Comparison

The Bouldering Guidebook vs Callus

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

Head to head
About

The Bouldering Guidebook

This app provides personalized bouldering training programs, structured strength and conditioning, and detailed progress tracking for intermediate to advanced climbers. It includes gym, hangboard, and climbing workouts, along with recovery protocols. Access requires a subscription after a free two-week trial.

Highlights
  • Personalized bouldering training program
  • Structured strength & conditioning
  • Gym, hangboard, and climbing workouts
  • Progress tracking & analytics
  • Recovery protocols
  • Future program updates
Features
Read full description

The Bouldering Guidebook is a subscription-based training system for intermediate and advanced boulderers. The app requires an account to access any features. Creating an account starts a free two-week trial, after which a monthly subscription is required for continued access. All features and screenshots shown are available only to trial users or active subscribers. Included With Free Trial / Subscription: • Full personalised bouldering training program • Structured strength & conditioning sessions • Gym, hangboard, and climbing workouts • Progress tracking & analytics • Recovery protocols • All future program updates included

About

Callus

Features
Read full description

Callus is a climbing training log for climbers who train with intention. Log hangboard work, pull strength, sends and attempts, and project sessions — then read your season on a map-inspired dashboard. LOG WHAT MATTERS • Hangboard — edge depth, load, sets, hang time, and session quality • Pull strength — weighted work and bodyweight reps with automatic % bodyweight • Climbing — grades, sends, attempts, session counts, and optional project links • Notes and custom entries for mobility, rehab, or anything else in your plan SEE YOUR TRAINING • Home — PRs, latest send, training mix, and recent volume • Stats — hangboard peaks by edge and pull strength summaries • Charts — grade progression and session trends over time • Path — goal-grade benchmarks, weakness radar, and waypoints • Projects — linked sessions with automatic send detection CLIMB WITH YOUR CREW (optional) • Find real climbing gyms and crags near you on a map styled like a topo sheet • Plant a flag to show your crew where you're headed — and see who else is out • A shared calendar of check-ins, plus crew and per-gym session chat • Private by design — only your crew sees your flags. Create or join a crew with a code or QR, and leave anytime — Callus Membership is an auto-renewing subscription: $2.99/month after a 7-day free trial. Payment is charged to your Apple ID and renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRkVWIjRbIyry7lHSvzjYGMnBEx6eMRqniZVhvFGLrbkQpQGmCLKRaIWvss8jzbGIQwMhvS7MEDrIho/pub

Screenshots

The Bouldering Guidebook4 screens
Callus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: The Bouldering Guidebook at 13.0 against Callus's 15.1. 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. The Bouldering Guidebook sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $39.00 per month and Callus sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
The Bouldering Guidebook versus Callus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Bouldering GuidebookCallus
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB72 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperBouldering Guidebook LLCPhong Davis Nguyen

In-app purchases

1 purchases

The Bouldering Guidebook

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$39.001 Month
1 purchases

Callus

Subscriptions1
  • Callus Membership7 Days trial$2.991 Month

Questions

Is The Bouldering Guidebook free?
The Bouldering Guidebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Callus free?
Callus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The Bouldering Guidebook or Callus have ads?
Neither The Bouldering Guidebook nor Callus shows ads.

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