How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Apple Health is the best pedometer app for iPhone owners, since it is free, built in, and counts steps automatically with no app to install.
- Samsung Health is the best free option for Android users, with group and global step challenges plus sleep, diet, and stress tracking in one place.
- Pacer is the best free option for people without a wearable, with guided programs and community groups, though its free tier is ad-supported.
- StepsApp is the best design-forward choice across iOS and Android, with clean charts, widgets, and a $19.99 per year Pro tier.
- This article is general information only, not medical advice. Step counts are estimates, and a sudden change in activity should be discussed with a clinician if you have a health condition.
Quick comparison
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The best pedometer apps
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
On iPhone, the built-in Health and Fitness apps count your steps automatically and for free, using the phone motion sensor. There is nothing to install, and step data syncs across your Apple devices. Pairing an Apple Watch makes tracking more accurate and adds activity rings, heart rate, and workout detection.
For most iPhone owners, this is the simplest free step counter available. It is also the most private option, with health data stored on device and end-to-end encrypted iCloud backup. Fitness+ is optional and not needed for step counting.
What we like- Free and built into every iPhone
- Automatic step counting with no app to install
- Syncs across iPhone and Apple Watch
- Health data stored privately on device
- Activity rings and trends in the Fitness app
Watch out for- IPhone only
- More accurate when paired with an Apple Watch
- No social challenges built in
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Samsung Health is the top free pick for Android, counting steps with the phone built-in motion sensor and adding sleep, diet, and stress tracking in one place. You can set a daily step goal, view trends, and join group and global step challenges for motivation.
It is available to all Android users, not just Samsung owners, and also runs on iOS. For Android users who want a complete free health app rather than a single-purpose pedometer, Samsung Health is the best pick here.
What we like- Free for all Android users, not just Samsung owners
- Counts steps via the phone motion sensor
- Daily, weekly, and monthly trends
- Group and global step challenges
- Sleep, diet, and stress tracking
Watch out for- Runs on iOS too but is best on Android
- Some features work best with Samsung devices
- Google Fit is being phased out in favor of Google Health, so the ecosystem is shifting
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Pacer is the best free option for people without a wearable, letting you carry your phone as your pedometer with guided programs and community groups. All three major free apps let you view daily, weekly, and monthly step trends, and Pacer syncs with Apple Health or Google Fit so your step data flows into your broader health ecosystem.
Premium pricing conflicts across guides, from $49.99 to $79.99 per year, so confirm the current price in the app store before subscribing. The free tier covers basic step tracking, while premium adds deeper analytics and plans. For guided programs without a wearable, Pacer is the best pick here.
What we like- Best free option for people without a wearable
- Guided walking programs
- Community groups and routes
- Syncs with Apple Health and Google Fit
- Daily, weekly, and monthly trends
Watch out for- Premium at $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year in some guides, with a reported $79.99 per year figure elsewhere
- Free tier is ad-supported with full-screen popups reported
- Higher battery drain than built-in options
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
StepsApp stands out with a gorgeous design and intuitive interface that makes checking your progress a pleasure. Its charts, widgets, and color themes help you spot patterns and celebrate progress, and no account is required to start.
Pro runs $19.99 per year in most guides, though one guide reports a $3.99 one-time figure, so confirm before buying. For iPhone users who want beautiful, simple tracking, StepsApp is the best design-forward pick here.
What we like- Best-looking interface with the most sync options
- Clean charts, widgets, and color themes
- Apple Watch integration
- Floors climbed
- No account required
- Pro at $19.99 per year
Watch out for- Premium features limited on free tier
- Battery drain 1.2 to 2.5 percent per day reported
- Fewer social features than Pacer
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Accupedo delivers precise step tracking using 3D motion recognition that works no matter where you carry your phone, whether in your pocket, belt, or bag. Its customizable sensitivity means you can optimize accuracy for how you carry your phone, and a power-saving mode keeps battery use low.
Premium runs $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year, with a $2.99 Pro figure reported in one older guide. The interface is simple but may feel dated, and health metrics beyond steps are limited. For users who want accuracy control, Accupedo is the best pick here.
What we like- Adjustable step detection sensitivity for any phone position
- Widget support
- Power-saving mode
- Detailed statistics
- Free with ads
- Premium at $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year
Watch out for- Interface may feel dated to some users
- Limited health metrics beyond step counting
- Screen lock may pause counting on some devices
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Pedometer++ is the pick for iPhone minimalists who want nothing more than an accurate step count. It reads HealthKit data, keeps data on device with no sharing, and offers a homescreen widget that can be read without glasses.
It has no guided programs, social challenges, or route tracking. For an iPhone user who wants the simplest possible pedometer, Pedometer++ is the best pick here.
