StepdyThe best free step counter apps for iPhone
Every step counter here is free to download; the free plan is where they differ. StepUp has no paid features at all but shows ads. Stepdy keeps steps, streaks, water and GPS walks free with no ads. StepsApp and Pacer keep their friend challenges free. Here is what each free plan really covers.
The short answer
- Free and without ads or sign-up: Stepdy, which also keeps water tracking and GPS walks free.
- Nothing behind a paywall at all: StepUp, which shows ads instead.
- Free challenges with friends on iPhone and Android: Pacer and StepsApp.
- On your own, with an Apple Watch: Pedometer++, whose core features are free.
- Already on your iPhone: Apple Fitness, whose competitions are scored on Activity rings.
Free plans side by side
| App | Free plan | Ads | Account | Apple Watch | Paid upgrade (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stepdy | Steps, streaks, water, activities and rankings; 1 group of your own, 1 race at a time | None | No sign-up | Yes | Pro $3.99/mo or $29.99/yr |
| StepUp | Every feature is free | Yes | Sign-in needed to add friends | Yes | None; optional support purchases |
| StepsApp | Daily steps, goals and streaks; friend and group challenges are free | Yes, removed by PRO | Optional; needed for friends and groups | Yes | PRO $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr (its website) |
| Pacer | Step tracking, goals, and creating or joining step challenges | Yes, removed by Premium | Always created; sign-in with email, Apple, Google or Facebook | Yes | Premium (several price points listed) |
| Pedometer++ | Step counting and the core features; iPhone workout tracking needs Premium | Yes, removed by Premium | None mentioned | Yes | Premium $3.99/mo or $29.99/yr (its website) |
| Apple Fitness | Activity rings, sharing and competitions | None | Your Apple Account | Yes | Fitness+ is separate |
"Ads" is what each app declares on its App Store page. Prices are US prices; the App Store shows the local price in other countries.
1. Stepdy: free and ad-free, built for small groups
Free with no ads and no sign-up: step counting from Apple Health, streaks with up to 2 rest days a week, water tracking with reminders, walks and runs on a GPS map, the world and country rankings, friends and the Feed. You can create 1 group, join as many as you like and run 1 step race at a time.
Pro ($3.99 a month or $29.99 a year in the US, with a 7-day free trial) adds unlimited groups and races, the Step Wallet that saves a short day, your full history and the full route of each activity. iPhone and Apple Watch only. We make Stepdy; see how we checked, below.
2. StepUp: nothing behind a paywall
Every feature is free: friends leaderboards, private groups of up to 15,000 people, group chat, challenges and country and global rankings. The optional purchases are support payments and ad removal. It shows ads, lists tracking on its App Store label, and doesn't record walks on a map. It runs on iPhone, Apple Watch and Android.
3. StepsApp: free friend and group challenges
The free plan has daily steps, goals and streaks, and friend and group challenges are free to create and join. GPS workouts, advanced insights and an ad-free experience are part of PRO ($4.99 a month or $29.99 a year on its website). Friends and groups need a free account. It runs on iPhone, Apple Watch and Android.
4. Pacer: free challenges across iPhone and Android
Creating step challenges, inviting people and following the leaderboard are free, and there are clubs and weekly leagues. Premium removes ads and adds coaching, adventure challenges and streak repair. Pacer always creates an account. It runs on iPhone, Apple Watch and Android, with GPS walks.
5. Pedometer++: a free core for walking on your own
Step counting and the core features are free. iPhone workout tracking, maps on the Apple Watch and ad removal are part of Premium ($3.99 a month or $29.99 a year on its website). There are no friend competitions. Its App Store label lists no tracking.
6. Apple Fitness: built in
Apple's own app shows your Activity rings and lets you share them with up to 40 friends and hold 7-day one-on-one competitions scored on the rings. The Move ring works with an iPhone alone; the Exercise and Stand rings need an Apple Watch.
How we checked
Each app's free plan, purchases, ads and account rules come from its US App Store page and its own website or help centre, read on November 6, 2026. "Not stated" means neither said, so we haven't guessed. Facts about Stepdy come from the app's own code and App Store Connect.
Sources
- Stepdy: apps.apple.com
- StepUp: apps.apple.com, www.thestepupapp.com
- StepsApp: apps.apple.com, steps.app, steps.app
- Pacer: apps.apple.com, www.mypacer.com, support.mypacer.com
- Pedometer++: apps.apple.com, pedometer.app, pedometer.app
- Apple Fitness: apps.apple.com, support.apple.com, support.apple.com
Free · No ads · No sign-up