# Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan vs Thrive by Katie

The clearest difference is monetization model: Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan at free with in-app purchases against Thrive by Katie's subscription. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan also leads on ratings volume (77K vs 432). Thrive by Katie's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 63%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Thrive by Katie sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan against 4.9 for Thrive by Katie. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan has 77K ratings behind it against 432, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan's written reviews are positive against 100% of Thrive by Katie's.

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan ships an update every 2 weeks, Thrive by Katie weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan | Thrive by Katie |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (77K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stronglifts-5x5-workout-plan/id488580022/reviews) | **[4.9 (432 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thrive-by-katie/id1528408024/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **77K** | 432 |
| Positive reviews | 62.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 172 MB | 417 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [StrongLifts](https://appshunter.io/developer/916468093) | [Katharine Yovin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528408506) |

## What reviewers say

### Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stronglifts-5x5-workout-plan/id488580022)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| Pro Quarterly | $29.99 | per 3 months |
| Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro Quarterly | $99.99 | per 3 months |
| StrongLifts Pro 5 Years | $199.99 | one-time |
| Pro Lifetime | $199.99 | one-time |
| StrongLifts Pro 5 Years | $239.99 | one-time |
| Pro Family Lifetime | $299.99 | one-time |
| Pro Family Lifetime Upgrade | $299.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💪 Effective strength-building program
- 📈 Tracks progress and helps with consistency
- 🤖 Automatic weight progression and plate calculation
- ⏱️ Convenient timer and rest period tracking
- 📚 Helpful exercise form videos

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and syncing issues
- 💰 Subscription model can be expensive for some
- 🔒 Limited customization options in free version
- ⚠️ Weights may not be accurate for all users
- 🕰️ Workouts can be time-consuming for some

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Thrive by Katie

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thrive-by-katie/id1528408024)

This app offers a comprehensive women's fitness and wellness experience with diverse workout programs, simple nutrition guidance, and an exclusive community for support. It caters to various fitness levels and goals, including prenatal and postnatal care, with effective and efficient routines.

**Highlights:** Pilates, strength, and weight loss programs, Prenatal & postnatal workouts, Home & gym workout options, Video demonstrations, Activity & progress tracking, Healthy recipes with macronutrient breakdowns, Exclusive community support

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $24.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $34.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $114.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $189.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $229.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan free?

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Thrive by Katie free?

Thrive by Katie is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Thrive by Katie?

Thrive by Katie is rated higher. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan averages 4.9 out of 5 from 77K ratings, while Thrive by Katie averages 4.9 from 432 ratings.

### Do Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Thrive by Katie have ads?

Neither Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan nor Thrive by Katie shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Thrive by Katie?

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan ships an update every 2 weeks, and Thrive by Katie weekly. Most recently, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan was updated on November 1, 2026 and Thrive by Katie on October 25, 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.*