Iron vs Simple Workout Log
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Iron
This free weightlifting tracker offers a clean interface for logging gym sessions. It includes smart features like automatic rest timers and PR recognition, with Apple Health integration and export options for your data.
- Workout logging
- Apple Health integration
- Automatic rest timer
- PR recognition
- Progress charts
- Custom exercises
- Data export
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A modern and completely free weightlifting workout tracker. • Beautiful and simple user interface • Apple Health integration • Apple Watch companion app • Smart set completions • Automatic rest timer • Recognizes and highlights PRs • Well maintained library of built-in exercises • Create custom exercises • Charts to visualize your progress • Supports Imperial (lbs) and Metric (kg) • Siri Shortcuts - Privacy focused There are no analytics, no tracking, no 3rd party SDKs and no account. - Apple Health Iron logs your finished workouts in Apple Health and displays your bodyweight next to your previous workouts - No lock-in Export all of your workout data as plain text or JSON for manual editing or further analysis. Privacy Policy: https://iron.ka.codes/privacy.html Terms of Service: https://iron.ka.codes/tos.html The exercise images are from Everkinetic (license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en).
Simple Workout Log
This app provides a straightforward way to log your gym workouts and track your strength progression. It focuses on simplicity and efficiency, allowing you to create custom routines, log sets quickly, and monitor your progress over time without unnecessary distractions.
- Create custom workouts
- Log sets quickly
- Auto-load previous sets
- Built-in rest timers
- Track strength progress with stats
- View training consistency
- Add notes and tags
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Iron at none against Simple Workout Log's 10. Iron also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.1 vs 16.6). Simple Workout Log's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Simple Workout Log sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Iron asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Iron against 4.8 for Simple Workout Log. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 380 and 364 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 96% of Iron's written reviews are positive against 93% of Simple Workout Log's.
Iron ships an update monthly, Simple Workout Log every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Iron | Simple Workout Log |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (380 ratings) — better | 4.8 (364 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 96.1% of reviews — better | 93.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 380 — better | 364 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 13.1 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 81 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Karim Abou Zeid | Arnas Dilys |
Customer experience
Iron
Simple Workout Log
Bugs and requests
Iron
Reported bugs
7 issues- Apple Health integration causes phone crashes
- Keyboard overlaps other buttons
- Completed workouts display inconsistently (red vs. green)
- Workouts don't auto-finish after extended inactivity, causing inflated duration times
- Unable to edit reps or weight in some cases
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- Recent update changed tracking from sets/weight/reps to time-based system without option to revert
- iOS 14 compatibility issues (older review)
Requested features
13 requests- Cardio workout tracking options
- More gym machine varieties in exercise library
- Granular muscle group breakdown (e.g., separate shoulder heads, traps)
- Customizable rest timer settings for compound vs. accessory work
- Additional set tags (Warmup, Giant, Super sets)
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- Plate calculator and lb/kg conversion tool
- Multi-stat tracking capability
- Ability to track timed exercises better
- Workout sharing functionality with friends
- More audible rest timer notification
- Donation option to support developer
- Improved widget options
- FAQ documentation
Simple Workout Log
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Iron
No in-app purchases
Simple Workout Log
- Monthly Support$1.991 Month
- Ironotes PRO Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Extra Monthly Support$3.991 Month
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- Ironotes PRO Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Yearly Support$19.991 Year
- Protein Bar$2.99
- Kebab & Salad$6.99
- Gym Membership$19.99
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- Ironotes PRO Forever$34.99
- Supplement Stack$59.99
Questions
Is Iron free?
Is Simple Workout Log free?
Which has better reviews, Iron or Simple Workout Log?
Do Iron or Simple Workout Log have ads?
Which is updated more often, Iron or Simple Workout Log?
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