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Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
- Best overall: TrainingPeaks
- Best for community building: Strava
- Best for cycling: Cyclemeter
- Best for swimming: Swim.com
- Best free running app: ASICS Runkeeper
- Best for personal coaching: V.O2
- Best for race day: IRONMAN Tracker
- Best for finding triathlon gear: Wiggle
Completing a triathlon — typically a swim/bike/run event — is quite an accomplishment, and training for one can take months of work. But working toward peak performance could be a little more efficient with the right technology on your side.
Whether you’re looking for a virtual coach, customized workouts, or the peer support and motivation that group training provides, there’s an app for that.
In choosing the best triathlon apps for iOS and Android devices, we looked for amazing content, reliability, and stellar user reviews. Here’s what we considered while making our selections:
- Price: Most of these apps have free features that you can access with a simple download, and some offer additional features with in-app subscriptions.
- Ratings: We selected apps with ratings of 4 out of 5 stars or higher from both iOS and Android users (there’s one exception on this list).
- Reviews: We read hundreds of reviews to find out what triathletes loved (or didn’t love) about each of these apps.
- Versatility: We focused on apps that are compatible with a wide variety of smartwatches and heart rate monitors because everyone’s training tools look a little different!
All the apps on our list have also been vetted to ensure they meet Healthline’s business standards and align with our approach to well-being. Read more about our vetting process.
Pricing guide
Prices are per month.
- $ = under $10
- $$ = over $10
Best overall
TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks is one of the most widely used apps by triathletes of all levels. In fact, it’s a partner of massive race organizations like USA Triathlon and British Triathlon.
Not only is it compatible with more than 100 apps and devices for easy syncing, but it also monitors all aspects of your training.
The free version of this app is great: You can map workouts, view your performance data and equipment usage, and even correspond with your coach.
They also offer a Premium membership, which lets you view advanced performance metrics and manage your workout calendar.
You can use either version with an accredited coach for an additional fee.
Pros
- The app is great for tracking data for all triathlon sports.
- It’s compatible with over 100 apps and devices.
- You can use the app with your coach, or find a coach through TrainingPeaks.
Cons
- Some features require a Premium subscription fee.
Best for community building
Strava
Whether you’re already in a triathlon club or you’re looking to join a community of athletes, Strava can help make your training a little more social.
Think of it as Facebook for your workouts. Strava turns your smartphone into a sophisticated tracker and allows you to monitor and analyze your personal stats, as well as how you stack up to others on popular stretches of road and trail through a segment leaderboard.
The app community includes clubs and teams you can join, and monthly challenges — plus, you can send and receive “Kudos” with other athletes to keep morale high.
To keep your training fresh and easily find a new route, Strava has the world’s largest road and trail network available. You can also use Bluetooth to connect your smartwatch or heart rate monitor and push data from a pool or open water swim to the app.
Strava is compatible with Apple Health, Garmin, Fitbit, Polar, and more.
You can also upgrade to a premium account (for a monthly or annual cost), which provides detailed heart rate data, a training log feature, and personalized challenges. But even without the subscription, Strava is one of the best free fitness apps out there.
Pros
- The app tracks swimming, biking, and running.
- It’s compatible with most trackers and heart rate monitors.
- You can choose whether to share your data with friends.
- It’s great for clubs and community building.
Cons
- Premium features require a subscription (but it has a free 30-day trial).
Best for cycling
Cyclemeter
The Cyclemeter app turns your phone into a bike computer. Use it to track your speed, distance, ride time, and calories alongside a map of your route. Plus, to keep things hands free, it includes voice controls to start, stop, and record laps as you cycle. It can even read back your stats through your headphones as you train.
The app is compatible with Apple Watch, and it syncs with Strava if you want to share your workouts with friends and family. You can also export your data to a CSV file if you want to analyze it in a spreadsheet.
In addition to cycling, Cyclemeter allows you to track running, hiking, walking, and more.
Pros
- The app offers voice controls for hands-free training.
- It can be used for both indoor and outdoor rides.
- It connects with multiple sensors and apps.
Cons
- The app can’t be used to track swims.
Best for swimming
Swim.com
With the Swim.com app, you can preplan your workout — or choose one of the preprogrammed workouts from the library — and load it onto your device before you hit the water. That way, you can easily reference your plan and track your progress against it.
The app is compatible with different devices, including the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Garmin devices.
Plus, if you’re the type who likes to compete against others, you can track your speed and distance on the virtual leaderboard.
Pros
- It’s compatible with Garmin, Apple Watch, and Samsung Galaxy Watch.
- The app allows you to create your own workout or choose a predefined one.
- It’s free.
Cons
- The app only tracks swims, so you’ll need separate apps for cycling and running.
Best free running app
ASICS Runkeeper
If you’re looking for a basic running app that tracks your pace, distance, and progress toward your goals, check out the ASICS Runkeeper app. You can use it to set measurable goals and watch yourself progress along the way. You’ll even be able to choose a motivating voice to relay your pace, distance, and time while you run.
The app also lets you create personalized plans or join in-app challenges and virtual running groups for extra motivation. View your stats in your profile whenever you want to feel that sweet rush of accomplishment.
