Compare
Most training apps give you a generic plan and charge you monthly for it. Sti analyzes your actual race GPX and builds a course-specific plan — for a one-time price. Here's how that compares.
Sti
$39 one-time
20-week cycle
$39
Vert.run
$10–45/mo
20-week cycle
$50–225
Runna
$20/mo
20-week cycle
$100
Uphill Athlete
$49–59 or $29/mo
20-week cycle
$29–59
Human Coach
$150–400/mo
20-week cycle
$750–2,000
Feature Breakdown
| Feature | Sti | Vert.run | Runna | Uphill Athlete | Human Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GPX Course-Specific Workouts Workouts reference your actual race segments — specific climbs, descents, and km markers | check_circle | cancel | cancel | cancel | check_circle |
Trail & Ultra Specialist Built specifically for trail and ultra distances, not adapted from road running | check_circle | check_circle | remove_circle_outline | check_circle | check_circle |
Periodized Training Phases Structured Base → Build → Peak → Taper with science-backed intensity shifts | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
Mid-Plan Adaptation Adjust your plan when life happens — injury, schedule change, unexpected fitness | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | cancel | check_circle |
Race Nutrition Strategy Fueling, hydration, and calorie targets calibrated to your race distance and conditions | check_circle | remove_circle_outline | remove_circle_outline | cancel | check_circle |
Integrated Strength Work Trail-specific strength sessions (eccentric, single-leg, power hiking) built into the plan | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | remove_circle_outline | check_circle |
Cycle-Aware Planning For women: training load adapted to menstrual cycle phases with proactive recovery scheduling | check_circle | cancel | cancel | cancel | remove_circle_outline |
Automated Coach Validation 50+ rule checks verify every plan before delivery — intensity, taper, fueling, progression | check_circle | cancel | cancel | cancel | cancel |
Cost over 20-week cycle Total cost of training for a single race | $39 | $50–225 | $100 | $29–59 | $750–2,000 |
GPX Course-Specific Workouts
Workouts reference your actual race segments — specific climbs, descents, and km markers
Sti
check_circleVert.run
cancelRunna
cancelUphill Athlete
cancelCoach
check_circleTrail & Ultra Specialist
Built specifically for trail and ultra distances, not adapted from road running
Sti
check_circleVert.run
check_circleRunna
remove_circle_outlineUphill Athlete
check_circleCoach
check_circlePeriodized Training Phases
Structured Base → Build → Peak → Taper with science-backed intensity shifts
Sti
check_circleVert.run
check_circleRunna
check_circleUphill Athlete
check_circleCoach
check_circleMid-Plan Adaptation
Adjust your plan when life happens — injury, schedule change, unexpected fitness
Sti
check_circleVert.run
check_circleRunna
check_circleUphill Athlete
cancelCoach
check_circleRace Nutrition Strategy
Fueling, hydration, and calorie targets calibrated to your race distance and conditions
Sti
check_circleVert.run
remove_circle_outlineRunna
remove_circle_outlineUphill Athlete
cancelCoach
check_circleIntegrated Strength Work
Trail-specific strength sessions (eccentric, single-leg, power hiking) built into the plan
Sti
check_circleVert.run
check_circleRunna
check_circleUphill Athlete
remove_circle_outlineCoach
check_circleCycle-Aware Planning
For women: training load adapted to menstrual cycle phases with proactive recovery scheduling
Sti
check_circleVert.run
cancelRunna
cancelUphill Athlete
cancelCoach
remove_circle_outlineAutomated Coach Validation
50+ rule checks verify every plan before delivery — intensity, taper, fueling, progression
Sti
check_circleVert.run
cancelRunna
cancelUphill Athlete
cancelCoach
cancelMarket Position
Every other product makes you choose: personalized training at subscription prices, or affordable plans that don't know your race. Sti doesn't make you choose.
Higher Cost
Lower Cost
Generic
Course-Specific
Only product that's both affordable and course-specific
Head to Head
Every platform has strengths. We're not going to pretend otherwise. Here's what each does well — and where Sti is different.
What Vert.run does well
Where it falls short for trail runners
Vert.run gives you a great general ultra plan. Sti gives you the plan designed for YOUR specific race course — every climb, every descent, every km marker. And for the cost of one month of Vert.run, you own your Sti plan forever.
What Runna does well
Where it falls short for trail runners
Runna is excellent for road runners. But when your race has 2,664m of elevation gain, technical ridgeline traverses, and a brutally steep final descent, you need a plan that knows every meter of it.
What Uphill Athlete does well
Where it falls short for trail runners
Uphill Athlete wrote the book on mountain training. Sti takes that science and personalizes it to your body, your race, and your course — with the ability to adapt mid-plan when life gets in the way.
What Human Coach does well
Where it falls short for trail runners
A great specialist coach who studies your GPX, knows trail science, and builds a custom periodized plan often costs $150+/month. Sti delivers 80% of that value for $39 — with the same course-specific intelligence, science-backed methodology, and structured periodization.
Upload your GPX. Get a plan that knows every climb, every descent, every km marker. $39 one-time. Yours forever.