# Formula Nova vs Boulder Trainer

The clearest difference is rating: Boulder Trainer at 4.6 against Formula Nova's 3.4. Boulder Trainer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 months). Formula Nova's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Formula Nova sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Boulder Trainer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Boulder Trainer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Boulder Trainer has 860 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Formula Nova's written reviews are positive against 70% of Boulder Trainer's.

Formula Nova ships an update every 5 months, Boulder Trainer every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Formula Nova | Boulder Trainer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formula-nova/id453546463/reviews) | **[4.6 (860 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boulder-trainer-hangboard/id770657161/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 21 | **860** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **70.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 67 MB | 189 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gil Beyruth](https://appshunter.io/developer/347634769) | [Jan Luther](https://appshunter.io/developer/368269906) |

## What reviewers say

### Formula Nova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formula-nova/id453546463)

Experience thrilling arcade-style racing with this free top-view game. Customize your car, compete on leaderboards, and unlock achievements. Additional track and car packages are available for purchase.

**Highlights:** Top-view arcade racing, Car customization (color), Multiple control options, Leaderboards and achievements, Car durability and repair system, Realistic car visuals and explosions

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FormulaNova track package 1 | $2.99 | one-time |


### Boulder Trainer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boulder-trainer-hangboard/id770657161)

Create personalized training routines for climbing and bouldering. Features voice instructions, training reminders, and the ability to save and share your workout plans. Supports over 70 preset fingerboards and allows custom exercise creation for efficient progress.

**Highlights:** Custom workout creation, Voice instructions for timing, Save and share training plans, Training reminders, Over 70 preset fingerboards, Manage multiple plans

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Boulder Pro — Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Boulder Pro Loyalty — Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Boulder Pro Loyalty — Year | $11.99 | per year |
| Boulder Trainer Pro — Yearly | $17.99 | per year |
| Boulder Pro Loyalty Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |
| Boulder Pro — Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Customizable workouts
- 🚀 Verbal countdown feature
- 💡 Ability to share/download workouts
- 👍 Supports many hangboard models
- 👍 Helpful for improving finger strength

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔧 Confusing/unintuitive interface
- 🔧 Limited preset workout options
- 🔧 Cannot change countdown voice
- 🔧 Timer stops when app is in background

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot change hangboard selection
- Preset workouts don't match selected hangboard
- Registration/account creation issues
- Frequent crashes and connectivity problems

**Requested features**

- Ability to log/track workout history
- Integration with fitness apps (Apple Health, Strava)
- Ability to upload custom hangboard profiles
- More advanced training plans and recommendations
- Option to play music in background during workouts


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Formula Nova free?

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

### Is Boulder Trainer free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Formula Nova or Boulder Trainer?

Boulder Trainer is rated higher. Formula Nova averages 3.4 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while Boulder Trainer averages 4.6 from 860 ratings.

### Do Formula Nova or Boulder Trainer have ads?

Formula Nova shows ads; Boulder Trainer does not.

### Which is updated more often, Formula Nova or Boulder Trainer?

Formula Nova ships an update every 5 months, and Boulder Trainer every 3 days. Most recently, Formula Nova was updated on September 30, 2026 and Boulder Trainer on October 13, 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.*