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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Strava vs Nike Run Club

Strava 4.8★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Nike Run Club
Nike Run Club 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Nike Run Club is the better choice for most runners due to its free, high-quality guided runs and coaching, while Strava struggles with customer support and aggressive subscription prompts.

Full reviews: Strava · Nike Run Club

Strava offers robust multi-sport tracking and a strong social community, but is plagued by poor customer support, frequent bugs, and aggressive subscription pushes. Nike Run Club excels with its free guided runs and coaching, making it ideal for new and experienced runners, though it has some issues with watch syncing and GPS accuracy.

Head to head

Features & Coaching edge: Nike Run ClubR2R5R11R23
Strava Strava is praised for its multi-sport tracking and community features, allowing users to track various activities and connect with others R11. However, users desire more advanced features like music playlists R2, 3D buildings R5, live tracking of friends R23, and better swim tracking options . Some advanced features are locked behind a paywall R54.
Nike Run Club Nike Run Club is highly lauded for its free guided runs and coaching, which motivate users and help them improve their running R63R71R80. Users appreciate the variety of runs and training plans available without a subscription R89. However, some find the coaches' constant talking and humor to be grating R63.
Ease of Use & UI edge: Nike Run ClubR6R8R9R11
Strava Strava is generally considered easy to use for basic tracking R8R11. However, many users find the app's navigation unintuitive and clunky R6. Recent updates have reportedly broken the UI, making text unreadable and dark mode inconsistent . There are also complaints about excessive subscription prompts cluttering the experience R9R18.
Nike Run Club Nike Run Club's UI is described as clean and easy to navigate . Users find it simple to start runs and access features . However, some find the choice of runs cluttered . Issues with logging in and receiving verification codes are also reported .
Reliability & Bugs tieR3R4R7R12
Strava Strava users report numerous critical bugs, including the app freezing on startup R7, not tracking distance correctly R12, inaccurate GPS data , and issues with following people R3. Connectivity problems with Apple Watch are also mentioned R19R45. Some users experience the app stopping working entirely after updates R4.
Nike Run Club Nike Run Club also suffers from significant reliability issues. Users frequently report runs not being saved , auto-pausing during runs even when disabled , and inaccurate mileage tracking . Many users report problems with Apple Watch connectivity and syncing, especially after updates R70R73.
Price & Value edge: Nike Run ClubR9R11R13R18
Strava Strava offers a free version, but many features are locked behind a subscription R11R29R54. Users complain about the high annual subscription cost R42 and the constant, aggressive prompts to subscribe R9R18. Some paying subscribers feel the value has decreased due to removed features and API restrictions . There are also reports of being charged for subscriptions without consent or difficulty canceling R13.
Nike Run Club Nike Run Club is highly valued for offering its core features, especially the guided runs and coaching, completely free of charge R89. Users are pleasantly surprised by how much is available without any payment prompts R89. This free access is a major differentiator and source of positive feedback.
Customer Support edge: StravaR1R4R10R13
Strava Strava receives overwhelmingly negative feedback regarding its customer support. Users report an inability to reach human support, with interactions limited to unhelpful AI bots that close chats or provide generic, unhelpful email responses R1R4R10R13. This is particularly frustrating for paying subscribers experiencing critical app issues R1R4R13.
Nike Run Club Customer support for Nike Run Club is not frequently mentioned in the reviews. The primary issues users face are related to app functionality and syncing, rather than direct interactions with support R73.
Pick Strava if

You are a multi-sport athlete who values a strong social community and detailed activity analysis, and you are willing to pay for a subscription despite reported support issues .

Pick Nike Run Club if

You are a runner, especially if you are new or looking for motivation and structured training, and you prioritize free, high-quality guided runs and coaching over advanced social features or perfect GPS accuracy R80R89.

Evidence note: The evidence for Nike Run Club's customer support is thin, as reviews focus more on app functionality. Strava's support issues are heavily documented.

