The best walking and pace tracking apps: the ultimate guide to making the most of every step

  • A comprehensive analysis and comparison of the best apps for walking, measuring your pace, and counting steps and calories, including options with and without GPS for all tastes and needs.
  • Updated guide with practical information, advantages, disadvantages, and features such as wearable integration, social challenges, and health goal tracking.
  • Detailed tips for choosing the app that best suits your daily routine, activity level, and privacy and battery preferences.

Why use walking apps?

Integrating a walking app into your routine makes a difference in multiple ways. These apps not only act as digital pedometers to count your steps, but also:

  • They record your route, distance, speed, pace and calories burned, allowing you to have precise data on your physical evolution.
  • They offer personalized training plans that adapt to your level and goals, whether it's losing weight, improving your cardiovascular health, or simply staying active.
  • Incorporate alerts, reminders and audio feedback to motivate you and help you maintain regularity in your walks.
  • Allow share your achievements on social media or compete with friends, adding a social and playful component.
  • Some integrate extra health features: Sleep monitoring, heart rate, body mass index (BMI), integration with Google Fit, Fitbit, Garmin, MyFitnessPal, etc.

So it's no longer just a matter of walking: now you can monitor, quantify and optimize each stepEven if you're looking for a more fun experience, there are apps that turn your walk into a real game or challenge against yourself or your friends.

Walking to lose calories and weight

walking to lose weight

One of the great motivations to start the daily habit of walking is the weight loss and calorie burningThere are apps designed specifically for this purpose, such as walking to lose weight (Leap Fitness Group), which combines controlled walking exercises, progressive training plans, and personalized advice.

Among its key features include:

  • Professional training plans at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
  • Track calories, distance, time, and pace, with intuitive graphs showing all your sessions.
  • Voice feedback that guides you through each session.
  • Functionality to view progress, compare days, weeks and months, and visualize the real impact of your exercise on weight loss.
  • Music integration to make your walks much more enjoyable.

This type of application is ideal if you are looking for motivation to lose weight in a sustainable and healthy way. Additionally, by recording your progress, it will be much easier for you to identify patterns of improvement or habits that need to be changed.

Related article:
The best outdoor running apps: A complete guide for runners

Pedometer - Free Calorie and Steps Counter

Pedometer calories and steps

If you're looking for simplicity and precisionDigital pedometers are your best ally. Modern pedometers use smartphone motion sensors to efficiently record steps, without the need for GPS, and therefore, saving batteryAmong the most recommended by the community is Pedometer - Free Calorie and Steps Counter (Simple Design), which offers:

  • Step, calorie and distance counter with a single touch
  • Detailed daily, weekly and monthly log with graphs
  • No login or access to your location required, ensuring privacy and low energy consumption
  • The ability to adjust sensitivity for greater precision
  • Training plans and the option to create groups for challenges and walks in company, which adds extra social motivation.

This app is ideal for those who want monitor your daily activity and set step goals without technical complications.

MapMyWalk – Walk and measure every detail

MapMyWalk for walking

Developed by Under Armour, MapMyWalk It is one of the most complete walking apps with the largest user community:

  • Monitors more than 600 physical activities and sports, with special attention to walking.
  • Use GPS to record the exact route, altitude, gradient, speed and route in real time; perfect for those who enjoy exploring new areas.
  • It provides <strong>economic data</strong> on the business environment. voice feedback (audio of pace, distance, calories and slopes).
  • Allows you to share workouts directly on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
  • It includes Configurable training plans based on your goals, and the ability to discover and share routes with other users.
  • Integrates with devices and apps like Google Fit, Fitbit, and MyFitnessPal.

Its social component is strong: You can compare your progress with friends, challenge yourself and publish achievements.Additionally, the ability to discover nearby routes is very useful for those looking for variety in their outings.

apps for walking and measuring your pace

Sportractive – Total customization for your hikes

Sportractive is one of the best rated apps for those who want to personalize your experience as much as possible of exercise:

  • Offers more than 30 indoor and outdoor activities, Customizable screens with metrics for time, speed, pace, altitude, heart rate, calories, etc.
  • It includes no ads or registration, and allows you to monitor progress using advanced graphs and statistics.
  • It includes voice feedback, heart rate monitoring via Bluetooth, as well as Training plans, goal setting (duration, distance, calories, intervals) and export/import of GPX routes.
  • It allows you to measure and track your body mass index (BMI) and other health data (such as neck, waist, hips, etc.).
  • Compatible with Bluetooth LE bracelets and sensors.

