Comparison

Simple 5x5 vs Ascend

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

Head to head
About

Simple 5x5

This app helps users track 5x5 style barbell weightlifting programs. It automatically progresses weight, includes a rest timer, and offers progress charts. All features are free with no ads or subscriptions.

Highlights
  • Track main lifts (Squat, Bench Press, Row, OHP, Deadlift)
  • Automatic weight progression
  • Built-in rest timer with notifications
  • Add custom accessory exercises
  • Progress charts for all exercises
  • Plate calculator
  • Export/import data
Features
Read full description

Simple 5×5 is a completely free and open-source weight lifting workout tracker for 5x5 style barbell programs. FEATURES: - All features completely free! - Track your main lifts: Squat, Bench Press, Row, Overhead Press, Deadlift - Automatic weight progression after successful workouts - Built-in rest timer with notifications - Add custom accessory exercises - Progress charts for all exercises - Plate calculator showing which plates to load - Export/import your data for backup No ads, no subscriptions, and no accounts required. Your data stays on your device.

About

Ascend

Features
Read full description

Ascend turns weight tracking into a fantasy RPG. Log your weight, earn XP, level up your hero, and watch their gear and title climb as your consistency does. No calorie counting, no food logging — just the one number, and a saga built on top of it. CHOOSE YOUR HERO Four classes, each with its own six-rung title ladder: • Knight — Squire to Deliverer of the Realm • Wizard — Apprentice to Mender of Worlds • Hunter — Trailhand to Savior of the Wilds • Rogue — Cutpurse to Legend of the Shadows Your hero's portrait upgrades through five gear tiers as you level, and short in-world lines mark the milestones along the way. LOG A DAY, EARN A DAY • Log your weight in kg, lb, or st — that is the whole daily ritual • Every log awards XP and moves the level bar • A smoothed trend line cuts through daily water-weight noise • Set a target weight and track the percentage to goal • Optional height gives you BMI alongside the trend FORGIVING STREAKS Miss a day and you do not lose everything. Streak freezes automatically bridge a single missed day, and you earn a freeze back for every full week you keep going. Your longest run is always remembered. DAILY QUESTS A short, self-reported checklist tailored to your goal — lose weight, lose fat, build muscle, or maintain. Walk twenty minutes. Skip the sugary drinks. Hit your protein. Each one is worth XP. Nothing is tracked automatically and nothing is judged. BADGES THAT REWARD BEHAVIOUR Every badge is earned by showing up — first log, seven days, thirty days, seven-day streak, thirty-day streak. None of them are tied to a number on the scale. BUILT FOR THE EVENING Deep Night is a dark, calm interface designed for the end of the day, with an optional daily reminder in the morning or evening. ASCEND PRO Unlock the full saga with a subscription: • All four heroes — Hunter and Rogue, plus the freedom to change class anytime and keep your XP • All four focuses instead of one • Four streak freezes instead of two • Two-way Apple Health sync for weight • Body fat % tracking, logged by hand or imported from Health • The Chronicle — your rate of change per week, 7- and 30-day averages, and a body-fat trend • CSV export of everything you have logged • Your projected goal date • Pick any reminder time you like, to the minute Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store settings. Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you buy a subscription. Ascend is a tracking and motivation tool, not a medical device. It does not diagnose, treat, or give medical or nutritional advice. Talk to a qualified professional before changing your diet or exercise. Terms: https://bogtsi.xyz/ascend/terms Privacy: https://bogtsi.xyz/ascend/privacy Your saga starts with one number.

Screenshots

Simple 5x54 screens
Ascend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simple 5x5 at none against Ascend's 2. Simple 5x5 also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. Ascend sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Simple 5x5 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simple 5x5 ships an update every 4 days, Ascend every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Simple 5x5 versus Ascend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple 5x5Ascend
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (65 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings65 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew BibireBogdan Tsiganiuk

In-app purchases

None

Simple 5x5

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Ascend

Subscriptions2
  • Ascend Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Ascend Pro Annual7 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Simple 5x5 free?
Simple 5x5 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ascend free?
Ascend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Simple 5x5 or Ascend have ads?
Neither Simple 5x5 nor Ascend shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simple 5x5 or Ascend?
Simple 5x5 ships an update every 4 days, and Ascend every 10 days. Most recently, Simple 5x5 was updated on October 28, 2026 and Ascend on October 4, 2026.

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