Comparison

5x5 Workout 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

5x5 Workout

This app simplifies strength training for beginners by focusing on essential compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. It offers a proven program that guides users through workouts, automatically calculates weights, and tracks progress. Get started with a free trial and build strength efficiently.

Highlights
  • Beginner-friendly strength program
  • Focus on compound movements
  • Automatic weight and rep calculation
  • Progress tracking graphs
  • Warm-up calculator
  • HealthKit integration
Features
Read full description

● Easiest program to help build strength for beginners! ● Focuses on key compound movements. Bench, Squat, Deadlift. ● Get started for free! Proven program that works! Just press start. Want to build strength and lift weights, but don't know where to start? Welcome to the 5x5 Workout by Zen Labs Fitness! Designed for first time lifters using 3 core compound movements. Squats, deadlifts, and bench press. This program includes your first 2 weeks for free! Getting started in weight training can be intimidating, but it shouldn't and it won't be with Zen Labs Fitness. There are many flavors of 3x5, 5x5, and other variations. At the very core of the these lifting programs, they share the same proven elements. Results have been proven time and time again for the past decades since the original 5x5 by Mark Berry in the 1930s, Reg Park in the 1950s, Bill Starr in the 1970s, and the many versions you see today. 5x5 Workout by Zen Labs Fitness includes the simplest versions to make getting started easy. 3 days a week, 8 weeks total, and only 45 minutes a day. Alternate between only 2 workouts. Guaranteed results. ≈ Only 2 Simple Workouts ≈ A. Squat, Bench Press, Barbell Row B. Squat, Overhead Press, Deadlift ≈ Starting is EASY ≈ 1. Enter your current 1RM (1 rep max) for Bench, Squat, Deadlifts. (or press beginner) 2. Our app will automatically calculate your program tailored you 3. Press start and start building strength! ≈ FEATURES ≈ ◉ First 2 weeks are free! Get started today! ◉ Both 3x5 and 5x5 workout programs ◉ Workout only 3 days a week. Rest in between days. ◉ Core program is only 2 different workouts that you alternate. Simple! We focus on compound movements for efficiency. ◉ Progress graph to keep track of your PRs (personal records) ◉ Multiple cycles. After you finish your 12 week program, start a new cycle! ◉ Warmup calculate to help you properly warm up and prevent injury. ◉ Weight and reps calculator ◉ Accessory workouts to add more volume for advanced users ◉ HealthKit integration ≈ NEW Zen Unlimited Pass - Try it for free! ≈ ◉ Award winning music curated from top DJ's! ◉ Scientifically proven to increase motivation by 35% ◉ Unlimited access to all pro features across ALL Zen Labs Fitness apps Questions/comments regarding the app? Please email us at contactus@zenlabsfitness.com or visit us at www.zenlabsfitness.com. ≈ Connect ≈ Facebook: @C25Kfree Twitter: @C25Kfree Instagram: @officialc25k Hashtag: #C25K https://forums.zenlabsfitness.com Subscription pricing and terms: The subscription will automatically renew unless turned off in your iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before current period ends. You can go to your iTunes Account settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Your iTunes Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. If you subscribe before your free trial ends, the rest of your free trial period will be forfeited as soon as your purchase is confirmed. Privacy Policy & Terms of Use: https://www.zenlabsfitness.com/privacy-policy/ Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it or by Zen Labs LLC are for educational purposes only. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program.

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

5x5 Workout4 screens
Five/Three/One4 screens

Verdict

The call

5x5 Workout and Five/Three/One both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 78% of Five/Three/One's written reviews are positive against 53% of 5x5 Workout's. Five/Three/One also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. 5x5 Workout sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for 5x5 Workout against 4.8 for Five/Three/One. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.6K and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of 5x5 Workout's written reviews are positive against 78% of Five/Three/One's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

5x5 Workout ships an update every 2 months, Five/Three/One every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
5x5 Workout versus Five/Three/One: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter5x5 WorkoutFive/Three/One
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.6K ratings)4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.8% of reviews78.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.6K — better1.5K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size203 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZen LabsStrong Pigeon LLC

Customer experience

5x5 Workout

All ratings1,632 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral4.5%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive52.8%
Neutral16.7%
Negative30.6%

Five/Three/One

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

User reviews

5x5 Workout

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Concise and well-designed app
  • 🚀 Accountability and precision
  • 💪 Helps achieve fitness goals

Room to improve

  • 🔧 Limited customization options
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 💰 Forced subscription model

Five/Three/One

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💻 Excellent app for 5/3/1 programming
  • 📊 Provides great tracking and progress monitoring
  • 🔢 Automatic weight and plate calculations
  • ⏱️ Built-in rest timers and workout flow
  • 🎨 Clean and intuitive user interface

Room to improve

  • 🗓️ Rigid scheduling and inability to reschedule missed workouts
  • 🔒 Limited customization options for assistance exercises
  • 🔀 Difficulty in reordering or supersetting exercises
  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and data loss issues
  • ⚠️ Lack of Apple Watch integration

Bugs and requests

5x5 Workout

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Settings cannot be changed
  • Lost progress due to app crashes
  • Paid features not unlocking properly

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow changing weight for individual sets
  • Add a lower body/core focused workout
  • Include dumbbell exercises

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

4 purchases

5x5 Workout

Subscriptions3
  • Zen Unlimited Pass Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Zen Power Playlist 3 Months7 Days trial$29.993 Months
  • Zen unlimited pass annual7 Days trial$74.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Features$8.99
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 5x5 Workout free?
5x5 Workout 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, 5x5 Workout or Five/Three/One?
Five/Three/One is rated higher. 5x5 Workout averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Five/Three/One averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.
Do 5x5 Workout or Five/Three/One have ads?
Neither 5x5 Workout nor Five/Three/One shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 5x5 Workout or Five/Three/One?
5x5 Workout ships an update every 2 months, and Five/Three/One every 2 weeks. Most recently, 5x5 Workout was updated on November 6, 2026 and Five/Three/One on November 7, 2026.

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