While on the surface, both these apps look similar and even offer similar features, the devil seems to be in the details. There are some things that Strava is better at and some things that Endomondo excels at. Depending on your goals, aspirations, and type and location of activity, you will find one more suitable over the other. Let’s find out whether you should go for Strava or Endomondo. Also Read: Strava vs Runtastic: Which Running App Is Suitable for You
Strava vs. Endomondo
- Interface I like an app that has been designed with ease of use in mind. Both Strava and Endomondo have a clean UI with all the features neatly tucked away in the menu. However, getting to that menu is different in both the apps. Strava is still rocking the sidebar menu which is harder to reach, especially on a large screen smartphone.
Endomondo has all the options in the bottom bar making it much easier to tap on options, and also switch between menu items. You can move from workout to feed in a single tap. In case of sidebar menus, you have to tap twice. Not a deal breaker but still, could be improved.
Other than that, both the fitness apps have a professional design with everything working as they should. Nothing was broken when I tested them. Also Read: Apps to Find Running Trails Around You 2. Logging Activities Logging is a simple affair on either app. You will move to the activity screen where your location will be detected automatically on a map, you can select the activity from the drop-down menu, and begin.
Some common metrics that both Strava and Endomondo will measure are speed, calories burned, distance traveled, and time. These metrics will be used to further calculate average and maximum pace or speed and altitude figures. If you are using a smart wearable device, there are other metrics that can be measured too like average and max heart beat or BPM. So, where do they differ? Endomondo offers average and maximum pace details as well. That is not the same as average speed. Speed is more useful when you are cycling and pace is more suitable when you are walking or running. That’s why runners use average pace which is calculated as time/distance while speed is calculated as distance/time. Here are my personal stats on a evening walk.
Once you have recorded your activity, you can add a photo or a selfie, weather information will be added automatically, and a number of graphs will be created on both the apps on the fly. I like numbers more than graphs, but that’s me. Endomondo relies on the GPS to track the height of the terrain where you are running or cycling which can be inaccurate. GPS is not very reliable for tracking altitudes. Any runner and cyclist will tell you how important that data is, as it makes it significantly difficult when altitudes are involved.
Strava also uses GPS but has a built-in correction mode which will produce more accurate results. The corrections are made based on special maps that Strava has built over the years. If you are tracking or cycling in one of these areas, Strava already has all the data on altitudes, making it more accurate. They call it Elevation. Also Read: Bliiq Hummingbird: Best Sports & Fitness Earphones? 3. Segments, Training, Challenges Segments is where Strava takes the lead and makes it a really cool running and fitness app for competitive athletes or those who are constantly looking to push their limits. Say, you went for a hike on a particular trail. Strava will record your timing and other details. Now, the next time when you hit the same route, Strava will intelligently remind you of your last stats, and motivate you to do better.
That way, you can know if you have improved or not. This is done for cycling too. Currently, Strava is the only app of its kind to offer this feature that works so beautifully. A key reason why you will find so many professionals on the app. Learn more about creating segments here. Endomondo has 4 different ways to begin work out. First is Training Plan where Endomondo will begin slow and automatically adjust chosen plan based on your performance. A good way to begin with running. The second one is Interval Training where you can either go for predefined workouts or create your own. The third is Commitments where you will swear to run x miles in y days and then Endomondo will track it. The last one is Challenges (join or create one) where you will be part of a broader community facing the same goals and challenges.
Feeling the heat from Endomondo and other fitness tracking apps, Strava has recently released Training programs in beta. You can create your own programs but that’s it for now. There are Challenges that work similar to Endomondo. Finally, there are Clubs where you are part of a community working towards common goals. Also Read: Honor Band 4 vs Mi Band 4 – Settling the Scores!
4. Be Social
Both Endomondo and Strava have a strong and active community. Strava made a name for itself in the biking and cycling communities early on, which is why you will see a lot of them there. That’s not to say Endomondo is lagging behind. The benefit that Strava has is that a lot of pro athletes have chosen Strava and fans love following them. Other than that, both the apps will let you add contacts and Facebook friends. Once the sync is complete, you can follow each other’s workouts, comment, and motivate each other.
Strava and Endomondo, both will let you view routes taken by others in your community or groups. A great way to discover new tracks. Endomondo goes one step further allowing you to record audio messages for friends, to help them stay motivated. Strava follows the Kudos system which works like Facebook Likes. You can comment under each activity in both.
Strava vs. Endomondo
Here are key points to take away. Endomond offers more statistics and graphs but Strava offers specific stats with Segments that tracks previous performance with current ones. If you are a cyclist, you are better off with Strava. Endomondo allows your family members and spouse to track you real time. Useful when you meet with an accident, he/she can locate you and send help. A lot of pro athletes can be found on Strava. Before you begin, ask your friends which app they are using. A lot will also depend on that. The free version of Endomondo has ads, Strava free version is ad-free.
