Comparison

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan vs Dots

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

Dots

Features
Read full description

Dots is the workout tracker for people who want to lift. Build your routine once. Every session after that, Dots tells you exactly what to lift: it automatically adds weight when you complete your sets, and automatically deloads when you stall — classic progressive overload, handled for you. No spreadsheets, no math at the squat rack. TRAIN WITHOUT FRICTION • Start your workout and check off sets with one tap • Built-in rest timer starts automatically between sets • Live Activity on your Lock Screen — see your rest timer and current exercise without unlocking your phone PROGRESSIVE OVERLOAD, AUTOMATED • Set your increment per exercise (e.g. +2.5 kg per successful session) • Fail a session? Dots tracks it and deloads by your chosen percentage after repeated stalls • Perfect for 5x5, 3x5, and other linear progression programs — or build your own SEE YOUR PROGRESS • Charts for every exercise — watch your lifts go up over time • Body weight tracking with its own trend chart • Full workout history: every session, every set, exactly as you performed it MADE TO STAY OUT OF YOUR WAY • Multiple profiles — share the app with a partner or track cut/bulk phases separately • iCloud sync keeps your data safe and on all your devices • No account required. No ads. Your data stays yours. Whether you're on your first day of strength training or your fifth year of barbell work, Dots keeps the plan simple: show up, hit your dots, get stronger.

Screenshots

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan4 screens
Dots4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dots at none against Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan's 15. Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement 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. Dots asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan ships an update every 2 weeks, Dots every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan versus Dots: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStronglifts 5x5 Workout PlanDots
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (77K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews62.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings77K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size172 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStrongLiftsDINH HENRY LUU

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

Dots

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

Dots

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 Dots free?
Dots is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Dots have ads?
Neither Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan nor Dots shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan or Dots?
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan ships an update every 2 weeks, and Dots every 3 weeks. Most recently, Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan was updated on October 24, 2026 and Dots on October 15, 2026.

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