5x5 Workout Tracker vs Ascend
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
5x5 Workout Tracker
This app guides beginners through a proven weightlifting program focused on major barbell exercises. It tracks your progress, suggests weight increases, and provides explanation videos for each movement to build strength and confidence.
- Beginner weightlifting program
- Progress tracking
- Weight increase suggestions
- Exercise explanation videos
- Full-body workout structure
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The 5x5 workout is the ultimate beginner's weight lifting program. The program helps you build a solid foundation of strength with 5 major barbell exercises. Get started with a proven program and build a full-body foundation and get used to using a barbell. This workout program is perfect for beginner weightlifters because it starts with low weights, introduces you to the major barbell movements, and helps build confidence and strength. The 5x5 app tracks your progress so you know when to add more weight and lift heavier. The app guides you through each exercise with explanation videos so you know exactly what to do. Stop messing around in the gym and start a full-body workout program to structure your workouts and guide you through getting stronger. See the terms of service here: https://www.appfactoryfitness.com/terms-of-service/5x5-terms-of-service
Ascend
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Ascend turns weight tracking into a fantasy RPG. Log your weight, earn XP, level up your hero, and watch their gear and title climb as your consistency does. No calorie counting, no food logging — just the one number, and a saga built on top of it. CHOOSE YOUR HERO Four classes, each with its own six-rung title ladder: • Knight — Squire to Deliverer of the Realm • Wizard — Apprentice to Mender of Worlds • Hunter — Trailhand to Savior of the Wilds • Rogue — Cutpurse to Legend of the Shadows Your hero's portrait upgrades through five gear tiers as you level, and short in-world lines mark the milestones along the way. LOG A DAY, EARN A DAY • Log your weight in kg, lb, or st — that is the whole daily ritual • Every log awards XP and moves the level bar • A smoothed trend line cuts through daily water-weight noise • Set a target weight and track the percentage to goal • Optional height gives you BMI alongside the trend FORGIVING STREAKS Miss a day and you do not lose everything. Streak freezes automatically bridge a single missed day, and you earn a freeze back for every full week you keep going. Your longest run is always remembered. DAILY QUESTS A short, self-reported checklist tailored to your goal — lose weight, lose fat, build muscle, or maintain. Walk twenty minutes. Skip the sugary drinks. Hit your protein. Each one is worth XP. Nothing is tracked automatically and nothing is judged. BADGES THAT REWARD BEHAVIOUR Every badge is earned by showing up — first log, seven days, thirty days, seven-day streak, thirty-day streak. None of them are tied to a number on the scale. BUILT FOR THE EVENING Deep Night is a dark, calm interface designed for the end of the day, with an optional daily reminder in the morning or evening. ASCEND PRO Unlock the full saga with a subscription: • All four heroes — Hunter and Rogue, plus the freedom to change class anytime and keep your XP • All four focuses instead of one • Four streak freezes instead of two • Two-way Apple Health sync for weight • Body fat % tracking, logged by hand or imported from Health • The Chronicle — your rate of change per week, 7- and 30-day averages, and a body-fat trend • CSV export of everything you have logged • Your projected goal date • Pick any reminder time you like, to the minute Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store settings. Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you buy a subscription. Ascend is a tracking and motivation tool, not a medical device. It does not diagnose, treat, or give medical or nutritional advice. Talk to a qualified professional before changing your diet or exercise. Terms: https://bogtsi.xyz/ascend/terms Privacy: https://bogtsi.xyz/ascend/privacy Your saga starts with one number.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Ascend at every 10 days against 5x5 Workout Tracker's monthly. 5x5 Workout Tracker's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. 5x5 Workout Tracker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Ascend sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
5x5 Workout Tracker ships an update monthly, Ascend every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 5x5 Workout Tracker | Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (222 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 222 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 75 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | App Factory, LLC | Bogdan Tsiganiuk |
Bugs and requests
5x5 Workout Tracker
Reported bugs
4 issues- Rest timer does not work consistently
- App freezes and shuts down when clicking calculator button
- Weight Used/Total Lifted buttons overlap Workout B button in analytics tab
- App can be glitchy
Requested features
7 requests- Option to buy upgrades instead of subscription
- Include 55 lb plate options in calculator
- Fix Rest Timer functionality
- Automatically increase weights by 5 lb for next workout
- Option to delete history
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- Improve UI for fixing typos
- Fix overlapping buttons in analytics tab
Ascend
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
5x5 Workout Tracker
- Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
- Monthly Premium$3.991 Month
- Premium Annual$19.991 Year
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- Premium Annual$29.991 Year
Ascend
- Ascend Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- Ascend Pro Annual7 Days trial$24.991 Year
Questions
Is 5x5 Workout Tracker free?
Is Ascend free?
Do 5x5 Workout Tracker or Ascend have ads?
Which is updated more often, 5x5 Workout Tracker or Ascend?
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