Comparison

Barley vs Blocks

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

Head to head
About

Barley

This app helps serious lifters track their strength training progress. It offers a comprehensive exercise library, custom exercise creation, and detailed performance metrics like PRs and RPE.

Highlights
  • Exercise library
  • Custom exercise creation
  • Plate calculator
  • 1 rep max calculators
  • PR tracking
  • RPE tracking
  • Workout statistics
Features
Read full description

Barley is no-frills workout tracking app for serious lifters. **Features** - Exercise library - Create custom exercises - Barbell plate convenience calculator - 4 different 1 rep max calculators to choose from - Personal Record (PR) tracking for weight, reps, and volume - RPE tracking - Timed exercises - Workout statistics - Workout history - Customer rest timers (including the ability to have RPE-specific rest timers)

About

Blocks

Easily log gym sessions, track progress with automatic rest timers, and build custom routines. This app helps you focus on progressive overload without needing an account initially. Unlock AI coaching and personalized plans with an optional subscription.

Highlights
  • Log exercises, sets, reps, and weights
  • Automatic rest timer
  • Track workout history and personal records
  • Create custom routines or use templates
  • Offline training support
  • AI Coach for personalized programs (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Make each gym session easier to follow and your strength progress easier to see. Blocks helps you log workouts, stay focused between sets, and build a routine that fits your goals—without needing an account to get started. • Record exercises, sets, reps, and weights in a few taps • Check your previous performance and aim to beat your last session • Keep your workout moving with an automatic rest timer • Track workout history and personal records over time • Start with a template or create a routine that works for you • Train offline, with plate and one-rep max calculators close at hand Add, swap, or remove exercises as your session changes. Blocks saves your workout history so you can see how your training is progressing. For more guidance, Blocks Pro includes an AI Coach with personalized training programs and meal plans based on your goals, schedule, and available equipment. Built for lifters who already know their way around the gym but want a clearer plan for progressive overload—not another spreadsheet. Your data stays on your device when you start without an account; sign in with Apple or create an account for cloud backup and premium features. Blocks Pro is an auto-renewable subscription. Choose monthly access for $9.99 per month, with a 7-day free trial, or yearly access for $79.99 per year. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel your subscription in Apple ID Account Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://josh04121998.github.io/blocks/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://josh04121998.github.io/blocks/ Download Blocks and make your next workout easier to track.

Screenshots

Barley4 screens
Blocks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barley at none against Blocks's 2. Blocks's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.4). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Blocks sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Barley asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Barley against 5.0 for Blocks. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Barley ships an update fortnightly, Blocks every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Barley versus Blocks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarleyBlocks
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.415.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNo Translation Layer LLCJOSHUA LUKE HANDLEY

Customer experience

Barley

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Blocks

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Barley

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Blocks

Subscriptions2
  • Forma Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Forma Pro Yearly$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Barley free?
Barley is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Blocks free?
Blocks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Barley or Blocks?
Barley and Blocks are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Barley or Blocks have ads?
Neither Barley nor Blocks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Barley or Blocks?
Barley ships an update fortnightly, and Blocks every 9 days. Most recently, Barley was updated on October 30, 2026 and Blocks on November 5, 2026.

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