Comparison

Tempo vs Top Set Training

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

Head to head
About

Tempo

Features
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Tempo is a workout timer for Tabata, EMOM, AMRAP, For Time and BPM training. β€’ Six formats β€” TABATA, EMOM, AMRAP, FOR TIME, a builder for your own intervals, and a BPM count. β€’ Big-number screen β€” the screen changes colour for every phase and drains from the top as time runs out, so you can read it from across the room. β€’ Build your own β€” stack work and rest steps into rounds and blocks, save them under My workouts and start with one tap. β€’ Sound cues β€” phase changes and countdowns are announced, with a male or female voice and an adjustable cue volume. β€’ BPM β€” set a tempo and a target count; Tempo clicks on every beat and calls out the count. β€’ History β€” finished workouts are kept on this device; open them from the History button on Home and start one again with a tap. β€’ Share result β€” turn a result into an image card for Instagram Stories or your messenger. β€’ Personal records β€” personal bests, day streaks and "Done N times" show on the summary and the card. β€’ Today's World Challenge β€” every day the whole world does the same bodyweight workout. See how many are doing it with you and your anonymous world rank (flag and score). No account or name. β€’ History β€” finished workouts are kept on this device; open them from the History button on Home and start one again with a tap. β€’ Share result β€” turn a result into an image card for Instagram Stories or your messenger. β€’ Personal records β€” personal bests, day streaks and "Done N times" show on the summary and the card. β€’ Today's World Challenge β€” every day the whole world does the same bodyweight workout. See how many are doing it with you and your anonymous world rank (flag and score). No account or name. β€’ The screen stays on while a timer is running. Ads are shown at the bottom of the screen. Free users can save up to 3 workouts in My workouts. Tempo Pro (a one-time purchase, not a subscription) removes the ads and the limit.

About

Top Set Training

Features
Read full description

Your complete strength training companion. Most lifting apps are built around one program. When you want to try something new you end up juggling spreadsheets and switching apps. Top Set Training is different. It is a hub for many proven barbell programs, with smart tools that follow you from one plan to the next. Stop worrying about spreadsheets and plate math. Top Set Training handles the programming and numbers so you can focus on lifting heavy and getting stronger. PROGRAMS THAT FIT HOW YOU TRAIN Pick from a growing library of popular programs, all in one place. : Beginner: Starting Strength, StrongLifts 5x5 Intermediate: 5/3/1 variations, nSuns, GZCLP, PPL style programs Advanced: High volume and auto regulated templates And more Top Set Training supports linear progression, percentage based work, AMRAP sets, RPE and more. You are not locked into a single style. SWITCH PROGRAMS WITHOUT LOSING PROGRESS Change goals without starting from scratch. β€’ Carry your current training maxes into any new program β€’ Start new cycles with updated maxes or keep them the same β€’ Keep a continuous history of every workout across programs You can also use the same logic engine that powers the built in templates to build your own programs, including complex progressions. SEAMLESS WORKOUT TRACKING β€’ Weights calculated automatically from your training maxes β€’ Log AMRAP sets and track rep PRs β€’ Rest timer with Lock Screen and Dynamic Island support β€’ Visual plate calculator that shows exactly which plates to load β€’ Add accessory work and notes to any workout TRACK YOUR PROGRESS β€’ Watch your estimated 1RM climb over time β€’ See training max trends for each main lift β€’ Compare strength using Wilks, DOTS and IPF GL scores β€’ Browse full workout history across all programs and cycles NOW WITH APPLE WATCH + APPLE HEALTH β€’ Apple Watch companion app reads heart rate for richer Apple Fitness workout data β€’ Apple Health integration syncs workouts to Apple Fitness with calorie estimation BUILT IN STRENGTH CALCULATORS No need for separate apps. Everything is built in: β€’ One rep max estimator from submaximal lifts β€’ RPE calculator for autoregulated training β€’ Training max percentage charts for 5/3/1 style work and more β€’ Plate loading visualizer for fast setup on the bar β€’ Strength score calculators using Wilks, DOTS and IPF GL CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRAINING β€’ Create and save custom programs and templates β€’ Adjust weight increments and rounding rules β€’ Configure bar weights and your available plates β€’ Use metric or Imperial units FREE TO START. UPGRADE WHEN READY. Use Top Set Training for free with access to core features, calculators and custom programs. When you are ready, upgrade to Pro to unlock the full library of programs. Choose weekly ($0.99/wk), monthly ($2.99/mo), or a one-time lifetime purchase ($14.99). Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account. Manage subscriptions in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://gregorymcinnes.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://gregorymcinnes.com/apps/top-set-training/ Whether you are a beginner learning the barbell or an experienced lifter cycling through different proven programs, Top Set Training gives you structure without locking you in. Download now and start your next training cycle.

Screenshots

Tempo4 screens
Top Set Training4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Top Set Training at none against Tempo's shown. Tempo's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Tempo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Top Set Training sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tempo ships an update daily, Top Set Training every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
Tempo versus Top Set Training: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTempoTop Set Training
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDaily β€” betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.5 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size40 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDarak Studio Co., Ltd.Greg McInnes

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Tempo

One-time1
  • Tempo Pro$2.99
3 purchases

Top Set Training

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Weekly7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • Top Set Training Premium$9.99

Questions

Is Tempo free?
Tempo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Top Set Training free?
Top Set Training is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Tempo or Top Set Training have ads?
Tempo shows ads; Top Set Training does not.
Which is updated more often, Tempo or Top Set Training?
Tempo ships an update daily, and Top Set Training every 3 weeks. Most recently, Tempo was updated on November 4, 2026 and Top Set Training on October 31, 2026.

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