Asset 20 8 2
Does AI recommend your business? Run the free check →

Join 15,000 business owners, marketers and entrepreneurs. The Sunday newsletter you'll be annoyed only arrives once a week.

Article

Strava Alternatives (2026): 10 Running and Cycling Apps

Strava alternatives are other apps for recording runs, rides and walks, planning routes and analysing your training. Some are simple, private trackers, some are route planners for exploring, and some are training platforms for serious athletes. Choose by what you value most, whether that's privacy, routes or detailed training data.

Strava is the social network of running and cycling, and that's exactly why some people leave. Not everyone wants their workouts on a public feed, and plenty of athletes care more about routes or training data than kudos.

Here are ten Strava alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from private open-source trackers to route planners, coaching platforms and the apps that come with popular watches. Each description comes from the app's own website, re-checked today.

Think about why you track. If it's to stay motivated with friends, a social app matters. If it's to explore new places, a route planner matters more. If it's to train for a race, look for detailed analysis.

And whatever you choose, look at the privacy settings first, because your workouts can reveal where you live.

Strava alternatives at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site or store listing describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free versions usually come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.

ToolTypeGood forFree plan
FitoTrackOpen-source workout trackerPrivate tracking on AndroidYes
Garmin ConnectFitness platformData from Garmin devicesNo
Intervals.icuTraining analysis platformDetailed training load analysisYes
KomootRoute planning appPlanning hikes and ridesYes
MapMyRunRunning appTracking runs with training plansNo
Nike Run ClubRunning appGuided runs and coachingYes
OpenTracksOpen-source sport trackerSimple, private GPS trackingYes
ReliveActivity video app3D videos of your adventuresYes
Ride with GPSCycling route platformCycling routes and navigationYes
TrainingPeaksTraining platformStructured plans and coachingNo

Ten Strava alternatives for runners and riders

FitoTrack

Best for: Android users who want a private, open-source tracker that keeps data on the phone.

Garmin Connect

Best for: Garmin watch and bike computer owners who want all their data in one place.

Intervals.icu

Best for: Data-minded athletes who want detailed analysis of training load and fitness.

Komoot

Best for: Hikers and cyclists who want to plan routes and discover new trails.

MapMyRun

Best for: Runners who want to track runs and follow training plans.

Nike Run Club

Best for: Runners who enjoy guided runs and coaching to stay motivated.

OpenTracks

Best for: People who want a simple, privacy-friendly GPS tracker with no account.

Relive

Best for: Outdoor fans who want to turn activities into 3D video stories.

Ride with GPS

Best for: Cyclists who want detailed route planning and turn-by-turn navigation.

TrainingPeaks

Best for: Athletes who follow structured plans or work with a coach.

The privacy setting that doesn't do what people think

Here's the detail many athletes miss. Strava's own support page explains that hiding your start and end points on activity maps doesn't replace your activity privacy control. If your activities are set to Everyone, they stay visible to all Strava athletes, just with those points hidden on the map.

So check both settings, on Strava and on any app you move to. Routes that start and finish at your front door tell strangers where you live, and that's worth five minutes in the settings.

What to look for in a tracking app

  • Privacy: who can see your activities and maps?
  • Devices: does it sync with your watch or bike computer?
  • Routes: can you plan and follow routes?
  • Analysis: how much training detail do you want?
  • Export: can you download your history if you leave?

Moving your training history

  1. Download your activity history before you switch.
  2. Connect your watch or device to the new app.
  3. Set privacy options before your first upload.
  4. Import past activities if the app allows it.
  5. Record a few workouts and check the data looks right.

Fitness, apps and wellbeing

Tracking apps can be great motivation, as long as they make you feel better rather than worse. Here's my take on how social media has led us to be healthier.

Work with me

Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?

I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.

And location sharing goes beyond fitness apps. If you post where you are on social media, it's worth knowing how checking in on Facebook works before you do.

Do you make running or cycling apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My advice on fitness tracking apps

Track what helps you keep going, and ignore the rest. A simple record of your runs is plenty for most people, and chasing every number can take the joy out of it.

And protect your location. Set your privacy before your first activity, not after you've shared a month of routes from your doorstep.

If you train with friends, agree on one app as a group. Half the fun of tracking is cheering each other on, and that only works when everyone can see the same activities. If privacy matters more to you than kudos, keep a private tracker for yourself and share the odd highlight by message instead.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Strava?

It depends on whether you want privacy, route planning or detailed training analysis.

Is there a free Strava alternative?

Yes. Several apps on this list are free, and two are open source.

Does hiding my start and end points make my activity private?

Strava's support page says map visibility doesn't replace your activity privacy control.

Which app is most private?

Open-source trackers that keep data on your phone are among the most private options.

Can I move my Strava history to another app?

You can download your data and import it into apps that accept it.

Which app is best for planning routes?

Route planning apps suit hikers and cyclists who want to explore.

Do I need a sports watch?

No. Most apps record activities with your phone's GPS.

Which app suits structured training?

Training platforms are built for plans, coaching and training load.

Can I use these apps for walking?

Yes. Most track walks as well as runs and rides.

Do these apps use a lot of battery?

GPS tracking uses battery, so long activities may drain your phone.

Can I share activities with friends only?

Many apps let you limit who sees your workouts.

Is training analysis worth it for beginners?

Not usually. Beginners do best with simple tracking and consistency.

Published and maintained by the Lilach Bullock team, covering marketing, AI and business growth.
Your buyers are asking AI who to use. Does it say you?

See for free whether ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini and Google name you, and get the plan to become the answer.

Check my AI visibility →
Sundays only

Get the Sunday newsletter.

One email a week. AI experiments, marketing tactics, and the workflows Lilach is building right now in her own business.

Subscribe free

Let’s get your marketing running on AI.

Book a free 30-minute call

We figure out what you need, where AI fits in, and what working together would look like.

Book the call →

Or take the 30-second calculator

You’ll see the hours and the money quietly leaking out of your week, and the three workflows worth building first.

Take the calculator →

Or grab the free AI resource library

Prompt packs, templates, checklists, and swipe files. The exact tools I build for paying clients. Yours, free.

Get the library →
Keep reading

More from the blog.