Is Runna Free? An Honest Review From a Long-Time Runner
Updated: Oct 24
Written by Andy Hood · Ultra runner, cancer survivor and Runna ambassador
Updated October 2026 | Published 17 April 2026
Article include affiliate links that support this blog and the cancer charity work Andy undertakes.
Is Runna Free? Quick Answer
No, Runna isn’t free. You can use Week 1 of any training plan and record or import your runs without paying, but full plans need a subscription. Runna costs £15.99 a month or £99.99 a year in the UK ($19.99 / $119.99 in the US, €19.99 / €119.99 in the EU). The standard free trial is 7 days, or 14 days with my code ANDY2, which works worldwide.
📌 October 2026 update: This article has been fully updated with current Runna pricing for the UK, US, EU and worldwide, and with what you can still use for free.
If you've spent any time around the running world lately, scrolling Instagram, watching YouTube, or chatting at your local parkrun, you've probably come across Runna. It's one of those apps that seems to have appeared everywhere, and naturally, the same question keeps coming up:
Is Runna actually free?
I've been using it for several years, through many training blocks including structured marathon build-ups, full ultra cycles, and everything in between. Here's the honest answer.
Contents
What Is the Runna App?
Runna is essentially a personalised running coach in app form. That's the simplest and most accurate way to describe it.
When you sign up, it asks you about your current fitness, your running background, how many days a week you can train, and what you're working towards. That goal could be anything from a first 5K to chasing a marathon PB or building towards an ultra.
From there, it creates a structured training plan that fits around your life.
What makes it stand out compared to traditional training plans is that it isn't static. It doesn't hand you a PDF and send you on your way. The plan adapts as you go, and sessions are delivered directly to your watch, so you're guided through each run in real time rather than trying to remember splits or scribble them on your hand.
After a couple of weeks, you stop thinking about what you should be doing and just focus on running.
Is Runna Free? What You Get Without Paying
This is where things get a bit nuanced.
Technically, you can use part of Runna without paying. But in practice, most runners won't get far without hitting the paywall.
Without a subscription, you get access to Week 1 of any plan, and you can still record runs, import activities and look back at completed workouts. That first week gives you a taste of how Runna structures training.
But the features that make Runna what it is sit behind a subscription: the personalisation, the adaptive plans, the structured sessions beyond week one, and the deeper coaching elements.
So while it isn't completely locked from the start, it's fair to say that Runna is really a paid app with a limited free entry point.
Without a subscription, Runna gives you Week 1 of any plan plus run recording and activity imports; everything else requires Runna Premium, the free trial link above gives your full access to Runna Premium for 2 weeks, no obligation.
Feature | Free (no subscription) | Runna Premium |
Week 1 of any plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Record runs and import activities | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Full personalised training plan | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Adaptive scheduling | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Structured sessions to watch (beyond Week 1) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Beginner, 5K, 10K, half, marathon and ultra plans in full | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Heart rate and pace guidance | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Strength, yoga, Pilates and mobility sessions in your plan | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Advice from the Runna coaching team in the app | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
How Much Does Runna Cost in 2026? (UK, US, EU & Worldwide Prices)
Pricing is straightforward and in line with other premium fitness apps.
Runna costs £15.99 a month or £99.99 a year in the UK, $19.99 a month or $119.99 a year in the US, and €19.99 a month or €119.99 a year in the EU.
Region | Monthly plan | Annual plan | Annual plan per month |
UK | £15.99 | £99.99 | £8.33 |
US | $19.99 | $119.99 | $9.99 |
EU (eurozone) | €19.99 | €119.99 | €9.99 |
Australia | A$29.99 | A$179.99 | A$14.99 |
Canada | C$27.99 | C$162.99 | C$13.58 |
New Zealand | NZ$24.99 | NZ$199.99 | NZ$16.67 |
Switzerland | CHF 19.95 | CHF 119.95 | CHF 9.95 |
Prices checked October 2026. Runna sets local prices in many other countries, so check the app for the exact price where you live.
Wherever you're based, the ANDY2 code works worldwide. It gives you the same exclusive two-week free trial whether you're in the UK, the US, Europe, Australia or anywhere else Runna is available.
If you're planning to use it consistently, the yearly option makes far more sense financially. It's roughly half the price of paying monthly, which is close to six months free over the course of a year.
