5 Best Pedometer++ Alternatives in 2026
5 Best Pedometer++ Alternatives in 2026
Pedometer++ is one of the most well-known step counter apps for Apple Watch. It’s been around for years, it’s simple, and it works. So why would anyone look for an alternative?
A few common reasons:
- You want more than one goal — Pedometer++ only supports a single daily step target. Hit it or miss it.
- You need rest days — there’s no way to take a recovery day without breaking your streak.
- You switched to Android — Pedometer++ is Apple-only. If you moved to a Pixel, Samsung, or another Android phone, you need a new app.
- You want deeper analytics — Pedometer++ keeps things minimal, which is great until you want to understand your walking patterns over time.
- You want something different — after years with the same app, a fresh approach can renew your motivation.
Whatever your reason, here are the five best alternatives to Pedometer++ in 2026, starting with the one that addresses the most common frustrations.
1. StepMelon
Best Pedometer++ alternative for: Flexible goals, rest days, and cross-platform support
StepMelon was designed to solve the specific problems that make people leave traditional step trackers. If your frustration with Pedometer++ is about rigid goals or broken streaks, StepMelon is the most direct answer.
Why Switch from Pedometer++
Three goals instead of one. Instead of a single pass/fail target, StepMelon gives you three daily goals:
- Minimum — your baseline for tough days (e.g., 4,000 steps)
- Target — your standard goal (e.g., 8,000 steps)
- Stretch — your ambitious goal for high-energy days (e.g., 12,000 steps)
This changes the psychology of step tracking. A 5,000-step day isn’t a failure — it’s hitting your minimum. Research shows health benefits start well below 10,000 steps, and StepMelon’s goal system reflects that reality.
Built-in rest days. StepMelon includes rest days — two per week by default, on days you choose. Rest days don’t break your streak. Your body needs recovery, and StepMelon is one of the only step trackers that builds this into the system.
Cross-platform support. Unlike Pedometer++, StepMelon works on:
- Apple Watch and iPhone
- Android and Wear OS
If you’ve switched from iPhone to Android, or if your household has mixed devices, StepMelon keeps everyone on the same app.
Deeper analytics. Weekly and monthly trends, smart insights about your walking patterns, goal achievement history, and data export in CSV and JSON. More than Pedometer++ offers, without the complexity of a full health dashboard.
Privacy-first. Like Pedometer++, all data stays on your devices. Syncing uses your personal iCloud account. No accounts, no external servers.
Key Features
- Three-tier goal system
- Built-in rest days (customizable)
- Apple Watch, iPhone, Android, Wear OS
- Watch face complications (circular, rectangular, corner)
- Trend reports and smart insights
- Share cards for social media
- Data export (CSV/JSON)
- Watermelon theme with 4 intensity levels
Pricing
Free with core features (including 3 goals and rest days). Premium: $2.99/month or $19.99/year.
2. StepsApp
Best Pedometer++ alternative for: Detailed charts and social features
StepsApp has over 20 million users and takes a data-forward approach to step tracking. Where Pedometer++ is minimal, StepsApp leans into rich visualizations and social motivation.
Why Switch from Pedometer++
- Richer analytics — detailed daily, weekly, and monthly charts with calorie tracking
- Social features — leaderboards, group challenges, and friend connections
- GPS route tracking — map your walks and runs with distance data
- More visual design — colorful charts and a dark-themed interface that makes data engaging
What’s Similar to Pedometer++
- Single daily step goal (no multi-tier goals)
- No rest day support
- Strong Apple Watch integration
What to Consider
- Premium is $4.99/month or $29.99/year — more expensive than both Pedometer++ and StepMelon
- Social features require sharing data with StepsApp servers
- Android/Wear OS support exists but is secondary to iOS
- No rest days — streaks work the same rigid way as Pedometer++
Bottom Line
StepsApp is a good upgrade if you want more data and social motivation while staying in a similar single-goal framework. But it doesn’t solve the rest day or goal flexibility problems.
3. ActivityTracker
Best Pedometer++ alternative for: Simple pedometer with step and calorie tracking
ActivityTracker (also known as Activity Tracker - Pedometer on the App Store) is a straightforward step tracker that offers a clean interface with step, distance, and calorie data.
Why Switch from Pedometer++
- Calorie and distance tracking — more health data alongside step counts
- Clean timeline view — easy-to-read daily activity breakdown
- Apple Health integration — reads and writes to Apple Health seamlessly
- Hourly step breakdown — see when during the day you’re most active
What’s Similar to Pedometer++
- Minimalist design philosophy
- Apple-only (iPhone and Apple Watch)
- Single step goal
- Privacy-conscious approach
What to Consider
- No rest day support
- Single goal (no multi-tier system)
- Apple-only — no Android or Wear OS
- Limited analytics compared to StepsApp or StepMelon
- Less active development than some alternatives
Bottom Line
ActivityTracker is a natural fit if you like Pedometer++‘s simplicity but want slightly more health data (calories, distance, hourly breakdown). It won’t solve the rest day or goal flexibility issues, but it’s a solid, clean step tracker.