If you’d like access to additional features like custom training plans, live tracking, and progress insights, you can upgrade to Runkeeper Go for about $40 a year.
Pros
- The app has a beginner-friendly, easy-to-use interface.
- It’s free with a reasonable yearly price for add-on features.
- The voice feature helps keep you on track without having to look at your device.
Best for personal coaching
V.O2
While you can log plenty of other activities through the app, V.O2 (also referred to as “VDOT”) was designed with run coaching in mind. If you have a personal triathlon trainer, they can program your workouts in the app, leave comments, and track your progress (talk about accountability!).
If you use a Garmin or COROS smartwatch, your coach’s run workouts will appear each day as they’re scheduled. Your watch will track you as you complete the workout and send your data directly to VDOT for your coach to review.
If you don’t have a Garmin or COROS, you can still use VDOT by recording your workouts through Strava. And if you don’t have a coach, VDOT can help you find one! They also offer a few subscription options for virtual coaching, including their V.O2 Adaptive Trainer option, which uses AI to customize a plan based on your goals.
While your coach can schedule days where you’re focused on biking or swimming, VDOT doesn’t allow them to program swim or bike workouts directly into your Garmin — you’ll have to retroactively fill out your swim or bike workout manually in the app.
Pros
- The app allows you to easily communicate with your coach.
- It lets your coach create daily workouts that sync directly to a Garmin or COROS smartwatch.
- It’s compatible with Strava.
Cons
- The app requires a coach or paid virtual training program to be useful.
- Coaches can program only guided run workouts (not swims or bikes).
Best for race day
IRONMAN Tracker
The IRONMAN Tracker app is the official athlete tracker for any IRONMAN event. It allows you to see your own results and track others competing against you. Your friends and family can also see your time, where you place in your division, and get notifications when you meet certain milestones along the way.
The app also integrates with most social media platforms so you can share your results after your race. It’s also an easy way to find and register for upcoming events.
Just note that while it’s a useful tool for race day or keeping tabs on your past performances, this app isn’t designed to help you train.
Also, the app’s data may vary from what you see on your fitness tracker, and the GPS may vary depending on the race location.
Pros
- The app allows you to track IRONMAN athletes during and after races.
- It keep tabs on your results over time.
Cons
- It’s only relevant for IRONMAN events.
- GPS can lag at times, depending on the race location.
Best for finding triathlon gear
Wiggle
Wiggle is a UK-based athletic products marketplace built by fitness enthusiasts for fitness enthusiasts. The app hosts a wide range of products for cycling, swimming, and running.
Not sure where to start? You can get tech support from experienced athletes so that you purchase the gear most suited for your goals and needs.
Wiggle also provides tips, insights, advice, and insurance resources for optimal triathlon training and nutrition. It also provides the ability to plan ahead for participating in Wiggle events in the United Kingdom.
Pros
- The app provides access to athlete-recommended gear.
- It allows you to score discounted items through Wiggle’s outlet.
Cons
- You must pay for return postage if you’re outside the UK.
| Best for | Price | Activities | iOS rating | Android rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrainingPeaks | triathlon training | free or $$ | swim, bike, run | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Strava | community features | free or $ | swim, bike, run | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Cyclemeter | cycling training | free or $ | bike | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Swim.com | swim training | free | swim | 4.4 | 3.9 |
| ASICS Runkeeper | run tracking | free or $ | run | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| V.O2 | run coaching | free or $$ | swim, bike, run | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| IRONMAN Tracker | race tracking | free | swim, bike, run (only on IRONMAN race day) | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Wiggle | finding triathlon gear | free | N/A | 4.8 | 4.0 |
Does the Apple Watch have triathlon tracking?
Historically, the Apple Watch has been able to track swimming, biking, and running individually. But now, on Apple Watches running watch OS9, you can select “Multisport Triathlon” as an activity. This will track you from swim to bike to run (as well as your transition times) without needing to touch your watch.
Just note that the Apple Watch’s battery life can be an obstacle, so make sure that you’re fully charged!
How do you keep track of triathlon training?
Triathlon training isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, so you’ll have to find a method that works best for you. Some people track their training the old fashioned way (spreadsheets, anyone?), but there are plenty of apps that will help keep track of your data and workouts right from your phone.
The right program for you will depend on your experience, fitness level, and goals.
Finding a coach or a triathlon club is an easy way to get started, especially if it’s your first race.
Do triathletes use Peloton?
Peloton’s cycling, running, and strength classes can be a nice addition to your training regimen. However, triathlon is an endurance sport, so it’s best to stick to a program catered specifically to your progression in the swim, bike, and run disciplines.
If you’re simply trying to log time in the saddle at home, the Peloton bike’s “Just Ride” or “Scenic Ride” features are likely your best bet for training.
Triathlon training looks different for everyone, and the right triathlon app for you will depend on your goals and current level of fitness. But whatever your goals may be, there’s no doubt that technology is your friend when it comes to tracking data, programming workouts, and staying connected with coaches and fellow athletes. Happy racing!
