Comparison

Ascend Calisthenics vs Skill

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

Head to head
About

Ascend Calisthenics

This app guides you through calisthenics with a structured, step-by-step progression. It includes video tutorials, daily tasks, and social features to keep you motivated. Optional AI-powered features offer personalized training plans and analysis.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step exercise progression
  • Video tutorials from athletes
  • Daily tasks and streaks
  • Friend and leaderboard features
  • Recovery tracking
  • Optional AI training plans
Features
Read full description

From your first pull-up to the muscle-up โ€“ Ascend gives you a clear path through calisthenics. Step by step, no guesswork. YOUR SKILL PATH โ€ข Exercises in a clean progression: master one step to unlock the next โ€ข Video tutorials from real athletes for every step โ€ข Benchmarks show you where you stand STAY ON TRACK โ€ข Daily tasks and streaks keep you in rhythm โ€ข Earn XP, climb the ranks and fill your muscle map โ€ข A showcase for your mastered skills WITH FRIENDS โ€ข Add friends via link or QR code โ€ข Leaderboard, progress comparison, chat RECOVERY IN VIEW โ€ข Daily recovery check (sleep, soreness) โ€ข Optionally connected to Apple Health or Health Connect โ€ข Water tracking ASCEND PRO (optional subscription) โ€ข AI training plan: your weekly plan, tailored to your goal, level and time โ€ข AI coach: ask any training question, anytime โ€ข AI body analysis: make your progress visible โ€ข Weak-spot analysis: see what's holding you back The core features stay free. Pro subscriptions renew automatically and can be cancelled anytime via the store. Terms of Use: https://ascend-calisthenics.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://ascend-calisthenics.com/privacy.html Ages 16+. The app is not a substitute for medical advice.

About

Skill

Features
Read full description

Your roadmap from beginner to advanced calisthenics. Ever wanted to learn a muscle-up, planche, or human flag but had no idea where to start? Skill Flow maps out every step of the journey on a visual, interactive skill tree โ€” so you always know what to train next. How it works: Tap any skill to see what it is, what prerequisites you need, and where it leads. Pinch and pan across the full skill graph to explore progressions across pushups, pullups, dips, handstands, core, and back movements โ€” from dead hangs all the way to the iron cross and maltese. Track your progress: Mark skills as achieved, set target skills you're working toward, and log personal bests โ€” reps for dynamic moves, hold times for statics. Your profile keeps a clear snapshot of where you are and what's next. Train smarter: Not strong enough for a skill yet? Skill Flow tells you when negative training can help โ€” work the eccentric portion of a movement to build the strength you need for the full version. Features: -Interactive skill tree with 50+ calisthenics skills -Tap any skill for descriptions, prerequisites, and progressions -Track personal bests (reps and hold times) -Target skills and see the path to get there -Search to jump to any skill instantly -Gear requirements for each skill (bar, rings, parallel bars, etc.) -Covers 6 major categories: pushups, pullups, dips, handstands, core, and back -Free to browse the entire skill tree โ€” no account required Whether you're just starting with body weight fitness or chasing elite skills, Skill Flow gives you the map. You bring the work.

Screenshots

Ascend Calisthenics4 screens
Skill3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Skill at none against Ascend Calisthenics's 5. Skill also leads on update cadence (daily vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Ascend Calisthenics sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Skill asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ascend Calisthenics ships an update monthly, Skill daily. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 6 level
Ascend Calisthenics versus Skill: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAscend CalisthenicsSkill
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyMonthlyDaily โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
MonetizationFreemiumโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details โ€” not scored
Size170 MB49 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperFelix MerklJonathan Mesa

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Ascend Calisthenics

Subscriptions5
  • Ascend Pro$8.991 Month
  • Ascend Pro$9.991 Month
  • Ascend Pro Winter1 Month trial$9.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Ascend Pro3 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Ascend Pro Winter1 Year trial$69.991 Year
None

Skill

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ascend Calisthenics free?
Ascend Calisthenics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Skill free?
Skill is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Ascend Calisthenics or Skill have ads?
Neither Ascend Calisthenics nor Skill shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ascend Calisthenics or Skill?
Ascend Calisthenics ships an update monthly, and Skill daily. Most recently, Ascend Calisthenics was updated on October 19, 2026 and Skill on October 9, 2026.

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