Compound Theory vs Stronq
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Compound Theory
This strength training tracker offers a vast library of proven workout programs and allows users to build their own custom routines. It provides insights into muscle recovery, strength standards, and integrates with Apple Health for a comprehensive view of fitness progress.
- Extensive library of pre-built strength programs
- Customizable workout routine builder
- Muscle recovery tracking with visual indicators
- Strength standards comparison
- Apple Health integration for recovery insights
- One-tap set completion and auto-progression
- Apple Watch workout tracking
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Compound Theory is a no-nonsense strength training tracker built for lifters who already know what they're doing, and the ones who want to. PROVEN PROGRAMS, BUILT IN Linear: StrongLifts 5×5, Starting Strength, Greyskull LP, GZCLP, Reddit PPL, Reddit Basic 3×5. Intermediate: Madcow 5×5, Texas Method. Peaking: Candito 6 Week, Juggernaut Method 2.0. Full 5/3/1 family: Original, BBB, FSL, SSL, Triumvirate, Monolith, Leader/Anchor, Beginner, 2 day Minimalist. Power/hypertrophy: PHUL, PHAT, nSuns 4 Day, Jacked & Tan 2.0, Powerbuilding Template, Juggernaut Base. Not sure where to start? The Find Your Program quiz picks the best match for your goal, experience, and schedule in under a minute. MUSCLE FRESHNESS Every exercise row carries a recovery dot, green, yellow, or red, so you know which movement patterns are ready for another hard session. Tap in for a per pattern recovery bar, last loaded time, and the workouts that contributed. STRENGTH STANDARDS See where your Squat, Bench, Deadlift, and Overhead Press rank against the rest of the lifting population, adjusted for your bodyweight, age, and sex. Per lift progress bars show how far you are from Intermediate, Advanced, or Elite. RECOVERY INSIGHTS Connect Apple Health and the app watches your HRV, sleep, and recent training load. When recovery looks reduced, a banner on Home suggests a lighter day. Every past alert stays in Progress so you can scroll back through the data that drove every recommendation. LIFT, LOG, DONE One tap set completion with a crisp haptic click. Auto calculated warmups. Plate math that respects the plates you actually own. Rest timer that auto starts when you finish a set. Weight auto progresses after every workout. Supersets drawn as paired cards with rest pause timer behavior. BUILD YOUR OWN Have a program the presets don't cover? Custom Programs now lets you design anything from a flat StrongLifts-style linear plan to a multi-week wave with per-set percentages of your training max, AMRAP markers, and auto TM advancement on 5+ rep finishers. Nest LEVIASUNS, an nSuns variant, or your own coach's block in minutes. Export the whole program (or a program + history bundle) as a single .ironprog file, share it, and import on another device without losing a set. BODYWEIGHT, DONE RIGHT Pull ups and dips accept signed weights (+25 for a belt plate, −40 for band assistance) and factor your real bodyweight into total volume. Push ups and planks just track reps. WATCH + HEALTH Track workouts on Apple Watch: start a set on your wrist, see the rest timer tick down, end the workout without pulling out your phone. Optional auto RPE suggestion from heart rate recovery (beta). Workouts sync to Apple Health as strength training sessions. Body weight, heart rate, and calories flow both ways. STREAK THAT UNDERSTANDS YOUR SCHEDULE A 3×/week program means Tuesday is a rest day, not a gap. Your streak only breaks when you miss a scheduled session. iCLOUD SYNC + IMPORT Your workouts live on every device signed into your iCloud account. Coming from StrongLifts, Strong, or a spreadsheet? One tap CSV import brings years of workouts with you. MAKE IT YOURS Seven themes. 29 app icons including Terminal, Space, Matrix, Holographic, Neon, Gold, Carbon Fiber, Blueprint, and more. WHAT YOU WON'T FIND No social feed. No trainer DMs. No push notifications begging you to open the app. No dark pattern paywalls gating basic set tracking. Pro unlocks advanced analytics (Muscle Freshness, Strength Standards, Recovery Insights), every program template, premium themes, and alternate icons. Available as a monthly or yearly subscription, or as a one-time lifetime unlock. Built for the barbell. Designed for the people who lift it. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://compoundtheory.x90sky.sh/privacy
Stronq
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# Stronq Get stronger with proven programs and a workout tracker that stays out of your way. Stronq is built for lifters who want structure, not distractions. Follow established strength programs, track your workouts, and let the app handle the progression. No accounts. No social feed. No subscriptions. ## Why Stronq? * Follow proven strength and hypertrophy programs * Automatic weight progression based on your performance * Rest timer with Lock Screen Live Activities * Apple Health integration * Support for kilograms and pounds * Fast, distraction-free workout logging * Works offline ## Included Programs * DeLorme Classic * DeLorme Yoked * PHUL * Prehab PHUL * Candito 6-Week Each program is fully built into the app, with workouts, progression, and training weights ready when you are. ## Built for Lifters The best training programs have already been written. Stronq focuses on making them easy to follow. Open the app, see exactly what to lift, complete your workout, and come back stronger next time. ## Privacy-Friendly Your workout data stays on your device. No accounts to create. No tracking. No social features. No streak pressure. ## Pricing All programs and exercises are free. An optional Premium upgrade removes ads and unlocks additional themes. No subscriptions.
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Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Compound Theory at none against Stronq's shown. Compound Theory also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly). On price, in-app purchases, 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
Both are free to download. Compound Theory sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Stronq sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Compound Theory ships an update every 6 days, Stronq monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Compound Theory | Stronq |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shane Young | Thorbjørn Throndsen Bonvik |
In-app purchases
Compound Theory
- Compound Theory Pro7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Compound Theory Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Compound Theory Pro$99.99
Stronq
- Stronq Premium$4.99
Questions
Is Compound Theory free?
Is Stronq free?
Do Compound Theory or Stronq have ads?
Which is updated more often, Compound Theory or Stronq?
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