Yes you want it count your steps, a few years ago you needed a physical pedometer, but today our cell phone can do the job. All you have to do is take your mobile with you and install an app that counts the steps.
There are literally hundreds of footstep counting apps on Google Play, although you already have one installed on your mobile. In addition to giving you the list, we put them to the test to see how close they are to the real number.
The best apps for counting steps on Android
We start with the list of Nine best apps for counting steps on Android Today. The list ranges from more health-oriented apps to sports-oriented ones or simpler pedometers.
Google fit
Google Fit is Google’s all-in-one health app, which acts as a HUB with which other apps can sync their data. Among many other functions, Google Fit can record the steps you take during the dayeven if you don’t have a smartwatch or sports bracelet.
Google Fit centers its metrics around activity minutes and heart rate points, but that doesn’t stop it from counting other more specific data such as steps, calories burned and kilometers visits. Each training is also saved and you can consult it later.
Google Fit: activity and health tracking
Samsung Health
Samsung Health is identical to Google Fit, but reproduced by Samsung. It’s an app where you can centralize metrics and health information, from all your exercise sessions to the number of glasses of water you drink per day. One of these data, which is automatically recorded, is The footsteps
Despite what the name might suggest, Samsung Health It can be installed on mobiles of other brands And it is a very valid alternative to Google Fit, if the measure that Google does not convince you too much.
Samsung Health
Huawei Health
Just as Samsung Health can be installed on other devices, so can Huawei Health. After all, this is the app with which you manage Huawei bracelets and smartwatches, which can be managed from mobiles of any brand.
Huawei Health is not as comprehensive as Samsung Health or Google Fit, but it does have its step log automatic even if you do not have a bracelet or smartwatch to take the measurement. These measurements can be viewed in the registry or shared with friends.
Huawei Health
Pedometer – step counter
Already in a more specific area, we have Pedometer, an application which, unlike the previous ones, he only does one thing: count the steps. If that’s all you are looking for, this app is a good alternative because it doesn’t distract you with other functions or require you to create an account (although, if you want, you can sync your data in Google).
Pedometer is a simple and straightforward app, but it has everything you need. Show it steps, calories, walking time and distance, in addition to having a good number of accomplishments to keep you motivated.
Pedometer – Step counter, calorie counter
Accupedo
Another simple, step-tracking-focused alternative is Accupedo, with over 5 million downloads on Google Play. After opening it, you can see at a glance the number of steps you have taken, as well as the distance traveled, calories burned, average speed and active time.
By swiping the screen, a few additional functions appear, with a summary of goal achievement during the week being particularly interesting. It is also possible record your body weight in the app.
Pedometer – Accupedo
Podometro by Pacer
The Pacer pedometer, or simply Pacer, is visually similar to Accupedo, although the look is more refined and more features are included. For example, you can record your workouts using mobile GPS.
Of course, this also works in the background by counting your steps even if you haven’t opened the app, and then you can check the average, the calories, distance and activity time
Free pedometer – step and calorie counter
Runtastic Steps
Runtastic – now called Adidas Running by Runtastic – is one of the most popular exercise log apps, and features a spin-off focused on counting your steps: Runtastic Steps.
Runtastic Steps has a simple yet attractive design, and stands out to show you the statistics and history with your walks in a more visual way and colorful than other similar apps, with weekly, monthly and yearly averages.
Runtastic Steps: count steps and daily activity
Step tracking
Another app you can count your steps with is Health Tracker, with a nice design that focuses on showing your steps for the day and graphs of how did you reach your goals during the week.
In addition to passively counting your steps, from the tab Exercises you can record workouts using the mobile’s GPS, marking in advance a target distance you want to travel.
Step Tracking – Free Pedometer
Noom
Noom gained a certain reputation a few years ago for being an application capable of recording the steps you take with your mobile. with virtually no battery consumption. This was the exception a few years ago, although today the normal thing is that the mobile has a step counter sensor and the battery consumption is minimal.
Still, Noom can be a good alternative for an old mobile in which the system cannot count the steps. Another plus is that the app has plans to help you lose weight or live healthier, although the most comprehensive plans are paid for.
Noom: Health and weight
How reliable are the measurements
Counting steps is easy, but counting them correctly is not that easy. To know the reliability of the above applications, we put them to the test with a simple test: take 1000 steps and see how much each application scores. For reference, we’ve included the data collected by a Mi Band 2 in the Mi Fit app, which only has steps using a device.
Not measured |
Margin of error |
|
---|---|---|
Google fit |
1091 |
9.10% |
Samsung Health |
990 |
1.00% |
Huawei Health |
1091 |
9.10% |
Pedometer |
1091 |
9.10% |
Accupedo |
1091 |
9.10% |
Pacer |
1091 |
9.10% |
Runtastic Steps |
1093 |
9.30% |
Health monitoring |
1091 |
9.10% |
Noom |
– |
– |
My group |
941 |
5.90% |
Real figure |
1000 |
As you can see the result is exactly the same in the vast majority of applications. Not because they all agree, do the same calculation and get the same result, but because the applications do not calculate the steps, but it is the mobile that sends them the data, using the authorization of Physical activity.
The vast majority of apps take step data directly from Android, so the result is the same
Whereas in the past developers had to manually listen to the accelerometer to count steps, developers today can get the steps directly from Android or via Google Fit. The process is relatively simple and relies on the rover’s step sensor, which can be virtual (software) or physical.
Therefore, all step counting applications are just as reliable on the same mobile, and as reliable as the mobile step sensor. In my test the margin of error remained around 9.10%, while the Mi Band came close with 5.90% and that almost nailed it was Samsung Health, with an error of 1%.
Even with everything, considering we’re talking about a countdown automatic, with virtually no battery consumption and with your mobile phone in your pocket as in the hand, the truth is that a 9% error is not at all bad. These apps aren’t perfect, but they don’t need to be.
Table of Contents