Comparison

Built Strong vs stronglifts

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

Head to head
About

Built Strong

Features
Read full description

Built Strong is your ultimate strength training companion, featuring programs designed by elite coach and record-setting bench presser Josef Eriksson. Whether you're an aspiring lifter, dedicated athlete, or just looking to build serious strength, this app offers structured programs tailored to your level and goals. Each program is built on proven training principles, helping both beginners and experienced lifters improve their bench press and overall strength. With step-by-step video instructions from Josef Eriksson, you’ll get expert guidance on technique, form, and execution—ensuring you train effectively and avoid common mistakes. Designed for everyone from serious amateurs to elite powerlifters, Built Strong provides the tools you need to take your strength to the next level.

About

stronglifts

This app simplifies tracking your strength training progress with a clean interface. It automates weight increases, calculates warmups, and provides a rest timer to keep you focused on your lifts.

Highlights
  • Automated weight progression
  • Smart deloads for failed sets
  • Automatic warmup set calculation
  • Built-in rest timer
  • Visual plate calculator
  • Workout history and progress tracking
  • Apple Health integration
Features
Read full description

Track your Stronglifts 5×5 workouts with a clean, focused interface designed to keep you lifting — not tapping. SIMPLE & EFFECTIVE The Stronglifts 5×5 program alternates between two workouts (A and B) using five compound barbell exercises: Squat, Bench Press, Barbell Row, Overhead Press, and Deadlift. This app handles the programming so you can focus on your lifts. SMART PROGRESSION - Automatically increases weight after successful sets - Tracks consecutive failures and applies deloads when needed - Warmup sets calculated automatically based on your working weight DURING YOUR WORKOUT - Tap sets to log reps as you complete them - Built-in rest timer with automatic recommendations - Collapse completed exercises to stay focused on what's next - Visual plate calculator shows exactly which plates to load WORKOUT HISTORY - Review past workouts with completion status at a glance - Track your progress over time APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION - Completed workouts saved to Apple Health as strength training sessions PLATE CALCULATOR - Standalone plate calculator for quick reference - Visual bar diagram with color-coded plates Built for lifters who want to get stronger without distractions.

Screenshots

Built Strong4 screens
stronglifts4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: stronglifts at every 5 days against Built Strong's fortnightly. Built Strong's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Built Strong ships an update fortnightly, stronglifts every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Built Strong versus stronglifts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuilt Strongstronglifts
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.1 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBuilt StrongJeff Namkung

In-app purchases

None

Built Strong

No in-app purchases

None

stronglifts

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Built Strong free?
Built Strong is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is stronglifts free?
stronglifts is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Built Strong or stronglifts have ads?
Neither Built Strong nor stronglifts shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Built Strong or stronglifts?
Built Strong ships an update fortnightly, and stronglifts every 5 days. Most recently, Built Strong was updated on October 24, 2026 and stronglifts on October 23, 2026.

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