Compare Runna
Stamio or Runna?
I followed Runna plans for months, for a half marathon and a 10K. It's a very good coach. But with an Apple Watch, I still needed four other apps alongside it: for my fitness numbers, the analysis and the map. Here are the differences.
Facts and prices checked on October 29, 2026
The deciding question
Are you only looking for a running coach, on any watch? Or a plan that knows how you slept, with your numbers and your map, in your Apple Watch?
| Criterion | Stamio | Runna |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Pro: $49.99 a year or $7.99 a month. All the daily metrics are free. | $119.99 a year or $19.99 a month. |
| What's free | Yes Start Running, My First 5K and Comeback in full, week 1 of goal plans, all daily metrics. | Partly Week 1 of every plan and run recording. Beginner plans have been paid since June 5, 2026. |
| What the plan takes into account | Yes Your morning readiness, HRV, sleep and actual runs. It adjusts every Monday, tells you why, and you can undo. | Your experience, schedule and goals, according to Runna's website. |
| Guided workouts on the wrist | Yes In Stamio on the Apple Watch: pace range, countdown, voice, step-by-step review. | Yes On Apple Watch, Garmin, COROS, Suunto and more. |
| Map during the workout | Yes Areas downloaded in Stamio, no phone or network needed. Turns announced by voice, even during intervals. | Partly Public Strava routes, with a linked Strava subscription. Offline map to prepare in Apple Maps. |
| Readiness, HRV, sleep, energy, load, VO2 max | Yes In the free daily metrics. | No Not advertised by Runna. |
| Race day | Yes Race strategy (Pro): a pace for every kilometer or mile based on elevation, followed on the watch. | Race pace within plan workouts. |
| Strength and mobility | No Not yet. | Yes Strength and mobility sessions, with or without equipment. |
| Watches and phones | Apple Watch and iPhone only. | Yes Apple Watch, Garmin, COROS, Fitbit, Suunto; iPhone and Android. |
Facts and prices checked on October 29, 2026. Sources ↓
What it changes day to day
- 01
A plan that knows how you slept
Short night, low HRV? Today's workout tells you, and the plan takes it into account the following Monday, with the reason in plain words.
- 02
The map in your workout
Download your area, leave your iPhone: your intervals and the route guidance share the same watch screen.
- 03
A plan that never starts from scratch
After your race, Stamio moves on to the next plan with your volume and your fitness. Nothing to re-enter.
- 04
$70 less a year
$119.99 a year for Runna, $49.99 for Stamio Pro, with fitness, maps and the analysis of every run on top.
Where Runna is better, honestly
- Plans written by coaches and refined over years of runner feedback. Stamio's are recent.
- Strength and mobility, built into the plan.
- Every watch and Android: if you have a Garmin or a COROS, Runna follows you.
- The community and the link with Strava, which owns Runna.
Choose Runna if
- you run with a Garmin, a COROS, or on Android;
- you want strength training in your plan;
- you only want a coach and don't care about fitness numbers.
Choose Stamio if
- you run with an Apple Watch;
- you want the plan, your fitness, the map and the analysis in one app;
- you're a beginner: three full programs are free;
- you want to pay less than half.
Questions
Is Stamio linked to Runna or Strava?
No, no link at all. Stamio can import your Strava routes, nothing more.
Can I bring my Runna plan over?
Not as is. Stamio uses the runs already recorded in Health to suggest your starting point, then builds its own plan.
Can I keep Runna and use Stamio for the rest?
Yes: Stamio's daily metrics (readiness, sleep, HRV, VO2 max, recording) are free, without a plan.
Sources
- Runna on the App Store: “Runna Premium” in-app purchases, seller Strava Inc.
- the5krunner: “Is Runna Free?” (2026 prices, free tier, beginner plans paid since 06/05/2026)
- Runna: official website (personalized plans, strength, supported watches)
- Runna support: following a route with an Apple Watch
Prices and features checked on October 29, 2026 on the pages cited; they may change. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected] and I'll fix it.
The beta is free, no account. A year of Stamio Pro for every tester at launch.
Other comparisons
Estimates for wellness and training, not a medical device.