4. Pacer
Best Pedometer++ alternative for: Social walking and group challenges
Pacer is a walking-focused fitness app with strong community features. If your main reason for leaving Pedometer++ is that you want more social motivation, Pacer is the most social-forward option.
Why Switch from Pedometer++
- Group walking challenges — join or create challenges with friends, family, or the Pacer community
- Leaderboards — compete with friends and see how you stack up
- GPS route tracking — map your walks with distance and pace data
- Guided walking plans — structured programs for beginners and weight loss
- Cross-platform — works on both iOS and Android
What’s Similar to Pedometer++
- Basic step counting core
- Apple Watch support
- Daily step goal tracking
What to Consider
- Heavy ad presence in the free version — significantly more intrusive than Pedometer++
- Premium is $4.99/month or $29.99/year
- No rest day support
- Single goal system
- Privacy trade-offs — social features require data sharing
- Battery drain from GPS and background tracking
- Wear OS support is limited
Bottom Line
Pacer is the right choice if social accountability is what you need. The group challenges and leaderboards create real motivation. But the ad load in the free version is aggressive, and if privacy matters to you, the data-sharing requirements for social features are worth understanding.
5. Apple Health (Built-in)
Best Pedometer++ alternative for: Zero-cost, zero-setup step tracking
Here’s the option people overlook: your iPhone and Apple Watch already track your steps without any third-party app. Apple Health records every step automatically and stores the data on your device.
Why Switch from Pedometer++
- Already installed — zero setup, zero cost, zero new apps
- Accurate — reads directly from Apple Watch sensors
- Private — Apple’s health data architecture is industry-leading
- No subscription — completely free forever
- Health Records integration — connects with medical data if you use it
What’s Similar to Pedometer++
- Simple step tracking
- Apple Watch integration
- Privacy-focused
What to Consider
- No watch face complication for steps — Apple’s Activity rings show Move/Exercise/Stand, not steps specifically
- No step goal system — Apple Health tracks steps but doesn’t have a step-focused goal
- Minimal analytics — you can see daily step counts but there’s no trend analysis, no insights, no goal tracking
- No motivation features — no streaks, no badges, no celebrations
- iPhone/Apple Watch only — no Android support
How to Check Your Steps in Apple Health
- Open the Health app on your iPhone
- Tap Browse at the bottom
- Tap Activity
- Tap Steps
You’ll see your daily step count, weekly averages, and historical data. It’s all there — just without the goal tracking and motivation features that dedicated apps provide.
Bottom Line
Apple Health is the right “alternative” if you realize you don’t actually need a step tracking app — just the data. It’s accurate, private, and free. But if you want goals, streaks, complications, and motivation features, it’s too basic to replace a dedicated pedometer app.
Comparison: All 5 Alternatives vs. Pedometer++
| Feature | Pedometer++ | StepMelon | StepsApp | ActivityTracker | Pacer | Apple Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Goals | No | 3-tier | No | No | No | No |
| Rest Days | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Apple Watch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android / Wear OS | No | Yes | Limited | No | Yes | No |
| Social Features | No | Share cards | Strong | No | Strong | No |
| GPS Tracking | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Analytics Depth | Basic | Detailed | Detailed | Basic | Moderate | Minimal |
| Privacy | Strong | Strong | Account-based | Strong | Third-party sharing | Strong |
| Free Version | Good | Full core | Basic | Good | Ad-heavy | Complete |
| Premium Cost | Subscription | $19.99/yr | $29.99/yr | Subscription | $29.99/yr | Free |
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
If you’re frustrated by rigid goals and broken streaks: Choose StepMelon. It’s the only alternative that directly solves these problems with three-tier goals and built-in rest days. Learn how to set the right step goal for your fitness level.
If you want more data and social competition: Choose StepsApp for detailed charts or Pacer for group challenges. Both offer richer social experiences than Pedometer++.
If you switched to Android: Choose StepMelon (native Android and Wear OS) or Pacer (cross-platform with social features). Most other Pedometer++ alternatives are Apple-only.
If you want to simplify: Check Apple Health first. You might already have everything you need without downloading anything.
If you want something similar but with more health data: Choose ActivityTracker for a minimal step tracker that adds calorie and distance tracking.
Making the Switch
Whichever alternative you choose, the transition is straightforward. All of these apps read from Apple HealthKit (on iOS) or Google Health Connect (on Android), so your historical step data carries over. You won’t lose your walking history — just set up your goals in the new app and start tracking.
If you’re building a daily walking habit, the most important thing isn’t which app you use — it’s finding one that keeps you motivated long-term. Choose the approach that matches how you actually think about fitness: strict and simple, flexible and forgiving, or social and competitive.
Try StepMelon free — the three-tier goals and rest days are available without a subscription.