The Best Walking Apps to Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals

Not only is it an excellent way to get in shape and lose weight, but walking is free, can be done anywhere at any time and doesn’t require any equipment…no wonder it’s one of the most popular ways to work out! And while you don’t need anything to get a good walking workout in, smartphone apps geared toward your specific goals can help you get motivated and stay on track. Here, discover the best walking apps, whether you’re hoping to run a 5k or just want to get more steps in.

Why use a walking app?

In general, walking workouts are a great way to get your blood pumping, boost your mood and lose a few pounds. And when you add an app into the mix, it can make your exercise routine even more effective. Walking apps “can be particularly useful for staying motivated, tracking achievements and making walking a consistent and enjoyable part of a fitness routine,” explains Sabrena Jo, PhD , Senior Director of Science and Research for the American Council on Exercise. Apps can also improve safety by helping you avoid dangerous terrain and allowing you to share your location with others. So whatever your walking goal is, there’s an app that can help get you there!

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What are the best walking apps?

Depending on your goals and what type of walk you want to go on, there are a variety of features on walking apps to help you get the most out of the workout. We rounded up our top picks for the best walking apps to get you started. Happy walking!

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Best overall walking app: MapMyWalk

With an easy interface, compatibility with fitness trackers and premade routes, MapMyWalk is a great app no matter your goals. It’ll track your time and distance as you go, making a map of the route that you can view later. Users are also able to upload their routes for others to use, so you can browse popular walking areas around you and try out a new, vouched-for spot. You can even try out routes used for races like the New York City Marathon ! MapMyWalk also features monthly and yearly challenges to encourage you.

Most of the standard features like step counting and maps are included in the free version of MapMyWalk. The paid version, called an MVP subscription, costs $5.99 per month or $29.99 annually and adds features like custom interval workouts and audio coaching. Download for iOS and Android .

Best free walking app: Nike Run Club

While most walking apps have free and paid versions, you get access to all of Nike Run Club’s features for no cost. Whether you’re doing a treadmill workout or a hike, this app tracks your steps, distance, elevation and more. Plus, guided plans for beginners can help you get started — a feature Jo is a fan of. “Structured plans can also ensure that walkers are incorporating important elements like warm-ups, cool-downs and different intensities, which can enhance the overall effectiveness of their exercise routine,” she explains. Download for iOS and Android .

Best walking app for step counting: Pacer Pedometer

Tracking your steps is an effective way to stay on top of your goals (and it can help you lose weight ). Jo notes that, for some, seeing the steps “can be highly motivating, as it provides a tangible measure of activity.” Plus, people often find it rewarding to go above and beyond their goal for the day.

Pacer Pedometer has a variety of features, including maps and a built-in social network community. But most notably, you’ll see your step count big and clear when you open the app. As long as your phone is in your hand, pocket, handbag or otherwise with you, this app will track how many steps you take. And if you have a fitness tracker, like a FitBit , you can connect it to the app and leave the phone behind to get an accurate picture of your steps.

Pacer Pedometer has an optional subscription for $9.99 per month or $49.99 annually. The subscription unlocks more individualized data, syncing of fitness trackers and access to challenges. But if you’re looking for a basic step counter, the free version has you covered! Download for iOS and Android .

Best walking app for mapping routes: Footpath

Mapping out where you plan to walk before you set out has a host of benefits, says Jo. You can set specific time or distance goals, then see how they compare over time, for one. It’s also a good way to make sure your route is safe — whether that means avoiding uneven terrain or picking an area with tall trees or buildings that provide shade on hot days.

Footpath pulls up a map of your area, and you draw a rough line showing where you’d like to walk. The app then finds the nearest walking routes through that area and creates a path for you to follow. It also displays elevation, so you can avoid hiking up steep hills on days you're looking for a relaxing stroll.

The basic mapping features are included in the free app. With a Footpath Elite subscription, you’ll get turn-by-turn directions, offline maps and more storage to save your favorite routes for $3.99 per month or $23.49 annually. Download for iOS and Android .

Best walking app to use with friends: Strava

Connecting with friends while walking is an excellent motivator, says Jo. “The social aspect adds enjoyment and accountability, making it more likely for individuals to stick with their walking routine.”

But if you don’t have someone to walk with you in person, consider an app like Strava. It uses GPS connected to your phone or fitness tracker to track your progress on walks. But its most unique feature is the built-in social network, where you and friends can share photos from workouts, race each other, give kudos for finishing a workout and leave comments on activities. You can also use their Beacon feature to share your location in case of emergency.

Your first month on Strava is free. You can then opt for $6.67 per-month payments or an annual $79.99 payment. Students also get a 50% discount. Download for iOS and Android .

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Best walking app to transition to running: Couch to 5K

Whether you haven’t gone out for a walk in years or you’re just ready to kick a walking workout up to the next level, an app like Couch to 5K can help you reach your running goals in a manageable way. “A gradual transition [from walking to running] is key to preventing injuries and building endurance,” says Jo. And this nine-week program uses walk-run intervals that gradually increase running time, so you’ll be able to run a full 3.1 miles (or 5 kilometers) with ease. There are also versions for training for a 10K and marathon. The app uses audio notifications to tell you when to start walking or running, so you don’t need to keep looking back at your screen to make sure you’re doing the right thing.

Couch to 5K costs $4.99 to buy outright, and you’ll have permanent access to the app. Download for iOS and Android .

Best walking app for treadmills: Walk The Distance

Walking the entire Appalachian Trail isn't easily doable for most of us. But doing it from the comfort of your treadmill? Sign us up! You can do just that with Walk The Distance. It uses your step count to mark your progress along various trails. As you hit a certain step count, you’ll reach checkpoints that share information about the sites you’d see on the trail at that point. There are multiple free trails, including the Appalachian, the Grand Canyon and through the monuments in Washington D.C. Instead of watching TV or listening to a podcast or audiobook on the treadmill, why not take a mini mental vacation?

Walk The Distance is free to use, and there are various free walking routes included. Users can purchase additional routes for $0.99. Download for iOS and Android .

Related : The Treadmill Workout That Thousands of People Swear By to Lose Weight and Lower Blood Pressure

Best walking app for indoor walking: Walk At Home

Strolling around your house might not seem like a workout, but it can be! “Walking around the house while doing chores, talking on the phone, or even during TV commercials can add up to significant activity over the course of the day,” says Jo.

And if you want a more structured house walking plan, consider an app like Walk At Home. Remember those aerobic exercise videos from the ‘80s that had you marching in place to burn fat? One of the pioneers of those at-home workout videos, Leslie Sansone , created the Walk At Home app to help you get the benefits of walking without leaving your house. It’s also available as an app on Amazon and Roku, so you can watch the workout videos on the big screen.

Walk At Home offers a 7-day free trial, and users can then opt for a $6.99 monthly subscription or $69.99 annual subscription. Download for iOS and Android .

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Best walking app for a cause: Charity Miles

If you need a little more motivation to get moving, maybe helping a charity of your choosing will get you going. Charity Miles makes a donation to the charity of your choosing for every mile you walk, run or cycle. With over 30 charities to choose from, you’re sure to find one that aligns with your passions!

Charity Miles is entirely free to use. Download for iOS and Android .

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan .