Comparison

Routine vs Simple Workout Log

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

Head to head
About

Routine

Easily log and track your gym workouts with this intuitive fitness app. Create custom routines, monitor progress with advanced stats and graphs, and utilize features like an auto rest timer and warm-up set generator. It supports various exercise types and integrates with Apple Watch and Apple Health.

Highlights
  • Intuitive workout logging interface
  • Create custom strength and cardio routines
  • Log workouts with Apple Watch
  • Advanced progress tracking with graphs
  • Auto rest timer and warm-up set generator
  • Support for various exercise types
  • iCloud data backup and Apple Health sync
Features
Read full description

Routine is the most intuitive tool for logging and tracking workouts. Built with a user-centered design to help you approach your workout goals with a plan and produce the best possible results at the gym. If you are a powerlifter, a runner, or just looking to build strength Routine will help you stay on track. You can easily create progressive barbell routines such as those you would find in StrongLifts 5x5, but with Gym Logger you can easily customize exercise sets and reps to create your own variations of workouts. FEATURES: • The most intuitive interface of any fitness app • Choose from a variety of strength and cardio exercises and create your own exercises. • Use your Apple Watch to log workouts. Workout seamlessly with or without your iPhone. • Create your own workouts and setup a schedule to receive reminders. • Coaching cues for all exercises with new exercises added on request. • Advanced stats show your progress over time. • Auto Rest Timer allows you to keep track of breaks. Customizable for every exercise! • Support many exercise types including Cardio, Weighted body weight, Assisted body weight, duration and reps only. • Mark sets as warm up, 1 rep max, failure or drop sets • Track your progress with graphs for Volume, Sets, Reps, Toughest sets, and 1RM Progression. • Automatically back up your data on iCloud! • Support for Apple Health allows you to track calories burned and sync workouts with Activity App • Warm Up Set generator tells you which weights to warm up with. Customizable by training type. • Support for Imperial (lbs) and Metric (kg) weights, or a combination of both • Add notes to workouts and exercise groups • Share workouts with friends! Terms of use: http://gymloggerapp.com/terms Privacy policy: http://gymloggerapp.com/privacy

About

Simple Workout Log

This app helps you track your strength training progress with a minimalist interface. Log sets, monitor trends, and achieve personal records without distractions. It focuses on core principles like progressive overload and consistency.

Highlights
  • Unlimited custom workouts
  • Log sets in seconds
  • Auto-load previous sets
  • Built-in rest timers
  • Strength and volume trends
  • Personal records tracking
  • Apple Health integration
Features
Read full description

Ironotes is a simple workout log for people who care about getting stronger - not chasing the latest fitness trend. They've already found the few things that drive almost all of their results: progressive overload, a handful of proven lifts, and consistency. That's why they choose a minimalist app that stays out of the way and just works. Why lifters choose Ironotes: "Simple, intuitive, effective. No fancy gimmicks. I was able to set everything up in ten minutes." "Offers the functionality of subscription services for absolutely free." "Free. Clean. Journal. PBs. A few charts. Just get the app." Follow your own program. Log sets without interrupting your workout. Know what you lifted last time. See your progress and consistency. Keep hitting PR's. No paywall to get started. No sign-up. No ads. No mandatory subscription. If you enjoy using Ironotes, you can support its development with a voluntary donation. Build your workouts • Create unlimited custom workouts • Full control—no templates or restrictions Log your training • Log weight, reps, and sets in seconds • Auto-load previous sets • Session history at a glance • Built-in rest timers • Tag sets however you like: RPE's, RIR's, warm-ups, targets etc. Track progress • Strength and volume trends • Workout consistency • Personal records • Workout and exercise notes Your data stays yours • Apple Health integration • iCloud sync • CSV export • Supports kg & lbs No sign-up. No questionnaires. No AI workout plans. No social feed. Just a simple workout log for getting stronger. Terms of Service: https://ironotes.app/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://ironotes.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Routine4 screens
Simple Workout Log4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Simple Workout Log at 93% against Routine's 23%. Simple Workout Log also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.9) and update cadence (daily vs every 4 days). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Routine sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Simple Workout Log sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Simple Workout Log holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 116 and 373 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Routine's written reviews are positive against 93% of Simple Workout Log's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Routine ships an update every 4 days, Simple Workout Log daily. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Routine versus Simple Workout Log: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoutineSimple Workout Log
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (116 ratings)4.8 (373 ratings) — better
Positive reviews23.4% of reviews93.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings116373 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB84 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEye of the Tiger TechnologiesArnas Dilys

Customer experience

Routine

All ratings116 ratings
Positive69.8%
Neutral8.6%
Negative21.6%
Written reviews47 reviews
Positive23.4%
Neutral10.6%
Negative66.0%

Simple Workout Log

All ratings373 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.1%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative5.3%

Bugs and requests

Routine

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • App crashes during workouts
  • App erases workout progress
  • Lost all history after app update
  • Workout data deleted after update
  • Cannot save workouts
Show 11 more
  • App crashes when adding new exercises
  • Timer stops working randomly
  • Rest timer does not alert
  • Apple Watch app crashes
  • Health integration shows zero calories
  • Workout data lost after reinstall
  • App crashes after iOS update
  • App crashes when creating custom workouts
  • Workouts disappear when reordering
  • App crashes when adding new exercises
  • Workout is cancelled when trying to save

Requested features

8 requests
  • Manually add exercises not listed
  • Update exercise list
  • Change bar charts to line graphs
  • Create folders for routines
  • Fix Apple Watch integration
Show 3 more
  • Improve Health integration
  • Add dark mode
  • More frequent updates

Simple Workout Log

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Routine

Subscriptions2
  • Lift Plan Pro Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Lift Plan Pro Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full Version$4.99
10 purchases

Simple Workout Log

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly Support$1.991 Month
  • Ironotes PRO Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Extra Monthly Support$3.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Ironotes PRO Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Yearly Support$19.991 Year
One-time5
  • Protein Bar$2.99
  • Kebab & Salad$6.99
  • Gym Membership$19.99
Show 2 more
  • Ironotes PRO Forever$34.99
  • Supplement Stack$59.99

Questions

Is Routine free?
Routine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simple Workout Log free?
Simple Workout Log is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Routine or Simple Workout Log?
Simple Workout Log is rated higher. Routine averages 3.9 out of 5 from 116 ratings, while Simple Workout Log averages 4.8 from 373 ratings.
Do Routine or Simple Workout Log have ads?
Neither Routine nor Simple Workout Log shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Routine or Simple Workout Log?
Routine ships an update every 4 days, and Simple Workout Log daily. Most recently, Routine was updated on November 2, 2026 and Simple Workout Log on November 7, 2026.

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