Frequently asked

Is Strava free?
Strava offers a free version that allows basic tracking of walks and workouts, but many advanced features and insights are locked behind a paid subscription, which users report can be expensive R11R29R42R54.
Does Nike Run Club have guided runs?
Yes, Nike Run Club is highly praised for its extensive library of free guided runs and coaching programs, which are a major motivator for users of all levels R63R71R80R89.
Which app has better customer support?
Neither app has strong customer support based on reviews, but Strava receives overwhelmingly negative feedback for its non-existent human support and unhelpful AI bots R1R4R10R13. Nike Run Club's support is not frequently mentioned, with issues typically revolving around app functionality rather than direct support interactions.
Do these apps work with Apple Watch?
Both apps have reported issues with Apple Watch connectivity and syncing, particularly after recent updates. Strava users mention problems with the Apple Watch app not connecting or syncing workouts R19R45, while Nike Run Club users frequently report runs not syncing from their watch, or the app becoming incompatible with older watch models R70R73.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Strava 5/5 · US Music Playlists would make better!: I love this app. But ADDING MUSIC PLAYLISTS TO OUR WALJS WOULD MAKE THIS 6/5 STARS! Anyone agree? Please help me make make some noise about this and hopefully the developers will add this feature!
  2. [R5] Strava 5/5 · US Tehehehe: Ts app was good but when will there be 3d buildings 🥺? I have used this app on my Samsung Phone and watch with Samsung health but I was wondering if I can connect with Apple health with this app. Gotta look cool with my thingies 😎
  3. [R11] Strava 5/5 · US Love using this app: It’s simple to use and they have a free version. I love tracking my walks and workouts. It’s helped a lot in my motivation and seeing how often I am active. It was a pain tracking my workouts in my phone calendar and gym app. Now it’s all in one place.
  4. [R23] Strava 4/5 · US Recommendations: I think it would be awesome if Strava had a feature where I could see my friends live tracking their workouts or real time tracking. It be cool if I could see their heart beat, speed, pace, and maybe a chance to see them live through their camera. That would be some major upgrades for this app.
  5. [R6] Strava 3/5 · US App that just feels behind and unintuitive: Navigating this app is frustrating. Compared to what’s out there, it just seems unintuitive and like you have to go through additional steps that don’t make sense to find basic information you are looking for.
  6. [R8] Strava 5/5 · US Great tool: Keeps me accountable. The only gripe I have is I feel like I’m a worse and better runner at the same time that the AI is pumping me up. Super easy to use. Keeps track of my shoe mileage. Would love if I could check that on the mobile app.
  7. [R9] Strava 3/5 · US Stop with the subscription requests: Holy moly. The app is good but for heavens sake, every prompt I make pulls up a subscription prompt! I don’t need to subscribe… you’re doing too much.
  8. [R3] Strava 3/5 · US Won’t let me follow people: It is pretty good for tracking all my workouts but every time I try to follow someone it instantly unfollows. I have restarted my phone and I still have this problem.
  9. [R4] Strava 1/5 · US App bug: Extremely frustrated. I just purchased the yearly subscription, and the app stopped working almost immediately. I reached out to support hoping for a quick fix, but all I got was a generic bot reply, no human has responded, and the issue is still unresolved. If you’re going to charge for a full year upfront, the least I’d expect is functional support when things break. Would not recommen
  10. [R7] Strava 1/5 · US Frozen App: The app freezes on Startup every launch, and is now almost unusable
  11. [R12] Strava 3/5 · US Keeps stacking time: Basically Strava has a glitch where records times for no reason even when the app isn’t on. It’s a serious bug that needs fixing
  12. [R13] Strava 1/5 · US No Support!!: I keep trying to upgrade to an annual subscription, and every time I do (AND PAY THE ANNUAL FEE!!) it tells me I need to upgrade still. I have emailed, chatted with support and still haven’t gotten a human response in 6 days. Please do better.
  13. [R18] Strava 3/5 · US The push for payment is annoying: Every time I load a run, I scroll down and see an ad about the subscription showing a completely made up PR. It’s literally making up data that I’m faster than I actually am in an attempt to get me to sign up for premium. It’s so gross, if you’re going to push your subscription on non subscribers constantly, don’t lie about it too. App works great otherwise and
