Smolov vs Five/Three/One
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Smolov
This advanced weightlifting program is designed to significantly increase squat strength over 13 weeks. It includes detailed phases, training tips, and helpful tools like a plate calculator. Not recommended for beginners.
- 13-week squat program
- Four distinct training phases
- Automated Smolov Jr. cycles
- Plate calculator for weight loading
- Progress backup and sync
- Training tips and recommendations
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Your Smolov program, calculated and ready to train. Run the 13-week Russian squat routine or a 3-week Smolov Jr cycle for squat, bench press or another lift. Enter your one-rep max, get your training weights and log every set without a spreadsheet. TWO PROGRAMS. ONE FOCUSED TRAINING LOG. - Full Smolov: intro, base, switching, intense and taper phases, with max tests built into the program. - Smolov Jr: three weeks of percentage-based lifting with your own weekly weight increase. - See your next unfinished session and follow your progress through the cycle. LESS PLATE MATH. MORE LIFTING. - Calculate each session's sets, reps and weights from your max. - Round prescriptions to your bar and plate inventory. - Open the plate calculator to see what goes on each side. - Use pounds or kilograms. Switching display units preserves your saved measurements. - Log a new max on test days to update later training weights. RECORD THE WORKOUT YOU ACTUALLY DID. - Tap to log sets; edit weights and reps when the plan changes. - Record missed reps and save partial workouts without marking every set complete. - Keep workout notes and change the date when you log a past session. - Use the rest timer between sets. - Review your workout history and see how training volume changes through the cycle. - Keep your training data with optional cloud sync and data export. OFFLINE. NO ACCOUNT REQUIRED TO TRAIN. Your program and workout log work offline. Sign in only if you choose to sync between your devices. No ads. BUILT FOR EXPERIENCED LIFTERS Smolov is a demanding, high-volume strength program, not a beginner plan or personalized coaching. Use sound technique and allow for recovery. Results vary. Some features require a subscription. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled before renewal. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Privacy: https://vandersoft.co/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Five/Three/One
This app helps weightlifters follow Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 program by automating cycle calculations, plate suggestions, and progress tracking. It eliminates the need for paper logs or spreadsheets, focusing on strength gains. Features include rest timers, workout scheduling, and Apple Health integration.
- 5/3/1 cycle planning and scheduling
- Progress charting
- Rest timer with notifications
- Automatic plate calculation
- Next cycle calculation based on performance
- Home screen widget
- Apple Health integration
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The latest app for weightlifters doing Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 program! Five/Three/One is a focused and intuitive app helping you achieve what really matters: Getting Stronger. No more bringing a crumbled workout sheet to the gym, no more messing around spreadsheets to update your weights. From calculating your cycles, to telling you what plates to put on the bar, Five/Three/One does it all. Features include: - Planning and scheduling your whole 5/3/1 cycle - Charting your progress - Rest timer with notifications - Automatic plating calculation - Calculating your next cycle based on your performance - Notes associated with each sets - Home screen widget showing your your current and upcoming workouts - Lbs/kg support Optional paid features: - Customize which plates you're using and change your barbell's weight - Customize templates assistance work and define your own exercises - Beyond 5/3/1 templates and options, from Joker Sets to FSL, Pyramid and much more! Integrates with Apple Health : The app saves the workouts you've performed as well as the calories you've burnt in Apple Health. As weightlifters doing 5/3/1 ourselves, we made the app we wanted after being dissatisfied with what was out there. More than just a glorified spreadsheet, we designed it to be focused on each task at hand. With even more great features in the pipeline, we're stoked to release the app for others to use and can't wait to hear your feedback! We use it, we love it, and we're sure you will too.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Five/Three/One at 4.8 against Smolov's 4.2. Five/Three/One also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 40%) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 47). Smolov's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Smolov sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per 3 months and Five/Three/One sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Five/Three/One holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Five/Three/One has 1.5K ratings behind it against 47, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Smolov's written reviews are positive against 78% of Five/Three/One's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | Smolov | Five/Three/One |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (47 ratings) | 4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | 78.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 47 | 1.5K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Charles Vanderhoff | Strong Pigeon LLC |
Customer experience
Smolov
Five/Three/One
Bugs and requests
Smolov
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Five/Three/One
Reported bugs
4 issues- Workout data occasionally lost or not syncing properly
- Calendar and scheduling issues when trying to reschedule missed workouts
- Plate calculation bugs leading to incorrect weight displays
- Occasional app freezes and crashes
Requested features
5 requests- Allow more flexibility in scheduling and rescheduling workouts
- Provide customization options for assistance exercises
- Implement superset and out-of-order exercise completion
- Add support for Apple Watch integration
- Incorporate additional 5/3/1 program variations (e.g., Bodybuilder, Monolith)
In-app purchases
Smolov
- Smolov Pro 3 Months$12.993 Months
- Smolov Pro Annual$29.991 Year
Five/Three/One
- Custom Weight Plates$2.99
- Tip$4.99
- Beyond 5/3/1 Pack$5.99
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- Custom Assistance$8.99
- Large Tip$9.99
- Enormous Tip$24.99








