Comparison

Iron 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

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.

Highlights
  • Workout logging
  • Apple Health integration
  • Automatic rest timer
  • PR recognition
  • Progress charts
  • Custom exercises
  • Data export
Features
Read full description

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).

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
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

Iron4 screens
Simple Workout Log4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Iron versus Simple Workout Log: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIronSimple Workout Log
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (380 ratings) — better4.8 (364 ratings)
Positive reviews96.1% of reviews — better93.0% of reviews
Number of ratings380 — better364
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.1 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB81 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKarim Abou ZeidArnas Dilys

Customer experience

Iron

All ratings231 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive96.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.9%

Simple Workout Log

All ratings364 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.9%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative5.3%

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
Show 2 more
  • 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)
Show 8 more
  • 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

None

Iron

No in-app purchases

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 Iron free?
Iron is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Simple Workout Log free?
Simple Workout Log is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Iron or Simple Workout Log?
Iron is rated higher. Iron averages 4.8 out of 5 from 380 ratings, while Simple Workout Log averages 4.8 from 364 ratings.
Do Iron or Simple Workout Log have ads?
Neither Iron nor Simple Workout Log shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Iron or Simple Workout Log?
Iron ships an update monthly, and Simple Workout Log every 2 days. Most recently, Iron was updated on October 24, 2026 and Simple Workout Log on October 25, 2026.

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