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"Nike+ is often the go-to app for active people. You can't beat its name recognition, after all, and it was the first athletic company to really dive into wearable and connected technology \u2014 the first Nike+iPod system predates even the iPhone. But some athletes end up turning away from Nike, since the app is relatively basic, and is aimed mainly at runners.\nIt looks like many of those people are choosing instead to download Runtastic, since the company just announced it's hit 25 million mobile users. That's as much as Nike+ (11 million as of February) and runner favorite RunKeeper (14 million) combined. Its website, Runtastic.com, also has 10 million registered users.\nAs the company hits that milestone it's launching hardware in the U.S. It's now offering a Bluetooth heart-rate monitor, sports arm bands (for running and cycling) and a cycling speed sensor, all available on Amazon.\nSEE ALSO: Nike+ FuelBand App Update Adds Facebook Photo Sharing\n\nRuntastic offers many different apps \u2014 from a free running app to a \"pro\" altimeter \u2014 and they're aimed at very specific activities (one is just for push-ups, for example). It offers 31 in total, although if you cut out the pro and lite versions of the same app, there are just 15.\nI've been using Runtastic paired with its Bluetooth heart-rate monitor for the past couple of weeks, and the app is certainly feature-rich. Pairing the monitor was easy (thank you, Bluetooth 4.0), and you can really drill down in your settings. It was a nice bonus to see my heart rate, both peak and average, after my workout was done \u2014 something you don't get with Nike+.\nHowever, I still prefer Nike's app for a couple of reasons: First, Nike lets you choose multiple \"power songs\" that will cycle through your workouts over time. With Runtastic, you get only one, so you have to go in and change it before your workout if you want to mix things up.\nSecond, the app suffers from feature creep. One of the things I like about Nike+ is that the app keeps everything on a single screen when you're working out \u2014 you don't have to gesture or scroll to perform any function. Runtastic, on the other hand, is doing so much stuff, you need to swipe to another screen to see the music player. Doesn't seem like much, but that's asking a lot of a runner who's trying to keep his eyes on the path.\nStill, I'll miss seeing my heart rate in my workouts, and I'm sure Runtastic will add those extra power songs at some point. The app and hardware certainly fill a niche most other athletic services overlook.\nAre you a Runtastic user? Think you'll buy the hardware? Let us know in the comments.\nImage courtesy of Runtastic"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/05/13/runtastic/>