The pedometer, a favorite of fitness enthusiasts, is a gadget that can count the number of footsteps taken by a person using it. Its functionality is, nowadays, merged with modern smartphones and tablets. FitnessVigil brings you a list of the best pedometer apps to help you take your pick from it.
Truly Fascinating!!!
The M7 motion coprocessor was first introduced along with iOS 7 in the Apple iPhone 5S, and later, with a few other Apple products. It has the unique ability to gather data from the various sensors built into the gadget (namely the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass). It then provides this information to the fitness apps installed, thus, preventing these apps from unnecessarily consuming the phone or tablet’s battery.
Note: Apple iPhone 6 that runs on iOS 8, marked the launch of the M8 coprocessor. It performs better than the earlier models as it has access to some of the new sensors introduced by Apple in its newer models of the iPhone and the iPad.
Traditional, handheld, or arm-strap pedometers contain electro-mechanical inertial sensors which, along with the built-in software, can count one’s footsteps. Certain models were also capable of providing information about the altitude climbed or could measure the actual distance covered by the person. These devices became popular fairly recently with a shift in the general mindset to focus on fitness. However, a lesser-known, interesting fact is that the former president of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson, played an important role in the development of pedometers.
Nowadays, dedicated devices that function as pedometers are starting to become obsolete. The simple reason is that, with advanced technology, pedometers are being integrated into essential gadgets that one carries with him or her constantly. They can be found in music players, smartphones, and tablets, in the form of apps. Today, every contemporary smartphone is also “smart” enough to optimize the performance of pedometer apps to the extent that it does not significantly drain the device’s battery.
We, personally, think that having a pedometer app on your smartphone is something that no one should miss out on. The notion that it comes to one’s aid only when he or she decides on a workout program is wrong. It also motivates one to break free from a torpid lifestyle. It helps to overcome a complacent attitude to at least take the recommended number of steps per day, which according to health experts, is ★ 10,000 ★. So, what are you waiting for? Our list of the best pedometer apps for your smartphone will surely make you put on your running shoes and take you a long way.
The Best Pedometer Apps to Get You to Your Feet
Exclusive to Devices with an M7 Coprocessor
Breeze
Developer: RunKeeper
Key Features:
- Simplistic user interface that minimizes user interaction.
- Counts users’ steps and tracks their movements all through the day.
- Specially designed to work with the M7 processor. It works in the background and does not drain a lot of battery.
- Sets simple targets to exceed the previous week’s maximum score, a feature which is aimed at gearing one into an active and energetic lifestyle.
- Motivational―notifications pop up on users’ iPhones if they remain inactive for prolonged periods of time.
Cost: Free to download
Nike+ Move
Developer: Nike Inc.
Key Features:
- Built exclusively to collaborate with and accumulate data from M7 and accompanying sensors.
- Can be synchronized with the Nike Fuelband.
- Calculates “Nikefuel” (a concept developed by Nike referring to overall activity) rather than individually tracking walking, running, or any other activity. It displays it in the form of a graph.
- Allows users to compare or share statistics with their friends through the Apple Game Center.
- Does not drain iPhone battery as it works in the background.
- Motivational―graphical display of data changes color from red to yellow, and finally to green as fitness goals are achieved. It displays encouraging messages to motivate users to stay active.
Cost: Free to download
Stepz – Pedometer and Step Counter
Developer: Michael Szumielewski
Key Features:
- Gathers its data from the sensors that accompany M7.
- Runs in the background, and as it does not use GPS, it does not consume much battery.
- Displays the number of steps traveled in the app icon badge. It can also calculate distance.
- Organizes collected data into charts on a daily, weekly, or a monthly basis. It allows users to export this information in a CSV-format file.
- Allows users the freedom to set their fitness goals.
Cost: Free to download
Download: Click here to download this amazing app for iOS
Argus – Pedometer, Run, Cycle
Developer: Azumio Inc.
Key Features:
- Counts the number of steps taken each day.
