Comparison

Starting Strength (Legacy) vs StrongFirst

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Starting Strength (Legacy)

This app guides beginners through a proven strength training program with detailed instructions, video demonstrations, and interactive logging. It simplifies tracking progress and calculating weights for exercises like squats, presses, and deadlifts.

Highlights
  • Beginner barbell exercise instructions
  • Novice strength training program guidance
  • Interactive workout logging
  • Warmup and workset weight calculator
  • Exercise video and photo instructions
  • Cloud sync for training data
  • Customizable progression
Features
Read full description

Please note, this is the legacy version. An all new version of the Starting Strength App is on the store, search "Starting Strength Official" The Starting Strength Method is the fastest, most efficient and straightforward way to increase total body strength for complete beginners. ====== Here's some reviews from our users 5/5 "What do you get when you combine the best method to get stronger with detailed instructional videos, thorough explanations AND an actual day to day program? THIS APP! Finally! Perfect for both beginners and experienced lifters and worth much more than the price I paid for. Thank you Starting Strength! 5/5 "I've tried 2-3 other apps. I've kept paper logs. Nothing has been easier to use than this app. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't enter my warm up sets...its because you don't need to! You enter your work set weight and it tells you exactly what to load on the warmup-ups..." 5/5 "Wonderful, straight-forward way to keep DOING THE PROGRAM. A simple and clear way to apply the SS principles and track your work.” 5/5 "Like others, I was on the fence about buying this app to help kickstart my starting strength program. This app deserves it's high average rating, and you should pull the trigger if you are reading this.” 5/5 "I tried a few free apps before buying this app, this one is well worth the money. Best app out there for barbell training" ====== Mark Rippetoe's "Starting Strength" has sold over 500,000 copies worldwide and considered the most productive method in existence for anyone beginning a strength training program. "The best book ever written on strength training" - Jim Wendler, champion powerlifter. ++++++++++ Features: - Complete, easy-to-follow instructions for performing the basic barbell exercises: the squat, press, deadlift, bench press and power clean. - Walks you through the famous Starting Strength Novice Program -- shows you how to start, what weight to add and when to add extra exercises. - Enough programs to get you through the first year of training including accessory exercises of chinups and back extensions. - Designed for use at the gym with quick access to multiple angle videos and photo instructions of each exercise. - Lift instructions and diagrams from the Starting Strength Book by Mark Rippetoe. - Interactive logging tools journal your strength progression. - Warmup and workset calculator shows you exactly how many plates to put on each side of the bar. - Workset Rest Timer, customisable for each exercise. - Customise your progression for each exercise. - Add and save additional notes for each workout, and access previous notes easily. - Never lose your training data again! Cloud Sync backs up your training log data and restores it across multiple devices. - Download training log data as CSV (requires account) - Helpful hints and tutorials help you learn and progress safely. - How to program the basic exercises into the most effective program for long-term progress. - Metric (kgs) or Imperials (lbs), and change at any time. Have any comments, questions or suggestions? Please email us at hello@shabu.co Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/7754358

About

StrongFirst

This fitness app offers personalized strength training programs using kettlebells, barbells, and bodyweight. It provides expert guidance with video demonstrations, progress tracking, and a supportive community. Access educational content to deepen your understanding of strength and conditioning.

Highlights
  • Personalized training programs
  • Expert guidance with video demonstrations
  • Progress tracking
  • Variety of exercises (kettlebell, barbell, bodyweight)
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Community support
  • Educational articles and tips
Features
Read full description

