Comparison

Progress vs Strength Maxing

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

Head to head
About

Progress

Features
Read full description

Progress is a focused workout journal for strength training. Log exercises, sets, reps and weight on iPhone โ€” or log from your wrist with the Apple Watch companion, included with Pro. TRAIN WITHOUT CLUTTER โ€ข Log and review your sets โ€ข Keep the previous workout close at hand โ€ข Organize and archive exercises โ€ข Keep your training history available offline PROGRESS PRO โ€ข More tools: Analysis and Apple Watch โ€ข Unlimited exercises โ€ข Ad-free ON YOUR WRIST WITH PRO Move between exercises and sets, adjust weight with the Digital Crown and the .5 kg control, and change reps with +/โˆ’. Save a set to start a compact rest timer. Training changes sync with the iPhone app when connectivity allows. Requires a compatible Apple Watch and the iPhone app. Use Analysis to review your training and export your data. Your training history stays saved if Pro ends. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. If a free trial is available and you are eligible, it renews into the selected paid plan unless canceled. The App Store shows your local price and terms before purchase. Manage or cancel in your App Store account. Support & Privacy: https://claudiusthelen.com/data/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Strength Maxing

Features
Read full description

Strength Maxing is an iOS app based on the 5/3/1 program for building strength. It tracks your 1RM across four core lifts (squat, bench, deadlift, overhead press) and provides structured workouts with calculated training weights, AMRAP sets, and progress tracking. Features include routine scheduling, rest timers, and detailed lift history graphs.

Screenshots

Progress3 screens
Strength Maxing3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Strength Maxing at none against Progress's 2. Strength Maxing also leads on ads (none vs shown). Progress's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Progress sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Strength Maxing asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Progress ships an update every 3 days, Strength Maxing every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences ยท 1 level
Progress versus Strength Maxing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProgressStrength Maxing
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days โ€” betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo โ€” better
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 โ€” better17.6
Further details โ€” not scored
Size5 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperClaudius ThelenZachary Carey

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Progress

Subscriptions2
  • Progress Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Progress Pro Yearly$12.991 Year
None

Strength Maxing

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Progress free?
Progress is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Strength Maxing free?
Strength Maxing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Progress or Strength Maxing have ads?
Progress shows ads; Strength Maxing does not.
Which is updated more often, Progress or Strength Maxing?
Progress ships an update every 3 days, and Strength Maxing every 3 weeks. Most recently, Progress was updated on October 3, 2026 and Strength Maxing on September 27, 2026.

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