My Texas Method vs Starting Strength Official
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
My Texas Method
This app automates a structured strength training program, calculating your exact training weights based on your max lifts and available plates. It allows for full program customization, progress tracking with visual charts, and sharing workouts via QR codes. The app is designed for focused, offline use with no ads.
- Automatic weight calculations
- Smart weight updates with plate configuration
- Full program customization
- Workout sharing via QR codes
- Progress tracking with visual charts
- Offline functionality
- Apple Watch support
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My Texas Method automates the Texas Method workout program so you can focus on lifting. Simply enter your max weights, and the app calculates your training weights automatically for every exercise. WHAT IS THE TEXAS METHOD? The Texas Method is a proven intermediate strength program with three training days per week: - Volume Day (Monday) - Build muscle with high-volume sets - Recovery Day (Wednesday) - Refine technique with moderate weights - Intensity Day (Friday) - Test strength with heavy singles AUTOMATIC WEIGHT CALCULATIONS Stop doing gym math. Enter your max weight for each lift, and My Texas Method calculates every training weight based on the programmed percentages. Your squat is 315 lbs? The app shows exactly what to load for 5x5 at 80%. SMART WEIGHT UPDATES Configure your available plates and let the app do the rest. Set how many micro plates you own (0.5kg, 1.25kg, 2.5kg, etc.), choose your rounding mode (Round Up/Down/Nearest), and enable automatic updates. When you hit a new PR, all your program weights recalculate instantly using your exact plate setup. No more impossible combinations or manual adjustments. FULL CUSTOMIZATION Create your own programs beyond the default Texas Method structure. Add custom weeks, customize training days, adjust sets and reps, and modify percentages. Add your own exercises or tweak the default program to match your specific needs. Your program, your way. SHARE YOUR PROGRAMS Share training programs instantly with QR codes: • Generate QR codes for any program template • Post on social media for your followers to scan • Share with training partners at the gym • Import programs by scanning - no typing required • Works for both default templates and custom programs TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Visual charts show your strength gains over time. See your max weight history with interactive graphs. Filter by date range: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or all-time. Track statistics including min, max, average, and percentage change. BACKUP & RESTORE Export your complete training data as JSON for safe backup. Import to restore from previous backups or transfer data to a new device. Your training history is always protected. CORE EXERCISES INCLUDED - Squat - Bench Press - Deadlift - Press - Power Clean - Power Snatch Plus add unlimited custom exercises with Unlimited Customize. SIMPLE, FOCUSED DESIGN No ads. No social feeds. No bloat. Just your workout program, organized and ready when you hit the gym. Works completely offline - no internet required. APPLE WATCH SUPPORT View your workout on your wrist. Quick reference during training without pulling out your phone. UNIT FLEXIBILITY Switch between metric (kg) and imperial (lb) units instantly. Your training weights update automatically. FLEXIBLE PRICING Choose the plan that works for you: - Monthly subscription - Yearly subscription (save 33%) - Lifetime purchase (pay once, own forever) PERFECT FOR - Intermediate lifters ready for structured periodization - Athletes transitioning from beginner programs like StrongLifts 5x5 - Powerlifters seeking organized training logs - CrossFit athletes supplementing with linear periodization - Advanced lifters wanting full program customization Download My Texas Method and simplify your strength training today. Terms of Use: https://mytexasmethod.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://mytexasmethod.com/privacy
Starting Strength Official
This app guides beginners through the proven barbell training program, offering step-by-step instructions, guided workouts, and progress tracking. It supports novice linear progression and allows for custom routines with optional paid form checks.
