Comparison

Forge 5/3/1 vs OwnLift

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

Head to head
About

Forge 5/3/1

This powerlifting app helps users follow the Wendler 5/3/1 Boring But Big program with personalized workouts. It offers detailed tracking, history, and gym-ready features, with optional premium upgrades for advanced customization and data management.

Highlights
  • Personalized 5/3/1 BBB workouts
  • Classic Wendler progression
  • Log sets, reps, and weights
  • Volume and estimated 1RM tracking
  • Offline functionality
  • Plate calculator
  • Customizable training percentages
Features
Read full description

Forge 531 is your powerlifting companion for Wendler 5/3/1 Boring But Big—built for lifters who want precision, customization, and privacy. No ads-driven onboarding and no required account. PROGRAM & WORKOUTS (included) • Enter one-rep maxes for squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press—Forge generates personalized 5/3/1 BBB sessions from your training maxes • Classic Wendler progression with Boring But Big assistance work • Four-week cycles including deload; intuitive week navigation and cycle management • Metric or imperial units—switch anytime in Settings TRACKING & HISTORY (included) • Log sets, reps, and weights for every workout • Volume totals (weight × reps) • Estimated 1RM from AMRAP sets (Brzycki) • Full history with analytics so you can see progress over time GYM-READY DESIGN (included) • Optional keep screen awake during sessions • Dark theme suited to dim floors • Fast movement between weeks and workout detail PRIVACY & SIMPLICITY (included) • No account—ever. Nothing to register; nothing you must log into later • Your data stays on your device—not tied to a Forge cloud profile • Works offline for everyday training PREMIUM — SMART PLATES & LOADS (14-day free trial, then one-time purchase — no subscription) • Plate calculator — visual plate combinations for any target weight • Plate settings — barbell weight and inventory that match your gym • Full calculator access lines up with your metric/imperial choice once Premium is active PREMIUM — TRAINING CONTROL (same trial / purchase model) • Training max % adjustments — tune percentages off Wendler defaults • Progressions customization — adjust weekly progression percentages • Warm-up sets — bar-only and configurable percentage warm-ups before working sets (deload options in Settings) PREMIUM — DATA PORTABILITY (Not included in the free trial — unlocks with Premium purchase) • Import/export — backup and restore workout history via CSV HOW PREMIUM WORKS New users receive a 14-day trial for most Premium features listed above.** Import/export requires a Premium purchase and is not part of the trial.** After the trial ends, Premium remains available as a one-time purchase—no subscription.

About

OwnLift

Features
Read full description

OwnLift is a focused program runner for lifters using 5/3/1-style barbell training. Set your training maxes, units, rounding, and cycle increases. OwnLift generates the next workout, calculates prescribed weights, and lets you log each set with as little friction as possible. Key features: - 5/3/1 Classic 4-week cycle - Training Max management for squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press - kg/lb units with configurable rounding - Optional warm-up sets - Today view for the next incomplete session - Prescribed work sets with weight and rep targets - AMRAP top-set logging - Automatic rest timer after completed work sets - Workout history and session details - e1RM trend, recent volume, and progress summaries - Backup export and import files - Offline-first local storage, with no account required OwnLift is built for the moment between sets: large numbers, clear actions, and a quiet interface that keeps the next lift obvious. Completed prescriptions are saved as snapshots, so past workouts stay consistent even if you later change your settings. OwnLift is an independent training log and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the creator or publisher of the 5/3/1 program.

Screenshots

Forge 5/3/14 screens
OwnLift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OwnLift at none against Forge 5/3/1's 1. Forge 5/3/1's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads and device support 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. Forge 5/3/1 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OwnLift asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Forge 5/3/1 versus OwnLift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForge 5/3/1OwnLift
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB61 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperDev IT Digital LLCMyungwoo Yang

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Forge 5/3/1

One-time1
  • Premium Features$4.99
None

OwnLift

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Forge 5/3/1 free?
Forge 5/3/1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OwnLift free?
OwnLift is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Forge 5/3/1 or OwnLift have ads?
Neither Forge 5/3/1 nor OwnLift shows ads.

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