Recommended for those looking for delve deeper into your performance analysis, whether you're walking recreationally or training with time or distance goals. Plus, its low battery usage and attractive visual design make it ideal for extended use.

RunKeeper – GPS for running and walking

RunKeeper GPS walking

With millions of users around the world, RunKeeper is one of the most popular apps for all types of outdoor sports, including hiking:

  • Allows track the route and statistics via GPS, monitoring distance, pace, time, calories and speed.
  • It includes personalized training plans for any goal: lose weight, stay active or prepare for a competition.
  • Offer Motivating voice feedback and notifications as you meet distances or challenges.
  • Allows share workouts and achievements on social media and join groups of friends to compete.
  • Includes shoe registration (to monitor wear and prevent injuries).

Plus, integration with Spotify and other music platforms makes your workout more manageable. If you want a versatile app with both an individual and social focus, RunKeeper is a standout option.

Free Pedometer - Step and Calorie Counter

Free pedometer for walking

Returning to simplicity, Free Pedometer - Step and Calorie Counter It stands out for its ease of use and low energy consumption:

  • Without GPS: It only uses the sensors on your phone to count your steps and estimate the calories you spend on your walks.
  • Suitable for those who prefer greater privacy and less battery consumption.
  • Allows you to create groups to record your walks and complete challenges with friends.
  • Includes specific training plans for walking, with notifications and progressive tracking.

Google Fit – The center of your health and exercise

Google Fit health steps

Google Fit It is Google's health and fitness platform, essential if you have an Android phone or compatible wearables:

  • Automatically registers steps, distance, calories, pace and duration of your walks thanks to the mobile sensors, without having to log in every time.
  • Cardio Points and Goals based on recommendations from the World Health Organization to improve your cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
  • Allows Analyze your daily, weekly, and monthly progress with graphs, compare periods and set personalized goals.
  • Compatible with bracelets, smartbands, Wear OS watches, Xiaomi Band, Garmin and more.
  • Allows you to record other sports activities and export/import data to other apps.

Plus, with sleep monitoring and integration with other services, Google Fit It is perfect as a comprehensive control center for health and physical activity.

Step Counter – Pedometer and Calories

Step counter pedometer

Perfect for those who want an app no GPS tracking or cloud logging. Simply install, press start, and start walking:

  • Gastric steps, calories and distance using only internal sensors of the mobile.
  • No login or cloud data sharing required, preserving privacy to the maximum.
  • Available for free or with a paid version to remove ads.
  • Recommended for those who only want the essentials without distractions, registrations or additional permissions.

Free Pedometer – Step Counter & Tracker

Free pedometer steps tracker

New alternative for record steps, distance, calories, and activity time without extra features that can distract you:

  • Allows you to start and stop recording manually for complete control.
  • Displays speed, pace, and duration data.
  • It can be used as a 24/7 counter to record your activity each day of the week.
  • It includes advertising, but it is completely free.

For those who want simple and effective control, this option is very practical.

WeWard – Earn rewards by walking

Google Fit – The center of your health and exercise

Google Fit health steps

Google Fit It is Google's health and fitness platform, essential if you have an Android phone or compatible wearables:

  • Automatically registers steps, distance, calories, pace and duration of your walks thanks to the mobile sensors, without having to log in every time.
  • Cardio Points and Goals based on recommendations from the World Health Organization to improve your cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
  • Allows Analyze your daily, weekly, and monthly progress with graphs, compare periods and set personalized goals.
  • Compatible with bracelets, smartbands, Wear OS watches, Xiaomi Band, Garmin and more.
  • Allows you to record other sports activities and export/import data to other apps.

Plus, with sleep monitoring and integration with other services, Google Fit It is perfect as a comprehensive control center for health and physical activity.

Step Counter – Pedometer and Calories

Step counter pedometer

Perfect for those who want an app no GPS tracking or cloud logging. Simply install, press start, and start walking:

  • Gastric steps, calories and distance using only internal sensors of the mobile.
  • No login or cloud data sharing required, preserving privacy to the maximum.
  • Available for free or with a paid version to remove ads.
  • Recommended for those who only want the essentials without distractions, registrations or additional permissions.