10 Best Walking Apps for Getting Your Steps In

If friendly (or unfriendly) competition puts a pep in your step, you’ll want to check out Strava. This app was initially made popular by serious runners and cyclists, but it has expanded to include walkers, too.

We have used this app many times, and we appreciate that Strava places a big emphasis on the social aspect of fitness. You’re able to join group challenges specific to your chosen workout, like hitting 50,000 steps or completing 400 minutes of walking within a given month. You can also share your activity with friends to stay motivated. Plus, you can track over 50 activities with this app.

Strava offers both a free and paid version of the app, with the paid version offering personalized route-building and more–advanced tracking metrics. The free version tracks the most critical data, like steps taken, distance covered, pace, and your route.

Strava seamlessly integrates your data from the app to the wearable, whether you’re a Garmin, Fitbit, or Apple Watch kind of person. We think it’s helpful to have your entire health ecosystem connected. If you’re someone who likes to compare your progress over time or compete with friends or yourself, you’ll likely enjoy using this app.

One note: Sharing your walking route can be fun amongst friends, but it’s important to be mindful of Strava’s geolocation settings. The default is to share this info publicly, so we recommend adjusting the privacy controls to limit who can see your routes (because safety is key).

Although the Peloton App was initially lauded for its cycling programs, it also has a plethora of guided walks for users to enjoy. And contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to own the Peloton Tread or Bike to use the app — although you can’t access the community and leaderboard aspects without the equipment.

There are hundreds of walking classes to choose from. They vary in length from 5 to 75 minutes, so you can pick something that works with your schedule.

Unfortunately, there is no free version of the Peloton App. But occasionally, the company will run free-trial promotions, so keep your eyes peeled for those. Still, we feel the Peloton App offers some of the best guided-walking workouts that you’ll find, so a subscription is a worthy investment.

If you enjoy tracking your routes, check out the MapMyWalk app designed by Under Armour. While using the app, you’ll be able to record the distance, pace, time elapsed, and elevation of each walk you take. We like that these workouts are then shown on a map, so you can retrace your steps in the future, and even compare stats over time.

The free version of this app has a lot to offer. You can log as many workouts as your heart desires, share progress with friends, and join fun challenges. For example, the “Hoka Mile to Marathon” challenges you to log 26.2 miles within the span of two months. You’re also able to explore routes that other users have created in your area.

Since this app uses GPS, you might notice that it drains your phone battery more quickly when you have it running in the background. This is common with apps involving GPS, but it’s still worth being aware of. (I recommend taking a charging block with you in your fanny pack if you’re concerned.)

For folks who get overwhelmed easily, the MapMyWalk interface might feel a little busy. There’s a lot to check out on the app, and the things to click on and view only increase with the paid version.

If you’re willing to pay the monthly fee (under $10) for an MVP membership, you’ll be able to share live-tracking updates with loved ones, view specific plans to help you meet your goals, and learn more-detailed info on the routes you’re taking.

Some of us naturally love to exercise, while others need a little more motivation. StepDog might be the walking app for you if you fall into the second camp. It gives users a virtual pet to take care of. The pet lives on your iPhone or Apple Watch, and the more you walk, the happier your pup is. If you skip your daily steps, you’ll notice that your dog is sad and restless. 

Although this app doesn’t have as many complex stats to offer users as other options, it provides folks with a simple way to help them remember to get their daily steps in. The accountability isn’t overdone or drill sergeant–esque. Instead, it’s low-pressure and feels more like a silly game on your phone than a workout. 

This app does have a free edition, but the paid version unlocks extra personalization and does away with annoying ads. With the recurring subscription, you’re able to choose from different dog breeds and unlock accessories, collars, and bowls. Plus, this app isn’t a battery drain; you don’t have to leave it open in the background during a walk for it to track your stats. However,  StepDog is currently only available on iOS devices. We highly recommend this app as a fun, gamified way to keep up with your walking goals if you have an iOS device.

StepDog might not be compatible with Android devices, but the Pacer Walking App definitely is. It seamlessly integrates with your device and has an easy-to-understand design and user experience.

If you want the basics of a step tracker, you’ll appreciate that Pacer’s main function is as a pedometer. Besides counting steps, Pacer also tracks metrics like time active, calories burned, and distance walked. Plus, it can automatically track these without having to have the app open in the background (which, as we discussed, drains your phone battery quicker).

I particularly like the dynamic step-goal feature on this app, which ups the ante on your usual step goals to an appropriate level based on your walking history.

The free version works fine, but you may be irritated by the constant barrage of advertisements on screen. If you’re willing to pay around $10 per month for Pacer Premium, you’ll enjoy an ad-free experience, access to personalized workout plans (including some guided walks), a detailed trend analysis, and even GPS tracking for outdoor walks.

And if you’re someone who thrives with community, you’ll appreciate a few of the Pacer Walking App’s features. You can join groups or global challenges, and connect with friends who use the app — accountability, but make it fun. If you can handle the multitude of ads or pony up for the paid version, you’ll love the functionality that this walking app brings to the table.

