Strava is for people who already run, ride, walk or hike and want to log each outing, then see how friends are doing. It records more than 40 other sport types too, and segments let you race others for a spot on the leaderboard. Monthly challenges add digital badges, and Beacon shares your live location with loved ones while you move. Strava Inc. publishes it free with optional in-app purchases and no ads.
Why one log for every workout matters
Activity data tends to scatter across watches, bike computers and separate apps. Strava tries to gather it in one place and attach a social layer to it. The app records running, cycling, walking, hiking and yoga, and it covers over 40 other sport types.
The store text also says it works with thousands of devices, naming Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit and Peloton, and that a Wear OS app adds a tile and a complication for starting activities quickly. Strength sessions logged through a device or another app are said to appear with exercises, sets, reps, weights and a muscle map.
Segments, kudos and monthly challenges
The competitive side runs on segments. You race other people over the same stretch and climb the leaderboards for it. A data view shows how you are improving over time.
The social side is a feed built from friends and athletes you follow, where you send kudos on their efforts. Monthly challenges add goals and digital badges, and the app says you can create challenges too. It also pushes the community offline, with a prompt to meet in real life.
A paid subscription extends this with Live Segments, which give real-time updates during popular segments, plus group challenges, a training log with best efforts, and goal setting for distance, time or segments.
Beacon and privacy controls
Beacon shares your real-time location with people you choose while you are out on an activity. The description frames it as an extra layer of safety, not a guarantee of any outcome.
Privacy settings let you adjust who sees your activities and personal data. Map visibility can be edited to hide the start or end points of an activity, which matters if those points are near your home.
What to check before installing
The app is free to download and shows no ads. In-app purchases are available, and a free version is offered alongside a subscription. Check the subscription price in Google Play before you pay.
The content rating is Teen. The current version is 487.11, updated on November 2, 2026, and the app first came out on June 8, 2011.
Strava pros and cons
Pros
- Records running, cycling, walking, hiking, yoga and over 40 other sport types
- Segments and leaderboards add a competitive element
- Beacon shares real-time location with chosen contacts
- Map visibility can hide the start and end of activities
- No ads, and the app itself is free
Cons
- Includes in-app purchases, with a subscription for features like Live Segments and Training Log
- Subscription pricing is only visible in Google Play
- Rated Teen, so it may not suit younger children
Is Strava safe?
Strava comes from Strava Inc., shows no ads and carries a Teen content rating. Because the app centers on sharing runs, rides and routes with friends, look through its privacy settings before posting activities. Beacon sends your real-time location to loved ones, so choose carefully who can follow it.
How to install Strava
- Press the Google Play button on this page.
- Check the listing in the Play Store and press Install.
- Open Strava when the install finishes. Updates arrive through Google Play.
