ActivityStat vs. Strava+: Which Should You Choose?
Comparing ActivityStat and Strava+. Pricing, features, and who should choose each app. Find out if you should upgrade to Strava+ or stick with ActivityStat.
Strava+ launched in late 2024, bringing paid features to Strava for the first time. If you're a Strava power user, you've probably seen the notification. But should you upgrade to Strava+, or stick with a third-party app like ActivityStat? Here's an honest breakdown to help you decide.
The Quick Answer
- •Strava+ wins for segment leaderboards, route planning, and official integration
- •ActivityStat wins for automatic descriptions, affordability, and focused features
- •You don't have to choose — many athletes use both
- •ActivityStat is $2.99/month; Strava+ is $9.99/month
Pricing Breakdown
Here's the cost of each option, broken down over a year:
| Feature | ActivityStat | Strava+ |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $2.99 | $9.99 |
| Annual Price | $29.99/year | $119/year |
| Free Tier? | Yes (3/mo) | Yes (limited) |
| Both Plans (Annual) | — | $148.99/year |
For most athletes, ActivityStat is cheaper. Even if you use both, you're looking at about $149 per year — less than a single nice running watch band.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Automatic Activity Descriptions
ActivityStat wins here. ActivityStat automatically adds stats to your Strava description — pace, power, elevation, cadence, heart rate zones, fun stats like "beers burned" — the moment your activity syncs.
Strava+ doesn't touch descriptions. You're still writing them manually or using ActivityStat.
Segment Leaderboards & Hunting
Strava+ wins here. Strava+ highlights local segments you're close to setting a PR on, shows live segment comparisons, and surfaces segment opportunities during your run.
ActivityStat doesn't focus on segments. If you're obsessed with leaderboard positions, Strava+ delivers.
Route Planning & Creation
Strava+ wins here. Strava+ includes a route builder and can suggest routes based on your favorites. This is a core Strava+ feature.
ActivityStat doesn't include route planning — it's purely about activity stats and automation.
Advanced Analytics & Insights
Both are solid, different strengths. Strava+ offers performance tracking, fitness trends, and training load. ActivityStat puts your key metrics right in your Strava feed so you see them every time you look at an activity.
Strava+ = deeper dashboards. ActivityStat = metrics in your face.
Native Integration
Strava+ wins here. Strava+ is official Strava software. Everything lives in the app. No separate app to manage.
ActivityStat is a third-party app. You need to set it up, but it integrates cleanly — it just modifies your descriptions and doesn't require you to leave Strava.
Direct Comparison Table
| Feature | ActivityStat | Strava+ |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic descriptions | ✅ | ❌ |
| Customizable stats | ✅ | ❌ |
| Segment leaderboards | ❌ | ✅ |
| Route builder | ❌ | ✅ |
| Performance tracking | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Advanced |
| Native integration | ⚠️ Third-party | ✅ |
| Free tier | ✅ (3/mo) | ⚠️ Limited |
| Price (monthly) | $2.99 | $9.99 |
Who Should Choose ActivityStat?
ActivityStat is your pick if:
- You want automatic descriptions. This is ActivityStat's killer feature — no other app does it as well.
- You're budget-conscious. $2.99/month is hard to beat.
- You don't care about segments. If PR hunting isn't your thing, Strava+ loses its main advantage.
- You like seeing stats in your feed. ActivityStat puts data in Strava activity descriptions, where you see them constantly.
- You're training for a race. Automatic stat logging helps you document your training program without extra work.
Who Should Choose Strava+?
Strava+ is your pick if:
- You hunt segments obsessively. Strava+ is built for leaderboard junkies.
- You want everything in Strava. No third-party apps, no integrations — just native features.
- You plan routes regularly. Strava's route builder is solid.
- You want deep performance analytics. Strava+ dashboards are comprehensive.
- You're willing to pay for official support. Strava+ is official; ActivityStat is a third party.
Can You Use Both?
Absolutely. Many athletes do. There's no conflict between Strava+ and ActivityStat — they're complementary:
- Use ActivityStat for automatic descriptions and stat logging.
- Use Strava+ for segment hunting, route planning, and deeper analytics.
- Total cost: $12.98/month. Still less than most running apps.
If you're serious about training and segments, this combo covers all your bases.
Our Verdict
For most runners and cyclists: ActivityStat. The automatic description feature alone justifies the $2.99/month cost. You get clean stat logging without lifting a finger.
For segment hunters: Strava+. If leaderboards are your primary motivation, Strava+'s segment features are worth the $9.99/month.
For athletes who want it all: Both. For under $13/month, you get automatic descriptions + segment hunting + native integration. That's a bargain for a complete Strava ecosystem.
Try ActivityStat Free for 7 Days
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Start Free Trial →FAQ
Can I use ActivityStat if I have Strava+?
Yes. Strava+ and ActivityStat don't conflict. ActivityStat modifies your descriptions; Strava+ adds features to the official app.
Does ActivityStat modify my actual workout data?
No. ActivityStat only updates activity descriptions. Your distance, pace, time, and all other data stay exactly as they are.
What if I don't like ActivityStat's descriptions?
You can turn it off anytime, customize which stats appear, or edit descriptions manually after ActivityStat runs.
Does ActivityStat have a free tier?
Yes — 3 activities per month on the free plan. That's enough to test the feature before committing.
Is ActivityStat safe? Do I have to give it access to my password?
ActivityStat uses Strava's official OAuth authentication. You never share your password — Strava just grants ActivityStat permission to access your activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ActivityStat if I have Strava+?
Yes. Strava+ and ActivityStat don't conflict — they're complementary. ActivityStat modifies descriptions; Strava+ adds features to the official app.
Does ActivityStat modify my actual workout data?
No. ActivityStat only updates activity descriptions. Your distance, pace, time, and all other data stay exactly as they are.
Does ActivityStat have a free tier?
Yes — 3 activities per month on the free plan. That's enough to test before committing.
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