Comparison

Athleticcs | Forge vs OptimistPal

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

Head to head
About

Athleticcs | Forge

Features
Read full description

Build strength. Build streaks. Build the best version of yourself. Big Fella Athletics is the only fitness app that combines intelligent weightlifting progression with gamified run streak challenges. Whether you're chasing PRs in the gym or building daily running consistency, we've got you covered. SMART STRENGTH TRAINING Log workouts in seconds with our intuitive interface 150+ exercises with muscle group targeting Automatic PR detection and celebration Smart progression recommendations tell you exactly when to add weight Track volume, intensity, and progress over time Built-in rest timer with haptic feedback RUN STREAK CHALLENGER Build unbreakable running habits with streak tracking Beautiful calendar heatmap shows your consistency Streak freeze passes for rest days (2 per month) Track distance, pace, and duration Multiple run types: easy, tempo, intervals, long runs PROGRESS ANALYTICS Visualize your gains with intuitive charts Weekly and monthly progress summaries Personal records dashboard Volume tracking by muscle group 100% PRIVATE All data stored locally on YOUR device No account required Works completely offline No ads, no tracking, no data selling Export your data anytime (CSV/JSON) BUILT FOR HYBRID ATHLETES Finally, one app for lifters who run and runners who lift. See your complete fitness journey in one place. Download Big Fella Athletics and start your journey today. Your PRs are waiting. Apple Health: We use Apple Health to import your running workouts so your activity stays in one place. Access is optional and only used to read run data you choose to sync. All data stays on your device.

About

OptimistPal

This app offers daily perspective shifts to help reframe negative thought patterns. It intervenes when you reach for certain apps, providing a moment of pause and a guided reframe to encourage a more optimistic outlook without requiring willpower or promoting toxic positivity.

Highlights
  • Daily reframing practice
  • Thought pattern identification
  • Customizable app selection
  • Time-limited app access
  • Daily streak tracking
  • Secular affirmations
Features
Read full description

Train a more optimistic mind. OptimistPal is a daily practice in reframing: short, grounded perspective shifts for the thoughts that pull at you. Comparing spirals, worst-case loops, late-night cynicism, the everything's-bleak mood. A small reframe, in the moment you actually need it. No willpower required. No toxic positivity. Just a moment to see things differently. How it works Pick the apps that pull you in, whichever ones leave you cynical, anxious, or comparing. Reach for one. When you open it, OptimistPal steps in with a gentle moment of pause, right at the door, before you tap in. Reframe. Tap the thought that's pulling you (worst-case spiral, comparing, mind-reading, all-or-nothing, everything's bleak, not enough, stuck, just frustrated), and OptimistPal offers a short reframe and a piece of wisdom for the moment. Prefer to sit with it on your own? Do that instead. Tap Onward. Your apps open back up for the time window you've chosen: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, or until tomorrow. What you get A library of reframes for the thoughts that actually run your day. Short, grounded perspective shifts. Timeless wisdom in your pocket, sorted by the kind of thought you're caught in. A daily streak. See your reframe days stack up. Build the habit one Onward at a time. Affirmations. Receive a small word of encouragement every time you finish a reframe: secular, grounded, never preachy. You choose the apps. Pick as few or as many as you want. Change them anytime. You choose the duration. Set how long Onward gives you after a reframe. Built on Apple Screen Time OptimistPal uses Apple's Screen Time framework so the reframe can meet you the moment you reach for one of your chosen apps, right at the door, before you tap in. That means OptimistPal cannot see what you do inside any app. Ever. Apple doesn't allow it. Your selections stay on your device. No accounts, no servers, no tracking. Who it's for Anyone who keeps reaching for their phone and wishes they'd reached for a clearer thought instead. People tired of doomscrolling, comparison spirals, or the late-night cynicism loop. Train a more optimistic mind. Download OptimistPal. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Full access to all features is only available in the paid subscription plan (Weekly/Yearly) When you purchase a subscription, please be aware of the following: - Payment will be charged to Apple Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's App Store Account Settings after purchase Terms of service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://john-apps.github.io/optimistpal-privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Athleticcs | Forge4 screens
OptimistPal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Athleticcs | Forge at none against OptimistPal's 4. Athleticcs | Forge also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, device support 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. OptimistPal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Athleticcs | Forge asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Athleticcs | Forge ships an update every 4 days, OptimistPal every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Athleticcs | Forge versus OptimistPal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAthleticcs | ForgeOptimistPal
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.5 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—8 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAloha Supplies LLCJohn Kevin Basco

In-app purchases

None

Athleticcs | Forge

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

OptimistPal

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Yearly Lite$7.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Athleticcs | Forge free?
Athleticcs | Forge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is OptimistPal free?
OptimistPal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Athleticcs | Forge or OptimistPal have ads?
Neither Athleticcs | Forge nor OptimistPal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Athleticcs | Forge or OptimistPal?
Athleticcs | Forge ships an update every 4 days, and OptimistPal every 3 weeks. Most recently, Athleticcs | Forge was updated on October 28, 2026 and OptimistPal on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons