Comparison

Forge 5/3/1 vs BenchPress AI

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

BenchPress AI

Features
Read full description

BenchPress AI turns your iPhone into a real-time bench press tracking and training tool. Place your iPhone behind your head on a stable tripod, start your set, and let BenchPress AI track your bench press performance while you lift. Monitor repetitions, bar movement, bar speed, tilt, shoulder balance, workout history, ranks, leaderboards, and collectible rewards. Whether you are working toward a new personal record, improving your bar path, or looking for a better way to track every set, BenchPress AI gives you immediate workout feedback and long-term progress tracking in one focused app. KEY FEATURES REAL-TIME BENCH PRESS TRACKING Use your iPhone camera to track your bench press movement and receive feedback while completing your set. AUTOMATIC REP COUNTING Automatically count completed repetitions so you can focus on lifting instead of manually logging every rep. BAR SPEED AND TILT FEEDBACK View bar speed and tilt indicators to better understand how your repetitions move throughout each set. SHOULDER BALANCE FEEDBACK Receive feedback when one side appears lower or uneven, helping you stay more aware of your bench press position. WORKOUT HISTORY Save your training sessions and review your weight, repetitions, total volume, scores, and set performance over time. PROGRESS TRACKING Review previous workouts and track changes in strength, volume, consistency, and training activity. RANKS AND GRIND SCORE Stay motivated with a ranking system based on your training activity, consistency, volume, and performance. LEADERBOARDS Compare your grind score, estimated one-repetition maximum, training volume, streak, and other workout statistics with other lifters. COLLECTIBLE REWARD PACKS Complete sets, reach training targets, and unlock collectible reward packs and cards as you progress. BUILT SPECIFICALLY FOR BENCH PRESS BenchPress AI focuses on one lift: the bench press. The experience is designed around rep tracking, bar movement, form awareness, workout history, and strength progress. SUBSCRIPTIONS BenchPress AI may offer automatically renewing monthly and yearly subscriptions. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account after purchase confirmation. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel your subscription through your Apple ID subscription settings. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION BenchPress AI is a fitness and workout tracking tool. It is not a medical device, physical therapy tool, professional coaching replacement, emergency safety system, or injury prevention system. Tracking results and feedback may be inaccurate, delayed, incomplete, or unavailable. Do not rely solely on the app when making training or safety decisions. Always lift safely, use appropriate equipment, secure your phone and tripod, and use a qualified spotter or properly positioned safety arms when bench pressing heavy weight. Privacy Policy: https://benchpressai.com Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Forge 5/3/14 screens
BenchPress AI4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BenchPress AI at none against Forge 5/3/1's 1. Forge 5/3/1's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, 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. BenchPress AI asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 9, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Forge 5/3/1 versus BenchPress AI: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForge 5/3/1BenchPress AI
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB7 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperDev IT Digital LLCEHSAN TAVAKOLI

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Forge 5/3/1

One-time1
  • Premium Features$4.99
None

BenchPress AI

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 BenchPress AI free?
BenchPress AI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Forge 5/3/1 or BenchPress AI have ads?
Neither Forge 5/3/1 nor BenchPress AI shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forge 5/3/1 or BenchPress AI?
Forge 5/3/1 ships an update every 3 weeks, and BenchPress AI every 3 weeks. Most recently, Forge 5/3/1 was updated on August 9, 2026 and BenchPress AI on September 8, 2026.

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