The free trial is where most people start. By default it's seven days, but as an official Runna ambassador I can extend it to a full two weeks with the code ANDY2. In my experience, that extra time makes a real difference. You actually get to settle into the structure and feel the benefit of a week's training before having to decide anything.
Join the thousands of runners around the world who have started their Runna journey with this exclusive free trial code.
Why Isn't Runna Free?
This is probably the biggest sticking point for runners, especially when free training plans are so readily available online.
But Runna isn't just giving you a plan. It's giving you an ongoing coaching system.
The plans are built by qualified coaches and designed to adapt. As you log runs, hit paces, or struggle through sessions, the app adjusts what comes next. A static plan simply can't do that.
There's also a lot more to the app than running plans. You can add strength training, yoga, Pilates, and stretch and mobility sessions, and they're built into your running plan rather than sitting alongside it. I use the strength training myself, and it's made a significant difference to my running. My legs feel stronger, I'm more powerful on the hills, and I get far less knee and hip pain, especially during and after long runs. It's usually the first thing runners skip, me included, but having it scheduled around my key sessions is what makes me actually do it.
You can also get advice from Runna's coaching team directly within the app. I've used this myself when I've needed a second opinion, and it's reassuring to have someone to ask rather than piecing it together from forums or second-guessing yourself.
There's also the convenience factor, which is easy to underestimate until you've used it. You don't need to spend time planning your week, second-guessing your sessions, or wondering whether you're doing the right kind of training. It's all laid out, synced to your watch, and ready to go.
The subscription model also funds ongoing development, so features improve, plans evolve, and the whole system gets refined. Without it, the product would stagnate, like a lot of free resources tend to do over time.
Runna Review: My Experience After Several Years
I've used Runna consistently for several years across many training blocks, from structured marathon build-ups to full ultra cycles, including preparation for the Tour du Mont Blanc.
What works well
What stands out most is how much it simplifies things. When you're training for something big, especially ultras, it's easy to overcomplicate everything. You start tweaking sessions, adding miles, second-guessing recovery days. Runna removes a lot of that noise. You open the app, see what's scheduled, and get it done.
That consistency is probably the biggest benefit.
It also does a good job of enforcing balance. Easy runs stay easy, workouts have a clear purpose, and long runs build progressively rather than jumping too quickly. Even as an experienced runner, I found that structure helpful, particularly during longer blocks when motivation dips.
Where experience still matters
No app is perfect, and this is where experience still counts. You can't blindly follow any training plan, whether from an app or a human coach, without paying attention to how your body feels. There have been times I've adjusted sessions, moved things around, or backed off slightly, and that's just part of training.
Runna works best when you treat it as a guide rather than a rigid set of rules.
Who Is Runna Best For?
In my experience, it's particularly useful for runners who want structure but don't necessarily want to pay for a full-time coach.
If you have a specific goal, like a race, a time target or your first ultra, it really comes into its own. It takes the guesswork out of training and gives you a clear path to follow.
It's also a great option if you're busy. Not having to plan your own training is a bigger time-saver than most people expect, and it frees up mental energy as well.
Where it's less essential is for runners who are already very confident building their own plans, or those who run casually without any real structure.
If Runna sounds like it could work for you, the best way to find out is to try it. The two-week trial with code ANDY2 gives you enough time to settle in and feel the difference properly, without committing to anything.
Is Runna Worth It?
This comes down to what you're comparing it to.
Compared to free plans online, Runna is a clear step up in terms of personalisation, adaptability, and overall experience. More importantly, it's consistent: you're not jumping between different plans or piecing things together yourself.
Compared to a running coach, it becomes even more compelling. Coaching can easily cost £100 or more per month. Runna gives you a structured, coach-led approach for £8.33 a month on the annual plan, a fraction of that price.
For me, the value comes from how much it simplifies training while still delivering real results.
Runna Free Trial & Pricing FAQs
Is Runna completely free?
No. You can use Week 1 of any plan and record runs without paying, but the full personalised plans, adaptive coaching, and structured sessions beyond the first week all require a subscription.
How long is Runna's free trial?
The standard free trial is 7 days. Using the code ANDY2 at this link extends it to 14 days, which gives you a much more realistic sense of how it works across more than a single week of training and access to the full Runna Premium experience.
Does the ANDY2 code work outside the UK?
Yes. The ANDY2 code works worldwide, giving new users in any country where Runna is available a 2-week free trial instead of the standard 7 days.
