Strava shifts Year in Sport behind a paid wall
Strava, the popular run, ride, and wellness tracking app, has changed how users access its widely loved Year in Sport wrap-up. Previously available to all users, the annual Year in Sport recap — a compact, data-driven summary of a user’s mileage, activities, and milestones — is now limited to subscribers who pay an annual $80 fee. The change has sparked reactions from long-time users who appreciated the free, general overview of their year alongside the more detailed analytics tied to Strava’s paid tiers.
What exactly is changing
The Year in Sport feature aggregates a user’s activity from the calendar year, highlighting milestones such as total distance, elevation gain, personal records, and notable segments. Under the new policy, only Strava Premium/Plus subscribers or equivalent annual plans gain access to this wrap-up. Free-tier users may still see some basic summaries and individual activity insights, but the consolidated yearly recap appears to be gated behind the subscription.
Pricing and value proposition
Strava’s move to monetize the Year in Sport recap aligns with a broader trend among free apps encouraging paid tiers for premium features. The $80 annual price tag positions the service on the higher end of fitness app subscriptions, which can range from under $5 per month to around $60–80 annually, depending on the plan and region. Advocates of the change argue it helps fund ongoing development, new features, and better customer support. Critics worry about excluding casual users who rely on the yearly summary for motivation or competition tracking.
What this means for different user groups
Casual athletes: For those who use Strava mainly to track workouts and occasionally review yearly progress, the change may feel like a jump in cost for a single feature. Some may weigh the value of an annual recap they previously enjoyed for free against the subscription price and decide to explore alternatives or rely on manual summaries.
Power users and data enthusiasts: The Year in Sport wrap-up is often a highlight for users who want a polished, shareable look at their year. In this group, the feature can be a strong motivational tool, especially when paired with Strava’s other analytics and social features. The $80 price may be seen as reasonable if the user regularly leverages multiple premium tools within the app.
Teams and clubs: For running clubs, cycling groups, or coaching programs that rely on participant dashboards, the new policy could increase budgeting needs. If the organization covers subscriptions for members, the change may be absorbed; otherwise, individuals may opt for partial access or alternative tracking workflows.
Alternatives and considerations
Users who are unhappy with the change could consider several paths. Some may choose to maintain access by paying for a yearly plan (if their usage justifies the cost). Others might rely on shared content from friends, re-create the year-in-review manually using exported activity data, or explore other platforms that offer free yearly summaries. Additionally, Strava’s FAQ page and customer support channels could reveal promotions, trial periods, or regional price differences that affect the value proposition.
What you should do next
If you’re affected, take these steps: calculate the annual cost of access based on your usage, compare with any current promotions or bundles, and review whether the Year in Sport recap aligns with your fitness goals. Consider also whether you primarily need the wrap-up feature or if you benefit more from Strava’s other premium tools, which may justify the expense. Finally, keep an eye on Strava’s official communications for any changes, renewal options, or potential discounts that could influence the decision.
