Top step counters for smartphones

Walking is the most basic and practical way to get into training if you have never really done any exercise before. To avoid giving up after just a couple of days, it is worth downloading a decent step counter app for tracking your daily activity right away. These tools help you build a clear routine and show you exactly how many kilometers you are really covering. We put together a selection of solid trackers. Pick any of them and head outside to finish your daily target.

Walk with Map My Walk

This is not just a step-counting app, but a real all-in-one tool for running and long walks. Inside, there is a virtual coach that gives voice guidance on your pace as you go. The app can track many activities besides walking, including cycling and morning yoga. Its biggest advantage is excellent synchronization with other platforms like Google Fit or Garmin devices. If you ever decide to change your phone or buy a new smartwatch, all your accumulated stats will stay with you.

Pacer Pedometer & Step Tracker

A great free option for people who want to test a tracker without being tied to expensive subscriptions. The developers did not stop at steps and added a full calorie counter for people trying to lose weight. Data can be easily transferred to Apple Health or sent to Fitbit bands. Since everyone has a different stride length and walking style, the algorithms can sometimes make serious mistakes in their calculations. To keep the app accurate, the settings include manual sensitivity calibration for the local sensor.

MyFitnessPal

A true market veteran that has consistently stayed near the top of mobile app stores for more than ten years. The app is more often used as an advanced food diary with strict calorie tracking, but its step counter is excellent too. The main problem is the hefty price of premium access, which is hard to justify. Paying for the subscription is really only worth it if you want to disable the annoying ad banners. But if you only need step tracking, the basic free features are more than enough.

Accupedo Pedometer

This app wins people over with its clean design and convenient interface without unnecessary visual clutter. All the statistics are packaged into clear charts and pie graphs, where your activity peaks are easy to spot. You will not be able to trick the app or inflate your numbers while riding a bus or sitting in a car. Its algorithms know exactly when you are actually walking and count only real distance. For long trips far from civilization, there is a useful power-saving mode so your phone does not die halfway through the walk.

ASICS Runkeeper — Run Tracker

This software was originally built for professional runners, but it also works perfectly well for ordinary bike rides or hiking. People use it a lot when training for serious marathons and demanding cardio sessions. You can build a detailed training plan that helps improve endurance and achieve new results. Once you set a specific goal, the system keeps close track of every step toward it. It is an ideal choice for a detailed analysis of your physical capabilities.

Samsung Health

Another heavyweight that works very well with the Health Connect platform for transferring stats. That means you can easily export your data into other ecosystems when you buy a new device. It includes everything you need: sleep tracking, strength workout logs, a heart-rate monitor, and a very accurate step counter. You can use the app comfortably even if your phone is from a different brand. All you need is a free account so your stats can be safely stored on cloud servers.

Google Fit

The safest option for people who worry about compatibility problems on Android phones. This is less of a specialized tracker and more of a large system hub for monitoring your overall health. Any activity, such as walking or swimming, is converted here into special health points. If the necessary sensors are available, the algorithms read your heart rate and provide a full picture of your workload. The only downside is that the company has threat