How much is Runna in the UK, US and EU?
In the UK it's £15.99/month or £99.99/year. In the US it's $19.99/month or $119.99/year. In eurozone countries it's €19.99/month or €119.99/year. Other countries, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, have their own local pricing.
Does Runna require a GPS watch?
No, you can use Runna without a GPS watch, running from your phone instead. However, the experience is noticeably better with a compatible watch (Garmin, Apple Watch, Coros, Polar and others are supported), since sessions are delivered directly to your wrist.
Is Runna worth it for beginners?
Yes, particularly if you have a goal in mind, like completing your first 5K or working up to a 10K. The beginner plans are genuinely well structured, and having everything laid out removes the overwhelm that often derails new runners.
Can you cancel Runna easily?
Yes. You can cancel at any time, whether you're on the monthly or annual plan, with no penalties. If you're on a free trial, cancel at least 24 hours before it ends to avoid being charged. If you subscribed through the app, cancel via your Apple App Store or Google Play subscription settings.
Is the Runna annual plan better value?
Significantly, yes, if you're using the app regularly. The annual plan works out at roughly half the cost of paying monthly. Most committed runners opt for it after their first month.
Can Runna be used for ultra marathon training?
Yes, and in my experience it handles higher mileage and longer race builds very well. I've trained for multiple ultras, including two completions of the Tour du Mont Blanc, using Runna throughout. The integrated strength training has also helped reduce the knee and hip pain I used to get on long runs.
Can I pause my Runna subscription?
Not the subscription itself. Runna doesn't currently offer a built-in subscription pause, so for a long break through injury or otherwise, the best approach is to cancel and rejoin when ready. For shorter breaks, such as illness or a holiday, you don't need to: the app lets you mark time off and restructures your plan around the missed days. That is a genuinely useful feature.
Is there a free alternative to Runna?
Garmin Coach (for Garmin watch owners) and Nike Run Club both offer free training plans. They're a good starting point, but in my experience they don't adapt to your training in the same way Runna does.
Why is Runna so Expensive?
Runna costs £99.99 a year or £15.99 a month in the UK ($119.99 or $19.99 in the US), checked September 2026. That's more than a free app, but I see it as an investment in my running, not a cost, the same way I don't think of decent shoes as "expensive socks".
Running shoes are often well over £150 a pair and last 400–500 miles, so a year of Runna costs less than one pair. For that you get a personalised plan built by qualified coaches, audio coaching on every run, strength and mobility sessions, and a plan that adapts as you go. I started on the monthly plan for about six months, then switched to yearly. Not sure? Try it free for 14 days with code ANDY2.
Final Verdict on Runna
Runna isn't free in the traditional sense. If that's what you're looking for, it probably won't be the right fit.
But if you want structure, want to remove guesswork, and want to train more effectively, it's a very strong option.
After several years and many training blocks with it, the biggest benefit for me isn't just the plans. It's the consistency they create. And in running, that's often the thing that makes the biggest difference.
If you're curious, the best thing you can do is try it properly. Use the ANDY2 code, take advantage of the full two weeks, and see how it fits into your training. You'll know pretty quickly whether it's something you want to stick with.
About the Author: Andy Hood
Andy Hood is an ultra and endurance runner based in North Devon, UK, a cancer survivor, and an official Runna ambassador.
Running experience. Andy has trained with Runna for several years across many training blocks, from marathon build-ups to full ultra cycles. Structured training with Runna helped him take 25 minutes off his marathon time. He has completed multiple ultras, including the Tour du Mont Blanc twice, and has run 50K across London twice, fuelled by Krispy Kreme doughnuts. You can see every race on his Completed Ultras page.
What's next. On 7 November 2026, Andy takes on the Krispy Kreme London 50: a 50K route across the capital, visiting 20 Krispy Kreme shops and raising money for cancer charity Chemo Hero. He's also running the 2027 London Marathon in a suit to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
Why he runs. Andy was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, after a prompt to check himself. Since then, he has used running to support others navigating cancer and to encourage men to check themselves regularly. He founded Check Ya Balls, a menswear brand with the message "menswear that saves lives".
How he reviews. Everything Andy writes about, from running apps to shoes and kit, is something he has used in his own training. As a Runna ambassador he may earn a reward when readers subscribe with his code, but his reviews cover the drawbacks as well as the benefits.
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