Pacer app alternative for iPhone: WalkOff vs Pacer
Store facts checked Nov 2, 2026
Short answer: Pacer is a full walking and fitness app: step tracking, GPS routes, weight and BMI, plans, walking groups and challenges. WalkOff does one thing: your daily steps against your friends, with free home screen and lock screen widgets.
Disclosure: WalkOff is made by Tortuga Labs, LLC, which publishes this site. We say where Pacer is the better pick.
Why people look for a Pacer alternative
- Pacer does a lot. If you only want steps and a friends leaderboard, a smaller app can be easier.
- Pacer's listing says it contains advertising, and its Premium plans are listed up to $49.99 a year.
At a glance
| WalkOff | Pacer | |
|---|---|---|
| App Store rating (US) | 5.0 from 10 ratings | 4.9 from about 336,500 ratings |
| Price | Free download with in-app purchases | Free download with in-app purchases |
| Paid plan (US App Store) | WalkOff Pro: $2.99 a week, $4.99 a month or $34.99 a year | Pacer Premium. In-app purchases listed from $3.99 to $49.99, including Pacer Premium Yearly at $49.99 |
| Platforms | iPhone only, iOS 18.6 or later | iPhone (iOS 15.0 or later) and Android ("no matter what phone they use") |
| Apple Watch app | No Watch app. Reads the steps your Apple Watch saves to Apple Health | Yes, watchOS 9.2 or later |
| Languages | English | English and 16 more |
| What it tracks | Daily steps, streaks and step history | Steps, flights climbed, calories, distance and active time, plus GPS walks, hikes, runs and rides |
| How you compete | Friends leaderboard and a global leaderboard | Walking groups and friendly challenges |
| Plans and weight | Not listed | Personalized plans, guided workouts, weight and BMI tracking |
| Widgets | Home screen and lock screen widgets, all sizes free | Not listed |
| Reminders | Daily reminders | Not listed |
| Ads | No ads | The listing says it contains advertising |
Sources: the WalkOff App Store listing, the Pacer App Store listing, all checked Nov 2, 2026. "Not listed" means the listing doesn't mention it, not that the app lacks it. Prices are US prices and can change.
Where Pacer is the better pick
- You want GPS maps of your walks, hikes, runs or rides. WalkOff has no GPS tracking.
- You want plans, guided workouts, or weight and BMI tracking.
- Your friends use Android, or you want an Apple Watch app.
- You want a huge, proven community. Pacer has about 336,500 US ratings, and WalkOff is new with 10.
Where WalkOff may suit you better
- You only want your daily steps and a leaderboard with friends, without a full fitness app.
- You want your steps on your home screen and lock screen. WalkOff's widgets are free in all sizes.
- You want an app with no ads.
What WalkOff has
Free: step tracking from Apple Health, home screen and lock screen widgets, a friends leaderboard and a global leaderboard, friend invites by link, streaks, step history and daily reminders.
WalkOff Pro: a custom daily step goal, widget themes, unlimited friends (free accounts have a friend limit) and a Weekly Summary of your past week every Monday.
Trying WalkOff
There is nothing to move. WalkOff reads your steps from Apple Health, so you can install it, allow Health access, and invite friends with a link while Pacer stays on your phone.
Questions
Is WalkOff a good Pacer app alternative?
If you mainly use Pacer to count steps and compete with friends on iPhone, yes. If you use its GPS routes, plans, weight tracking or Apple Watch app, Pacer is the better fit, because WalkOff does not have those.
How much is Pacer Premium?
Pacer is a free download. On the US App Store its in-app purchases are listed from $3.99 to $49.99, including Pacer Premium Yearly at $49.99 (checked Nov 2, 2026).
Is WalkOff free?
Yes. WalkOff is a free download, and step tracking, widgets and the leaderboards are free. WalkOff Pro adds a custom daily step goal, widget themes, unlimited friends and a Weekly Summary. On the US App Store it costs $2.99 a week, $4.99 a month or $34.99 a year (checked Nov 2, 2026).
Can I try WalkOff without deleting Pacer?
Yes. WalkOff reads your steps from Apple Health, so you can keep Pacer installed and try both side by side.
Does WalkOff work on Android?
No. WalkOff is iPhone only and needs iOS 18.6 or later.
Who makes WalkOff?
WalkOff is made by Tortuga Labs, LLC, which publishes this site. We are not affiliated with Pacer.
Other comparisons: Stompers · Stridekick · StepUp · StepsApp