- Allows users to log activities, including a record of food intake.
- Counts calorie intake based on user information. Also calculates calories burnt on the basis of activity.
- Uses data from other apps by the same developer, namely Sleep Time and Instant Heart Rate, so as to track users’ overall daily schedule accurately.
- Can be synchronized with other wearable fitness devices.
- Optimized for M7; it does not drain much phone battery.
Cost: Free to download
Download: Click here to download this amazing app for iOS
Pedometer++
Developer: David Smith & Cross Forward Consulting, LLC
Key Features:
- Uncomplicated UI and basic app functionality.
- Optimized for M7; gathers data from the sensors that accompany the coprocessor. It does not take a toll on the battery in spite of running constantly in the background.
- Logs the number of steps walked per day.
- Displays weekly data in the form of a bar graph below the daily count listing. It uses color codes to indicate the percentage of target completed per day.
- Allows sharing of screenshots of daily/weekly data by email or on social media platforms. Also allows users to export their weekly log as a text or a CSV file via email.
Cost: Free to download
Download: Click here to download this amazing app for iOS
For Both iOS and Android Devices
Accupedo Pedometer
Developer: Corusen LLC
Key Features:
- Smart tracking of steps―starts counting from the tenth step to eliminate the error of counting extra steps.
- Allows users to customize their view of data in terms of steps, distance, time, calories, or laps, and also the UI skin itself.
- Can display charts of even yearly data. A backup of data is created on the cloud or on the removable SD card.
- Allows users the freedom to change settings such as app sensitivity and pre-determined fitness goals.
- Constantly runs in the background but can be paused, restarted and/or reset.
- Daily logs can be viewed, shared on social media platforms or can be emailed to yourself.
Cost: Free to download for both Android, as well as iOS
Download:
Click here to download this amazing app for Android
Click here to download this amazing app for iOS
Walk with Map My Walk
Developer: MapMyFitness, Inc.
Key Features:
- Counts the number of steps taken, tracks pace, speed, elevation, and distance traveled.
- Allows users to keep track of food intake, and counts calories consumed and burnt.
- Uses GPS navigation to map routes.
- Synchronizes with external sensors that measure heart rate, cadence, and other factors.
- Analyzes and displays data in different ways (graphical, split view, etc.) as per user’s choice.
- Provides goals or courses for users with timely encouragement through voice prompts.
- Allows users to post their achievements on social media platforms.
Cost: Free to download on Android and iOS
Premium membership costs USD 2.50 per month
Download:
Click here to download this amazing app for Android
Click here to download this amazing app for iOS
Runtastic Pedometer
Developer: Runtastic
Key Features:
- Can accurately count the user’s steps even if the smartphone is placed inside a bag
- Calculates distance covered, step frequency, and speed. It displays statistics of the most recent walks taken.
- Allows users to share their statistics on social media platforms.
- Apart from the Runtastic fitness website, the app integrates with other fitness portals, such as MyFitnessPal accounts.
Cost:
Free to download on both Android, as well as iOS.
Runtastic PRO range of apps is available for USD 4.99
Moves
Developer: ProtoGeo
Key Features:
- Contains a step counter which works with increased accuracy on gadgets having the M7 or similar optimized processors.
- Uses GPS maps to help keep track of your entire activity and movements in the storyline format.
- Does not require to be synchronized with any other hardware nor does the app need to be turned on and off.
- Also automatically detects activity other than walking, such as cycling or running.
- Allows users to record other activity such as gym workout.
- Calculates calories burnt throughout the day.
Cost:
Free to download on Android
Moves 2.0 (that integrates with M7) is free to upgrade on iOS, costs USD 2.99 for new users
Download:
Click here to download this amazing app for Android
Click here to download this amazing app for iOS
Fitbit
Developer: Fitbit, Inc.
Key Features:
- Synchronizes the user’s smartphone (even from the pre-sensor era) to any Fitbit tracker device.
