What is free on Zwift for a runner, and what is paid
Zwift’s FAQ, read on October 11, 2026, says running is “currently free”. One feature needs a paid subscription or an active free trial: automatic incline control on the Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill.
The membership costs €19.99 a month on Zwift’s pricing page as seen from France, with a 14-day free trial; an annual plan exists as well.
| Item | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Running in Zwift | Free | “Currently”, according to Zwift’s FAQ |
| Automatic incline on the Wahoo KICKR RUN | Membership: €19.99 a month | Or an active 14-day free trial |
| Runn sensor, Zwift’s own store | $124.99 in the US, €106.99 in the EU | For a treadmill that does not send its speed |
Sources: Zwift — Running FAQ ↗ · Zwift — Membership pricing ↗ · Zwift — Runn sensor ↗
The hardware that sends your speed to Zwift
Zwift lists five kinds of devices confirmed as compatible. Other Bluetooth or ANT+ devices may work without being on the list.
An ANT+ device needs an ANT+ adapter or a bridge. Zwift advises calibrating a footpod or smart shoes before you run.
| Device | Confirmed models | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Treadmill | Models from 16 manufacturers | Varies by model and production year |
| Footpod | Zwift RunPod, Stryd, Stryd Live, Polar Stride Sensor, Garmin Foot Pod | The Garmin Foot Pod is ANT+ only |
| Watch | Garmin watches that broadcast running speed, cadence and heart rate | On compatible treadmills, Zwift specifies |
| Smart shoes | Under Armour shoes with the Record Sensor | Calibrate them first |
| Treadmill sensor | Runn | Reads the belt speed and sends it over Bluetooth |
Further reading: Zwift — Compatible Running Hardware ↗
Treadmills that work with Zwift
Sixteen manufacturers have confirmed models: Assault Fitness, Bodycraft, Bowflex, Horizon Fitness, JTX Fitness, Kettler, Life Fitness, NoblePro, SOLE Fitness, Spirit, Star Trac, TRUE Fitness, Technogym, Wahoo, Woodway and Xterra. Compatibility changes from one model and one year to the next: Zwift asks you to confirm it with the manufacturer before buying.
Decathlon’s Domyos treadmills are not on that list. Decathlon states that its RUN100E works with Zwift once FTMS is switched on in the E-Connected app.
For a treadmill that is not listed or has no Bluetooth, the footpod and the Runn sensor remain.
Sources: Zwift — Compatible Running Hardware ↗ · Decathlon — Zwift (in French) ↗
What Zwift sets on the treadmill, and what you set by hand
Outside the Wahoo KICKR RUN with a membership, Zwift does not control the treadmill: you change the speed and the incline yourself. During an interval workout Zwift shows the suggested pace, and you adjust the belt.
Your reference paces go in your profile: times for a mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon. If you do not know them, Zwift works them out from your first runs.
You cannot create a run workout in the game; those from a TrainingPeaks account linked to Zwift appear there. Progress is counted in levels, up to level 30.
When the speed on screen does not match the treadmill, Zwift advises calibrating the footpod in its maker’s app.
Further reading: Zwift — Running FAQ ↗
Zwift or Runkyz: with or without a sensor
Runkyz is our app. Zwift needs a speed measured by a device; Runkyz shows the speed and incline to set, and you copy them onto the console. So it plays on a treadmill with no Bluetooth, with no sensor to buy.
Zwift brings what Runkyz does not have: worlds shared with other runners and online events. Runkyz offers three 3D routes with a pacer to follow, 18 workouts and 5 training plans, on computers, Android, iPhone and iPad.
| App | On screen | Speed reading | Price to run | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zwift | 3D worlds shared online, events | A compatible treadmill, a footpod, a watch, smart shoes or the Runn sensor | Free, currently | PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Apple TV |
| Runkyz | Three 3D routes, a pacer, 18 workouts and 5 plans | None: you copy the targets onto the console; on Android, an FTMS treadmill can be followed, read-only | Free up to 10 km on Desert and Wild Ring; €9.99 license, one-time purchase | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, iPad |
Further reading: Zwift — Membership pricing and devices ↗
Zwift or Kinomap
Kinomap plays videos filmed on real routes, paid after a 14-day trial: $11.99 a month or $89.99 a year. It also accepts the phone camera as a sensor, which saves buying a footpod. The Kinomap guide details what stays free there.
Sources: Kinomap — What features are free on Kinomap? ↗ · Kinomap — How can I use Kinomap without a Bluetooth connection? ↗
IN RUNKYZ
Runkyz plays without a sensor.
Desert and Wild Ring are free up to 10 km: the game shows the speed and incline to set on your console.