Dungeons & Dragons lovers, this one’s for you. The Conqueror Virtual Challenges is a walking app that turns steps into a “journey” of sorts, where you can win physical prizes when the challenge is complete.

As of right now, there are more than 80 different themed challenges in places like the Pacific Crest Trail or the fjords of Norway. For every step you take, you move forward on the map (virtually, of course) toward your goal. Once you’ve completed the challenge, you even receive a physical medal for finishing.

You can go as slow or fast as you want to complete the challenge of your choice. This makes it a good option for beginners and advanced exercisers alike. You’re also able to easily sync your fitness tracker to the app to track your steps. Users also love the app’s customer service, which is helpful on the off chance that you encounter an issue with one of your challenges.    

My biggest gripe with this app is just how pricey the challenges are. They can be purchased in one-offs or in “packs.” For example, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” bundle includes three separate challenges for around $150. Yes, you do get an enjoyable walking experience and a real medal, but the price may be prohibitive for some.

Want a straightforward pedometer that integrates with Apple Health and Apple products? Check out the StepsApp, which tracks your daily steps, distance, time active, and calories burned. If you enjoy tracking the progress you've made, you’ll like that this app helps you easily spot how much you’ve improved (which basically is built-in motivation, if you ask me). 

Similar to other walking apps, the StepsApp comes in both free and paid versions, but the free edition is quite ad-heavy. If you don’t mind the ads, the free version does have useful features, like daily summaries and goal setting. You can purchase additional features with the Pro version of the app, which includes things like a calorie-burn breakdown, data you’re able to export, and more analytics and trend charts. 

This app is generally pretty simple and easy to use. It’s also a good option for people who don’t really care about the community features of other walking apps.

It's important to know that this app is a battery drainer (because it uses GPS). So, be aware of that if you intend to use the StepsApp when your phone is already low on charge. But overall, this app is a user-friendly option for Apple product users who want seamless integration. 

Do you love to nerd out on data or want more than just a simple pedometer? You’ll want to check out the Walkmeter app, which tracks over 250 metrics, like heart rate, split times, distance traveled, and general pace (among a host of others).

If you’re someone who enjoys hiking or walking in areas with limited cell service, you’ll appreciate that this app works entirely from your phone. You’ll be able to track all your walks offline and sync the data later if you want. 

Since Walkmeter can track so many different data points, the app allows you to select which ones matter most for you. This way, you can customize your dashboard and see the information you care about in one convenient place. The information could be things like the heart rate zones you’re in or the elevation gain that’s happened over the course of your walk. 

This app is great for more-experienced walkers or people who just like data. But it might be too overwhelming for folks just getting into exercise or those who don’t know what info is relevant to their goals. Integration-wise, Walkmeter works with Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and Strava (the first app mentioned on this list).

Plus, within the Walkmeter app itself, you can share your progress with your friends on the app. We like that the social aspect integrates with the data-heavy component of this app. It makes it versatile and a good option for a lot of different folks. 

The Nike Run Club App doesn’t make you spend a dime to use it, and it offers multiple running plans for beginners. If you’re a current walker who wants to become a runner (or even a run/walker), this app is for you.

You’ll appreciate how motivating the coaches are when they explain cues, and the audio-guided runs help you stay on pace. You’ll be able to keep your data all in one place because this app integrates with your favorite wearables (Apple Watches, Garmins, etc.). 

For folks who don’t enjoy making a new account for everything they put on their phone, we’re sorry to say that the Nike Run Club App requires you to create a login — but you don’t have to pay for anything. 

The guided runs aren’t as great as Peloton’s (in my humble opinion). But they’re still excellent, because they’re free and they involve a mix of endurance and interval runs that are designed to push you. You can also join challenges and earn virtual badges, so that’s another fun way to stay motivated. This app is a great option for newer runners who are learning to pace themselves and track their progress. 

Who hasn’t wanted to do the Appalachian Trail at some point in their life? As an Appalachian State University grad (go ‘neers!), I'm no stranger to beautiful, scenic places to walk. But plenty of us can’t regularly access these environmental beauties, which is a real bummer. Luckily, the Walk the Distance app allows walking enthusiasts to (virtually) walk some of the prettiest trails, like the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. 

Your daily steps in your neighborhood or on your treadmill push you farther along whatever trail you’ve chosen. As you progress on your journey, you unlock fun facts, landmark images, and historical lore, which makes a regular walk feel like a full-blown, scenic guided tour. Besides the little extras, you’ll be able to regularly track your distance, pace, and where you are in relation to the end of the route. 

I like that this app integrates seamlessly with a variety of wearables and watches from Apple, Google, Fitbit, and Garmin without a hitch. If you have friends who also use the app, you can join challenges with them and compare progress over time. This is a nice community aspect that adds a layer of accountability.

You must either commit to a full year of using the app — around $30 — or purchase trails individually, which start at about $1. However, there are a few free routes that you can try first to make sure you like the concept.

If you struggle to stay motivated and engaged while working out but love to learn, you’ll appreciate the Walk the Distance app. It’s an immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re actually achieving something.