  14. [R1] Strava 1/5 · US Atrocious customer support!: Their AI bot “Miles” has no ability to solve anything and closes chats with you. There is no way to talk to customer support. Even when the bot says someone will be in touch you just get an email saying they can’t help you. I am a paying subscriber and you are ducking answering any questions or actually helping me with the fact that you are letting another user in a di
  15. [R10] Strava 2/5 · US Used to be good.: Recently this app has gone downhill. You cannot get a real person to speak to if you’re having issues with the app. Recently the app does not load. It is just a black screen and an error message that says please try again. The only way to contact user support is a chat bot that doesn’t understand you and can’t help you and when it realizes there is no answer to give you it gives
  16. [R29] Strava 4/5 · US Great tracking: I enjoy Strava but I’ve also been a member long enough where I’ve lost the ability to do things unless I subscribe and that’s a bummer and way too expensive in my opinion.
  17. [R42] Strava 3/5 · US It’s OK and free is OK but the request $80 for a year is outrageous: It’s been OK for the free portion. I’d be happy to purchase a yearly premium membership but $80 is just outrageous A few of my friends in my run group feel the same way You folks want $320 a year from the 4 of us but you’re getting zero dollars. How about drop it to $40 and get $160 out of us?!
  18. [R54] Strava 3/5 · US Too P2W: There’s way too much pay to use in the app, most of them are reasonable but seeing my best effort needs payment, just because of this, I don’t think this is a good recording app, at this point I’ll just use other ones that doesn’t need payment to see my best efforts XD
  19. [R63] Nike Run Club 3/5 · US Great to get into running, occasionally frustrating: Genuinely great coaching and custom plans that helped me get into running and training for long-distance races. However, there’s a few sticking points: 1. The humor falls flat. The main coach’s, coach Bennett, guided runs are laced with cheap, low-effort dad jokes that often kill the momentum. I want my coach to check-in occasionally with cues a
  20. [R71] Nike Run Club 5/5 · US Run Trainer: Running tracker assess my output and performance. Guided run challenges my training.
  21. [R80] Nike Run Club 5/5 · US Couldn’t Recommend More: Writing this 553.9 miles logged as a guy that never thought he’d ever run. The coaching is second to none and this app genuinely has the ability to change your life. Give it a shot. This is your sign.
  22. [R89] Nike Run Club 5/5 · US The best running app and it’s FREE!!: I’m shocked that more people in the running community don’t talk about this app… it’s INCREDIBLE! The guided runs making running so enjoyable. The different sprint workouts are amazing and help me to become better and better. I love love love this app! And yes, all the guided runs are FREE! I’ve never been prompted to pay for anything! Keep it up Nike, you ar
  23. [R19] Strava 1/5 · US Super buggy: I set all permissions but Apple Watch app won’t connect. Shared workouts to strava don’t show up in Apple fitness. Go to messages and it just errors out. Checking network and dns server logs appears Strava sends data to know tracking/adware/spyware services. Cancelling.
  24. [R45] Strava 3/5 · US Great for tracking workouts, but… TFA is a problem!: My major reason for not giving this app 5 stars is the Two Factor Authentication (TFA). Several times when I’ve been in areas with no WiFi and poor cellular data the Apple Watch app gives an error message about not being logged in on the cell phone. If I log out on the phone and try log back in the TFA doesn’t work! And once that happens the
  25. [R70] Nike Run Club 2/5 · US Great if you run with your phone: This is such a great idea, and the guided runs really are amazing, but it’s missing a key feature: a downloads folder in the Apple Watch app. Even if you download the run on your Apple Watch, you can’t get any of the collections to load when you open the app without your phone nearby. The ability to access your downloaded runs on your watch should be what the watc
  26. [R73] Nike Run Club 2/5 · US Apple Watch pair no longer functions: Disappointed this no longer works with my Apple Watch due to whatever update or deal was made. I will be moving to a different app that syncs with my watch. I loved this app and faithfully used on all my runs when it did pair.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store