The StrongFirst Training App is a dynamic and comprehensive fitness application designed to promote strength, resilience, and overall physical well-being using kettlebells, barbells, or bodyweight movement standards. It brings the world-renowned StrongFirst methods and principles to your fingertips, providing you with a variety of tailored programs to suit your individual fitness goals. KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS PERSONALIZED PROGRAMS The App offers customizable training programs, ensuring that every workout is tailored to your specific needs and fitness goals. EXPERT GUIDANCE: StrongFirst is a globally recognized authority in strength training, and the app brings this expertise directly to your mobile device. Each exercise is demonstrated with clear, easy-to-follow videos and detailed instructions, ensuring proper form and technique. PROGRESS TRACKING The App allows you to track your progress over time, providing a comprehensive overview of your improvement and achievements. This makes it easy to stay motivated and committed to your fitness journey. VARIETY OF PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS The App covers a wide range of strength-building, hypertrophy-building, fat-burning, and conditioning exercises using kettlebells, bodyweight, and barbells, ensuring a diverse and balanced training regime. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING The App allows you to adjust your training schedule according to your availability, making it a practical solution for busy individuals. COMMUNITY SUPPORT By using the StrongFirst Training App, you become a part of a supportive and motivated community of individuals who share similar fitness goals. EDUCATION In addition to practical training sessions, the app provides informative articles and tips on strength and conditioning training, helping you understand the science behind the exercises and improve your overall approach to fitness. The StrongFirst Training App is not just a training tool; it’s an educational platform that promotes a better understanding of strength and conditioning principles. By integrating the StrongFirst methodology into your regular training routine, or using it as your only training routine, you’re not only working towards better physical fitness, but also developing a resilient mindset that values strength, discipline, and perseverance. StrongFirst Privacy Policy: https://www.strongfirst.com/privacy-policy/ GymCloud End User Agreement: https://www.gymcloud.com/legal/

Screenshots

Starting Strength (Legacy)4 screens
StrongFirst4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: StrongFirst at Free against Starting Strength (Legacy)'s $14.99. Starting Strength (Legacy)'s advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.6) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 28). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

StrongFirst is free to download; Starting Strength (Legacy) costs $14.99 up front. Starting Strength (Legacy) sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per 3 months and StrongFirst sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Starting Strength (Legacy) holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Starting Strength (Legacy) has 2.6K ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of Starting Strength (Legacy)'s written reviews are positive against 84% of StrongFirst's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Starting Strength (Legacy) ships an update every 5 weeks, StrongFirst every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Starting Strength (Legacy) versus StrongFirst: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStarting Strength (Legacy)StrongFirst
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (2.6K ratings) — better3.6 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews82.9% of reviews84.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.6K — better28
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size239 MB90 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperShabu Pty LtdStrongFirst

Customer experience

Starting Strength (Legacy)

All ratings2,550 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews240 reviews
Positive82.9%
Neutral7.9%
Negative9.2%

StrongFirst

All ratings28 ratings
Positive60.7%
Neutral7.1%
Negative32.1%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive84.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative10.5%

Bugs and requests

Starting Strength (Legacy)

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Issues with timer functionality
  • Problems with weight and plate tracking
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
  • Bugs when switching between exercises

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to modify exercises and programming
  • Implement advanced programming options beyond novice linear progression
  • Improve stability and reduce crashes
  • Add Apple Health integration
  • Enhance UI and user experience

StrongFirst

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Starting Strength (Legacy)

Subscriptions3
  • 3 Months Pro$19.993 Months
  • Pro Quaterly$19.993 Months
  • Annual Pro$39.991 Year
One-time5
  • Single Form Check$24.99
  • Unlock Pro Forever$59.99
  • 3 x Form Checks$69.99
Show 2 more
  • 10 Form Checks$209.99
  • 20 x Form Checks$399.99
2 purchases

StrongFirst

Subscriptions2
  • StrongFirst App Premium7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • StrongFirst App Premium7 Days trial$156.991 Year

Questions

Is Starting Strength (Legacy) free?
Starting Strength (Legacy) costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is StrongFirst free?
StrongFirst is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Starting Strength (Legacy) or StrongFirst?
Starting Strength (Legacy) is rated higher. Starting Strength (Legacy) averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while StrongFirst averages 3.6 from 28 ratings.
Do Starting Strength (Legacy) or StrongFirst have ads?
Neither Starting Strength (Legacy) nor StrongFirst shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Starting Strength (Legacy) or StrongFirst?
Starting Strength (Legacy) ships an update every 5 weeks, and StrongFirst every 3 weeks. Most recently, Starting Strength (Legacy) was updated on October 26, 2026 and StrongFirst on October 24, 2026.

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