Comparison

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan vs PHUL Workout Split Routine

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

PHUL Workout Split Routine

This app provides a structured workout plan focused on power and hypertrophy. It includes detailed exercise illustrations, progress tracking, and a custom workout builder with over 100 exercises. Tailored plans are available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users.

Highlights
  • Free PHUL workout plan
  • Illustrated exercises
  • Progress tracking
  • Custom workout builder
  • Beginner to advanced plans
  • HIIT integration
  • Built-in timer
Features
Read full description

Free PHUL Workout plan ------ With sets, weight & illustrations ------ Tracker & Custom Workout Builder (100+ Exercises included) Get the ultimate strength and muscle-building experience with the PHUL Workout App! The Power Hypertrophy Upper Lower program, shortly named PHUL, combines strength and muscle growth training seamlessly. Designed for beginner to intermediate lifters, this app offers a split routine targeting different muscle groups across four workout days per week. With a focus on compound lifts for strength and isolation exercises for hypertrophy, PHUL helps you achieve your fitness goals efficiently. Download now and unleash your full bodybuilding potential. -------------- PHUL WORKOUT PLAN APP FEATURES -------------- ■ PHUL WORKOUT PLAN FOR FREE Start your fitness journey without breaking the bank. Access the renowned Power Hypertrophy Upper Lower workout plan at no cost, empowering you to achieve your strength and muscle-building goals without financial barriers. ■ TAILORED BEGINNER PLANS Kickstart your progress with our carefully crafted beginner plans. Designed for newcomers to the PHUL workout split, these 3-day routines provide the perfect introduction to building strength and muscle mass effectively. ■ INTERMEDIATE MASTERY Level up your training with our intermediate plans. With 4-day workouts strategically designed for progression, you'll advance your skills and see noticeable gains as you navigate the intricacies of the PHUL split. ■ ADVANCED PERFORMANCE Elevate your fitness game with our advanced plans. Dive into intense 5-day workouts tailored for experienced lifters seeking peak performance and maximum muscle hypertrophy within the PHUL framework. ■ HIIT INTEGRATION Take your PHUL workouts to the next level with integrated HIIT programs. Enhance fat loss, improve cardiovascular health, and stay focused on your goals with targeted High Intensity Interval Training sessions complementing the PHUL regimen. ■ VISUAL GUIDANCE Experience seamless execution with illustrated exercises. Access clear visuals for each movement within the app, ensuring proper form and technique as you navigate through your PHUL workouts. ■ COMPREHENSIVE EXERCISE LIBRARY Unlock over 100 exercises to customize your training experience. Whether following preset plans or creating your own, access a diverse range of movements suited to beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. ■ PROGRESS TRACKING Stay motivated with detailed progress tracking. Monitor your gains and improvements for each exercise and workout plan, empowering you to stay on course and celebrate your achievements along the way. ■ EFFICIENT TIME MANAGEMENT Maximize your workout efficiency with a built-in timer. Keep track of your training intervals and rest periods seamlessly, ensuring optimal performance and progress within your PHUL routines. ■ CUSTOMIZABLE FINISHERS Enhance your workouts with targeted finisher routines. Blast specific muscle groups at the end of each session for maximum results, tailored to your individual goals and preferences. ■ EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Access expert advice on home gym essentials. Explore our curated list of recommended workout equipment, handpicked to enhance your PHUL training experience and optimize your home gym setup. PHUL is considered a beginner to intermediate muscle building 4 day split. It ensures that you have enough rest to gain muscle, but also will challenge you with the muscle building workouts that are in the app. Here is an example of what a 4 day split muscle building workout would look like if you started on a Monday: Monday - Day 1 Tuesday - Day 2 Wednesday - Rest Thursday - Day 3 Friday - Day 4 Saturday - Rest Sunday - Rest ► Download this free muscle building workout and make the gains that you deserve! PHUL is the future!

Screenshots

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan4 screens
PHUL Workout Split Routine4 screens

Verdict

The call

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan and PHUL Workout Split Routine both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 66% of Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan's written reviews are positive against 31% of PHUL Workout Split Routine's. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (77K vs 3). PHUL Workout Split Routine's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and PHUL Workout Split Routine sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan against 5.0 for PHUL Workout Split Routine. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan has 77K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan's written reviews are positive against 31% of PHUL Workout Split Routine's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan ships an update fortnightly, PHUL Workout Split Routine every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan versus PHUL Workout Split Routine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStronglifts 5x5 Workout PlanPHUL Workout Split Routine
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (77K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.8% of reviews — better31.3% of reviews
Number of ratings77K — better3
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#196 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size161 MB110 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStrongLiftsApp Diggity, LLC

Customer experience

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan

All ratings76,719 ratings
Positive97.7%
Neutral1.1%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews1,329 reviews
Positive65.8%
Neutral3.5%
Negative30.7%

PHUL Workout Split Routine

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive31.3%
Neutral31.3%
Negative37.5%

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

PHUL Workout Split Routine

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
4 purchases

PHUL Workout Split Routine

Subscriptions3
  • 1 Month Full Version Upgrade$7.991 Month
  • 6 Months Full Version Upgrade$34.996 Months
  • 1 Year Full Version Upgrade$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Advertise remove and unlock features$2.99

Questions

Is Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan free?
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PHUL Workout Split Routine free?
PHUL Workout Split Routine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or PHUL Workout Split Routine?
PHUL Workout Split Routine is rated higher. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan averages 4.9 out of 5 from 77K ratings, while PHUL Workout Split Routine averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or PHUL Workout Split Routine have ads?
Neither Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan nor PHUL Workout Split Routine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or PHUL Workout Split Routine?
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan ships an update fortnightly, and PHUL Workout Split Routine every 14 months. Most recently, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan was updated on September 24, 2026 and PHUL Workout Split Routine on September 6, 2026.

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