Comparison

Barbell Mate vs Arcus VBT

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

Head to head
About

Barbell Mate

This app provides real-time feedback on your weightlifting performance, tracking metrics like velocity, power, and force. Review past workouts, sync data across devices, and export information for detailed analysis to improve your training.

Highlights
  • Real-time lift feedback
  • Velocity, power, and force tracking
  • Detailed workout history
  • Data synchronization
  • Data export for analysis
  • Customizable metrics
Read full description

The Barbell Mate Personal app connects to your Barbell Mate Device and gives you real time feedback to help you train better. Velocity, Power and Force are all able to be tracked and viewed in real-time. The personal app allows you to see all your past workout data and metric data to ensure that you can adequately gauge your past and future performance. Features: - Real-time feedback on your lifts - Voice output, velocity thresholding and ROM filtering - Sync data between devices - Export data for analysis - Review a detailed history of your training - Customize the set metrics you see Please note: This app requires a Barbell Mate device for intended functionality.

About

Arcus VBT

Analyze barbell training with real-time or imported video analysis. Track key velocity metrics, review reps, and monitor progress over time with detailed charts and cloud sync. Designed for strength athletes and coaches seeking to enhance their training.

Highlights
  • Live camera tracking
  • Video import analysis
  • Barbell velocity metrics
  • Rep-by-rep history
  • Progress charts
  • Cloud sync
Read full description

Arcus VBT helps lifters use iPhone video or live camera tracking to analyze barbell training with velocity-based training metrics. Record a lift live, import an existing video, review each rep, compare results, and track progress over time. Arcus is built for strength training and Olympic lifting workflows, with clear metrics, playback, overlays, history, progress charts, and cloud sync. Key features: - Live camera tracking for real-time training feedback - Video import for detailed post-session analysis - Barbell velocity metrics including mean velocity and peak velocity - Rep-by-rep history, playback, and comparison - Progress charts for tracking training trends - Overlay preview and export for sharing or reviewing lifts - Cloud sync for keeping analysis history available across devices - Arcus Pro for full history, advanced metrics, export, and sync features Arcus is designed for athletes, coaches, and serious lifters who want a simple way to bring velocity-based training into everyday barbell work without dedicated hardware. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Service: https://api.arcusvbt.com/legal/terms Privacy Policy: https://api.arcusvbt.com/legal/privacy

Screenshots

Barbell Mate4 screens
Arcus VBT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Arcus VBT at 5.0 against Barbell Mate's 1.0. Arcus VBT also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 months). Barbell Mate's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume and ads 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. Arcus VBT sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Barbell Mate asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Arcus VBT holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Barbell Mate ships an update every 3 months, Arcus VBT every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Barbell Mate versus Arcus VBT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarbell MateArcus VBT
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB332 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBarbell Mate Pty Ltd夏雯 姚

Customer experience

Barbell Mate

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Arcus VBT

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Barbell Mate

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Arcus VBT

Subscriptions2
  • Arcus Pro Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Arcus Pro Yearly$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Barbell Mate free?
Barbell Mate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Arcus VBT free?
Arcus VBT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Barbell Mate or Arcus VBT?
Arcus VBT is rated higher. Barbell Mate averages 1.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Arcus VBT averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Barbell Mate or Arcus VBT have ads?
Neither Barbell Mate nor Arcus VBT shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Barbell Mate or Arcus VBT?
Barbell Mate ships an update every 3 months, and Arcus VBT every 8 days. Most recently, Barbell Mate was updated on June 5, 2026 and Arcus VBT on September 20, 2026.

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