- Novice Linear Progression workouts
- Step-by-step lifting instructions
- Progress charts
- Searchable training history
- Built-in training guide
- Optional paid form checks
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Meet your AI Coach: ask training questions, log or adjust workouts by chat, and build your own program — right in the app. New: Texas Method and Heavy Light Medium (HLM) for when novice progression runs out, save your own variation of any template, and train straight from your Apple Watch. JUST SHOW UP AND LIFT • Novice Linear Progression with automatic weight increases every session • The app calculates your work weights, warm-ups, and plate math for you • Automatic stall detection with smart deload recommendations • A/B workout rotation handled for you PROGRAMS FOR WHEN YOU STOP ADDING WEIGHT • Texas Method and Heavy Light Medium (HLM) built in for post-novice lifters, weights worked out for every session automatically • Build your OWN program just by chatting with the AI Coach — "give me the Texas Method with rack pulls instead of deadlifts", "make my squats 5×5", "add chin-ups on day two" — it builds the whole week and tracks your progress from then on • Save your own variation of any template and switch back any time AI COACH (Pro) • Ask anything about the method and get an instant, on-point answer • Coming back after time off? Get the right weight for your first session back • It reads your training log and gives you personalized advice • Every change is shown to you first — nothing is logged or edited without a tap to confirm APPLE WATCH COMPANION (Pro) • Run your workout from your wrist — current weight, reps and per-side plates on one card, rest countdown on the next • Log Made/Missed and advance warmups without touching your phone • Rest alerts buzz your wrist even while you're looking at it APPLE HEALTH • Save your workouts and body weight to Apple Health • Weigh in on your scale or another Health app and your profile stays up to date on its own • Off until you switch it on in Settings; your data stays on your device GET BACK ON TRACK ON ANY PHONE • Sign in when you set up a new phone and your workouts, settings and programs come back automatically — no re-entering starting weights FORM CHECK FROM A REAL COACH (Pro) • Send a video and a real Starting Strength coach reviews your technique • Pay with Apple Pay or card TRACK EVERYTHING • Full training log with searchable notes • Plate math — see exactly which plates to load per side • Rest timer with notifications so you never miss your next set • Progress charts for PRs, volume trends, and projected gains LEARN PROPER TECHNIQUE • Step-by-step form guides for Squat, Press, Bench Press, Deadlift and Power Clean • Coach-verified cues and 50+ FAQs on programming, nutrition and recovery FLEXIBLE TRAINING • Free Log mode for lifters beyond novice programming • Custom plate setup for any gym • Imperial and metric units • Cloud backup so you never lose your training history Find certified Starting Strength Coaches and Gyms near you, right from the app. PRICING • Monthly: $14.99/mo • Yearly: $89.99/yr • Lifetime: $179.99 one-time Free features cover core novice programming and tracking; AI Coach, post-novice programs, custom programs, Apple Watch and form check require Pro (marked above). Subscriptions can be managed in your Apple ID settings. Starting Strength is the official mobile companion to the world's most trusted barbell program, built for lifters following Mark Rippetoe's methodology. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://ss-app-legal.netlify.app/privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Starting Strength Official at 54% against My Texas Method's 0%. Starting Strength Official also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (49 vs 2). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. My Texas Method sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Starting Strength Official sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Starting Strength Official holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Starting Strength Official has 49 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of My Texas Method's written reviews are positive against 54% of Starting Strength Official's.
My Texas Method ships an update every 3 weeks, Starting Strength Official every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | My Texas Method | Starting Strength Official |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (2 ratings) | 4.5 (49 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 53.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 49 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 26.2 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 156 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | BestForce | Shabu Pty Ltd |
Customer experience
My Texas Method
Starting Strength Official
In-app purchases
My Texas Method
- Unlimited Customize7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Unlimited Customize7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Unlimited Customize$99.99
Starting Strength Official
- Pro Monthly7 Days trial$14.991 Month
- Pro Quarterly$29.993 Months
- Pro Yearly$89.991 Year
- 1 Priority Form Check$24.99
- 3 Form Check Credits$69.99
- Pro Lifetime$179.99
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- 10 Form Check Credits$219.99
Questions
Is My Texas Method free?
Is Starting Strength Official free?
Which has better reviews, My Texas Method or Starting Strength Official?
Do My Texas Method or Starting Strength Official have ads?
Which is updated more often, My Texas Method or Starting Strength Official?
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