Comparison

James Smith Academy vs MSF Active

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

Head to head
About

James Smith Academy

Access a comprehensive fitness education platform with personalized workout plans, instructional videos, and nutritional guidance. Track your progress, connect with trainers, and join challenges to achieve and maintain your health goals.

Highlights
  • Educational and instructional videos
  • Personalized exercise programs
  • Daily workouts
  • Recipe library and meal planner
  • Trainer support
  • Progress tracking
  • Three-month challenges
Features
Read full description

The James Smith Academy (JSA) is where quality online coaching meets affordability. The JSA aims to educate its members in fitness and provide them with all the tools necessary to reach and sustain their fitness goals. Features (depending on your membership type) include hundreds of educational and instructional videos, personalised exercise programs, daily workouts, a Daily Step Count (which integrates with the Health app to access your daily steps, if you choose), hundreds of recipes, a meal planner, trainer support, progress tracking, and three-month challenges. The James Smith Academy is free to download. Our free trial, which begins when you create an account with us, does not expire and does not require a purchase to activate. If you would like to access content and features which are not available on the free trial, you must upgrade to a paid subscription. You may pay for a subscription using In-App Purchase found on the pricing page of the app. The James Smith Academy subscription automatically renews monthly (at the price depending on your location) unless it is canceled at least 24h before the current period ends. Your Apple ID will be charged for renewal within 24h prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew by going to your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Read our terms of service here: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com/terms/ Read our privacy policy here: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com/privacy/

About

MSF Active

Features
Read full description

MSF Active – Official Training & Lifestyle App MSF Active is the official training and lifestyle app from Martyn Ford, built for anyone looking to take their fitness, mindset, and performance to the next level. Designed to support your training journey, MSF Active gives you access to structured workout plans, nutrition guidance, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes insights from Martyn and the MSF team. Whether your goal is building muscle, improving performance, or staying consistent with your training, the app provides the tools and motivation to keep you moving forward. What you’ll find inside MSF Active: Professionally designed workout programs for different goals and training styles Nutrition and diet plans to support your training and lifestyle Exercise libraries with clear guidance and structure Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and updates Access to special events, challenges, and MSF community features A clean, easy-to-use experience to track and follow your plans MSF Active is built to be your pocket training companion — helping you stay focused, accountable, and motivated wherever you train. Users can purchase plans to receive personalized meal and/or workout programs. Once purchased, all eligible content is available directly within the app. Train with purpose. Stay consistent. Become MSF Active.

Screenshots

James Smith Academy4 screens
MSF Active4 screens

Verdict

The call

James Smith Academy and MSF Active are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. James Smith Academy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and MSF Active sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
James Smith Academy versus MSF Active: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJames Smith AcademyMSF Active
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (93 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings93 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB22 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAffordable Online Coaching Pty LtdBETA BODZ GYM LTD

Bugs and requests

James Smith Academy

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Workout progress not saving properly
  • Inability to update weights and reps
  • Onboarding process issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Ability to filter workouts by equipment
  • More personalized nutrition and meal planning

MSF Active

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

James Smith Academy

Subscriptions3
  • Base Plan$9.991 Month
  • Standard Plan$10.991 Month
  • Premium Plan - Subscription$89.991 Month
1 purchases

MSF Active

One-time1
  • MSF Active$600.00

Questions

Is James Smith Academy free?
James Smith Academy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MSF Active free?
MSF Active is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do James Smith Academy or MSF Active have ads?
Neither James Smith Academy nor MSF Active shows ads.

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