# Bend vs THE LAB

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: THE LAB at none against Bend's 10. THE LAB also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and review sentiment (100% vs 87%). Bend's advantage is ratings volume (175K vs 7) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bend sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. THE LAB asks for nothing beyond the download.

THE LAB holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bend has 175K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Bend's written reviews are positive against 100% of THE LAB's.

Bend ships an update every 2 weeks, THE LAB monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bend | THE LAB |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (175K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bend-stretching-and-flexibility/id1513988468/reviews) | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-lab/id6443985634/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **175K** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | 86.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#53** | — |
| Size | 218 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bowery Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/1513988467) | [LAB STUDIOS MEN PHYSICAL FITNESS CLUB CO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1651193406) |

## What reviewers say

### Bend

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bend-stretching-and-flexibility/id1513988468)

**Currently charting:** #53 Top Grossing · Health & Fitness, #144 Top Free · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

This app offers daily stretching and mobility routines to improve flexibility, relieve pain, and enhance overall well-being. With hundreds of exercises and guided programs for all levels, it helps users maintain natural movement and reduce the risk of injury.

**Highlights:** Daily stretching routines, Improve flexibility and mobility, Relieve pain, Hundreds of exercises, Routines for all levels, Customizable routines

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Membership | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly Membership | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly Membership | $13.99 | per month |
| Annual Membership (70% Off) | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Membership (70% Off) | $23.99 | per year |
| Annual Membership (70% Off) | $23.99 | per year |
| Annual Membership (50% Off) | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual Membership (50% Off) | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 👍 Variety of stretching routines
- 👍 Customizable routines
- 👍 Helpful for improving flexibility and mobility
- 👍 Motivating with streak tracking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Everything locked behind paywall
- 🔒 No free trial to test full functionality
- 🔒 Expensive subscription for limited content
- 👎 Lack of visual guidance and instructions for stretches

**Reported bugs**

- Streak tracking issues and data loss
- Inability to access paid content after subscription
- Inconsistent app behavior and crashes

**Requested features**

- Add more stretching categories and routines
- Provide more free content and trial options
- Allow customization of stretch order and duration
- Implement voice guidance and video demonstrations
- Add Apple Watch support and integration


### THE LAB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-lab/id6443985634)

This app offers a unique fitness hub with three distinct workout concepts: Strength, Cycle, and Sweat. It fosters a community-driven ecosystem that blends fitness, creativity, and inclusivity, encouraging users to push their limits. Seamlessly connect your favorite health apps and devices to track your progress.

**Highlights:** Three distinct fitness concepts (Strength, Cycle, Sweat), Community-focused ecosystem, Connects with Apple Health, Fitbit, Garmin, and more, Tracks fitness goals, Inclusive and empowering environment

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bend free?

Bend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is THE LAB free?

THE LAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Bend or THE LAB?

THE LAB is rated higher. Bend averages 4.8 out of 5 from 175K ratings, while THE LAB averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.

### Do Bend or THE LAB have ads?

Neither Bend nor THE LAB shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bend or THE LAB?

Bend ships an update every 2 weeks, and THE LAB monthly. Most recently, Bend was updated on November 13, 2026 and THE LAB on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*