This app’s biggest competitor: RGT Cycling vs. Zwift. We’ll get to Zwift in a moment. Pros:
Authentic roads for immersive training sessions Completely indoors Can chat with fellow bikers Many terrain options even on the free version Compatible with many systems
Cons:
Many roads are only available in the premium version Resolution can be a bit off depends on the quality of the device
11. Zwift
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store Zwift, like RGT Cycling, is a Strava alternative for indoor exercising. Unlike its competitor, the Zwift app has a running option, as well. While it’s designed to appeal to runners and cyclists, only the running option is free. For cycling, you have to pay $15 per month. However, you have the option of using the free trial for 15 days. It supports iOS and Android devices. Much like RGT Cycling, Zwift is an immersive app that makes you feel like you’re exercising in real life. It tracks your speed, power, cadence, and distance. Your features, as mentioned above achievements are presented as a game, and you can give thumbs up to others’ accomplishments. Pros:
Immersive indoor cycling experience Suitable for socializing Compatible with IOS and Android Free running option
Cons:
The cycling option is unavailable for free Hard to get used to the app
12. Bikemap
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store This Strava alternative is convenient for you to use. With its handy search function, you can easily find the biking routes you like all over the world. The Bikemap app gives you the option of choosing a route based on distance, location, and preferences. Because of the simple app design, Bikemap is easy to use with plenty of benefits. Pros:
Simple design and easy to use Convenient searching option You can choose routes to your tastes
Cons:
No detailed information about the routes
13. Adidas Runtastic
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store As stated in its name, this Runtastic app is known for its running regime. Adidas Runtastic for running is free, but it’s completely up to you to update it to premium. The free version tracks your calorie burnt, pace, and speed. It also connects to GPS and Garmin Connect. You can make notes of your body changes so the app can adjust the best running plan for you. Pros:
The free version tracks cardio exercises Connected to GPS Adjust your running plan to your body composition Easy to sync with a phone Audio cues
Cons:
Battery draining quickly Can’t create a custom training plan
14. Google Fit
Download on Google Play Download on the App Store Last but not least is the Google Fit app. This Strava alternative relatively has familiar and easily accessible for all of us. It provides tracking metrics such as heartbeat, calories burnt, distance, and elevation. You can gain ‘Move Points’ every time you do an activity such as running, swimming, yoga, etc. It’s easy to plan your journey, too. The routes will be available through Google Maps. This app is versatile and it can connect to many apps, including Strava and many apps mentioned above. Pros:
Easily accessible whether by IOS or Android users Easy to use Connects to many apps Challenges you to workout Record ‘Move Points’ when you do sports
Cons:
No social connections and sharing are available No training programs No progress display
So, what’s the best Strava alternatives?
All 14 of them have their uniqueness that other apps can’t mimic. However, if you’re searching for a cycling app the closest in features to Strava, you can choose Garmin Connect. It is suitable for people that like casual riding and outdoor, grueling rides. The winning points of Garmin Connect are its tracking system and its trainer-approved training plan. As for running, the fans’ favorite is RunKeeper, with its simple app and its manually added running logs. RunKeeper is also suitable for outdoor and indoor running, which caters to a lot of users. But, if you like a simple, casual workout app, the best fit is Google Fit. It’s easy to manage, easy to use, and is accessible to almost every device. The benefits Google Fit offers are just as valuable as any other app, despite its simplicity. That’s it. Many apps to choose from. Choose the one that suits you, your body, and your routine the most. So, what is your favorite Strava alternative?
