StepdyThe best apps for a step challenge with friends
A step challenge only works if everyone can join, so start with your group: does anyone use Android, how many people are you, and do you want a daily game, a race with an end date, or a board that keeps going? Here is what each app is built for.
The short answer
- A few friends on iPhone, no ads: Stepdy, with a live group board, challenges against other groups and head-to-head races.
- A big group, everything free: StepUp, with groups of up to 15,000 people and ads.
- A group that mixes iPhone and Android: Pacer, StepsApp, StepUp or Stompers.
- A daily game with power-ups: Stompers.
- Everyone wears an Apple Watch: Apple Fitness competitions, scored on Activity rings.
Side by side
| App | How you compete | Android | What's free | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stepdy | Group board with a weekly target, challenges against other groups (3 to 30 days), head-to-head races, world and country rankings | No | Join any group, create 1, 1 race at a time | None |
| StepUp | Friends leaderboards, private groups up to 15,000, challenges, country and global ranking | Yes | Everything | Yes |
| Pacer | Challenges of many kinds including team vs team, clubs, weekly leagues | Yes | Creating and joining challenges | Yes, removed by Premium |
| StepsApp | Friends, groups, personal or team challenges from 1 day to 18 months | Yes | Friend and group challenges | Yes, removed by PRO |
| Stompers | A daily step game against friends that ends at 9 pm local time, with avatars and power-ups | Yes | Daily games with friends | Not stated |
| Apple Fitness | 7-day one-on-one competitions scored on Activity rings | No | Everything | None |
Facts from each app's US App Store page and its own website or help centre, read on November 6, 2026.
1. Stepdy: a live board for a small group
Make a group, share its six-character code, link or QR code, and everyone's steps land on one board as the day goes on. Set a weekly target together, challenge another group at 5,000 to 20,000 steps per person per day for 3, 7, 14 or 30 days, or race one person to a target of 2,000 to 50,000 steps within 1 to 7 days. A race in progress shows on the Lock Screen and on the Apple Watch.
Joining groups is free and unlimited; on the free plan you can create 1 group and run 1 race at a time, and Pro removes both limits. No ads and no sign-up, but iPhone only, so everyone in the group needs an iPhone. We make Stepdy.
2. StepUp: free, and built for big groups
Groups of up to 15,000 people, group chat, fixed-date challenges, pacing bots and admin exports, all free. It shows ads and supports Android and several wearables. It doesn't show group-against-group boards.
3. Pacer: the most kinds of challenges
Step, distance, daily-goal and team-vs-team challenges, clubs and weekly leagues, on iPhone and Android. Creating a challenge and following its leaderboard are free; adventure challenges need Premium or a paid entry.
4. StepsApp: long challenges and teams
Personal or team challenges from 1 day to 18 months, won on the most steps or on reaching a goal, with a challenge chat. Free to create and join; friends and groups need a free account.
5. Stompers: a daily game
Each day is a step battle against your friends that ends at 9 pm local time, with avatars and power-ups. Daily games are free; a subscription unlocks a 24-hour mode. iPhone and Android, no Apple Watch app.
6. Apple Fitness: if everyone has an Apple Watch
Share your Activity with up to 40 friends and challenge one of them to a 7-day competition: a point for every percent of your rings you close, up to 600 points a day. It needs no extra app, but it is scored on Activity rings rather than steps.
How to set up a step challenge that lasts
- Pick an app everyone can install: check who uses Android before you start.
- Choose a target that fits the slowest walker, not the fastest; with a shared weekly total, every person's steps help the group.
- Give it an end date: 1 to 4 weeks is long enough to build a routine and short enough to finish.
- Keep the board visible: a widget or a Lock Screen update reminds people without anyone nagging.
Sources
- Stepdy (App Store) — apps.apple.com
- StepUp — www.thestepupapp.com
- Pacer: step challenges — www.mypacer.com
- StepsApp: challenges — steps.app
- Stompers (App Store) — apps.apple.com
- Stompers: help — stompers.com
- Apple: share your Activity — support.apple.com
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