Comparison

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan vs Bar Path

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

Head to head
About

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan

This app guides you through a proven barbell strength training program with no guesswork. It plans every exercise, set, and weight for you, allowing you to focus on lifting and see consistent progress. Ideal for beginners or those returning to strength training.

Highlights
  • Proven 3x/week strength program
  • Automated progression
  • Guided workouts with timers
  • Progress charts
  • Simple interface
Features
Read full description

Get stronger with the world’s simplest, most proven barbell program: the 5×5 workout. No guesswork. Just follow along and see real results, in just 3 workouts a week. StrongLifts is made for lifters starting or returning to barbell strength training. The app removes all confusion and complexity by guiding you through every 5×5 workout. It plans every exercise, set, and weight so you always know exactly what to do. The time-tested 5×5 workout gets you stronger, week after week. No experience needed. ▸ Proven 3×/week strength program: Structured workouts, all planned for you. ▸ No guesswork: Fully automated progression for consistent strength gains. ▸ Just follow along: Simple interface with timers. Focus on lifting, not fiddling. ▸ Stay motivated. See your strength go up every week with clear progress charts. ▸ Easy to stick with. Simple, guided 3×/week program. No decisions, just results. Over 3 million lifters worldwide have started or restarted their strength journey with StrongLifts since 2007. The app has been featured and reviewed in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. StrongLifts is the best strength app, with more than 200,000 five-star reviews worldwide. StrongLifts is built on the classic 5×5 workout made famous by legends like Reg Park, Bill Starr, and Glenn Pendlay. For more than 70 years, the 5×5 workout has been proven to get new and returning lifters stronger, quickly and safely. Download StrongLifts today and join millions getting stronger. StrongLifts is free to download, but requires a subscription to use. All new users get a 7-day free trial for the yearly plan. Monthly and quarterly plans are also available without a free trial. Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of each period. Manage or cancel your subscription any time in your App Store account settings. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Bar Path

This app helps you analyze the quality of your training by tracking barbell trajectory, range of motion, and power output. Understand your weakest points and identify when your form breaks down for smarter workouts.

Highlights
  • Barbell trajectory plotting
  • Range of motion analysis
  • Identify weakest lift points
  • Measure power generation
  • Rep consistency tracking
  • Form breakdown detection
Features
Read full description

Instead of simply tracking only the quantity of your training, you can now also track the QUALITY. Bar Path helps you answer fundamental questions about your training. * Plot the path of the barbell. Did it have an unexpected trajectory? * Did your exercise travel through the complete range of motion? * Where is your weakest point in the lift? * How much power can you generate? * Do your reps look consistent across a set? * At what intensity does your form start to break down? * And much more… Get it now and start training smarter.

Screenshots

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan4 screens
Bar Path4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan at Free against Bar Path's $4.99. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (77K vs 5). Bar Path's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On update cadence, ads, chart position and device support 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

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan is free to download; Bar Path costs $4.99 up front. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Bar Path asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan has 77K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan's written reviews are positive against 50% of Bar Path's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan versus Bar Path: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStronglifts 5x5 Workout PlanBar Path
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.9 (77K ratings) — better3.0 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews65.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings77K — better5
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#168 — better#185
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size161 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStrongLiftsRobert Frederick

Customer experience

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan

All ratings76,719 ratings
Positive97.7%
Neutral1.1%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews1,351 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral3.4%
Negative31.6%

Bar Path

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Workout data loss and reset issues
  • Inconsistent Apple Watch connectivity
  • Inability to edit or delete custom exercises

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to customize core exercises
  • Menstrual cycle tracking and programming
  • More pre-built program options
  • Integration with other fitness apps and devices
  • Recommended meal plans and nutrition guidance

Bar Path

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan

Subscriptions7
  • Pro Weekly2 variants$4.997 Days
  • Pro Monthly2 variants$11.991 Month
  • Pro Quarterly2 variants$29.993 Months
Show 4 more
  • Pro Yearly$59.991 Year
  • Pro Yearly1 Year trial$59.991 Year
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Pro Quarterly$99.993 Months
One-time5
  • StrongLifts Pro 5 Years$199.99
  • Pro Lifetime$199.99
  • StrongLifts Pro 5 Years$239.99
Show 2 more
  • Pro Family Lifetime$299.99
  • Pro Family Lifetime Upgrade$299.99
None

Bar Path

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan free?
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bar Path free?
Bar Path costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Bar Path?
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan is rated higher. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan averages 4.9 out of 5 from 77K ratings, while Bar Path averages 3.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Bar Path have ads?
Neither Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan nor Bar Path shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Bar Path?
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan ships an update fortnightly, and Bar Path fortnightly. Most recently, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan was updated on September 30, 2026 and Bar Path on September 6, 2026.
Which is more popular, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Bar Path?
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan currently peaks at #168 in the App Store charts, and Bar Path at #185. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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