Comparison

Katalyst vs Alpha Progressive Overload

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

Head to head
About

Katalyst

This app enhances a revolutionary workout system using Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) to engage all muscles simultaneously. It offers a full-body workout in just 20 minutes, with zero joint load. Access diverse workout programs and control intensity for personalized training.

Highlights
  • Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) training
  • Full-body engagement
  • 20-minute workouts
  • Zero joint load
  • Diverse workout library (strength, power, cardio, recovery)
  • Adjustable impulse intensity
  • Offline workout access
Features
Read full description

The Katalyst App is the companion to the Katalyst Suit, a wearable training system powered by advanced fitness technology. Together, they deliver a full-body workout no app can deliver on its own. A Katalyst Suit is required to train. The Katalyst Suit is an FDA-cleared, patented system that uses Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) to engage your major muscle groups at once. Low-frequency impulses mimic the signals your brain sends to contract a muscle. Pair them with simple bodyweight movements and every rep works harder, engaging up to 90% of your muscle fibers, including the deep back stabilizers most workouts miss, with zero load on your joints. ALREADY HAVE A KATALYST SUIT The app is free. Log in or create your profile for unlimited access. NEW TO KATALYST Explore the app and preview the workouts. Get your system at katalyst.com. WORKOUT MODES FOR EVERY LEVEL Programs built by professional trainers, from your first session to elite. - Strength: complete full-body strength in less time - Power: explosive sessions that recruit fast-twitch fibers - Cardio: lower-frequency sessions designed to build endurance, with quick recovery for daily use - Recovery: active and passive modes with massaging impulses to finish like the pros
- Freestyle mode: Choose a mode, set your intensity, and train your own way. TRAIN LED OR TRAIN SOLO In guided classes, your trainer adjusts intensity in real time so you can focus on the movement. Prefer your own pace? Run independent programs on your terms. ALWAYS IN CONTROL Dial intensity up or down, or target a specific muscle group, at any moment. How hard you train is always your call. TRAIN ANYWHERE Stream any workout on demand, or download sessions ahead of time for when you'll be offline. BUILT FOR YOUR SETUP - Apple Watch: adjust overall intensity, pause, and resume workouts right from your wrist
- AirPlay: put your instructor on the big screen and use your iPhone or iPad as the remote Get more strength and more out of life with Katalyst Suit workouts. 
katalyst.com

About

Alpha Progressive Overload

Features
Read full description

Alpha Progressive Overload is a focused strength training tracker built for lifters who want to train hard, log fast, and make steady progress. Designed around progressive overload, Alpha Progressive Overload helps you track workouts, sets, reps, weight, rest periods, cardio, and training history without clutter or distractions. Supports app integration to post workouts to Strava and Apple Fitness. Features: • Fast set logging for weight, reps, and exercises • Custom workout splits and exercise organization • Rest timer with sound and notification support • Apple Watch companion support for quick workout tracking • Progress tracking for strength and training volume • Workout history and session summaries • Cardio logging • Apple Health workout integration • Strava sharing support • Light, dark, and system appearance modes • Optional motivational reminders Whether you are chasing PRs, rebuilding consistency, or just trying to stop guessing what you lifted last week, Alpha Progressive Overload gives you a simple place to track the work and keep moving forward. No ads. No social feed. No nonsense. No subscriptions. Just lifting, logging, and progress.

Screenshots

Katalyst4 screens
Alpha Progressive Overload3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Katalyst at Free against Alpha Progressive Overload's $0.99. Alpha Progressive Overload's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Katalyst is free to download; Alpha Progressive Overload costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Katalyst ships an update every 3 weeks, Alpha Progressive Overload weekly. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Katalyst versus Alpha Progressive Overload: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKatalystAlpha Progressive Overload
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.6 (59 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings59 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size155 MB85 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperKatalyst Interactive Inc.Dakota Cole

In-app purchases

None

Katalyst

No in-app purchases

None

Alpha Progressive Overload

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Katalyst free?
Katalyst is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Alpha Progressive Overload free?
Alpha Progressive Overload costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Katalyst or Alpha Progressive Overload have ads?
Neither Katalyst nor Alpha Progressive Overload shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Katalyst or Alpha Progressive Overload?
Katalyst ships an update every 3 weeks, and Alpha Progressive Overload weekly. Most recently, Katalyst was updated on October 25, 2026 and Alpha Progressive Overload on October 25, 2026.

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