What we like- Simplest iPhone step counter
- On-device data with no sharing
- Generous free tier
- Homescreen widget readable at a glance
- HealthKit based for accuracy
Watch out for- IPhone only
- No Android version
- Minimal social or program features
- No GPS route tracking
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Google Fit is the Android default, completely free with Heart Points gamification and native Android integration. It syncs with many fitness apps and keeps battery drain low.
One guide notes Google Fit is being phased out in favor of Google Health, so check current availability before building a long-term routine around it. For Android users who want a simple free default, Google Fit remains a solid pick while it lasts.
What we like- Completely free
- Native on Android
- Heart Points gamification
- Syncs with many fitness apps
- Low battery drain at 0.8 to 1.5 percent per day reported
Watch out for- Being phased out in favor of Google Health, so its future is uncertain
- On iOS it is cloud-based rather than native
- No guided programs
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Sweatcoin suits readers who want rewards and accept the privacy trade-offs. It converts steps into coins for marketplace prizes and prize draws, which motivates some walkers more than charts alone.
The trade-offs are real: high battery drain, heavy rewarded ads, and extensive marketing partner sharing. For reward-motivated walkers who understand those costs, Sweatcoin is the best pick here, but privacy-conscious users should choose Apple Health or Samsung Health instead.
What we like- Free and rewards-motivated, converting steps into marketplace prizes
- Works on iOS and Android
- Social motivation through prize draws
Watch out for- High battery drain at 8 to 14 percent per day reported with GPS
- Extremely high rewarded ad density
- Extensive marketing partner sharing
- Proprietary step algorithm with only partial HealthKit and Google Fit sync
How we chose
We compared apps on step accuracy, battery drain, free tier honesty, privacy posture, sync quality with Apple Health and Google Fit, and motivation features, using 2026 guides and app store listings. We included only apps with a credible current product and flagged pricing conflicts rather than presenting one figure as certain. Step counts vary by phone position and walking style, so accuracy settings and wearable pairing matter more than any single app claim.
How to pick a pedometer app
Start with your phone. iPhone owners should start with Apple Health, since it is free, built in, and private. Android users should start with Samsung Health for the same reasons. Add Pacer if you want guided programs, StepsApp if you want beautiful charts, Accupedo if you want sensitivity control, or Pedometer++ if you want the simplest iPhone counter. Only add Sweatcoin if rewards motivate you more than privacy worries you.
Make your step count more accurate
Carry your phone consistently, ideally in a pocket or waist belt rather than a loose bag, since loose movement can inflate counts. If you want higher accuracy, pair a watch: Apple Watch improves iPhone tracking, and a Fitbit or Samsung watch improves Android tracking. Set a realistic daily goal, such as 7,000 to 8,000 steps to start, and raise it gradually rather than jumping to 10,000 at once. This article is general information only, not medical advice, and a clinician can help set an activity target that fits your health.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pedometer app?
Apple Health is best for iPhone owners, since it is free, built in, and automatic. Samsung Health is best for Android users, Pacer is best for people without a wearable, and StepsApp is best for design-forward tracking across both platforms.
Do I need a wearable to count steps?
No. Your phone motion sensor counts steps on its own, and Pacer, StepsApp, and Accupedo all work without a wearable. A watch improves accuracy and adds heart rate and workout detection, but it is not required for step counting.
Are free pedometer apps really free?
Built-in apps like Apple Health and Samsung Health are completely free. Third-party apps like Pacer and StepsApp offer free core tracking with paid premium tiers, while Sweatcoin is free but ad-supported with heavy marketing partner sharing. Check the premium price in the app store before subscribing, since guide figures conflict.
How accurate are phone pedometers?
Phone pedometers are estimates, not medical devices. Accuracy depends on phone position, walking style, and sensitivity settings. Accupedo lets you fine-tune sensitivity, and a watch generally improves accuracy. Loose pockets and bags can inflate counts.
Can a pedometer app help me lose weight?
Step tracking can support an activity habit, but it is not a weight loss program on its own. Calories burned are estimates, and diet matters more than steps for weight change. This article is general information only, not medical advice, so talk to a clinician about a plan that fits your health.
What about privacy with step apps?
Built-in apps keep data on device or in encrypted first-party cloud storage. Third-party apps vary: Pedometer++ keeps data on device with no sharing, while Sweatcoin shares anonymized data with marketing partners. Check the privacy policy before granting health data access to any third-party app.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.apple.com
- https://www.samsung.com
- https://www.mypacer.com
- https://www.stepsapp.com
- https://www.accupedo.com
- https://www.pedometerapp.com
- https://www.google.com
- https://www.sweatcoin.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Apple Health
Samsung Health
Pacer
StepsApp
Accupedo
Pedometer++
Google Fit
Sweatcoin