Run An Empire vs Motera
The original territory running game meets territory capture strategy game. Which running app is right for you?
Run An Empire, launched in 2014 by London-based Pan Studio after a successful Kickstarter, invented the territory running genre that Motera, INTVL, and others now build on. It wraps running in a full strategy RPG: eras, gold, gems, base defense. But the app has not been updated since July 2023, and its long-standing complaints, from runs not recording to achievement walls, are no longer being fixed. Motera is one of the actively developed successors: loop-based territory capture, Fog of War, XP levels, and regular updates. This comparison is really about a great pioneer versus a living game.
Feature Comparison
Key Features
Run An Empire
Motera
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Run An Empire if...
You want the most game-like experience in the niche and you are OK with an app that is no longer updated. Run An Empire layers historical eras, resource collection, and base raiding on top of running, and that RPG depth is still unmatched. Its 4.5 star rating across 3,500+ reviews was earned over a decade.
Choose Motera if...
You want a territory running game that is actually alive. Run An Empire last shipped an update in July 2023; its known bugs, like runs failing to record and achievements that require a 62 mile single run, are effectively permanent now. Motera ships updates regularly, captures territory with simple loop running instead of grinding the same streets, and adds Fog of War exploration.
Can I use both?
There is little reason to run both, since they compete for the same territory game slot on your phone. If you are a lapsed Run An Empire player whose empire stopped syncing, Motera is the natural place to rebuild.
Run An Empire pioneered territory running in 2014 and still has the deepest RPG layer, but it has not been updated since July 2023. Motera is actively developed and is the safer pick in 2026.
MoteraFrequently Asked Questions
Is Run An Empire still maintained?
Its last App Store update was version 3.12 in July 2023, three years ago as of 2026. The app still works and can be downloaded, but bugs reported since then, including runs not recording properly, have not been fixed. Motera released its latest update in June 2026.
How is capturing territory different in each app?
Run An Empire secures territory through repeated runs over the same area, so you strengthen your hold by grinding familiar streets. Motera captures the area inside any loop you close, which rewards exploring new routes, and pairs it with Fog of War so new streets also reveal map.
Is Run An Empire pay to win?
It is free with a gem economy: gem packs run from $0.99 to $34.99 plus a $29.99 per year Pro subscription, and some players report progress feeling gated when gems are scarce. Motera does not use a consumable currency; the free tier includes the full territory game.
Why do people still recommend Run An Empire?
Because the game design is genuinely good: it holds a 4.5 star rating from around 3,500 reviews and its era-based RPG progression is deeper than any current territory app. The recommendation usually comes with the caveat that development has stopped.
Can I import my Run An Empire history into Motera?
No, there is no import path; you start a fresh empire in Motera. Since Motera reveals Fog of War as you run, re-running your favorite routes rebuilds your map quickly.
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