Comparison

Forge 5/3/1 vs BBB Tracker

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

BBB Tracker

Features
Read full description

BBB Tracker is a focused, no-nonsense companion for Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 strength program with the Boring But Big (BBB) assistance template. Set your training maxes once and BBB Tracker handles the rest — every cycle, every week, every set is calculated for you. Step into a workout and just lift. What it does: • Full 5/3/1 cycle logic — 5s, 3s, and 5/3/1 weeks, with working sets and AMRAP top sets prescribed automatically • Boring But Big built in — 5×10 assistance work at the right percentage every session • Automatic warmups and plate-rounded weights tuned to your bar and increment • Training Max progression handled for you — +5 lb upper, +10 lb lower each cycle • TM test weeks every third cycle, with stall detection that suggests when to reset • Build your own accessory library and log it alongside the main work • Full workout history so you can see every rep you've put in Private by design: • No account, no sign-up • No analytics, no tracking, no ads • Everything stays on your device — nothing is ever sent to a server

Screenshots

Forge 5/3/14 screens
BBB Tracker3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BBB Tracker at none against Forge 5/3/1's 1. Forge 5/3/1's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.3). 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. BBB Tracker asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Forge 5/3/1 versus BBB Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForge 5/3/1BBB Tracker
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, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.3
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB1 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperDev IT Digital LLCJohn Wiseman

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Forge 5/3/1

One-time1
  • Premium Features$4.99
None

BBB Tracker

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

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