- Can function on iPhone 5S, and on HTC One M8 (Android) without needing to synchronize with any tracker by collecting data from built-in sensors.
- Doubles as a complete fitness coach―sets goal for users and tracks their progress.
- Allows users to record their food intake, besides height and weight, and uses this information to calculate the calories burned, accurately.
Cost: Free to download on both Android, as well as iOS
Download:
Click here to download this amazing app for Android
Click here to download this amazing app for iOS
Exclusively for Android Devices
Noom Walk Pedometer
Developer: Noom Inc.
Key Features:
- Does not require any physical hardware integration.
- Uses advanced algorithms to function in a manner that counts steps throughout the day yet hardly drains any phone battery.
- Motivational―awards users high fives when they complete milestones.
- Allows users to connect to their friends from social media platforms, compare and share statistics, as well as motivate each other. Also allows complete anonymity if users prefer privacy.
Cost: Free to download
Download: Click here to download this amazing app for Android
StepWalk Pedometer
Developer: fum4dev
Key Features:
- Smart pedometer which does not record unnecessary steps, as it starts the counter from the tenth step. Understands ‘sleep mode’.
- Counts the number of steps walked, calculates distance covered, and stride length.
- Integrates with GPS locators to accurately calculate distance covered as well as to keep track of the walking route.
- Works in the background and consumes a lot of battery power only when location detection via GPS is switched on.
- Automatically backs up data that can be restored from any location.
Cost: Free to download
Download: Click here to download this amazing app for Android
Steps Mania
Developer: Quantis Project ApS
Key Features:
- Runs in the background without disrupting the functioning of other apps. It does not consume much battery.
- Functions at user-adjustable sensitivity.
- Counts the number of steps walked, calculates distance covered, and calories burnt.
- Celebrates users’ milestone completion, and allows them to share their statistics on social media platforms.
- Takes social sharing to another level―allows users to find friends and maintains high score ranks.
Cost: Free to download
Pedometer 2.0 PRO
Developer: DSN Inc.
Key Features:
- Counts the number of steps walked, calculates distance covered, and speed.
- Allows users to record data such as height and weight. It uses this information to count calories accurately.
- Allows users to keep a diary of all activities. It can display statistics graphically too.
- Has built-in voice coach to suggest exercise regimes based on the data provided.
- Comes with an integrated media player to play music during workout.
Cost: USD 2.99
Download: Click here to download this amazing app for Android
WalkLogger Pedometer
Developer: Walklogger
Key Features:
- Easily syncs with the cloud so as to allow users to access their activity logs and reports from anywhere.
- Counts the number of steps walked, calculates distance covered, calories burnt, and gross calorie consumption.
- Gives users the freedom to set goals, both in terms of steps/distance covered as well as calories burnt
- Motivational―awards medals to users when they complete their goals. Each milestone of steps covered unlocks themes and other in-app features.
- Works in the background and does not drain much battery.
Cost: Free to download
Download: Click here to download this amazing app for Android
We thus conclude Buzzle’s extensive but by no means exhaustive list of our favorite pedometer apps available today for both Apple devices as well as Android.
Apple has the advantage of being the pioneers of their line of gadgets, their chipset, and other hardware, as well as a proprietary firmware (namely, iOS). They have been gradually working towards carving a niche for themselves in the healthcare and fitness app industry. They have taken an additional step by releasing a standalone built-in app for iOS 8, Apple Health, that comes with an inherent pedometer amongst its other features.
Meanwhile, Android devices are not limited to a single manufacturer. In fact, the major brands that market Android phones, Samsung, HTC, and the likes, have started including a number of superb quality and high accuracy sensors in their smartphones and tablets. They have also included proprietary brand-specific apps in these devices, which can unlock the full potential of these sensors. An excellent example of the same is S Health by Samsung which, with each new model release, is capable of revolutionizing users’ fitness experience to a completely new level.
If you do not fancy downloading a third party pedometer app for your smartphone, you could also look into the proprietary options as described above. Hope we helped simplify your decision.
