Comparison

Smolov vs Five/Three/One

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Smolov4 screens
Five/Three/One4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Smolov versus Five/Three/One: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmolovFive/Three/One
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (47 ratings)4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews78.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings471.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCharles VanderhoffStrong Pigeon LLC

Customer experience

Smolov

All ratings47 ratings
Positive83.0%
Neutral2.1%
Negative14.9%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

Five/Three/One

All ratings1,218 ratings
Positive97.5%
Neutral2.0%
Negative0.6%
Written reviews133 reviews
Positive78.2%
Neutral9.0%
Negative12.8%

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

2 purchases

Smolov

Subscriptions2
  • Smolov Pro 3 Months$12.993 Months
  • Smolov Pro Annual$29.991 Year
6 purchases

Five/Three/One

One-time6
  • Custom Weight Plates$2.99
  • Tip$4.99
  • Beyond 5/3/1 Pack$5.99
Show 3 more
  • Custom Assistance$8.99
  • Large Tip$9.99
  • Enormous Tip$24.99

Questions

Is Smolov free?
Smolov is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Five/Three/One free?
Five/Three/One is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smolov or Five/Three/One?
Five/Three/One is rated higher. Smolov averages 4.2 out of 5 from 47 ratings, while Five/Three/One averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Smolov or Five/Three/One have ads?
Neither Smolov nor Five/Three/One shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smolov or Five/Three/One?
Smolov ships an update every 2 weeks, and Five/Three/One every 2 weeks. Most recently, Smolov was updated on November 3, 2026 and Five/Three/One on November 3, 2026.

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