Comparison
RunWay vs Apple Workout Buddy
Both put a voice in your ears while you run. Here’s how Apple’s built-in Workout Buddy and RunWay differ on devices, languages, conversation and training plans.
Facts checked on October 23, 2026, from the sources at the bottom of this page. We make RunWay, so we’ve kept to verifiable facts; if something has changed, email dorich@icloud.com and we’ll update it.
Looking for an Apple Workout Buddy alternative, or just wondering how the two compare? Both use a generated voice that talks to you during a run. The difference is what that voice is for: Workout Buddy motivates you across many kinds of workouts, while RunWay is a running coach that follows your plan, guides your intervals and answers when you ask it something.
At a glance
| RunWay | Apple Workout Buddy | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A running app with a live AI voice coach (not affiliated with Apple) | A feature of the Workout app on Apple Watch, powered by Apple Intelligence |
| Where it runs | iPhone with any Bluetooth earbuds | Apple Watch with Bluetooth headphones; Apple also lists iPhone with AirPods Pro 3 |
| Requirements | iOS 18 or later; no Apple Intelligence needed | A paired iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence |
| Languages | English and French | English and Spanish |
| What the voice says | Kilometer splits, pace and heart-rate zone alerts, interval countdowns, turn-by-turn route cues, encouragement | Encouragement, milestones (like a fastest 10K), pace, distance and duration insights, an end-of-workout summary |
| Ask questions out loud | Yes, hold the mic button | Not mentioned in Apple’s documentation |
| Training plans | Adaptive plans: first 5K, 10K, half, marathon, trail and ultra | Not mentioned |
| Workout types | Running, outdoors or on a treadmill, plus guided strength, mobility and stretching | Running, walking, cycling, hiking, elliptical, stair stepper, HIIT, strength |
| Without a connection | Built-in phrases and the iPhone voice | Not stated; on Apple Watch without the iPhone nearby, Wi-Fi or cellular is required |
| Price | Free app; optional AI coaching packs, free hours at sign-up | Included with watchOS; no separate price |
Where Workout Buddy shines
Workout Buddy arrived with watchOS 26 in 2025. Apple Intelligence looks at your workout data and fitness history, and a generative voice, built from the voice data of Apple Fitness+ trainers, speaks the result. With watchOS 27, released in September 2026, Apple says it uses more of your fitness data and can work on Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby, as long as the watch has Wi-Fi or cellular.
- Nothing to install or pay. If you already wear an Apple Watch and own a compatible iPhone, you turn it on in the Workout app and pick a voice.
- Every workout, not just runs. The same voice cheers you on during rides, hikes, HIIT and strength sessions.
- Deep Apple Watch integration. It lives in the Workout app, alongside your rings and your workout history.
If what you want is a friendly voice that celebrates milestones and keeps you going, it does that well, at no extra cost.
Where RunWay is different
It talks back
Hold the mic button and ask, “Can I hold this pace?” or “How am I doing?” RunWay answers from your live numbers, in your ears. Apple’s documentation for Workout Buddy describes encouragement, milestones and summaries; it doesn’t describe answering questions.
It coaches a plan, not just a workout
RunWay builds an adaptive plan for a first 5K, a 10K, a half, a marathon, or a trail or ultra race up to 200 km and more. Each day, it checks your readiness in Apple Health (sleep, HRV, resting heart rate) and adjusts. During the run, the coach knows today’s session: it counts you into each interval, tells you when a step starts and ends, and keeps you on your target pace. Pacer mode holds your goal time to the second, and Race day mode handles the start, drinks and finish. See how the AI voice coach works and how the training plans adapt.
It speaks French
Workout Buddy needs your device and Siri language set to English or Spanish. RunWay follows your iPhone’s language and coaches in English or in native French, with French voices.
It runs on more iPhones
Workout Buddy requires an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence: Apple lists the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models and later, and iPhone Air. RunWay works on any iPhone with iOS 18 or later and any Bluetooth earbuds. With no signal, it keeps talking with built-in phrases and the iPhone voice.
Where RunWay falls short
RunWay is iPhone only, with no Apple Watch app yet: you carry your phone. Runs recorded on an Apple Watch, Garmin, COROS, Polar, Suunto, Wahoo or Zepp join your history through Apple Health. And it’s a running coach: for rides or HIIT, Workout Buddy covers far more ground.
Price
Workout Buddy comes with watchOS at no separate cost, once you have the Apple Watch and a compatible iPhone.
RunWay is a free download with no subscription and no ads. The coach always talks to you with built-in phrases and the iPhone voice, for free. The AI coach, with lines written for your run and natural voices, counts down coaching time during your runs: you get free hours when you sign up, then optional packs of 3, 10 or 30 hours that never expire. The App Store shows the price in your currency.
Which one fits you
- You train in many sports and want light motivation: Workout Buddy.
- You’re training for a race and want a plan, guided intervals and pacing: RunWay.
- You want to ask your coach something mid-run: RunWay.
- You run in French, or your iPhone doesn’t support Apple Intelligence: RunWay.
- You want to run with only your watch and earbuds: Workout Buddy, on watchOS 27 with Wi-Fi or cellular.
Can you use both?
Yes. A common split is Workout Buddy for your rides, hikes and strength sessions on the watch, and RunWay for your runs. Avoid running both voices in the same session: you’d hear two coaches. Apple lets you mute Workout Buddy during a workout (swipe right, then Mute). For more on balancing a coach’s voice with your playlist, read our guide to running with music and audio cues.
FAQ
Does Workout Buddy need Apple Intelligence?
Yes. Apple describes Workout Buddy as an Apple Intelligence feature: your Apple Watch must be paired with an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, and you need Bluetooth headphones. RunWay has no such requirement: any iPhone on iOS 18 or later works.
Can I use Workout Buddy without an Apple Watch?
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 announcement says that with AirPods Pro 3 and an iPhone, users have access to Workout Buddy. Apple’s Workout Buddy guide covers Apple Watch with Bluetooth headphones. RunWay needs only an iPhone and any Bluetooth earbuds.
Which languages does Workout Buddy speak?
As of October 2026, English and Spanish: Apple requires the device and Siri language to be set to one of them. RunWay coaches in English and French.
Does Workout Buddy answer questions?
Apple’s documentation describes encouragement, milestones, pace, distance and duration insights, and a summary at the end. It doesn’t mention answering questions. With RunWay, you hold the mic button and ask; the coach answers from your live numbers.
How does Runna compare with Workout Buddy?
Runna is a subscription app ($19.99 a month or $119.99 a year in the US) with adaptive plans and audio cues for splits, pace and workout steps. Its help center lists fixed cue types rather than a conversational voice. See our RunWay vs Runna comparison.
Sources
- Use Workout Buddy in Workout on Apple Watch, Apple Watch User Guide (watchOS 27), Apple Support, read October 23, 2026.
- Apple advances health and fitness capabilities using Apple Intelligence, Apple Newsroom, September 9, 2026.
- watchOS 26 delivers more personalized ways to stay active and connected, Apple Newsroom, June 2025.
- Introducing AirPods Pro 3, Apple Newsroom, September 9, 2025.
- Get started with the next generation of Apple Intelligence (device requirements), Apple Support, October 22, 2026.
- Runna pricing, Runna, read October 2026.
- Audio cues, Runna Help Center, read October 2026.
Your running coach, in your ears.
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Free on the App Store · iPhone · iOS 18 or later